He is Faithful, Even When My Skies Are Gray

"He is faithful to the marrow, so faithful that He comes with a guarantee. This guarantee is Jesus, and He promises to us His constant presence ("I will never leave you nor forsake you," Hebrew 13:5). Our learning to crawl may take some time. Learning to trust Him completely may take even longer. The beauty of the promise to be there is just that-- He will be there while you deal with trust issues and belief issues. He will be there while you wonder at sovereignty and get angry at it because you have nothing to do with it. He will be there when you're ready to talk, and He'll listen as you babble on about nonsense. And when you're ready, He'll speak back to you and begin to unravel some of the mystery. Not all of it. We are bound to limited eyesight, and we must understand that it will never be crystal clear on this planet. But learning to trust Him in everything means knowing you'll never know it all.... and He will. It means learning that He always has the best end in mind. It means more hurt is sure to come, but when it does, He feels it with you. Working through our trust in the beauty of faith and hope in God means we are poised to hear the whispers of small answers to our questions." Candi Pearson-Shelton

Fun in Charleston

Pay attention...she's starting to throw mini-tantrums when she wants to continue doing something. I adore her laughter and happy spirit! I absolutely love being her Mom. :)

"The Brightest Little Star"

May his life shine through our love, support and prayers, and may the work of Compassion help him become "The Brightest Little Star”.

            Danny and I received a call that we weren’t expecting just a few days ago.  A call that was yet another reminder of how life is precious.  A sweet six-year-old little boy that we sponsor in Tanzania went to be with Christ on May 25, 2012.  He and his family were in a tragic car accident and he was the only one that did not survive.  We wanted more details, but unfortunately, this is all the information we received.  We wanted to be right there with his family holding them and wiping their tears. We wanted to remind them that their precious little boy was in Heaven with his Creator. 

          This little boy was born on November 18, 2005.  He drew us pictures and wrote us letters.  We sent him a picture of our bulletin board with his work showcased so he would know that we thought it was special to us.  We wanted him to know that we were proud of him as if he was part of our family.

          He would tell us about his family.  Some of the things he enjoyed doing was playing football (soccer), skipping and playing with cars.  Another favorite thing he mentioned was fetching water on three different occasions (he really liked this activity). He mentioned that he spent most of his time with his Dad.  Through him, I was humbled.  He made me realize that you can be happy without a lot the stuff.  He also reminded me of how blessed most of us are in this country.  I think this picture is a drawing of him fetching water with his Mom.  Danny thinks that it's his favorite activity because he gets to spend time with his mother.  Or, playing in water as a kid is pretty universal.

                 

               We loved him even though we hardly knew him.  The definition of compassion is “a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.”  After reading this definition, feelings of guilt crept in. I should’ve done so much more for him. I should've prayed for him and his family more. I should’ve written him more letters.  I should’ve told him that I loved him more. I should’ve visited him.  I felt selfish.  I didn’t feel compassionate at all.  Why do we feel this way after someone we love passes? Why don’t we do the things we wished we had done while they’re here so we don’t regret the things we didn’t do when they’re gone.  How many more reminders of this simple principle do I need to recieve before it’s too late?

            After the phone call, Danny and I made a commitment that the next life we bring into our family and the ones that are in it now will be cherished more.  We will do our very best to comply with this definition of compassion even if they're across the world. We will do all the things that we wished we had done for this little boy and more.  

            Please pray for the father, mother and three brothers of this family.  I don’t want to reveal names for their privacy.   Please pray for us that we make a conscious effort to love those with all that we have who are still here on this earth. Please pray that we cherish each moment and that we’re continuously humbled during this life so we can be more compassionate.... Carpe Diem.

Jeremiah 1:5 says that God knew you before He even formed you in the womb.  He thought of you and planned for you, specifically.  He made you with a very specific set of qualities, skills sets and emotions.  They may not be the qualities, skill sets and emotions that you would have chosen or desire but you were hand crafted with a purpose by the Creator of the Universe.  The next time you feel like you’re not good enough.  The next time you feel worthless.  The next time you feel unloved. Remember this, every single thing about you makes you the most qualified person in the world to do what God has called you to do.  So you do have a purpose, a very special one in fact. Following this purpose that God has laid out for you would likely result in tremendous self-worth and confidence.  God loves you so much and so do we! (Letter written by Danny to this sweet boy).

On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman

On the night you were born, the moon smiled with such wonder that the stars peeked in to see you and the night wind whispered, "Life will never be the same." Because there had never been anyone like you... ever in the world.  So enchanted with you were the wind and the rain that they whispered the sound of your wonderful name.  

It sailed through the farmland high on the breeze...

Over the ocean...

And through the trees...

Until everyone heard it and everyone knew of the one and only ever you. Not once had there been such eyes, such a nose, such silly, wiggly, wonderful toes. In fact, I think I'll count to three so you can wiggle your toes for me. When the polar bears heard, they danced until dawn. From faraway places, the geese flew home.  The moon stayed up until morning next day. And none of the ladybugs flew away. 

So whenever you doubt just how special you are and you wonder who loves you, how much and how far, listen for geese honking high in the sky. (They're singing a song to remember you by.)

Or notice the bears asleep at the zoo. (It's because they've been dancing all night for you!)

Or drift off to sleep to the sound of the wind (Listen closely...it's whispering you name again!)

If the moon stays up until morning one day, or a ladybug lands and decides to stay, or a little bird sits at your window awhile, it's because they're all hoping to see you smile...

For never before in story or rhyme (not even once upon a time) has the world ever known a you, my dear, and it never will, not ever again...

Heaven blew every trumpet and played every horn on the wonderful, marvelous night you were born.

Happy Birthday, our sweet Adalyn Rose!  

Words cannot describe how much God has used you to change our lives.  

You bring incredible joy, happiness and laughter.  

We're praising God that you're here with us! 

"You are the one and only ever you."

I love you, my little sweetheart!

"Old Prayer for Old Pain"

"Bless my Enemies, O Lord" by Ann Voskamp

Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Enemies have driven me into your embrace more than friends have.
Enemies have loosed me from earth more than friends have…
Enemies have made me a hunted animal, finding safer shelter than an unhunted animal does.

I found safest sanctuary in You…may too my enemies-made-grace.
I found greatest grace in You… may my enemies-made-grace find Your generous grace alive and radical in me.
I found fullest forgiveness in You… may my enemies-made-grace find faith and freedom in You and Your forgiveness working surprising ways in me.

The longer I walk with you, Lord, I find I have no enemies: only your gift of chisels etching me deep.
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.

Happy Easter!

Wow! What an amazing weekend with my family.  My sweet sister took some amazing photos capturing precious moments. It's crazy with every holiday (and anything, really); Danny and I are overwhelmed when it comes to Addy being here.  As you all may know, we've lost two children.  Before, we would only daydream about all that we would do with them.  Now, it's become a reality. Addy's actually here, in the flesh, and we still pinch ourselves to make sure we're not dreaming.  She's an amazing gift that we graciously celebrate!  We're not only rejoicing in Christ's resurrection, but also Addy's life.  We're incredibly happy we’re doing life together! Thanks Aunt J for the beautiful pictures....

Yay! Life is good!

Aunt J calls this her model pose. 

The sweetest pic! Wow!

Fun with Addy

Her laugh brings us so much joy! 

Sweet Addy having fun with Daddy.....