Hope...

Pastor (Bro.Eddie) with his eldest grandson!

I have to admit it's been quite a week. Last Monday, Februrary 1st, our pastor passed away. My dad and I had been on our way to visit him in the hospital. I remember the shock of the words that I heard. He had a subdural hematoma (a bleed in his brain), which had caused the stroke. He  had been unconscious since Sunday morning (he hadn't even made it to church), but there had still been hope. Hearing that he had died was so...final. He was only 63 years old..too young to die, especially since he wasn't a sickly man.

BUT, it was God's plan, and nothing was ever going to change it. Our pastor had lived a full life, one full of love and giving. He had always worn a smile that was infectious (at least for me it was). I'll never forget the memories I made with him. He was an example to all of us in the congragation of what Christ should look like. His work here on earth was complete, and now he is in heaven with all the other angels rejoicing around our Heavenly Fathers throne.

"Fear not, for I am with you;

be not dismayed, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you, I will help you, 

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

- Isaiah 41:10

Immense Loss, but Hope...

     I haven't written a post in quite some time and originally I thought this post would be on some really awesome athletes from the USA Olympic team, but apparently that won't happen right now. This past week something happened that I feel is way more important than any sports competition.

Sophia + Elise

     I know two of the members from the Smithe family from Google+ and so, when I started using Facebook I naturally "friended" them there. Last week there had been lots of posts from the family because of the wedding of Sophia. On Monday the much-anticipated photos started appearing. The smiles and joy from the bride and groom was contagious. I was happy for the whole event. The wedding party pictures were fun to look at, seeing the flower girls and children so excited. 

Sophia + Enoch

     But, as I was looking at those pictures on Monday night, somewhere else, the Einwechter Family was driving home and was involved in a tragic car accident (the car slipped into a pond on a farm). The only girl Elise (pictured with Sophia to the left) was killed in the accident. The youngest son Enoch (pictured with Sophia below) died in the CCU on Wednesday, who was just a few months old. 

     Even though I don't know the family personally, I felt sadness for them. I can't imagine the pain that they are going through. I believe that losing two children would be an immense loss, and even worse for such little children. My prayers continue to flow for the family and those who personally knew them. There is a website that has been started in case you'd like to help them financially or just to offer prayers or hope: http://eliseandenoch.org/. More information will be released later about the actual car accident, which I'll be posting later on, on Facebook.
   

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, 

who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28

The Einwechter Family