on a remarkable woman...

So it's been a rough week... I found out earlier this week that Marcheta died on Saturday. I was hired as her companion when we first moved to Ann Arbor- and was with her 3 days a week assisting in her home for about a year and a half. Unfortunately my grandparents lived very far away from me and so I have few memories of them, and so Marcheta quickly filled that void and found her way into my heart. We had some really wonderful times together. She lived in an apartment at a retirement center and it had these huge windows that overlooked a large grassy area with several trees. Her table was set up so we would have breakfast and watch the birds fly from tree to tree every morning. Marcheta had an extensive collection of exquisite jewelry and I loved finding the perfect pieces to match both outfit and season. She was a very encouraging and optimistic woman- always looking for the best in people. At her funeral today her daughter, Carol, shared this beautiful story of how a few weeks ago they were sitting at dinner in the retirement center's "restaurant" and there was a man who was coughing very loudly and repulsively... it was keeping Carol from enjoying her time and she wanted so much more for her mother- wanted a more elegant and peaceful place to enjoy a meal together. And so they finished and Carol quickly wheeled Marcheta out of the cafeteria and as they passed this elderly man Marcheta reached out and touched the man's shoulder and said, "It's OK, you're doing a great job..." It moved Carol's heart as she reflected on the kind of mother she has.... and it's a story I wanted to share because it is a true reflection of the kind of woman Marcheta was. I could write story after story of this woman I grew to dearly admire and adore, but I will treasure the stories in my heart and leave you all with a few pictures. Carol's husband, Chuck, talked about how often times when people age and they lose so much of what defined them in their prime you are often left with the essence of a person, and the essence of Marcheta was a woman who was full of optimism, grace, and courage. I genuinely hope that when I age and if I lose my ability to walk or see, am in great pain, or lose my ability to think and remember who people are, that what my loved ones are left with is what I got to experience when I was with Marcheta... and that is great optimism, grace, and joy.

9.18

10.7

9.29

9.24

So I am so behind on uploading videos of Bentley... so expect many :)

praying for our future...

I can't believe David's well into his 3rd year of medical school. Things have been going really well for him. He loves his rotations and is learning so many things!!! He's had internal medicine, family medicine, and is now doing an elective on infectious disease. We have started thinking more about our future and where we think God wants us... We feel like we'll either stay in Detroit or move back to Tucson. We have no idea what we'll do though. I am feeling torn... I love living in Detroit and being part of Mack Ave. Church.... we are forming great relationships with our neighbors and just getting more involved in the community in general. I do miss Tucson terribly still. And I know that it is a city that needs a lot of love too. The extra pull in returning to Arizona is family. My dad lives in Sedona (an easy 3-4 hour drive-- but a BEAUTIFUL place to be!) and David's parents live in Nogales- a quick hour drive south. I am pretty sure I will be able to convince my mom to come down from Portland too. :) Plus David's siblings are there- minus Steven- but who knows where he'll end up! The other 3 really like being there! We both are very close to our families and want our children to get time with their grandparents now. As we get older often times relationships with grandparents weaken and so it's important to get that time when the kids are young. At this point we really don't know where God is leading us... we're just praying that He'll reveal where He wants us to be... and so that's where you all come in... please join us in praying over the next year as we seek the Lord's will on where we will live. We'd like to settle into a community and be less transient (God willing!) Part of me still really longs to return... for so many reasons... but I know I'd be happy here too.... it's just not as "easy".
Thankfully the Lord has brought me to a place where I am enjoying Michigan and enjoying my friendships. I rejected this state for a very long time and was angry that we had to live here.... I no longer feel that way. I feel extremely peaceful and happy where we are. I love where we are living, our neighbors, neighborhood, and I am liking the city of Detroit more and more everyday. There are some really great places that I get to enjoy in this city. :)
Thanks for reading this really long post and join us in our journey of prayer. :)