Easter Weekend

What a bittersweet Easter it's been.

Peggy & Paul were here for the weekend and we spent Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon at Dave & Shirley's. It was so much fun to have them around. Peggy is one of the funniest people I know and it sure felt good to laugh. Keith & Joan and Grant and Kenny & Lynn came up here too - and Hans & Janelle stayed here for Easter. Joe & Christi stayed home - she's due for a baby soon. Ken & Amanda stayed in Cokato and Jason & Suzy went to stay with them for Samantha's wedding.

I was able to visit with Kristy (Jason) after church, on Sunday, and that was so nice to be able to visit with someone who really knows Pam & Gary. Most people out here aren't very familiar with them and it's hard when that's all you're thinking about and want to be able to talk to someone else who is. She was leaving this morning to go for the funeral.

We had communion on Good Friday because it was supposed to be on Sunday. But church was in Sebeka for Easter instead of in Runeberg. It feels so much more emotional when something like this happens and you're thinking of all that you take for granted in life. And you realize how blessed we are.

I feel like my tears have flowed so freely, this weekend, every time I think of the Pietila's. And it was so comforting to be with Mark's family and have that "distraction of sorts" during the weekend. Even today, my heart feels so heavy as I'm sitting here thinking about the visitation and then the funeral tomorrow. It just feels so unbelievable. And it feels so hard for me to "sink it in". And I think of the sadness and pain I feel in my heart for her family and I couldn't begin to imagine what they are feeling. But it is comforting to hear that they seem to be holding up, under the circumstances, and I know that God is with them and He will give them strength.