Jeremiah 29:11 one of our family’s favorite Scripture verses. It became a favorite one Christmas almost ten years ago when I (Melinda) gave Zack a dog tag with the verse inscribed on it as a gift. As he was reading the inscription aloud to me, my sister walked by, overhearing only part of his reading. With a quizzical look on her face, she turned and asked, “What? God has crayons for you?” Once the laughter subsided, she recognized the verse with God’s promise that He has plans for you…though I’m still holding on to hope for a big box of 64 Crayola crayons – the one with the sharpener in the back!

Joking aside, this verse marks the start of my journey back from the edge. I spent quite a bit of time teetering on the edge before God called me back to life, bringing healing and restoration. This picture of me was taken at Yosemite just a few months after Zack was called home, during my darkest time. I could barely breathe as I sat there, wearing Zack’s jacket, in the place we both so loved. God has brought me so far over the past six years, and I am thankful He continues to lead me and heal me along the way.

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