Krista

Last weekend was a tough one for me.  This Mother's Day was harder on me than last year.  I think I was still in shock last year.  Last Saturday, my daughter's dear friend got married.  I am so happy for her but it reminded me of my marriage and the death of my husband 6 years ago.  I wore our wedding rings on a necklace to the wedding as a way to honor him.  Sadness and happiness all mixed together.  It was a very emotional weekend for me.

But a very bright spot was the graduation of my niece, Krista Willingham.  She is now Dr. Krista Willingham!  My only regret was that since my kids and grandkids were home and we had the wedding here, I could not make it to the graduation in Kirksville.

Krista has worked hard to get to this point in her life.  She is extremely well organized and disciplined - not to mention intelligent!  Residency was no cake walk but she made it through all the tough times and sleepless nights.  Mom and Dad were so proud of her!  I am sorry that Krista did not have her Granny and Granddad there to cheer for her as she walked across the stage but I know they were with her in spirit.

Krista, I am so proud to call you my niece!  You have worked so long and hard to complete your goal and you did it with flying colors!  Not only did you complete a difficult and arduous task,  you did it without comprising your morals.  You have remained true to the Lord.  You have kept your faith as your focal point.  You have been a beautiful example of God's love!  I love you!

Hebrews 12: 1-3 The Message

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!