Thank you for the prayers, no news yet

I just wanted to post a quick note to tell everyone thank you for the prayers and words of encouragement over the past few days. We do not know anymore details. They are doing the autopsy today so we should know more tomorrow. I am going down to San Diego today to be with my mom and my sisters so we can discuss plans for the memorial service, as well as if and when one of us should go back to NC to claim my brother's things and tie up any loose ends there. I am holding up pretty good and just seem to be in go mode so I know it all hasn't sunk in yet. I have a lot going on at the school this week with Science Camp fundraisers and Literacy night on Thurs., so please pray that I will have the time and the strength to complete everything that needs to be done (or that I will learn to delegate, that might be a good lesson). Sleep seems to be at a premium these past few days since that is when reality usually sinks in the most, late at night and in the early early mornings when the house is quiet and I have too much time to think. I appreciate all the prayers of support and will check back in when I can.

I wanted to also share the following devotional that my sister got in her inbox yesterday and she forwarded it to all of us sisters. It was very fitting for what we are going through and I thought I would share it with anyone here who might need it.

"…we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus…" Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)My amazing husband can do anything. He's a fix-it man. There isn't anything he can't repair or create. He rebuilds damaged computers for family and friends, repairs weed eaters and garage door openers for neighbors, and rescues broken furniture from trash heaps. Recently he brought a chair home from a dinner party. It wasn't a gift and we didn't steal it. Someone sat in it and broke it!

After two days of taking the chair apart - performing what looked like orthopedic surgery to me, you know when pins and screws are inserted to keep bones and joints from further damage – followed by a little gluing, sanding, and staining, the chair looked brand new."Wow!" I said, impressed."Sit in it and rock back," he encouraged."Rock back? I don't think so! What if I break it?""Oh, believe me. You won't.""How do you know?" I asked, not convinced."I know how I designed it. I know the pressure points and how much stress it can take" he responded with a smile of confidence. "Go on. Sit in it and rock back."I sat down and rocked back.The chair was solid. I don't care who sits in it, or how they land in it now, it will not break.

I think about the times we don't believe we can handle any more stress. The pressure seems overwhelming and we cry, "Time out! I can't take any more!"God responds, "Trust me. You will not be destroyed. I know your pressure points. I know how much stress you can take. I know how I designed you. "I cannot describe the peace I felt when I related the work of my husband's hands to the work of God's hand.

Of course He knows how much I can take. After all He is my Creator, the one who bent down by the river and fashioned me with His hands. He's the one who knit me together in the depths of my mother's womb, the one who is called the Potter. He knows the exact temperature needed in the kiln to create the perfect clay vessel. He knows how hot the fire must be to separate the dross from the silver and gold. He knows how much pressure a diamond or emerald must withstand in order for it to come forth solid and brilliant. He knows how long the irritant must sit in an oyster before it becomes a pearl. My Father knows exactly how much I can take. He knows because He designed me. With that realization I am able to trust Him and smile at the future, no matter how hard life is today. Lord Jesus, You are the Carpenter. You know exactly how to build a piece that will withstand pressure and stress, a work of art that will not easily crumble. You created me the same way. Rather than tremble in the face of despair, help me trust in Your design. In Jesus' Name, Amen.