Cake does a body good!

This past week has been crazy intense!  Classes studying all types of theories and doctrine and beliefs mixed in with education overload on taxes, insurance, finances and computer technology. My little brain was so full, by Friday I felt that it might explode.

Saturday, on our day off, CJ and I took the girls to the “Quilting Quad” where I thought some mindless function would ease the stress of the week. Only there I was confronted with my own weakness and inability and helplessness. This was my first time to ever sit in front of a sewing machine. It would also be my last. (The girls did end up with some really cute purses – homemade!)

We also experienced a difficult loss this week when CJ’s grandmother, Mama Johnson, passed away. Married to Daddy Joe for 74 years, at age 89, she was the Johnson family matriarch. She made every child, grandchild and great-grandchild feel like the most important to her, and she could best be described by the love she showed to others. Her absence from our lives leaves a cold corner where her warmth and love once overflowed.

Overall, this has been a really tough week…

But…

We have felt your words to the father on our behalf. I hope you know how unbelievably important that is to us and how much we covet that expression from you.

There were a few really cool things that happened this week. A good friend that’s here on our campus took some family pictures for us to use in some of our promotional materials. I have to admit, I was kinda dreading this because the last time we had family pictures made, well, let’s just say it was not a good experience. But this friend was absolutely amazing and patient with us. Despite the fact that we were sweating like pigs in the blazing Virginia evening humidity, she made it so much fun, and the pictures turned out great!

I also had a visit from my Chi Omega little sister, Mary, and her husband, Larry, who happen to live down the road a couple hours. Seeing her was definitely a bright spot during a very challenging week.

But in the words of Zoë, “It’s a miracle!” that happened today. We’re very fortunate to live in a place where they have an amazing cafeteria that provides awesome meals for us everyday, but they don’t allow us any desserts or carbonated beverages. At the end of a long and grueling week, worn by the trials of learning and loss, miraculously in the cafeteria today after lunch, they put out a table with pound cake, warm strawberry and blueberry toppings, whipped cream and chocolate syrup! You would’ve thought they had set out a table with a million dollars on it by the way everyone went crazy over this special DESSERT! It was awesome.

We’re still really at the beginning of our training. I know there are a lot more experiences and challenges and miracles yet to come. I never expected this would be an easy process, and I never guessed where some of our joys would come from. Turns out it’s a piece of cake! (Get it? Cake!)

Keep looking up!