A Rollercoaster of Emotions...

A bunch of us at Alexis & Simon's Wedding
Me, Ron, Charissa, Jayme & Melissa


I haven't been able to sit down and write about the recent events only because I feel like if I write it...then it's REALLY true...

But it is time and the reality is what it is!!

So, as you read in my previous post, Curtis' body was found on Sunday, July 13th.

This past Sunday July 20th, he was remembered in what has to be one of the most incredible Memorial Services I have attended. It took place at City Church in Kirkland at 3:30 in the afternoon. It was in the small chapel just outside of the Main sanctuary. If was filled to capacity and more. People lining the side of the chapel to pay their respects. People were able to share their memories and although some brought tears, a few brought laughs and fond memories of who Curtis really was and the smile that he had which was just infectious! The Pastor spoke of how Curtis KNEW the Lord and KNEW that He was the only way to get to Heaven...he gave everyone the opportunity to know more about WHO Christ was and WHAT He was all about and from the sound of it, quite a few people lifted their heads in acknowledgment that they either wanted to make that decision or they wanted to know more about this God that Curtis Loved...the ONLY God!! What an AWESOME opportunity to witness to those that were hurting!! The people that came were so diverse in so many ways and I believe that if there were another man up there speaking, who KNEW about the people in the room, or their lifestyles etc. that they may have held back with the "God" aspect, or been too cautious and this Pastor, Pastor Aaron Haskins, didn't hold back AT ALL!! He told it like it is, that if you don't know Jesus, and you don't give your heart to him as your Savior, you WILL NOT go to Heaven!! It's harsh, but it is the TRUTH!!! It was incredibly moving!!

Then there was a slideshow tribute which was absolutely perfect. There was a picture of Curtis and I, that honestly, I look at every day, but to see it in his "Memorial Tribute Slideshow", it made me weep like I have not done for quite some time. There was a beautiful picture of Anthony and Curtis as well and I was so thankful that at least he was able to be in the slideshow even though he couldn't be at the service. Anthony is dealing with this loss in his own personal way and maybe I don't quite understand it, but I know that he feels the loss and is dealing with it the only way he knows how.

During the slideshow, Curtis' 2 daughters, Kirsten (16) and Sidney (12) wept audibly which of course just broke my heart!! What I found out after the service was that nobody informed either of his daughters, their mothers or anybody in his family that he was even missing...they knew NOTHING until Sunday evening July 13th, when they got the call that he had been missing, was now found, but had not survived. I question how I feel about this...should his daughters have known? Would it have helped the incredible BLOW to them that their Father had died? Or was it better that they not have to go through the pain & confusion of knowing that he was missing? His 16 year old daughter is pregnant, due in October with a little boy...I didn't realize this until the reception, so not only did Curtis leave behind an incredible large family, a son (18 - in Mississippi) and these 2 beautiful daughters, but he was about to be a Grandfather at 36...it's just TRAGIC!!! Completely Tragic!! As she sat at the reception, she said that she couldn't think of boys names and then out of the blue said, "well, maybe I'll name him Curtis". How sweet...

I have fond, wonderful memories of Curtis that I will cherish always...and honestly, I am still reeling with the emotions of the fact that he is gone, that I will never again see him on this earth. But, I do find peace and strength in knowing that I will see him in Heaven and what a great time it will be to hang out with him again in paradise! :o)

As for the rest of my weekend, it was a rollercoaster of emotion as Saturday evening I celebrated my old roommate and friend, Alexis and Simon's wedding. It was such a unique ceremony and a great time to just hang out with old friends. (see photos above)

So, from the highest high to the lowest low, it was quite the weekend and I am still paying for it after having some sort of flu bug or something the last few days...and dealing with an almost 4 year old that missed her Mommy since I was basically gone all weekend. It was nice to take the day off yesterday, even if I was sick, laying in bed...I got to spend it with Mikaelyn and I think both of us enjoyed that!

Thank you to all of you that prayed for Curtis while he was missing and your continued prayers for those that were touched by his life and are mourning the loss. I am so appreciative for your kind words, and your prayers!

To Curtis, you are missed by so many, but I know that you are happier now than ever and in that knowledge, I smile that you are with our Lord!!

Curtis is now found...

I've been meaning to write since yesterday, but honestly, haven't really wanted to write too much because the more I write it, say it and think it, the more real it all becomes.
Curtis Hall was found Sunday evening still in the water downstream a ways. The details I have seen are disturbing and hard to swallow, but reality is reality.
I am grateful that Curtis can now be laid to rest peacefully and respectfully, but still very sad that his spirit is no longer on this earth.
I know that Curtis loved the Lord and I know that he is probably happier now than he ever has been, but for us down here...the ones mourning him...it SUCKS!! That's it, plain & simple.
His family should be here any time and there are people working on the Memorial service and a vigil which will be this weekend. I was actually invited to help plan the service this evening, but due to "issues"...I'm unable to attend.
Anyway, I honestly don't really know what else to say at this moment, as my emotions are still realing from this news. I'm taking it all day to day and trusting that the Lord will continue to bless all of those touched by Curtis and the life he lived.
For those of you who have followed my posts and "status'" on Myspace or facebook, thank you for your thoughts & prayers, they really mean so much to me!
Love to all

Sitting at an inspection

So, I'm sitting at one of our clients inspections...man they take a long time...
I'm very contemplative today. I'm thinking about the fact that my friend Curtis is STILL not found, having been lost on the Snoqualmie River since June 30th, that's nearly 2 weeks. It is SO frustrating to not have any sort of an update or any information about what is going on and what they are doing to try to find him. I'm also thinking about my sweet kitty Sophie, who has now been gone for 4 days. She has done this before about a year ago, and was gone for about a week, but she almost ALWAYS comes home in the morning if she stays out all night. I think she gets confused and doesn't remember how to get home, but whatever it is, it still stinks that I can't find her and don't know where she is. Mikaelyn keeps asking for her at night when she goes to bed as she is our 1 cat that will wait outside of M's door to get in sleep on the bed with her. She loves to be outside, but she's a little wimp and I worry about her out for 3 nights and 4 days...I just hope she's found another family that is giving her food so she's not starving. She is wearing a collar with my name & phone #, so hopefully someone will let me know they have her if she doesn't come home.
I'm excited to have another Uganda meeting tomorrow morning...hoping to get more information and a better idea of who all will be part of the team!
Lastly, this weekend, although busy, has been so great. It started Thursday night when I got to see a friend of mine that I used to work at Chili's with who now lives in Fresno, CA. He is in town for a brief stay and it was so great to catch up with him. He's just a free spirited, smart guy that always makes me smile and for that, I'm glad I got to see him! I also met my friend Heather's friend from South Carolina who is just a doll and to see the way he cares for my friend just warms my heart! It makes me so happy to see my friends happy, I just love it! I also was able to catch up with a High School friend of mine Tameka that I haven't seen for probably a year, but was a good friend from French Class back in the day. She's so sweet and Mikaelyn just loved having dinner with her.
So, all of that to say, even with the sad things, I am so blessed to have the life I do, the friends I have and the little lady who just makes me smile! I love you Mikaelyn!! xoxo
Being busy isn't always bad...it just makes you appreciate the days you get to actually take naps! :o)

The Good & The Bad

My friend Curtis & I, the last time I saw him...


So, this is the first time I have ever really had a "blog". I've had a Myspace page and now Facebook for quite some time, but now with the things that are going on in my life and the things coming up, I felt it may be a good idea to keep others informed.

So, let's start with the GOOD...

I have been given the opportunity to go to Uganda in the Fall. I'll be traveling with approximately 12 others from Westminster Chapel (my church of now 24 years) and I can hardly wait! I have been busy writing up my support letters and getting everything all set for this wonderful Mission Trip and every day I'm getting more and more excited. I will definitely be posting more about this in the near future and hope to keep it as up to date as possible so that everybody can follow along with me on this incredible journey!

And now, for the bad...

As some have heard, a friend of mine, Curtis Hall was lost on the Snoqualmie River on Monday June 30th at approximately 6pm. For whatever reason, Curtis went innertubing with 3 other guys on that beautiful day and unfortunately the innertube flipped. The other 3 were able to make it to shore, but they could only watch as Curtis was taken under and disappeared. None of them were wearing life jackets (Mistake #1) and the river is treacherous right now. The weather here has been so crazy that the river is rushing so quickly with the ice water that is coming off of the mountain. This has been such a difficult week as this is one of my deepest fears of losing someone, but not even knowing 100% since he is just 'missing'. He is presumed drown and it is a recovery effort now, as they are still searching, but I can't believe it until they have actually found him.
Curtis was a great guy whom I have known for about 10 years. We were much closer many years ago, but I feel lucky that I was able to see him not too long ago and actually got some pictures with him that I cherish.

With these things in mind, I am taking steps to ensure that if for some reason, anything was to happen to me that Mikaelyn will still be taken care of. It's a morbid thought, but as a mother, you have to think long term and always putting others interests as a priority.

So, that's it for now...I know there will be much more to come! I look forward to sharing my life with those of you who are interested enough to read about it! :o)

Blessings...