MIA

Wow. I can hardly believe it's been almost 6 months since I wrote anything here! The time has flown by.

Sometime last fall I started back up with my little bakery business (Darlene's Kitchen). I'm enjoying it so much! It's keeping me busy and I get to see friends every week when they pick up their orders or I deliver. I also get paid, so I feel like I am helping out with our family's income too. It's been good for me in a lot of ways.

On the 16th this month (April) was the anniversary of my Mama's passing. That morning was pretty rough, but by the afternoon I was busy and not dwelling on those last few weeks she struggled as we watched and waited, for either a miracle or for her to be relieved of her suffering. I told Heavenly Father I would accept whatever he had in His plan for her and for our family during that time, but I don't think I've fully accepted all of it, yet. I'm still working on that part.....

My father, I think, has moved on a lot quicker than any of us had expected him to. In ways, I'm content about that. In others, I'm not sure how I feel. He seems well and happy so that's really what counts, isn't it?

This past winter, we had snow here in Alabama -- a few times. Maybe even a record number of times for our area. It even snowed on Christmas! A dear friend of mine and I had the same thought: It was one of those "tender mercies" the Lord sees fit to bestow upon His children from time to time. It was such a beautiful sight. Snow. In Alabama. On Christmas Day. I'll never forget how I felt when I opened the front door as wide as it would go and just beheld those giant frozen tears from Heaven falling all over the place. We had a roaring fire in the fireplace and the sounds and smells of the season permeating our home. All was well on Christmas Day. There is a indescribable peace that always accompanies that one day each year. I need to learn how to internalize it and keep it with me all year long. Until I do, I'm so grateful for the memories of it....

Time to get back to my Kitchen again. I have lots of orders this week to keep me busy and looking forward to getting out of bed each day. Besides my Faith and Family, baking and writing are my loves. I hope to get better at ALL of it!

Wishing you peace.