This morning started with a phone call. Jami called to tell me that Zach Whitcavitch had died. It turns out he was killed by a drunk driver.

Zach was a 23 year old Marine who recently returned from Iraq. He was also one of my favorite kids when Joel and I taught a 3rd and 4th grade Sunday School class in Dalhart, TX. We got to counsel him at church camp. Some of the grownups thought he was a trouble maker but I absolutely loved that little boy. I still do. After I moved away for college he would write to me and tell me about how much he loved Jesus. I’ve not seen him for over a decade, but I actually talk about him often. I think I was telling Rachel about him just a couple weeks ago.

I love his mama too and my heart aches for her tonight.

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While talking to someone about Zach, I found out that another longtime friend has a brain aneurysm… we’re waiting on new from the doctors.

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Another phone call brought more heartbreaking news: Good friends facing terrible marriage troubles. Of course I can’t share the details, but I’m still crying for them.

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And then the election results. Chief lost the Greene County Sheriff primary. I’m pretty sure Sarah Steelman won’t be our next governor.

I think I’ll go to sleep. Maybe tomorrow will work out better.