Manzo

Our youth minister, Chris Manzo, lost his battle with colon cancer today.  He use to dress up as Superman for Halloween and was given the name "Supermanzo"!  His wife's post today was that "The love of her life traded in his cape for wings!"

I sent both the kids a text with the news.  Brooks' reply was "God must work in mysterious ways. I just don't get how something like this could happen to such a great and kindhearted person."  My reply was: "I have to believe that Heaven is a very special place that will answer all of our questions.  It will be a place to be reunited with loved ones and a place with no more suffering.  I have to believe that it remains a mystery to us because if we knew how great it is, we would all want to leave this earthly place right now."

 

Please help me to teach my children to know and accept your love and Grace.  Please welcome Chris Manzo into your kingdom and give comfort to those that he leaves behind.

Great Kids

 

Wow, this is so true.  At most moments, I know that I did and am doing the best I could/can do.  Still, there are times I think:  Could  I have done better?  Will I do better? 

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook the other day: 

I quit, I'm done with this parenting stuff. Apparently I suck at it anyways...The over-whelming response from other moms was -

Been there, thought that!  One mom wrote - "My daughter told me she was "running away" and her response was,  No, you can't because I am!" 

 

There is no manual.  There will be a lot of miss-steps along the way.  Know you're not alone.  Do your best and pray for a successful outcome!

 

Please Lord help me not "screw up"! 

Guide me, teach me and help me to not second guess myself.

Going "Through" Life

Sometimes it tough going "through" life!   You can't go over it, you can go under it and there is no way around it.  Everyone MUST go THROUGH it ~ the good/bad, the happy/sad,  the easy/hard, the joyous/heartbreaking. 

Right now my heart is breaking for our youth director and his family as he is in his final battle with cancer.  At 41 he has just found the love of his life and they just had a baby boy.  He is truly a man of God and has touch so many lives, in particular, the youth of our church.  Brooks once said that he was the "coolest God guy" that he knew.  Chris Manzo is one of the reasons that we joined SJA.  My daughter, Brady, began attending the youth group at SJA in the 7th grade.  She just loved it!  She encouraged us to attend a service and after 6 month, we joined.  We joined on Christmas Eve as part of the kids' Christmas presents.  If Manzo hadn't been so awesome, we might never have found what I consider "My Church Home"!

I hate what Chris and his family are going through but I am comforted by his faith and his trust in where he is going when this earthly life is over.

Faith is not know what the future holds

It's knowing Who holds your future!

Thank you for the gift of Chris Manzo.  Please cover him and his family in your amazing grace.