Happiness, sadness, & cookies...

Well, this week has been great, but TGIF (technically it's Thursday night, but who's counting?)!
We started off with a long awaited appointment in Dallas for Joseph, on Monday. Things went better than I expected, and we are in good spirits & high hopes ready to embark on this journey...I must say, as if you didn't already know, God is good. He NEVER ceases to amaze me. I am just so thankful that he is so merciful.
On Wednesday, Izzy & I got together with Amber and Addy (see her blog for some cute pics). It was supposed to be for coffee, but turned into Amber cooking lunch for us (which was great!). I needed that time and it had been too long! We ALWAYS have a good time with them.
I know that Jesus never turned anyone away, and if we are to be like Jesus, then we should love on EVERYONE, no matter what they are like, or how unlovable they are (especially knowing that could be US sometimes). I know that we are supposed to be a light for HIM, helping to guide others to HIM...but sometimes, it just FEELS GOOD to be around someone who shares the same morals and values as you. It feels good to be around other believers who are an encouragement to your faith, when the world is always so quick to bring you down. I am thankful for these kinds of people in my life/my families life...they are such a blessing.
Last night, I got in the mood for "Prize Orange Cookies". As a little girl, my great grandma Galbreath would make them for me...and every time she gave them to me, they would be layered between wax paper, in an old coffee can. These cookies are the BEST EVER. They are best chilled, and the coffee can was perfect for that. She passed away when I was about 18. My Mamaw (grandmother) taught me how to make those cookies years later, and I now have the recipe and can do it on my own. Yesterday, I was missing my Mamaw incredibly (she left for Heaven on Aug. 6th), maybe that is what spurred me on to delve into the 3-4 hour process of making these cookies. As I got out my mixer, and began to work, I felt so close to my Mamaw. I wasn't trying to rush through it like always, but felt calm and took my time and enjoyed the pouring, sifting, measuring, juicing, grating,mixing, and baking. Isabel even helped a little. Of course, I can't say the same for the cleaning up afterwards part. I don't claim that there were no tears, because actually there were many of them...it was sort of like therapy. My memories of her are still so fresh, I can just about reach out and get my hands around it. I can still clearly see her at work in the kitchen. I miss her so much that as you read this I want to jump out of your screen and ask you if you know how much she meant to me...to our family (I know, kind of a scary thought...me jumping out of your screen). It's amazing how your heart can be so broken at times, yet continue to beat.
Anyway, the cookies were delicious, and even though she's no longer on Earth, her love was in every bite.
As long as I'm on this earth, I will never understand death, and I am thankful that because of my Savior, I don't have to. I trust that he has a plan, and that it's a good one. I trust that he knows my own heart, better than even I. I trust that He has the whole world in His hands...my brothers, my sisters, the little bitty babies, you, and me...He has all of us, In His Hands. :-)