Gabriel

     I can not believe that I haven't posted about this yet.  It's one of my favorite stories to tell.
     On October 18, 2009 we got a distressing phone call.  The Reinhards were in a serious motor cycle accident.  Our family started to gather at grandma's house.  The adults stayed upstairs praying and hoovering over the phone.  Us younger ones went into grandmas basement and talked and prayed.  Slowly, phone call by phone call,  we got more information in.  We figured out who was on the motor cycle.  It was Tim, Sarah, and Gabriel.  Next call:  Tim was out of danger with some bad road rash.  Next call:  Sarah was out of danger but had really serious knee damage.  Then we got the call that Gabriel was in really bad shape.  Praying, crying, hoping, fearing...  Then we got the call that we were all dreading.  Our loving, sweet, adorable, 5 year old cousin/nephew, Grabriel Reinhard, had passed.

     It was as if I could feel God's arms around me before I could even start crying.  I felt more comforted and peaceful at that moment than I ever had or have since.  We all grieved and I still think of what he would have been like if he was older.  But I guess I am just so thankful for having what time I did have with him.  And now I look back on that day, a day that should be seen as a dark and terrible day, with joy and exaltation.  God spoke to me in something more powerful than words.  I know He has Gabriel up in heaven with Him.  And I know that the next time I have to go through something like that, He will be right there, holding me and comforting me.  And that gives me an indescribable peace and comfort.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  I can bear any grief or loss because Christ will comfort me.  I can fight any fight because Christ will always lead.  I can take any twist in life because God has a plan.  

     "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  Philippians 4: 13

     "The Lord is my Light and my Salvation, who shall I fear?  The Lord is the Strength of my life, Of whom shall I be afraid?"  Psalms 27: 1

     "For I know the Thoughts I have toward you, sayeth the Lord, Thoughts of Peace, and not of evil, to give you and expected end."  Jeremiah 29: 11

     "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptation, knowing this,  that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  But let patience have her perfect work that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."  James 1: 2-4

More About Colorado

     So here is the list of people going:  Abby Moser and her friend,  Clair Isaia, Bethany Reinhard, Janelle Grassi, possibly Jessica Sauder, and me.  If all goes well we will leave Tuesday night.  June is getting really busy though so it's hard to find a good time for everyone.
     On a different note I have decided to continue memorizing in James.  I have all of James 1 down and I am starting in James 2.  Communion is coming up.  It's something that I only like to face once a year.  It makes me feel so guilty to think of Jesus's sacrifice for me but I really should remember and be thankful for it all year round.  The young group has been praying for communion.  That we all will soberly remember what Jesus did for us and be thankful.  Also the young group committee will hopefully have a prayer meeting before church.  I love those prayers.  It has been such a blessing.

The 3D Shooting Range Before Last Hunting Season Started

Me and Ryan getting ready to fire.

Colorado!

     Because the Tough Mudder is over I decided to start planning my next big trip.  Backpacking in Colorado!  Me and 4 to 6 other girls will leave the last Tuesday in June after work/school and arrive at a family from Denver's house Wednesday morning.  We will spend the day in Denver getting used to the altitude (I know a day is not quite enough time but that's all I could make work).  Thursday morning we will Park our car at the trail head for the Mountain of the Holy Cross trail.  We will spend Thursday, Friday, and Saturday hiking.  Saturday evening we will get back to the Denver family's house, shower, and sleep.  Sunday we will attend church in Denver and begin our journey home.  We should make it home at about 4:00 Monday morning.  Just in time to catch a couple of hours of sleep and get ready for work that day!!!