Rejoice and Mourn

We are told in God's Word to "Rejoice with those who rejoice;mourn with those who mourn" (Romans 12:15). I have had the privilage of rejoicing with my dear friend, Jenn, many times over our 10 year friendship. We rejoiced when we each gave birth to our firstborn babies in February and April of 2000. We rejoiced together again in January and March of 2002 when baby #2 arrived in our families...and again in 2004 and 2006! :)

Even though we have never even lived in the same state (Wisconsin, Colorado, Indiana, Idaho, Tennessee!!), Jenn is one of my best friends. She encourages me to be a better wife and mom. She urges me to keep going with Homeschool (especially when I feel like quitting in January!). We have vacationed at their home in Colorado and Indiana. She is the friend who can see me first thing in the morning, with no make-up and before I've had my coffee, and she still loves me! We have laughed together a lot in the past 10 years. I am so thankful for that!

We have also cried. Mostly over "little" things, like how tough Homeschooling can get, how challenging parenting can be, how scary it is to be in a tornado with 8 kids and no husbands!, how great the Love Comes Softly movies are... Last Fall, when I lost my baby at 11 weeks into my pregnancy, Jenn called me over and over again to see how I was doing. I could be honest with her. She didn't leave it at, "I'm ok." I loved her even more for it! Then, just a few weeks later, Jenn found out that her precious baby growing inside her was very sick. I'm not going to go into details here, it is enough to say that the past few months have been difficult for Jenn and her family. She has "considered it pure joy" as she has faced this trial. She is an inspiration to me.

Just a few days ago, Jenn gave birth to her 5th baby. This beautiful, precious girl lived outside her mom's womb for a little over an hour, then she went to live with our Lord and Savior. In her very short life, she blessed so many! She will be very missed by her family and friends.

And so, after 10 years of much rejoicing and a little mourning, this week I truly mourn with my dear friend as she is brokenhearted. I rejoice that "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted..." I also rejoice that "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." (Job 9:10)