Life in a Soap Opera

I went through a small period of time when I watched soap operas because my babysitter did. Hmmm...do you think my mom knew that? Regardless, I never did like them and I decided its because there was too much drama. I've even decided recently that Karen Kingsbury books really aren't my thing. I've enjoyed many of them and can even tell you my favorite one, but I picked up one of her books recently and the first 5 pages were so full of drama that I put it down. It's unrealistic that someone can go through that much drama at one time. Or is it? After this week I am seriously re-thinking that thought.

It all started when I found out that there is a decent chance that our dearest friends here in Little Rock might be moving. That still isn't confirmed but seems likely. That alone was enough to ruin my week. On Tuesday came word that FamilyLife would be going through its second round of lay offs. This does not affect our jobs, only the paid staff, but whether you are paid staff or missionary staff doesn't matter much around here because we are all a team. Their loss is our loss.

On Wednesday we woke up to learn that at 11:30 the previous night our friends lost their 17 year old daughter, Nikki, in a car accident. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around their grief and I just can't do it. Thursday was the day of the lay offs. We all waited to see who would loose their jobs and 2 of my friends lost their jobs that day.

I figured at that point that we were Ok until Monday and Tuesday when we would attend the viewing and the funeral for Nikki. Then last night we got a phone call from another friend, and neighbor, who is on staff at FamilyLife with us. Her husband had been 1 1/2 hours out of town fishing. He went into the bathroom and slipped. He tried to grab onto the sink but when he did the sink was ripped off of the wall and shattered as he fell which cut an artery in his arm. He was airlifted to Little Rock where he had to go into surgery to repair his arm. Larry and another neighbor drove out last night to get his car and Larry arrived home at midnight last night.

Tonight we head to the funeral home and tomorrow Larry will attend the memorial service for Nikki at their church. Our friend came out of surgery fine and it looks like he will be back home today. Let's hope things calm down a bit after this and Karen Kingsbury doesn't come knocking at my door anytime soon for a story line!