Detour

Everyday this week on my way home- down 33rd- I've passed this detour sign. At first, I wasn't even sure what it was detouring someone from- because there was no evident construction or large pot hole or considerably harmful thing for me to see. After a few days I noticed that it was the alley way they were detouring us from- which in my mind aren't really for driving anyway. But nonetheless, everyday at least twice I day I see this bright orange sign: DETOUR



So, because I am a visual learner, this word- has been stuck in my head all week. And then I thought to myself- this is how I feel now- Detoured. Off of my original path. At first I was mad about it- because I like order and knowing and planning. None of the things that have unfolded in the past few weeks were in my plans.

Today, though on my way home for lunch- again I saw that stupid sign directing us away from the alley- and I thought- That is what life is- a series of detours. And for me right now, that is what living life to the fullest will just have to look like- following this detour to where ever it may lead me, and if it leads to another than following that one. But one thing is for sure it is impossible to go back to the place I was.

Love God, Embrace Beauty and Live Life to the Fullest

Last Sunday, for the first time- I heard my heart break. It was a sound so loud and deafening, full of fury and full of weakness all at the same time. I felt sorrow run so deep- through my blood- to my bones.

I have replayed the events of Sunday morning- over and over in my head- daily. From the last time I saw Kyle, spoke to him- I can see myself lighting the candles in front of the baptistery- I can remember the way my heart raced so fast as I knew he needed help- to how slowly my legs seemed to move to get help, to do something. Then the call- the church empty- standing the hall- the awful news- and then my heart breaking and finding no will power to stand- but only to fall to the floor in tears.

The past few days- have been a roller coaster of emotions and a sea of confusion and at times an abundance of joy and thankfulness. Kyle Lake was a great pastor and a wonderful friend. His goofy laugh and infectious smile touched all that came in contact with him. We will miss you, but carry you in our hearts forever. Together our UBC family will push forward to continue to embrace the passion you had for life, for love, for God.

Here is the last part of Kyle's last sermon,exactly as he wrote it, he never got the chance to deliver it. But to me it is so perfect and amazingly beautiful:

Live. And Live Well.BREATHE. Breathe in and Breathe deeply. Be PRESENT. Do not be past. Do not be future. Be now.On a crystal clear, breezy 70 degree day, roll down the windows and FEEL the wind against your skin. Feel the warmth of the sun.If you run, then allow those first few breaths on a cool Autumn day to FREEZE your lungs and do not just be alarmed, be ALIVE.Get knee-deep in a noveland LOSE track of time.If you bike, pedal HARD… and if you crash then crash well.Feel the SATISFACTION of a job well done—a paper well-written, a project thoroughly completed, a play well-performed.If you must wipe the snot from your 3-year old’s nose, don’t be disgusted if the Kleenex didn’t catch it all… because soon he’ll be wiping his own. If you’ve recently experienced loss, then GRIEVE. And Grieve well. At the table with friends and family, LAUGH. If you’re eating and laughing at the same time, then might as well laugh until you puke. And if you eat, then SMELL. The aromas are not impediments to your day. Steak on the grill, coffee beans freshly ground, cookies in the oven. And TASTE. Taste every ounce of flavor. Taste every ounce of friendship. Taste every ounce of Life. Because-it-is-most-definitely-a-Gift.

** Please keep our church and more importantly Jen, Avery, Jude & Sutton in your prayers**

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