So 2015 is starting out as somewhat of a mixed bag…
On one hand, GREAT JOY! A post-Christmas visit from my brother and his family spilled over into the New Year and so the start of 2015 rocked with cousin fun. 🙂 Then, just four days after the Wilsons left, we had the privilege of hosting a student from Australia through a program at the boys’ high school. Needless to say, Rudy was in “extrovert heaven” and pretty much demanded everyone’s attention for 2 weeks straight! Ha 🙂
On the other hand, it has also been very heavy…lots of heartbreaking news that has come like a one, two, three punch. Just 3 days after my brother’s family returned to Kansas, they received the devastating news of a dear friend’s suicide. A friend my niece expressed concern about while they were here and a dear soul with whom my Olivia enjoyed a pen pal friendship. Yesterday was Emilie’s memorial service and my niece Emma was asked to speak. My heart has been heavy for the Wilson and Munyan families all week…it’s so hard to watch loved ones (my niece especially) hurt in such tragic circumstances. I’m grateful for the few but truly memorable times my path crossed with Emilie’s.
And changes in the life of our family are unfolding as we’ve gotten word of significant members of the Rudy’s Beat community moving on…the most recent being dear nurse Sara. The reality is that Sara is terribly over qualified to be Rudy’s school nurse and she is PERFECT for her new professional opportunity (100% excited for her) but she has been such an important part of Rudy’s school experience the past 1 1/2 years (truly God given) that it is hard to let her go. ;(
(Deep sigh) I’m uncomfortable with certain kinds of change and I’m beginning to face the reality that 2015 will be a year of big change as members of Team Rudy transition, expectations are adjusted and (the biggest known change, of course) as Wilson prepares for a strong high school finish and heads off to college. All of which are great reasons to celebrate but also have sad ramifications for me which is adding to the heaviness of this week. “Be anxious for nothing”…”Be anxious for nothing”…”Be anxious for nothing”…not an easy exhortation for me to put into practice sometimes. ‘Praying for peace of mind and heart as I ponder the present and approach the future with faith.
Rudy’s biannual check-in with the heart docs at UCLA was originally scheduled for last month but was postponed a couple of times landing on next Thursday (1/22). Our visit to the pediatric heart clinic will include an echocardiogram, labs, consult with the cardiologist on duty and a quick chat with Dr. Alejos…all pretty routine. Stay tuned.
Rudy's Beat 
Trish, I am praying for you and your family too. It is hard when such happiness you experienced over your wonderful visit with family and friends is punctuated with such sadness. We all need (as you so eloquently say) peace of mind and heart… it feels hard to attain sometimes. You are one of the strongest people I know. Love to you and text me when you know what time you will be at UCLA on 1/22… I hope to come up and give you guys a quick hug! Love you. Lisa
” Be still and know that I am God”. He brought you to it and will see you through it! Love and peace, Jane and Joe xoxo
Oh, how heartbreaking! I am so sorry. Praying for you all as you head to UCLA next week. We’ll be traveling to Palm Springs that day, to spend a 4 day weekend with our kids and grandkids in celebration of a scary, milestone birthday for me.
Oh Geyling family…so sad to hear about that beautiful little Emilie. Looking at her photo it seems unbelievable that she ended her bright life. So sad for you all and her loved ones. May God surround you all with His love and comfort. You are loved!
Praying for you dear friends
With my love for peace of mind in all the changes. Love. From. Vienna
When I saw the post on FB I wondered what had happened….so sad. Sounds like many loved her….You and them are in my prayers. Also praying for Wilson’s future and the appointment on Thurs. and that God in HIS sovereign plan will provide an excellent replacement for Sara. Isaiah 26:3 came to mind: “HE will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee.”KJV Don’t let your mind wonder to the waves…keep it focused on Jesus your Jehovah Jirah!! You know these things….just a reminder! 🙂 Love you all!!
Prayers, and cyber hugs headed your way! Sorry for the tough times. =[ The only constant in our lives is change… sometimes good, sometimes not. You KNOW that whatever it is, this too shall pass.