Jennifer

I'm not going to lie...I'm more sad today than I have been in a very long time. My friend, Jennifer Jenkins Marks...32 years young...36 weeks pregnant...passed away yesterday along with her baby daughter. They still do not know why...an autopsy will be performed. The boy in this picture is Jonathan, her 3 year old little boy. Jennifer's husband, Scott, was away on a missions trip when she died. He arrived at Love Field Airport last night with several friends and pastors waiting to give him the news. Jennifer's family has been part of our family ever since her parents were teenagers. My dad performed her parents' wedding, and then if I recall the years correctly, 10 years ago, performed her and Scott's wedding. They were in our church in Duncanville when her and her sister Jeanie were born.

I don't understand. How can a person be totally healthy...and just on this past Monday have a great doctor's appointment...baby's fine...mom is fine...and then 2 days later tragedy strike? I know we are not supposed to understand...that is part of the mystery of God and life. Why bad things happen to good people...and these were salt of the earth people. Jennifer has spent her adult life as a great mom, responsible daughter, math teacher and coach at Ovilla Christian School, and a very involved member at First Baptist Dallas. Her husband was on a missions trip...one of many he has been on.

I know as a believer we will see Jennifer and the baby again. But I don't know how to think about anything different today. I don't know how to smile...I'm struggling to find any birds singing. There are only sad songs playing in my head today. I want to stay in bed and hopefully wake up and find it was all a bad dream.

This on top of the last 2 weeks...it's just overwhelming. Laura Brunk's dad passed away about 2 weeks ago, then our good friend Judi Redmon died at the young age of 42. Then Roscoe Stidman passed away unexpectedly, and he was such an asset in our children's program at church. Then a friend of ours from our old church, Connie Jenning's mom (GaGa) passed away...her funeral was yesterday. Then Bro. Wade's (a pastor friend of my dad's) middle son passed away Monday...his funeral was today. Then Jennifer passed away yesterday. My dad received a call this morning that his good friend from high school who has been fighting cancer passed away in his sleep last night.

It's just too overwhelming...even as a Christian...even with faith...

Is all this to make us more homesick for Heaven...because I am. I know God will be glorified through these deaths...that is why we are here on earth anyway...to bring glory to Him.

"You are the source of life...I can't be left behind. No one else will do...I will take hold of You. Cause I need you Jesus to come to my rescue...where else can I go? There's no other name by which I am saved...capture me with grace...I will follow you. This world has nothing for me."

This world has nothing for me. I will follow You.

Thoughts About Judi

One of my dear, sweet friends from church, Judi, passed away this morning from colon cancer. She was only 42, and only discovered that she had this dreadful disease roughly 3 months ago. Being at the hospital this week...seeing her, her husband, her son and her family brings up alot of thoughts we normally don't have during the course of an average week. Here is what I think Judi would say to me today...tell your kids you love them, tell your husband you love him, tell your friends you love them. Don't sweat the small stuff...go on vacations...smile...laugh...tell others about Jesus. Thank you Judi for your sweet friendship and for lessons learned. I will miss you.