I just got a sad IM today from one of my childhood friends. Our girl scout troop leader just died in a car crash. It's been such a long time since I've thought about Jackie Johnston, but every year when I see the Girl Scouts and Brownies selling their cookies at the local supermarket I get all nostalgic and remember how we had to sell as well under Mrs. Johnston's leadership.

Switching schools between 5th and 6th grade many moons ago was kind of traumatic for me. I was just getting into swing of things with friends and after school activities when my parents had us move schools. The only people familiar to me where my friends Jeff and Jennifer who made the move as well. But one after school activity that gave me some normalcy was Girl Scouts. For 2 hours once a week I could hang out and do some cool things like who can pitch the tent fastest or some crafts activity. I remember Mrs. Johnston waiting for us after school to shuffle us off to her house where I think a dozen of us girls would hang out. I also remembered a fond weekend trip we took to San Diego for camping; Playing Trivial pursuit late into the night, making smores over the campfire, and trying to figure out when I could let my guard down.

Mrs. Johnston made it all happen along with a few other moms who helped out. It makes me sad to think that God has plans for everything that happens and all I can do is understand what it means and not question why.

Even with the tsunami tragedy, the war in Iraq, the civil unrests around the world, I am still at lose of what to think and all I can do is pray. Pray that there is some kind of peace that comes out of this.