Mourning..

As I write this, I am mourning the loss of one of our friends.
Teresa was part of our community group here in Auburn. She and her husband Keith both grew up in KY like David and I did and when we first met them we thought it was so cool to have some KY friends here. We shared with them as she went through countless procedures and surgeries for the cancer and we prayed for them and cooked for them. Through it all she never wavered in her faith. She would tell us, "God has a plan or I wouldn't still be here" or "God isn't through with me yet and if I can help someone else through my battle with cancer, then I will." She was strong as she shared her struggles (even as the rest of us balled our eyes out). She trusted her Lord and Savior and was not giving into fear- she refused to live like that. She was an example to many and I will never forget our talks during group. She loved her family and was unashamed of her faith and even through the darkest hours, she never gave up on God.

Teresa also loved her some lima beans. Keith would tell us that since the Cracker Barrrel here in Opelika had lima beans on Saturdays, Teresa would alway get some. Either by going there to eat or carry out when she wasn't feeling up to it.

Even though it has been a few months since I last saw and talked with her, I miss her now. She was a KY girl and will be laid to rest there on Wednesday. A part of me really wants to be there for Keith and Katelynn, their daughter. It meant so much to me that at my father's funeral, friends that I had in Georgetown (an hour and a half from my parents) that had met my dad several, drove there to support me and mom. It was also really touching that all my friends from high school, that called my parents, mom and dad, came and supported us through it.
Unfortunately, since we are 9 hours away and I have no one here to watch the kids after school and David has classes and labs, I will not be able to attend the services. I will be praying for them and I know that God will be holding them in his loving arms as they say goodbye.

"Teresa Arnold, well done, good and faithful servant"
Heaven has received a very special lady who will be greatly missed here on Earth.