The Portal: Portal-ity Thoughts

John, I have to take a moment to brag on your friends.  I got a message from your friend JJ, and it was honestly the best.  It made me stop and take a look back at this week, literally one week in time - and I saw an amazing thing.  It was your friends, John. They just keep showing up in different ways, thoughtful ways, incredibly kind ways. And while I'm sitting here reflecting on it all, thanking God for it all, possibly working through an entire box of tissues over it all, I decided this is well worth writing about.  I know you are not surprised by me telling you how great your friends are.  You knew. You talked about them all the time.  You missed them so much when you weren't with them.   They've included us in exciting news - T&A are expecting!!! I know that was a tough thing for you, being so far away when they were struggling with losing the twins. You wanted so much happiness for them. You were the babies Godfather . . .❤️ ...

Last Friday we took our beautiful German Shepherd, Sarge, in for surgery.  He had a baseball sized tumor on his spleen.  The surgery went well, but he was 10, and within an hour of bringing him home, he passed away.  It was quick.   By the time we figured out that he was in trouble, he was gone. I'm so glad he knew that we came back, that we tried, that he was home, and that he was loved.  He never complained, he just loved.  He was such a good guy, our Shep.  I am going to miss him so much.   He passed away on the 8th anniversary of my Mom's death.  In a way, that is a comfort to me.  It's one of those dates that you hold close to your heart, but don't really allow yourself to visit mentally - too much.  I'm the type of person that just can't allow myself to think or dwell on sadness too long, or I'll fall into a place that's much harder to get out of.  However, watching that beloved dog leave this earth was a little ...

Summer.  😎 My favorite time of year.  I've figured out a couple things since my last blog post.   1.  I tend to have more to say when something is bothering me or I'm stressed.  2.  Summer makes me happy, therefore, I clearly have less to say:)   However, something did pop up today that I'd like to address, because it made me think about why I love to do Bible Studies.  I can't remember exactly when I started attending a Bible Study.  It's been a long time!  Time has a way of creeping up on us doesn't it?  I've attended studies at several churches in my area over the last 25 years.  I even facilitated a study for five years at the church where I am currently a member.  Right now I'm jamming with the Baptist girls, and loving it.   But I regress . . .okay, here we go.   First off, I think it's incredibly important to stay in God's word and working through a Bible study keeps you in the page...