All the time...

God is good.

...I looked back through all my prior posts about Baby Anthony, and I used that phrase after he made it through a major surgery.  It's so easy and so natural to say that when you're celebrating something.  But it is good to remember that truth is always truth.  God is just as good and loving and in control today as He was in all the miraculous moments!

"Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my HOPE is in Him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.  My victory and honor come from God alone.  He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me."

~Psalms 62:5-7

Friday night, I went to the Extraordinary Women conference with Kristen and Amanda.  I was not exactly in the mood for the Christian comedian (especially since part of his routine was trying to find the humor in funeral services), but the worship time was truly awesome and meaningful... my heart is hurting over Anthony's death, but not angry or hardened toward God, and He has been really close lately, especially in worship!

When the darkness closes in, Lord, 

Still I will say,

Blessed be the name of the Lord,

Blessed be Your glorious name.

You give and take away,

Still my heart will choose to say,

Lord, blessed be Your name!

Bless the Lord, oh my soul

Oh my soul, worship His holy name.

Sing like never before, oh my soul,

Worship His holy name.

When we arrive at eternity's shore,

Where death is just a memory and tears are no more,

We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring.

Your bride will come together and we'll sing,

You're beautiful!

The Lord has promised good to me;
His Word, my hope secures.

He will my shield and portion be,

As long as life endures!

On my drive to OKC, I listened to the final CD of Eldredge's Hoping in the Coming Kingdom.  It really deserves its own post, as there is not enough room to do it justice here.  So I will write about that later this week.  For now, I'll just say EPIC.  Healing.  Just what I needed that night.

Saturday was the Open Carry class - which was so much better than I'd expected!  It was only me, Rach, mom, Josh, Don, and Donna - and I always appreciate a small group setting.  The instructors, David and Lori, were really great - knowledgeable, entertaining, intrepid, and very approachable.  We learned the legal stuff in the morning, then went out to practice loading, shooting, and unloading different guns!  Really interesting and still surreal to me.  But I'm excited to learn more and try a few other guns and eventually buy one (not to open carry, but I like that I'll have the license)!  

That night, I had dinner at Ihop with Malori, where we were seated next to a cowboy convention of sorts.  This picture doesn't really do it justice, but it was pretty cute and funny... eight men at the table and only one did not have his cowboy hat on. :)  Made me think of Grandad.

Sunday afternoon, we went over to see Kristin and Frankie at Charlene's house.  That was difficult and very sad, but it was really good to get to hug them and talk for a few minutes.  (Actually, I was pretty quiet, and it honestly felt very strange to hear everyone making small talk and joking around a bit, keeping the mood light.  I know it wouldn't be healthy or even possible to dwell on Anthony the whole time, but it felt wrong to me to be happy - I don't know, it's just strange and hard to process.)  To add to the situation, Frankie's dad had a heart attack Saturday morning.  They were on their way to the cemetery to make funeral arrangements when they got a call to come to the hospital.  But on a really positive note, he decided to become a Christian later that day... noting the difference he's seen in Frankie and the way Kristin's family and church family have supported them over the past year!

It really thrills me when people are changed and drawn to God by the church acting like the church and being who God calls us to be.  So that was awesome!  Also, I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has been praying, (especially to Laura, Chet, Malori, Kelly, Bev, Joan, Jessica, and Kelly for specifically reaching out to me and offering to help however possible).  That means a lot to me, and I know that feeling loved and supported has helped keep my heart soft toward God.  Again, the church acting like the church - yay!

Finally, here is a series of fun pictures from class tonight.  Two of the groups really went all out and got creative with their Zapp presentation.  Hilarious!  ...No, Megan and I were not one of them, but our presentation went well too. :)

If you were hoping for a Monday Metaphor post, I think this one applies pretty well right now.  Let there be light!!