*deep breath* This is even more difficult to write than I imagined.

Please pray for the Case family.

On Wednesday, October 28, this family lost their wife and mom, Rebecca Case, who was killed by a 37 year old drink driver at 5:15 pm (he is being charged with vehicular homicide).

She had turned 41 this past summer and she leaves behind her 9 children, ages 4 – 18. Her oldest is set to graduate high school this May.

I learned of her passing very early the next day.

Rebecca was a very precious friend of mine and her death leaves me absolutely devastated and heartbroken. I chatted with her late that afternoon then 45 minutes later she died. I don’t know if I was the last one to communicate with her (knowing her she probably called one of her kids to let them know she was heading home), but the thought sits heavy with me.

-2-

I’ve known Rebecca for almost 9 years. A few years ago she joined me in serving our homeschool high school students and we chaperoned every homeschool dance over the last four years.

Some of you may remember that I stepped down from a local homeschool organization board after the twins graduated. The year before I did so Rebecca said she wanted to take over the annual student art contest and asked if I would help her as she didn’t want to work with anyone else. Though I was ready to move on, I told her yes because I adore her. We finished our second event together in August. Last month we met for dinner to brainstorm ideas for future art contest events. She was full of ideas and I was happy to be in the background trying to bring her vision to life.

It’s hard to imagine doing the art contest without her and for now, I don’t want to. But, the LORD is giving me some ideas.

There is so much I want to share about what made her so beautiful and delightful, but for brevity and privacy’s sake, I won’t. I will say that she was the epitome of loveliness and grace.

I know that the LORD will take the sorrow and turn it to joy.

But, for now the mourning hurts tremendously.

-3-

As I scrolled through her Facebook account Friday afternoon catching up on some of her posts, someone had taken a video she posted of herself recently walking carefree and turned it into her meeting Jesus.

It broke me:

This is what she posted the morning she passed away.

-4-

So please pray for this family who will never be the same. There are more painful moments ahead.

If you want to see more of Rebecca’s writing, you can do so here.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15)

Happy Birthday to all the November babies!

“We will never be able to properly thank everyone who has been such a blessing to our family,” the family said in a prepared statement. “Church members, businesses, neighbors, and even strangers who have given of themselves through prayers, meals, and a shoulder to cry on. Such kindness has held us up in the hardest days of our lives.

“In the coming weeks, we will watch and pray for our judicial system as it works to bring healing to our grieving community. Thank you for continuing to pray for us. If you don’t know the eternal confidence that comes only from faith in Jesus, talk to us, and we will gladly share the joy of a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe. He can use even the darkest hours like this to show others that Jesus.”

The service is this Tuesday. Please pray God's grace, strength, and protection over them.

For Rebecca, the girl who loved her drinks! 😊

She never stopped hoping or dreaming even when the clouds in her world darkened. A bright light went out of the world, but new lights ignite with her children. And will with her grandchildren.

You will be greatly missed...

C'mon in and enjoy the laugh! Better yet, help contribute to the laughs by sharing your family-friendly memes 😃

... do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

"Who is like unto Thee, O LORD, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?"

~Exodus 15:11