Long Week

So here I am on Thursday night . . . and boy has this been a long week. I've been up pretty late several nights preparing for our InterVarsity area conference (222) this weekend. I was up on campus this evening for the alternative thanksgiving dinner sponsored by the Campus Ministries Council and the service following (which was hosted by InterVarsity). I thought it went really well - I felt the Spirit move during worship . . . one song in particular, "Surrender," stuck out to me (just feeling like I'm in a good place of dependence on God right now):

I'm giving you my heart, and all that is within
I lay it all down for the sake of you my King
I'm giving you my dreams, I'm laying down my rights
I'm giving up my pride for the promise of new life

And I surrender all to you, all to you
And I surrender all to you, all to you

I'm singing You this song, I'm waiting at the cross
And all the world holds dear, I count it all as loss
For the sake of knowing You for the glory of Your name
To know the lasting joy, even sharing in Your pain

Our speaker was great, too. He talked about suffering and thankfulness and the hope we have in Christ. After the service was over, I checked my phone and saw that Morgan had tried to call serveral times throughout the service (in addition to texting me, which she never does). A little concerned, I call her back to see what's going on and find out that her grandfather had just suffered a heart attack and passed away.

Definitely not helping to ease any stress around the Murray home . . .
Spent some time with Morgan this evening just letting her cry, remembering some funny stories and how good a man her grandfather was (he was known as Big Daddy - how's that for southern?). He was a double amputee and, in spite of what doctors told him, was able to walk, drive, and get around with two prostheses. Pretty amazing!
He was also really sweet . . . after Morgan had surgery last spring, he drove through rush hour traffic (which he hated) to bring us a home-cooked dinner. I didn't know him well, but the time that I did spend with him left an impression of someone incredibly warm and caring - and he always had a good story to tell about him and his "buddies."

Stuff like this really puts into perspective what's important in life. All that concern about the details of the conference this weekend seem pretty insiginificant now.
Needless to say, this weekend is going to be a little crazy . . . bouncing back and forth between the conference in Hampton and any funeral arrangements hear in Richmond.

Your prayers would be much appreciated for Morgan, me (to love her well during this time), and Morgan's family.