a long time coming post

I have sat down to write this post countless times. I have tried to pull my thoughts together. I am still quite uncertain what to say. It still seems unfinished, but I don't know that I will feel a finished to this. I feel like I need to give a bit of back story and then talk a bit about now.



I didn't like Keva the first time I met her. That may sound harsh, but I can quite confidently say she didn't like me either. We were at our Cole Mill Rd campus and she was all tall and dressed really cute. She was questioning a policy that I had in our preschool ministry and I had to stand up to her. Now, if you are reading this you know me, I don't mind confrontation, but this chic was a little intimidating... (oh and if you are wondering, I won the fight)



Fast forward a couple months and we have a new couple in our small group. Yes, it is the very same Keva and her husband, Trevor. We walked through life for a little while ho hum in small group. We were friends, but didn't really dig into each other's lives a ton.



Fall 2007 our friendship went to a new place. Spence and I were about to meet with my doctors about fertility because we were having some trouble conceiving. We met with Keva and Trevor to talk with them and ask them to pray with us.



After we got pregnant with Zeke, Keva and I began having lunch dates at Chik-fil-A and those continued into playdates after having Zeke. We have been through quite a bit since the fall of 2007 with both families moving, adding 4 children between our two families, job changes, hard junk in marriage, pregnancies, seminary, and most recently grieving.



We have walked through some serious life together in the past year. It has made us better friends for which I will always be greatful. But really what I am most thankful for is how their frienship has spurred on and challenged mine and Spence's marriage, parenting and mostly our relationship with God.



We will continue to rejoice in our God with the Atwoods. We will continue to grieve, but not be overtaken by our emotions. We will run the race that God has for us. We will remember that we are not alone in this.



I have already written way more than I typically do, but I would like to leave you with a couple verses and a song:



"Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sit down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2



None But Jesus



In the quiet, in the stillness

I know that You are God

In the secret of Your presence

I know there I am restored

When You call I won't refuse

Each new day again I'll choose



There is no one else for me

None but Jesus

Crucified to set me free

Now I live to bring Him praise



In the chaos, in confusion

I know You're Sovereign still

In the moment of my weakness

You give me grace to do Your will

When You call I won't delay

This my song through all my days



All my delight is in You Lord

All of my hope, all of my strength

All my delight is in You Lord Forevermore