Just Memories Now...

Yesterday, I found out very sad news. It came as a blow to what already felt like a very tough week of illness, loss, and death. Lauren Failla, a younger sister to my very good friend Emily Failla who passed away in 2006, also died in a scuba diving accident. My first and human reaction, is to say, why so much death in one family? Why was it God's plan to take away amazing women at such a young age (they were both about 24years old)? Why will their parents never be able to attend their daughter's wedding or be grandparents? I don't know why, and I don't understand God's timing, but I do know it's never off, early, or late. But it is tough for those of us left here on earth. I so hope and pray that I will see these beautiful women in Heaven.

Yesterday morning, I was reading an article about suffering. At the time, I didn't really think much of it. But when I found out about Lauren's death in the evening, God really reminded me of the verses I read about suffering and comfort.

2Corinthians 1:3-7

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

The loss of Lauren hits me very close to home, because I love and cherish my sister. I am reminded now to grasp hold of each day the Lord blesses us with. Because it truly is a gift from Him. I don't have much more to say, definitely nothing very profound. All of this words are just humble sentences from a girl who is mourning, confused, and hurting. But Christ can be your comfort as He is my comfort. I pray that for any and everyone reading this that doesn't know Christ's comfort and saving grace. May you accept Jesus Christ into your life today. Don't run from Christ because we never know the day or the hour He has for us on this earth.

Here's some photos of Emily and Lauren Failla, I was so blessed to know you both:

My sister and I...oh how I hope to cherish each day I have with her!