Monday was the one year anniversary of Steven passing away. I actually had a really good day! Thank you everyone for praying. 

“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14)

Cassandra, who was in Israel that day, sent me a picture of Ein Gedi on the morning of March 21. My first thought was “living water!” The next word that came to my mind was “unspeakable joy” and I felt filled with joy from the Lord. It was an unexplainable joy and peace, because who would feel joyful on the day your husband died, one year ago?

“To comfort  all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” ( Isaiah 61:1-2)

I felt  joy because God healed Steven and he is suffering free.

I felt joy because I have so much to be thankful for God in my life.

I felt joy because my kids and I will join Steven someday where there are no more tears and no more sufferings!  Wow, what joy and what hope we have in Jesus! 

Our day was really good. The kids and I went to Panera, Steven’s favorite breakfast place. I ate what he would have eaten, a cinnamon crunch bagel and coffee. ( I am not a sweets lover and I normally don’t drink coffee but I did!)

I spent time reading God’s word and shared what He spoke to me with the kids. 

We watched some family videos and laughed. (They wanted to skip all the videos from the past four years when Steven was sick but they loved to watch healthy Daddy being goofy.)

We went to Bad Daddy's Burger with Grandma and Grandpa to honor Steven by eating burgers and milkshakes. (He loved burgers and milkshakes.)

We had a worship night with close church family friends. Stephen led worship for us and Liana played a few songs by my request. (or by my order?) Praising God was soooo good! 

Cassandra brought us birthday cake pops from Starbucks one year ago on March 21 to celebrate Steven’s birthday in heaven, and Mayuri graciously gifted us cake pop maker after seeing a post about it, so we made birthday cake pops and celebrated Steven’s healing in heaven after the worship. 

Overall our first anniversary went so well and was filled with joy. I almost want to do it again! But now back to the reality of life…