It was all the things that happened next that really began to blow my mind.
After a quick flight from Little Rock to Dallas, we ended up getting stuck for 8 hours. We were incredibly grateful for our stand-by tickets but were so anxious to be in Kauai. We traveled across the Dallas airport, moving from gate to gate trying to get on plane. At the eighth hour our friend re-routed us to Tucson because the planes to LAX were completely full for the entire night. We arrived around 11:30pm and our amazing friend Mikey came and picked us up, brought us to his house, made us dinner, gave us a shower and a bed, then brought us back to the airport at 5:45am. We luckily got on a quick flight out to LAX then jumped right on a plane to Kauai. When we landed we were surprised and blown away to find our friends had left us a car at the airport with money in it to pay for the parking. And that right there was definitely a good indication of how this whole trip would be...
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| Long days in airports |
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| equals big bags under your eyes!! |
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| Finally our ticket to Kauai! |
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| feels a lot like home..... |
We couldn't see Kirsten til the evening so we made a stop to visit our beloved Tim at his work (he moved out there with us the second time). He gave us a whole bag of groceries. Our budget was tight so between him letting us use his car for the week and this little gift of food we were so entirely grateful. We headed from there to our old house. Our old roommate, Eric, still lives in the same house and offered us a room for the week. As we walked in we found welcome notes, an air mattress all made up in the back room with a gift and a note. We are just blown away by every one's kindness and open arms towards us and we have only been here an hour.
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One of our first stops- it may be a weird one but we have a lot
of memories here with some of our closest friends. |
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| Eric, our amazing host for the week |
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| Tim |
For the next five days we spent all day with our friend Kirsten and her family. We didn't "do" much except hold babies, babysit, try to lighten conversations, cry, and give as much love as possible. At nights we spent our time with different groups of people who know Kirsten and Sam. We listened as they processed death, we laughed together as we shared our favorite memories with Sam, and cried together as we mourned the loss of an incredible man, father and husband.
It was the most beautiful representation of a community. As tragedy struck everyone came together to support each other and Kirsten and Cozy. There were a lot of tears and hugs...... but there was also a lot of laughter and joy as we remembered Sam. He was goofy and fun, loving and giving, had a personality that could light up a room and had an incredible passion for Christ. Sam was a good man and he lived his life with purpose. We are all better because we knew him.
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| Saylor, the sweetest lil angel baby |
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| Cozy keeping us smiling with her infectious laughter |
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| Ms. Sassy Pants |
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| Loving her Uncle Jordan |
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| I am in Aunty heaven |
In these times of hanging out and celebrating his life we were reassured with some of our friends from years before and we also made some new friends. I especially found a new incredible friend, Shannyl, which has been a huge blessing. She was there with us every day helping with the babies and loving on the family. It was during this time that we started talking a lot and really hit it off. I am so incredibly grateful for her beautiful face and amazing heart.
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| RED crew!!! |
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| Bon fire with Shannyl and Evan |
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| She has the most beautiful soul.... so happy to have met her |
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| We snuck away from the babies for a day to get some Vitamin D |
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| Shannyl |
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| Instant best friends |
Everyday and every minute of our trip was full of love and community. It was a true blessing that we were able to go and give all that we had to offer. As we make our way back to the airport we remember Sam and all the good he brought to the people in his life and this island. We are thankful that we knew him. We are grateful for the way he loved Kirsten and for the beautiful baby girl he gave her.
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One day we watched the babies so Jordan could take Sam's brother in law on
a hike and have some time to process. |
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Scotty- the amazing father to the twins, Bonnie's husband and Sams
brother in law. |
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| Beautiful Kauai |
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| the dogs loved to get outside for a bit |
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On another day Jordan and Jim (Kirsten's dad) recorded one of
Jordan's song using Carmen's Uke. It was beautiful. |
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