Leaving Behind My Son and His Warrior Wife

Our time in the Las Vegas area had come to an end. 
The mix of emotions felt big. 
My SUV was packed and I was preparing to head out on my six-hour drive north. 
Seeing the grandkids again gave me energy to get packed, but my heart felt heavy leaving behind my son and his warrior wife in this zip code. 

I was grateful that we had felt the nudge from God to help them out. 
Recovery from brain surgery is expected to take a year. Jodi is doing the work to heal. Most of her work moving forward is invisible to the naked eye. Her cervical collar no longer needs to be worn. Her scar is covered by her beautiful thick reddish-brown hair. 
Her eyes hold the wisdom of where she’s been-
The mountains she has climbed-
The storms she has endured-
And-
The paths that lay ahead. 

These two were no doubt chosen by God, and I believe -agreed- to travel this difficult path as part of their mortal experiences.They have done so with grace, love, and light. 
I’m grateful to have been blessed to ride along in this chapter of their lives to witness God’s love, miracles, and my kids’ unwavering commitment to each other, and to Him. 

My son works for the Las Vegas Aces, a women’s professional basketball team. We have become super-fans and never miss a game. While living in Vegas, we’ve been blessed with season tickets. 
My daughter-in-law is amazing at navigating her way through this big ‘ol city. I’m a small town girl and the bright lights and busy streets seem very big-town!
She has a way about her- to break it all down- to just living a deliberate life. And on this particular day- guided my husband, who was driving, through the city, a tricky cone-filled parking lot, and then through a large casino/convention center to the arena. 

We settled into our seats at our first home game of the season. I was distracted and in awe over all that there was to take in. 
However, before the starters were announced-
After the national anthem was beautifully belted throughout the arena-
While the hype music blared that could not just be heard, but also (literally) felt-
There was a message. 
It was quick
And fleeting. 

From across a nearly packed arena filled with distractions measured in pomp and circumstance and affecting all of my senses –
My daughter-in-law received a gesture of love- a quick wave- from my son as he entered from the tunnel across the arena. 
It was sweet and meaningful…

The way these two have navigated choppy waters of less than ideal health troubles, praying for help and healing-
And then waiting…
Living true, meaningful, God directed lives while waiting….
Living in faith, trust, and hope while waiting…
It’s truly remarkable to see.

I felt blessed to share a small portion of this journey with them. 
But the time had come to close this incredible chapter.

I embarked on a drive “away”-
Again, with gratitude for a season marked by a few numbers and a street name. 
It was a place to serve, learn, and grow in ways only possible by the sacrifices made to be there. 

I returned to the town, six hours north, where all of my grandkids live. 
This season too- felt fleeting- and I prayed for energy to enjoy it.

I also prayed for direction…
To do the “next” right by God…

And to be all-in–
All-in in loving my people…
All-in in working to remember what I’ve learned about what it takes to hear God speak to me…
All-in in my hope that I live a life where God can use me to share His light…
All-in in getting a bit better with my discipleship in Christ…
All-in in creating a legacy of loving God and continuing to seek to do His will.

I know this means mountains are still to be climbed.
My energy and commitment to God will be tested. 
The adversary will work to help me forget every miracle I witnessed.
It won’t be easy and i pray for the faith to know that the continued effort will be worth it.

I arrived “home”. 
My resolve was in motion. 
So much of the story of “next” is now being written…

-JC

Reece’s Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup soft butter
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 cup peanut butter
1 ¾  cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
1 cup milk chocolate chips
3 oz. chopped milk chocolate bar

Cream butter, oil, peanut butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium high for 1 minute or until fluffy. Hand stir in eggs and vanilla extract; don’t overmix. Add dry ingredients all at once and mix until fully incorporated. Stir in Butterfinger pieces, chocolate chips and chopped chocolate. Scoop out approximately 32 2” balls of dough. Gently roll. For a richer flavor and smoother texture, form cookie dough balls, flatten slightly, and refrigerate or freeze until ready to bake. Place on greased or parchment paper on an aluminum cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 12+ min. Drizzle with Peanut Butter Fudge. Garnish with crumbled Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
Let set. Share! 

Peanut Butter Fudge 
½ cup semi sweet chocolate chips
¼ cup creamy peanut butter
2 Tablespoons butter
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Dash of salt

Melt together chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter.  Stir in vanilla extract and salt. Spoon into freezer strength Ziploc until ready to use. (Use while still warm or gently reheat in the microwave before drizzling.)