tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10871642022992973462024-03-18T22:46:11.147-05:00Nicholas' Gift, Olivia's HopeWe gave birth to twin babies July 18, 2007 only to discover a couple of months later that Nicholas had a fatal genetic disease called spinal muscular atrophy. He passed away November 27, 2007 and a week later his twin sister Olivia was diagnosed with the same disease. She passed away January 12, 2008. This is a memoir of their lives, as well as a place to share my journey through everything that has happened.mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.comBlogger239125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-24107788851155026522017-07-18T03:08:00.000-05:002017-07-18T03:08:59.286-05:0010 yearsIt's been 5 years since I've been back here. As time progresses, memories become less sharp, but the absence does not. When you lose a child, or two, you continually run into what would have been their future. What would they have looked like? What would they be passionate about? <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcmZAsHTkcL9Crjp_Lyikjjo0DjZad7UvYc1pDS3mjPOquhQUdw5c7mTUPxPSBVeDaQH0ubfCorXa3fxjjBBYVnEHW4vroi2nBQeZmrmUmk0tfGbGRiBgIOw6uRrm4-w8Eoixg_HGyuxi/s1600/IMG_1142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcmZAsHTkcL9Crjp_Lyikjjo0DjZad7UvYc1pDS3mjPOquhQUdw5c7mTUPxPSBVeDaQH0ubfCorXa3fxjjBBYVnEHW4vroi2nBQeZmrmUmk0tfGbGRiBgIOw6uRrm4-w8Eoixg_HGyuxi/s320/IMG_1142.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This is Sabrina on her 10th birthday. Already at 10 she looks so much like the mature young woman she is today. I can only imagine what Nicholas and Olivia would have looked like.<br />
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In the last 5 years our family has changed significantly. Just as it has continued to change the day Nicholas and Olivia were born. A hot summer day in July, a surprise birthday present for their dad!<br />
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Nicholas, Olivia, I have been most blessed to be your mother. Happy birthday beautiful ones...<br />
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<br />mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-29611452685866478762013-01-12T07:41:00.002-06:002013-01-12T07:41:57.647-06:00A Cold Winter Morning<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Again I shall behold thee, daughter true;</em></div>
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<em>The hour will come when I shall behold thee fast</em></div>
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<em>In God's name, loving thee all through and through.</em></div>
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<em>Somewhere in His grand thought this waits for us.</em></div>
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<em>Then I shall see a smile not like thy last -</em></div>
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<em>For that great thing which came when all was past,</em></div>
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<em>Was not a smile, but God's peace glorious.</em></div>
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<em>- George Macdonald</em></div>
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Olivia, I missed the best and sweetest time with you, and it haunts me still. I had to make the choice that no mother should make and I loved out of what I had. The only thing that gives me hope is that one day we will have an eternity to get to know each other. Sweet one, you went on before us on a cold winter morning but you are never far from our hearts.mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-32618981648396315452012-12-31T23:49:00.001-06:002012-12-31T23:49:44.033-06:00Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOx-1wBBaASMTZcrKvkYbW4kC0ETkc17Hwulhq-lEBa236YrKbjJ0U-XnUE1KgkZBWir0ATaJXq5FHCNrGKHSdBZJyIrLnK_qigyLVJieJ6z175C4QtWsQfAmbz91gZhKaZfvqqgIhCihz/s1600/1396134_94718955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOx-1wBBaASMTZcrKvkYbW4kC0ETkc17Hwulhq-lEBa236YrKbjJ0U-XnUE1KgkZBWir0ATaJXq5FHCNrGKHSdBZJyIrLnK_qigyLVJieJ6z175C4QtWsQfAmbz91gZhKaZfvqqgIhCihz/s200/1396134_94718955.jpg" width="200" /></a>It has become a tradition for me to write a New Year's letter, but this year it's hard to know where to start. 2012 has been a challenging year, with many positive moments as well as many opportunities to learn and grow. </div>
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Our family went through a number of significant events this year. Zoe turned 2, with all the joys that a toddler brings, and Sabrina turned 10. The girls are our delight and as we all grow older we continue to grow closer. Corrie's mom and little sister moved back to Manitoba from BC in April and stayed with us until they moved in to their own place down the street in November. There were many rich moments of reconnecting as family, and a lot of learnings too. <br />
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Professionally, I was privileged to take part in a leadership training program that took me to Minneapolis and New Orleans, all over a number of months. It was an incredible learning experience and was very exciting to see a greater perspective of the excellent company that Cargill is. It was also a great opportunity for Corrie to play "Mr. Mom" while I was away.<br />
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Personally, this year ended on a low note for me. I don't know how to describe it other than "burn out" and couldn't begin to describe where it came from in a letter like this. Let's just say that it's been a long time in coming. The beautiful part about it has been that I found Jesus. And He wasn't the Jesus I thought I had been following. I have been astonished to find that I have missed the mark for a long time and now am on a search to know everything I can about who He really is. If that doesn't make sense to you, I say "great! join me!"</div>
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I feel that as a family, we are at a critical place. We have wanted to see change in many areas. We are working through what has held us back and exploring what we can do differently. While we both love our peaceful, cozy home and love to spend time recharging there, it's time for some adventure.</div>
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Bring it on, 2013!</div>
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<em>Do not remember the former things,<br /><span class="text Isa-43-18">Nor consider the things of old.</span><br /><span class="text Isa-43-19" id="en-NKJV-18525">Behold, I will do a new thing,</span><br /><span class="text Isa-43-19">Now it shall spring forth;</span><br /><span class="text Isa-43-19">Shall you not know it?</span><br /><span class="text Isa-43-19">I will even make a road in the wilderness</span><br /><span class="text Isa-43-19">And rivers in the desert.</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em><span class="text Isa-43-19">Isaiah 43:18-19</span></em></span></div>
mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-82758008825020075062012-11-27T08:00:00.000-06:002012-11-27T08:00:08.189-06:00Still HeartbrokenOn a day such as this where we remember that it is possible that a little boy who looks like his dad can go to heaven far too soon, we will also honor that a heart can still be broken.<br />
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For the past 5 years, I have been ignoring my broken heart, not listening to my broken heart, medicating my broken heart, running away from my broken heart, tending other people's broken hearts, focusing on other things than my broken heart, escaping from my broken heart, and being angry the whole time that it is still broken.<br />
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I started being angry last year at Sabrina's Christmas pageant when I realized that I would never see my twins-who-would-start-kindergarten-this-year in their first school pageant. I love watching the kindergarten kids at the Christmas pageant. I would have dressed Nicholas in stiff new jeans and probably tried to get away with a sweater vest and collared shirt. His little blond head would have shone under the lights and I like to believe that he would have sung his little heart out for Baby Jesus.<br />
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I think I have been angry since then. I'm really tired. And still heartbroken. <br />
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I think confronting my brokenness puts me in a good posture for awaiting my Saviour this Advent season. Thank you, Nicholas, for continuing to grace my life with your sweet presence. If 5 years can pass so quickly, then I am grateful that the day we will see each other again in spirit and body isn't as far away as it seems.mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-36282638934261933792012-07-18T00:07:00.000-05:002012-07-18T00:07:55.703-05:005 years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckanQaHe1Ai5MVj1zjyEYFGeejNT1Q8lhaJ8pP7hjEGCpnwmxg-GM6lutoQT5y7Zb34k9z6nhDnBFJYH7Io-iKOIhoNNP0hphDleHqTCGSVyyAjJ6F9Eohr0fwP9N-wdeVoA7ahocm9FD/s1600/IMG_0653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckanQaHe1Ai5MVj1zjyEYFGeejNT1Q8lhaJ8pP7hjEGCpnwmxg-GM6lutoQT5y7Zb34k9z6nhDnBFJYH7Io-iKOIhoNNP0hphDleHqTCGSVyyAjJ6F9Eohr0fwP9N-wdeVoA7ahocm9FD/s320/IMG_0653.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I feel like I've said everything that can be said about my Nicholas and Olivia - their birth, their life, their death, their purpose. Today marks 5 years since I gave birth to twins on their father's birthday. I've never said that yet. Parents always marvel at the passage of time, but we still marvel at the widening gap between knowing them and living without them.<br />
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This picture is from Sabrina's 5th birthday. I did not get a chance to celebrate this milestone with her either because I was with her brother in the hospital. I am sad about that too.<br />
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We will celebrate this day and remember. There will be balloons and cards and cake. There will be laughter and memories and love.<br />
<br />mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-49935365709417231512012-06-17T23:24:00.000-05:002012-06-17T23:31:53.877-05:00happy father's day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkqN1-Zq-08PZnigheeND3xpAix1NlnoUc7bfWbPiKhTLUF5X2j4P9Lh-fOq_7CXfczbLk9230pCGvil3uduRRrisDYmD62UEbmFJtys_39QFJ755qNwlsaSH9xnQPaikzCT0X1TohoVS/s1600/IMG_5247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkqN1-Zq-08PZnigheeND3xpAix1NlnoUc7bfWbPiKhTLUF5X2j4P9Lh-fOq_7CXfczbLk9230pCGvil3uduRRrisDYmD62UEbmFJtys_39QFJ755qNwlsaSH9xnQPaikzCT0X1TohoVS/s320/IMG_5247.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyWHyNC8I09Hn-AHNOSNQhejXAiDraxoi57GmjBCAxA5UjN1SQm3UPwTRWPvwr72oD1Lnjet1tBUWhQTWdjMWacAdNJmrCpjEJljpRStXWZRSaOy2pa6PggvW3ivy8wgEmwwTJTf3ylpK/s1600/IMG_5245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyWHyNC8I09Hn-AHNOSNQhejXAiDraxoi57GmjBCAxA5UjN1SQm3UPwTRWPvwr72oD1Lnjet1tBUWhQTWdjMWacAdNJmrCpjEJljpRStXWZRSaOy2pa6PggvW3ivy8wgEmwwTJTf3ylpK/s320/IMG_5245.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuwz7bOt1XvhJjIdPhUznjpxTmBtyPSYSXEC4qdWZ2-tt3QEVB7ZGv84032dIhyphenhyphenZkGENOzzEIl6duztl7tiHiA1g0216NgCQFtWEonS2Nd_QZOsSr2-_SgNSeM-TDALawnJXvPWBkwrs9/s1600/IMG_5340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuwz7bOt1XvhJjIdPhUznjpxTmBtyPSYSXEC4qdWZ2-tt3QEVB7ZGv84032dIhyphenhyphenZkGENOzzEIl6duztl7tiHiA1g0216NgCQFtWEonS2Nd_QZOsSr2-_SgNSeM-TDALawnJXvPWBkwrs9/s320/IMG_5340.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY01iJqsR5DjpUu5l6DyNxB6zY70twvbu8q0qakj61qb1o2Xun5jlPDcCHELynp9ZdWi1QwS2m5MFcj3_wANaHJV-sFS08BB28wKo-MiLOaPeDq_A0hL3BpdpmmMiv5cOayv4wNuIfO59O/s1600/IMG_0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY01iJqsR5DjpUu5l6DyNxB6zY70twvbu8q0qakj61qb1o2Xun5jlPDcCHELynp9ZdWi1QwS2m5MFcj3_wANaHJV-sFS08BB28wKo-MiLOaPeDq_A0hL3BpdpmmMiv5cOayv4wNuIfO59O/s320/IMG_0555.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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The best darn dad we ever had.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span class="text Ps-127-4" id="en-NKJV-16126">Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-127-4">So are the children of one’s youth.</span><br /><span class="text Ps-127-5" id="en-NKJV-16127"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-127-5">They shall not be ashamed,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-127-5">But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.</span></i><br />
<span class="text Ps-127-5"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Psalm 127: 4-5 </i></span></span></blockquote>
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<br />mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-88645930987065614572012-05-13T21:38:00.000-05:002012-05-13T21:38:23.859-05:00Happy Mother's Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQrWhXQXNaYDG86WqJq8r7sKl_Rg5CAuT19hC7lCjGJVEWIAGxAemPidM1yBocNbzjwe-f-PJNKeGu0s5pUzQ5MhVkkOpn1eeNsz-ynMzmTeucf-1WctiOqZwEo2RXiQ4QAuD5cCqno8h/s1600/IMG_5505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQrWhXQXNaYDG86WqJq8r7sKl_Rg5CAuT19hC7lCjGJVEWIAGxAemPidM1yBocNbzjwe-f-PJNKeGu0s5pUzQ5MhVkkOpn1eeNsz-ynMzmTeucf-1WctiOqZwEo2RXiQ4QAuD5cCqno8h/s320/IMG_5505.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Me and my girls.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVL7t9Div74QJKt9pqdjmkP99PXfrVnbUZK3APGVQMZ6MFJ-zuXTnpUC3gfFzRM2oGi0tCnd9oTOQtivrxSlfAc4tqVNncYVrTgA8EXw46mtsGvn_deqHdJYqwtNrjzOLb-AbVjcT5T6_o/s1600/IMG_0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVL7t9Div74QJKt9pqdjmkP99PXfrVnbUZK3APGVQMZ6MFJ-zuXTnpUC3gfFzRM2oGi0tCnd9oTOQtivrxSlfAc4tqVNncYVrTgA8EXw46mtsGvn_deqHdJYqwtNrjzOLb-AbVjcT5T6_o/s320/IMG_0415.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of the few pictures of the three of us.</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<i><span class="text Ps-127-3" id="en-NKJV-16125">Behold, children are a heritage from the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-127-3">The fruit of the womb is a reward.</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-127-3">Psalm 127:3 </span></i></div>
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<br />mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-18695711296508448332012-03-25T20:29:00.000-05:002012-03-25T20:29:09.422-05:00Happy 2nd Birthday!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLE8x93Aatmg5OX-lXbZsMtmAgNYB5QvW-S_6qe-gpErA6Js1DB-At-SfLJNqoqza6a30LwmJ7_ki3C4_KBVb8PZ88xE2N_4EloMHFjaMH1-Uy-wAsOjmK3WqeUALzFxRWtI9c1kpIYFW7/s1600/IMG_5462+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLE8x93Aatmg5OX-lXbZsMtmAgNYB5QvW-S_6qe-gpErA6Js1DB-At-SfLJNqoqza6a30LwmJ7_ki3C4_KBVb8PZ88xE2N_4EloMHFjaMH1-Uy-wAsOjmK3WqeUALzFxRWtI9c1kpIYFW7/s320/IMG_5462+edit.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Zoe, each day we get to share with you is precious. You are a gift from God indeed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="text Ps-23-6" id="en-NKJV-14242">Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me</span><br />
<span class="text Ps-23-6">All the days of my life;</span><br />
<span class="text Ps-23-6">And I will dwell in the house of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-23-6">Forever.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="text Ps-23-6"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Psalm 23:6 </span></span></i></div></blockquote>mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-83289009890147034322012-02-11T14:38:00.001-06:002012-02-11T14:39:40.266-06:00Robbed, Part III hesitated at going through with my previous post, but there is something healing in being truthful and bringing dark places to the light. I didn't mean to leave things here that raw for so long, because in fact just by sharing it took the power out of it and it is a healed place now. So, here is the conclusion:<br />
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Yes, I was robbed. But Jesus made it right.mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-18098330847133491752012-01-13T08:00:00.002-06:002012-01-13T08:00:07.747-06:00RobbedI was robbed.<br />
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For a long time I have not wanted to admit this. Because I didn't want to acknowledge that we live in a world in which I can be robbed and God is still good.<br />
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But I was still robbed. And God is still good.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><i>I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.</i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Job 19:25 </span></i></blockquote>mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-89821798998239675682012-01-12T08:00:00.000-06:002012-01-12T08:00:01.173-06:00Remembering Olivia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAixAEgkZEXfW-wPXrb-dyvSZjVtgCLbOBJUWUjlzc59knaKUZS9CpMSZVHhiqHxneftDTEyXiGj1x-JtDrNzqtvqq_eof_nxTNgXRIj9Np_8GuqVWmhrshT4D_Ud_6H_tx1GNwzPpHqmF/s1600/IMG_0989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAixAEgkZEXfW-wPXrb-dyvSZjVtgCLbOBJUWUjlzc59knaKUZS9CpMSZVHhiqHxneftDTEyXiGj1x-JtDrNzqtvqq_eof_nxTNgXRIj9Np_8GuqVWmhrshT4D_Ud_6H_tx1GNwzPpHqmF/s200/IMG_0989.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Where has my little Livvie gone? Where is the sister that belongs between the oldest and the youngest? Where is the tiny bright one?<br />
<br />
Olivia's death was so desolate because we thought she was to be our consolation. We were determined that her loss would not be the death of hope as well. We were determined that hope would continue on.<br />
<br />
That's a lot of responsibility for a baby girl, but I think she would have been able to handle it. I was so curious to see the woman she would grow up to be. I could see a glimpse of it in the little person she was.<br />
<br />
Olivia Hope, what more can I say? You already know my heart. Peace, little one.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><i>But I am like an olive tree <br />
flourishing in the house of God; <br />
I trust in God’s unfailing love <br />
for ever and ever. </i><br />
<i>For what you have done I will always praise you <br />
in the presence of your faithful people. <br />
And I will hope in your name, <br />
for your name is good. </i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Psalm 52:8-9 </span></i></blockquote>mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-69524724405226779252012-01-01T14:51:00.000-06:002012-01-01T14:51:31.256-06:00Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Lpze37dTxU/TwC8xIBT4jI/AAAAAAAAAdA/KnuSxqpf0bk/s1600/happy-new-year-2012-celebration-600x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Lpze37dTxU/TwC8xIBT4jI/AAAAAAAAAdA/KnuSxqpf0bk/s200/happy-new-year-2012-celebration-600x450.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love the start of a new year. It is fresh, full of possibilities, and a chance to begin again. I'm also into making resolutions. I am a person for whom the possibilities are endless, and I need the structure and discipline of narrowing my focus.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I have only one resolution this year. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><u>Not to be so hard on myself</u>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I also know that there are some areas of my life that I need to establish some convictions, but I wouldn't call those resolutions. They are just part of fulfilling the big one. Because in my world the possibilities are endless, I have a hard time making decisions. Coming to conclusions. Finishing things. I am embarking on a journey in prayer and in the Word to establish God's truth in a number of areas in my life. Being a mom who works. How to manage our money with both discipline and generosity. How far I need to go to ensure my family is healthy. Being a person who makes decisions with wisdom and discernment, and not impulsively. How to balance all the people and things I am responsible for, and to give each of them their appropriate place and energy.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I have felt a heart call to seek what holiness means. What it means to live as a Christ-follower in this society, this time in history, the relationships in which I have been placed. While this may sound counter-intuitive to my one resolution, what it means is that it forces me to learn how to run to the Lord's throne of grace and receive mercy in my time of need. I don't know how to do that, but I sure do mean to find out. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As far as taking stock of 2011, I would say overall it was "no better, no worse". The areas in which we seek significant change still continue to exist. No better, no worse. What that tells me is that we haven't found the root causes yet, and if there's something I love to do, it is to seek out why things are the way they are. The only area I would say that this doesn't apply is how we relate to each other as a family. We delight in our children in a way that is better and better every day. We have realized that the "keeping up with the Joneses" kind of world we are surrounded by is empty and false, and long for simplicity and sweet time together. The Lord continues to be gracious to us in this area, but of course we always want more.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Practically, the significant event of 2011 I would record here would be Corrie's return to Dr. Hook early in the year. He finally has a Ford with an auto-loader, a dream come true for him. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see a change coming up soon, if the right truck comes along. Or if the right job comes along. While towing continues to be successful for him, it is at a cost of a lot of time away from his family. We would like to see that change, if possible. I also returned to work in February. I returned to my same job and the Lord linked us up with a loving family close by who takes excellent care of our kids. I think we have settled into an acceptable routine. When I despair that I don't get to see enough of my girls, I remember that it is a gift that I even get to see them every day. I remember that we have two more kids that we can only see in our memories.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As I was thinking of a Scripture to proclaim over the coming year, this one came to mind. I am encouraged by the truth that God wants to refresh us from "the river of His pleasures". Dear friends and family, it is our heartfelt prayer that you receive all the blessings God has in store for you in 2012!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: left;">Your mercy, O LORD, <i>is</i> in the heavens;<br />
Your faithfulness <i>reaches</i> to the clouds.<br />
Your righteousness <i>is</i> like the great mountains;<br />
Your judgments <i>are</i> a great deep; <br />
O LORD, You preserve man and beast. <br />
<br />
How precious <i>is</i> Your lovingkindness, O God!<br />
Therefore the children of men put their trust <br />
under the shadow of Your wings. </div></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: left;">They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house,<br />
And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.<br />
For with You <i>is</i> the fountain of life;<br />
In Your light we see light. </div></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Psalm 36: 5-9</span> </div></blockquote>mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-53429121840855457682011-11-27T08:00:00.001-06:002011-11-27T08:00:08.700-06:00Remembering Nicholas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGsAzT1dj32zuTwDmoysiUc3MSgWzkJZJP8wx3wnvAG_T_Gd9Xsyou41N-A8CnRdBXEGPwFz9paUiZ7yNaAy9XSsBeU8I4YpZ7I2dd_EuHtKIhIzInAbSYy9elpp-mLl4tL0jddj2LE3Y/s1600/IMG_0527+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGsAzT1dj32zuTwDmoysiUc3MSgWzkJZJP8wx3wnvAG_T_Gd9Xsyou41N-A8CnRdBXEGPwFz9paUiZ7yNaAy9XSsBeU8I4YpZ7I2dd_EuHtKIhIzInAbSYy9elpp-mLl4tL0jddj2LE3Y/s320/IMG_0527+edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We had a son once.<br />
<br />
He was a beautiful boy with a gentle spirit. He was happy and snuggly and looked like his dad.<br />
<br />
Our house needs a little boy. We need cars and trucks and denim overalls and army men. We need hockey sticks and footballs and a fort in the big tree in the back yard.<br />
<br />
Nicholas, we miss you more and more with each passing year. Not just for the little boy you were, but also for the son you were going to be. Our only consolation is that we will know you in eternity - all of you, the Nicholas we never really got a chance to know - and that we will be reunited then.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><i>...for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the <b>victory</b> that has overcome the world, even our faith... 1 John 5:4</i></blockquote>mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-59046521746391783892011-07-18T08:00:00.001-05:002011-07-18T08:00:08.422-05:004 Years AlreadyThis year marks what would have been Nicholas & Olivia's 4th birthday. Here's a picture of Sabrina from the day of her 4th birthday:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwkobcuth6oohS8rl2spNkMgMBHws9IULpwAOyrXCoRMH7_IICrXRwv2PwpSNLyXIXI0mY1ehH8kbfksKsZwhXXjIEUJs4BHzjLQ3DX3c74tQNr5aQF8Ge4bw2fivc16-yBmy2gDsN4iR/s1600/IMG_0239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwkobcuth6oohS8rl2spNkMgMBHws9IULpwAOyrXCoRMH7_IICrXRwv2PwpSNLyXIXI0mY1ehH8kbfksKsZwhXXjIEUJs4BHzjLQ3DX3c74tQNr5aQF8Ge4bw2fivc16-yBmy2gDsN4iR/s320/IMG_0239.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wow. They would have been little kids by now.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As the time since they left this earth grows longer and longer, I find that this day is more of a remembrance for me than it is a celebration of another milestone for them. I can't help but think this way. They are now ageless in Heaven and to celebrate a traditional birthday for them just doesn't make sense anymore.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This is the day that I gave birth to twins. 4 years ago already. They did actually exist on this earth. They did come for a purpose, that was accomplished in its fullness, as the Lord willed. I would have done it all over again, just for the exquisite pleasure of being their mom for the time I was given.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy Birth-day, my darlings. We remember you today.</div>mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-54577036279594961292011-06-19T08:00:00.001-05:002011-06-19T08:00:08.670-05:00Happy Father's Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuCDjb-qaGbeKTtBjrjdc-Z5CNTk9v8IM9dPUkBKYB3yoPn4hck0wnOIRPCYKeC25rzVuolG3vw9jt-wJXzGFsS2sCOxl2DGZXdLOTq-G-u30OhE1O2LGk-CmbCHR85SPs2NJAHtcb7cL/s1600/IMG_4962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuCDjb-qaGbeKTtBjrjdc-Z5CNTk9v8IM9dPUkBKYB3yoPn4hck0wnOIRPCYKeC25rzVuolG3vw9jt-wJXzGFsS2sCOxl2DGZXdLOTq-G-u30OhE1O2LGk-CmbCHR85SPs2NJAHtcb7cL/s320/IMG_4962.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRyLAZ5_CfdMCH5Eei2ZriOmuWFBF-G-3lip20wxkteXxpDQjG5IvhmP_yXwQtHHv16y4IIm7h8DaeBt9IjLs3ksPeTaFjLOb2NwayWlo8_9Pjol68x0wOIdNUNSrPiMFgVtsn_uFrz9P/s1600/IMG_2697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRyLAZ5_CfdMCH5Eei2ZriOmuWFBF-G-3lip20wxkteXxpDQjG5IvhmP_yXwQtHHv16y4IIm7h8DaeBt9IjLs3ksPeTaFjLOb2NwayWlo8_9Pjol68x0wOIdNUNSrPiMFgVtsn_uFrz9P/s320/IMG_2697.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Such a good dad...</div>mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-16764204714059853272011-05-20T22:11:00.004-05:002011-05-20T22:19:29.873-05:00Life With Zoe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVC2LG76ymohjiA-ibY7sCfdpKH5EFa17fAZbC71Ib7BXtNMSge7O_17It-Lg_VhuqdlRSp1gdaF8dTXQAZoovhHaL01-FujGyLUpq_IAyVHrh9fiVNd4iW82-1I38AA3f9Ydsoe7b7csG/s1600/IMG_4940.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVC2LG76ymohjiA-ibY7sCfdpKH5EFa17fAZbC71Ib7BXtNMSge7O_17It-Lg_VhuqdlRSp1gdaF8dTXQAZoovhHaL01-FujGyLUpq_IAyVHrh9fiVNd4iW82-1I38AA3f9Ydsoe7b7csG/s320/IMG_4940.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609003430958176242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuoZd24nkceNjRETJcwieWNC-Osa0rq_VVmTRBawfNzLVMoVU2G7cAdYfwvricGm92KvR3_cbZAMxRuZ6kHykLt7pyjUooMdq-4jP7miqV5pkxmqrSQ0W1Ej-S9H57Skf1RxoM3zeE0yx/s1600/IMG_4919.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuoZd24nkceNjRETJcwieWNC-Osa0rq_VVmTRBawfNzLVMoVU2G7cAdYfwvricGm92KvR3_cbZAMxRuZ6kHykLt7pyjUooMdq-4jP7miqV5pkxmqrSQ0W1Ej-S9H57Skf1RxoM3zeE0yx/s320/IMG_4919.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609003156164097058" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6EXHxzO_EQI?hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6EXHxzO_EQI?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div>mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-74673637654178995352011-05-08T08:00:00.007-05:002011-05-08T08:00:04.955-05:00Mother's Day Tribute<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR95mT_UcJLsfMiu4VvUN3D4E3QxH8ZZsAmElFB8_gxehNjZAuNbfFgCpsKu1jKFZ8fYt9olA_O1MUpKPHmDPxGl89C6ozzldWAI09FEdrYZK9B-7E0tShaoQdUB5qN3NPgBsT9QnSkRr4/s1600/381861_1172.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR95mT_UcJLsfMiu4VvUN3D4E3QxH8ZZsAmElFB8_gxehNjZAuNbfFgCpsKu1jKFZ8fYt9olA_O1MUpKPHmDPxGl89C6ozzldWAI09FEdrYZK9B-7E0tShaoQdUB5qN3NPgBsT9QnSkRr4/s200/381861_1172.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604186419112085602" border="0" /></a>Ok, I have to start with a confession. It did not occur to me until it was practically too late that Mother's Day was actually <span style="font-style: italic;">this</span> weekend. Is it earlier this year?? Since both our mothers do not live in our city, any kind of special occasion like this requires planning and forethought. *<span style="font-style: italic;">sigh</span>*<br /><br />So, on top of begging my mother's forgiveness for my oversight (oh, the infinite grace of a mother!) I turned to the Lord and asked Him what could I do to honor her today. I believe He put it on my heart to tell her about the things I remember.<br /><br />My mother is a woman who likes to keep busy. Even if she is sitting still, she needs to be doing something with her hands. She is an artist with yarn, and not only has knitted beautiful sweaters for me, but I especially remember a bunting bag for my dolls she made that was perfect because you could put all your doll stuff in the bottom of it. I wished I still had it for my real babies, but we couldn't find it or the pattern again. Crochet is her preference now, and she is generous with her creations. Her handmade, intricate afghans have been given to many as gifts, including the kids at the Children's Hospital. I love her creative process. She takes great care to choose her colors and patterns, and almost always alters the pattern to make it her own. If she makes an error, she will always unravel and fix it. Even if she was almost done and it was near the beginning. It always boggled my mind that she would do that when only she would know there was a flaw. Now I know it is a mark of her character and integrity. I think she enjoys the process just as much as the end result.<br /><br />My mom has a servant heart. If you have followed this blog, you know she was there for us through everything we went through with the twins. But you should also know that she has always been there for her children. I remember the lengths she would go to for our Hallowe'en costumes. She once hand-made a Raggedy Ann costume for me, complete with red yarn wig. She also sourced out all the things I needed to be a mad scientist one year. I don't know that I would do that even for my own kids, to be honest.<br /><br />Our house was always neat and clean. We always ate homemade, nourishing food. I didn't know it at the time, but the care that she put into our home was a center point of stability for us. Our family had its issues, as most families do, but our home was not chaotic. And she was so kind to me. As a traditional home, the care of the household was my mom's responsibility. She would remember how she felt as the only daughter growing up, and would often excuse me from chores. I wish I knew then what I know now. I would have helped her more.<br /><br />We never went out shopping on a Saturday until she took the time to balance her checkbook. I wish I had paid more attention to the significance of that. She has always been a careful steward of what has been entrusted to her, and I respect that. I wish that kind of attribute was genetic. I have had to learn that one the hard way.<br /><br />I remember how kind she was to our elderly neighbor growing up. She would visit with her often, check in on her, and help her out. I admire that quality in her. I would like to be like that. My Christianity has tended to be theoretical. Hers has been practical.<br /><br />There are so many more things I remember. And they are the things that now shape how I serve my own family. I have had a slow maturity. I am not the girl I once was. But I believe the woman I am becoming has had a lot to do with remembering all the ways I was served by my mother.mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-70413378433485052512011-04-24T22:08:00.003-05:002011-04-24T22:14:06.656-05:00Happy Easter<div style="text-align: center;">"...in Your Kingdom, broken lives are made new..."<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQw3kNGR6Qt1iSDeJr7ogNwiqcuDfBtORT0I25DELDdz-3Ks1Y8lsDRSiGpbe9SOLs6zSgAiN0-eczUXb8h2Jyn2ZP99EzKimTccUr3XyHuyk0GyV6hfv0ye932jDF_vm-zWbRtnYl8Jx/s1600/IMG_4903.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQw3kNGR6Qt1iSDeJr7ogNwiqcuDfBtORT0I25DELDdz-3Ks1Y8lsDRSiGpbe9SOLs6zSgAiN0-eczUXb8h2Jyn2ZP99EzKimTccUr3XyHuyk0GyV6hfv0ye932jDF_vm-zWbRtnYl8Jx/s320/IMG_4903.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599353821681706626" border="0" /></a>He is risen indeed!<br /><br /></div>mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-7176238391587831102011-03-25T08:00:00.001-05:002011-03-25T08:00:03.043-05:00Happy 1st Birthday!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_thrwiNvL1x4M1xaYrIkfyiwk23vTBtGrdXnblIsmeThzlKoEaWuw8nDvhekqSglm_v0i3dxYGZ7vH6DD5UfoVg6aNC-w-5l46tciwynJOETyXWGWStaXFmqbZqMGfY6_AMfUoCQ1l4V/s1600/IMG_4812.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_thrwiNvL1x4M1xaYrIkfyiwk23vTBtGrdXnblIsmeThzlKoEaWuw8nDvhekqSglm_v0i3dxYGZ7vH6DD5UfoVg6aNC-w-5l46tciwynJOETyXWGWStaXFmqbZqMGfY6_AMfUoCQ1l4V/s320/IMG_4812.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587842065706736914" border="0" /></a><br />It has been a most blessed year since you joined our family, Zoe. I believe your special gift, your anointing, is to bring joy to those around you. Your infectious smile, good nature, and joyous spirit brings abundant life wherever you go. We celebrate you today!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmr1hYGL0Dli5SKLb5gG4es90R1OIRNs2nII56unyJZ9FhrZwcT8cA-d08xp-gx4cFUwNput1nfxQJ68oENRl8QkY8xNWJsZ3bFfvhMjuUyKgWJAgvF85j6A21UQHuL7mwRdF8ScK1Bqc/s1600/IMG_4823.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmr1hYGL0Dli5SKLb5gG4es90R1OIRNs2nII56unyJZ9FhrZwcT8cA-d08xp-gx4cFUwNput1nfxQJ68oENRl8QkY8xNWJsZ3bFfvhMjuUyKgWJAgvF85j6A21UQHuL7mwRdF8ScK1Bqc/s320/IMG_4823.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587841512505093922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have <span style="font-weight: bold;">life</span>, and that they may have </span><i style="font-style: italic;">it</i><span style="font-style: italic;"> more abundantly. </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >John 10:10</span></blockquote>mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-86910992267081119802011-03-19T20:59:00.008-05:002011-03-24T21:45:52.240-05:00The Birth Story of Zoe GraceOur Zoe burst forth into this world on a sunny afternoon of a beautiful spring day. I had been experiencing rumblings for days before, leaving me with a vague feeling like her arrival could be at any time.<br /><br />At about 2:30 in the morning, I leapt out of bed as best a 9-month pregnant woman could. I was astonished to discover that my water had broke, completely on its own. I sleepily thought to myself, well this is going to be a long day so I should get some rest, and went back to bed. I woke again a few hours later, alerted my midwife that labour had started, and she popped by to make sure we were doing all right.<br /><br />I spent the morning wandering around the house, made some soup, and marveled that I wasn't in any discomfort. Maybe my prayers for an easy labour had been answered! When my midwife came to check on us again around 1:00 she expressed some concern that labour had not really progressed and reminded me that we really only had about a 24-hour window from when my water broke before we would have to consider further medical intervention.<br /><br />So I got down to work. I marched and squatted around and around my basement, reluctant to walk outside and go any distance from the house. It didn't take long for contractions to intensify and become constant around that magic 5 minute mark. Sabrina was due home from school just after 3:00 and I asked Corrie to take me to the hospital because I knew it wouldn't be long. I could feel Zoe descend with each contraction. So, after only 1 1/2 hours of active labour we met the midwife at the labour & delivery triage. I was only 4 cm but working hard, and my wonderful midwife convinced the L & D staff that I was ready for a LDRP room (labour, delivery, recovery, postpartum). I was increasingly uncomfortable, and had to concentrate very hard on keeping my inner stillness and relaxing through the contractions. This was my first labour without an epidural, and I was using prayer, breathing, meditation, and singing to help my body do the work it needed to do. We were only settled in the room for a few minutes when the tub was ready, and I was grateful for the warm water on my lower back.<br /><br />However, the relaxation of the tub progressed my labour significantly, and after only about 15 minutes, I was urgently aware of an intense need to push, and the staff scrambled to haul me out of the tub and rush me back to my room. I think it was only two pushes and Zoe's head burst forth with a yell. She made her first cry even before she was completely out! Then one more push and she was in my arms.<br /><br />I think we were all shocked. This was not what I had envisioned my natural delivery to be like, but I was grateful it was over so quickly. We had only been at the hospital about 1 1/2 hours, and from the onset of active labour, it had actually only been 3 hours in total. I think my body was surprised at how quickly Zoe's birth had taken place, too. The second midwife arrived to help with our after care, and she and Corrie gave Zoe her first bath. She, however, did not want a bath yet and was quite ready to eat!<br /><br />I was excited and energized - we laid Zoe on my chest and allowed her to find the breast on her own. I was delighted to discover that she knew exactly what to do, and for the first time in my life as a mother, I was able to feed my child naturally with confidence. God is such a redeemer!<br /><br />This is quite likely to be my last birth experience, and I'm so glad I was able to go out on a high note. Our little Zoe, full of life abundant, would not be held back and took charge of her own birth. I was just along for the ride. Praise be to God!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOE04k5krgpCIgztFlTNgHOMk0qXFpmtgvx1ibVbKIb4-LiUW9KuNnpFhTcLrUMzru6tzcpqSGZKEvCKZvqHYGOfACNJyp6pe4I5XcUIqDGvAFKo7zdTqH5G8i_xSOZ2knvPyFz6Vzj6s/s1600/IMG_2587.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOE04k5krgpCIgztFlTNgHOMk0qXFpmtgvx1ibVbKIb4-LiUW9KuNnpFhTcLrUMzru6tzcpqSGZKEvCKZvqHYGOfACNJyp6pe4I5XcUIqDGvAFKo7zdTqH5G8i_xSOZ2knvPyFz6Vzj6s/s200/IMG_2587.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585993467374250626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />James 1:17</span></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></blockquote><br /></div>mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-5470386068302521202011-02-26T20:44:00.004-06:002011-02-26T20:53:47.818-06:00Zoe at 11 Months<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbSgxUsCvtlmrOqSt4dGS3NfbwLE8OXvGng8m9RK0kYVwiIy8GkNrkR8Vv_G9iwaNu6wgh8QWzGM-kzjBBYRyhyLICzb_lp1tebWQsklA7V6lneaZSS5rDo6kwf4n7SzBbxHbrKvPM84I/s1600/IMG_4754.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbSgxUsCvtlmrOqSt4dGS3NfbwLE8OXvGng8m9RK0kYVwiIy8GkNrkR8Vv_G9iwaNu6wgh8QWzGM-kzjBBYRyhyLICzb_lp1tebWQsklA7V6lneaZSS5rDo6kwf4n7SzBbxHbrKvPM84I/s320/IMG_4754.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578195223705488290" border="0" /></a>Our baby is growing up! Chattering non-stop, into everything, crawling everywhere. She's pulling herself up and I think will start cruising soon. Just the other day she learned how to feed herself with a spoon. Mealtimes are much quieter if we let her do it herself...<br /><br />Isn't she precious?mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-55928052272068488632011-02-02T21:27:00.003-06:002011-02-02T21:50:56.828-06:00Zoe at 10 Months<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkP3LhlOA20R-yqPVG6kObdpH2FNW8ftoVEniQf0AMm4IYdTkm2g6ge8RLh1NPN62cKrd3cA9xtivwIgdw1biRQZCBzpcWeoqEgyGQhtHoC1_DIKaYWSXcOOZAoPWATVKkVWuWtmITmrh/s1600/IMG_4640.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkP3LhlOA20R-yqPVG6kObdpH2FNW8ftoVEniQf0AMm4IYdTkm2g6ge8RLh1NPN62cKrd3cA9xtivwIgdw1biRQZCBzpcWeoqEgyGQhtHoC1_DIKaYWSXcOOZAoPWATVKkVWuWtmITmrh/s320/IMG_4640.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569301227132145970" border="0" /></a>10 month-old Zoe is a crawling, jumping, singing, chattering little bundle of sunshine. She has 7 teeth already and loves to use them! She is quite enthusiastic about solid foods and prefers to self-feed whenever we give her the opportunity.<br /><br />I just returned back to work this week and she has been spending the days with a friend and her little ones. The first day was an adjustment for her, but the little trooper is settling in happily and blessing their household with her sweet disposition. <br /><br />I believe her special purpose on this earth is to bless those around her with abundant <span style="font-style: italic;">life!</span> and her joyful presence. But I'm more than a little biased.mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-49221962341060195342011-01-24T14:21:00.002-06:002011-01-24T15:00:46.650-06:00Two CampsIn conversation with a dear friend lately about being an SMA family, she remarked that we as a group tend to be divided into two camps: those who chose the palliative route and those who chose a more aggressive treatment route. I hadn't really thought of it much, to tell you the truth. I've made no secret here that I have deliberately avoided the "SMA culture" and whether that is good or bad I make no judgment. It just is where I'm at right now, and if it needs to change, I trust God to move in my heart. <br /><br />Making the decision on the best care for your child and your family is an incredibly difficult one. I believe we were encouraged to consider the palliative route, but I also believe that was out of experience and much consideration of the alternatives. If we had chosen a more aggressive route, we would have had support for that as well. I believe the medical team we worked with had a great respect for the decision. If you asked me a year or two ago if I would have liked to consult with families before we made our decisions who had experience from each alternative, I would have said yes. Now I'm not so sure.<br /><br />My observations over the years when I have come across similar situations with different outcomes is that those who have chosen a more aggressive treatment route believe they are fighting for their children and have often already decided that those who chose palliative care gave up on their children. That they were selfish, not wanting to care for a high-needs child, or put their families through difficulty. That it was easier to let their children die. As if they had no more relationship with their child than the family pet.<br /><br />On the other hand, if we are being honest, how often have we who chose palliative care for our children wondered if those who have pursued a more aggressive, round-the-clock treatment for their children had taken everyone's best interests at heart. The demands of caring for a fragile, terminally ill child can take a heavy toll on those in the family who are not prepared for the long haul.<br /><br />Before you stop reading and start writing me a scathing response, hear me out. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Neither judgment is fair.</span> Why do we even have these two camps? Why is there not the respect for each family's individual decision made in the context of so many things you will never be able to fully know? Friends, those of you who are selflessly caring for your beautiful children with SMA around the clock, I applaud you. You knew what the right path was for your child and you took it, knowing that it would not be easy. Companions, those of you who gave your children with SMA as much love as they could take while still here on this earth and then bravely let them go when it was their time, I applaud you. You knew what the right path was for your child and you took it, knowing that it would not be easy.<br /><br />I felt condemned for a long time, by myself and others, when I would hear of children with SMA living long past the average, but with great cost and sacrifice. Did I give up too soon? Was I selfish? I had to let that go and come to peace with the decisions we made and the care we provided, or it would have eaten me up like a cancer. I believe with my whole heart that we did the right thing for our children, just as you believe you are doing the right thing for your children. We can't make a judgment on which camp is right. God's will for each family is going to be different. But we could start supporting each other and work together toward the common goal of finding a cure for this horrible disease.mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-68126901942129393482011-01-22T21:45:00.003-06:002011-01-22T21:59:01.729-06:00The Goodness of GodRecently, I was given an opportunity to speak to the mom's group at my church. I chose to share some of my story and what I've learned about the goodness of God. This is what I wrote in preparation - I wanted to share it here as well:<br /><br /><br />3 years ago, almost to the day, I stood on my back step with my baby girl and prayed to God that His will be done – and probably meant it for the first time in my life.<br /><br />What I want to share with you today is some of my experience with the goodness of God. I don’t know about you, but I seem to need to learn my lessons the hard way. And for those of you who don’t know my story, I’ve been through some hard things in the last 3 years.<br /><br />I am a mother of 4. I have Sabrina, my oldest, who is 8, and you all know Zoe, my youngest at 8 months. I also had twins 3 years ago who died at 4 ½ months and 6 ½ months.<br /><br />Nicholas and Olivia were born on July 18, 2007, on my husband’s birthday. I didn’t know I was carrying twins until my 20 week ultrasound. I had suspicions because I was so big so early, but it was my second pregnancy and the midwife had only heard one heartbeat so far. We found out at the ultrasound that their heartbeats were synchronized. The technician was looking around a bit, then stopped and said, “Hm. What do you see here?” It was a while since I had had a prenatal ultrasound, so I thought I was seeing a baby. She said, “That’s two heads there.” Horrified, I said, “On one body??” She quickly reassured me that there were two babies.<br /><br />And so our journey began. I had a good pregnancy, went right to the end, even had to be induced because I was so big I couldn’t stand it anymore. Life with two babies was very challenging, but I loved it. Nicholas was a dream baby – content, rarely cried, slept a lot. Which was helpful in taking care of Olivia – she was colicky and needed a lot of attention. She was so tiny; I think she felt she needed to fight to make sure she was getting taken care of.<br /><br />We were concerned about Nicholas. At six weeks he was quite floppy, couldn’t hold up his head, and it was getting harder and harder to feed him. He was admitted to the Children’s Hospital for a few days at the beginning of September for a variety of tests. We were told that they suspected he had Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type I and wanted to confirm with a blood test. We were told we would probably only have a few more months with him. SMA is a genetic condition where the cells along the spinal cord do not regenerate, resulting in muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, and eventually respiratory failure. It is the #1 genetic killer of infants. And all this was going on right around Sabrina’s first day of school. I remember having to leave Nicholas at the hospital so I could see her off on this important day.<br /><br />What do you do after that? Have you ever had a dream broken so hard that you can feel and hear it shatter right in the center of you? We went home, sought the Lord in prayer for Nicholas’ healing, and carried on with life as we knew it. I refused to believe that God would let Nicholas die. I was firm in my belief that he would be healed, and did not read any materials on SMA or speak to families with SMA. I held on tight to my big miracle, and did whatever I could do to make Nicholas comfortable as his weakness progressed. <br /><br />Just after Sabrina’s 5th birthday, Nicholas took a turn for the worse. I drove him to the emergency room in the early hours of November 2nd, praying he wouldn’t die in his car seat on the way there. He had a collapsed lung but was stabilized and admitted to a special care wing. He was only there for a couple hours before he crashed again, with the other lung collapsing and was taken to the intensive care unit. This is where the doctors started to talk to us about orders to not resuscitate and “comfort measures” (which I didn’t know then, refer to palliative care). I had no idea why they were talking to me about these things – I knew Nicholas was going to get better. They realized that I was not following what they were saying and started on a treatment plan to try to get him well enough to come home. After about a week in intensive care, Nicholas steadily improved enough to be taken back to the special care wing, where we worked on a plan to get him well enough to bring him home. <br /><br />Oh my little boy was such a trooper. He fought and smiled and was the darling of the special care wing. I spent my days at the hospital and evenings at home with my girls.<br /><br />By the end of November, Nicholas had no fight left in him. The doctors pulled us aside and asked us to consider taking him off of supported breathing. I couldn’t believe we had to give up but one look at him and we knew that we had put him through enough. We spent a peaceful afternoon saying goodbye to our little boy on November 27, 2007 and his spirit left us while I held him in my arms.<br /><br />I still thought that my miracle was coming. If God let him die, then maybe he would raise him from the dead. But as time went on and we took care of his little body I knew that the miracle I was expecting was not going to come. I was desolate. We went home to our girls, exhausted.<br /><br />Which brings me back to where I started my story this morning. A week after Nicholas died, I was spending my first alone time with Olivia in a long time. I realized that for a 4 month old baby, she didn’t do much. She couldn’t lift her head, wasn’t kicking and moving around, and wasn’t even attempting to roll over. I was sick as I realized that she had SMA too. I called my husband and the pediatrician and bundled Livvie up to take her to the hospital to confirm what I already knew.<br /><br />I stood on my back step, about to take my baby girl back to the same place I just left, and the only thing I could do was give up. I said to the Lord, “Your will be done” and meant it for the first time in my life. I was too tired, too heartsick to fight any more for what I wanted. I needed God to take over because I had nothing in me for this. I had been to the abyss and back already and hadn’t been destroyed yet. God had to carry me through this or I would surely die.<br /><br />Olivia was confirmed with a clinical diagnosis and had the blood test as well. We stayed overnight that night, and took her home the next day, but we were back within a couple days when she started to experience respiratory troubles. The special care unit staff told me later that seeing us come back with another baby to their unit was the hardest thing they had ever seen. And they have seen a lot of hard things. We didn’t put Olivia through all the things we put Nicholas through. We made her comfortable and were able to bring her home during the daytimes. She came home for Christmas and we celebrated it with her and all our family. Early in January, Olivia succumbed to respiratory failure and we said goodbye to her on a cold winter morning, just as the sun was coming up on January 12, 2008. Her spirit left us while she was snuggled in her daddy’s arms. Again, we went home empty and desolate.<br /><br />I wanted to share with you today some of what I know about the goodness of God. The biggest thing I learned through all this is that God IS who He IS regardless of what is going on in our lives, and what saved me from complete destruction is devoting time to finding out who this God really IS. <br /><blockquote>14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:14</blockquote>You see, I had entered into this journey with the mistaken belief that I had earned my salvation. Why was this happening to me? I studied the Word, I prayed every day, I was involved in a church. I was supposed to be protected from this stuff! What God has been doing in the last three years is tearing down the lie that I can (and need to) earn my salvation. God never promised that things would be easy, in fact there are many places in His Word that tell us to expect difficult things, but He did promise that He is good. And He challenges us to try Him out and see. <br /><blockquote>“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;<br /> Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Psalm 34:8<br /><br />“3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.<br />6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen[a] you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.” I Peter 1:3-9<br /><br />“2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-3<br /><br />“12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12-13</blockquote>I knew deep in my spirit that there was no alternative to God. You know, how you just know something? So in my sorrow I needed to find out what kind of God was this that I served that would give me the abundance of twin babies then take them away from me one by one. I still don’t know the answer to that one. But in all that I’ve learned about God since then I’ve decided that if He hasn’t revealed it to me then I don’t need to know right now. <br /><blockquote>“21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”<br />22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? <span style="font-weight: bold;">You follow Me</span>.”” John 21:21-22<br /><br />“8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,<br /> neither are your ways my ways,”<br /> declares the LORD.<br />9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,<br /> so are my ways higher than your ways<br /> and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9</blockquote>But after all this what He did reveal to me is that it isn’t finished yet. <br /><br />Have you ever tasted cookie batter before you put in the sugar? What if someone came in to the kitchen while you were making cookies, tasted your batter and told you it was terrible? You, knowing the full picture of what was going to happen, would tell him that it isn’t finished yet. That’s the truth I lean on when things around me look hopeless and taste terrible. It’s not finished yet. God has a plan, and it’s a beautiful one. But it’s not finished yet. Or better yet, it is finished from Jesus’ perspective, but we’re still in the middle of the story.<br /><blockquote>11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11<br /><br />28 “After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” John 19:28-30</blockquote>I went through some hard things with my babies, and I have some hard memories. But I also have some amazing memories too. God was with me in such a strong way during that time that to even hear a worship song from that time will move me to tears with remembering the fullness of His presence. The Word says that He will carry your grief and sorrow, and friends that is the absolute truth. <br /><blockquote>3 “He is despised and rejected by men,<br /> A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.<br /> And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;<br /> He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.<br /> 4 Surely He has borne our griefs<br /> And carried our sorrows;<br /> Yet we esteemed Him stricken,<br /> Smitten by God, and afflicted.<br /> 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,<br /> He was bruised for our iniquities;<br /> The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,<br /> And by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:3-5<br /><br />1 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,<br /> Because the LORD has anointed Me<br /> To preach good tidings to the poor;<br /> He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,<br /> To proclaim liberty to the captives,<br /> And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;<br /> 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,<br /> And the day of vengeance of our God;<br /> To comfort all who mourn,<br /> 3 To console those who mourn in Zion,<br /> To give them beauty for ashes,<br /> The oil of joy for mourning,<br /> The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;<br /> That they may be called trees of righteousness,<br /> The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:1-3</blockquote>I can remember feeling so sheltered, so shielded, so protected and that was only by the grace of God. He knew what we had to walk through and showed Himself able to carry our grief and our sorrow so we could walk through it and remain whole. Not only whole, but better! I can say that I have never been happier in my life, and that is through the power of the Word in me. The Word works, my friends! You’re going to need to come to the point where you either choose to believe the Word or not. Is God who He says He IS?<br /><br />There are some of you here today that have hard things in your life right now or hard things coming up that you think you should be protected from. And you are! But maybe not in the way that you are expecting. I challenge you to ask God for a new perspective on that hard thing in your life. He loves to answer prayers like that. He tells us over and over in His Word to trust Him. But I have learned that you cannot trust what you don’t know. Taste and see that the Lord is good! Seek to know Him as He really IS and discard the things that you have believed about Him that aren’t truth from His Word.<br /><br />It took me two years of learning about who God IS to trust Him when He told us to try again for another baby. Corrie and I are both genetic carriers for SMA, so any child we conceive will have a 25% risk of having the same genetic condition Nicholas & Olivia died from. We knew we had to do something or spend the rest of our lives here on earth in the hell of self-protection, trying to keep ourselves from being hurt again. God told us to walk by faith, and not by sight, and so we did. <br /><blockquote>“1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.<br />6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” <br />II Corinthians 5: 1-8</blockquote>And God was faithful. We named our miracle Zoe Grace, for in the step of faith we took in bringing her in to our family, she brought us new life, abundant life. <br /><blockquote>10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10</blockquote>Would I be here speaking to you of my happiness if God hadn’t given us another healthy baby? Yes. Maybe our reward wouldn’t have been Zoe but it would have been something else that would have been just as wonderful. <br /><blockquote>7 “Instead of your shame you shall have double honor,<br /> And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion.<br /> Therefore in their land they shall possess double;<br /> Everlasting joy shall be theirs.” Isaiah 61:7<br /><br />6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6<br /></blockquote>God tells us over and over He wants to give us the desires of our heart.<br /><blockquote>4 “Delight yourself also in the LORD,<br /> And He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4</blockquote>But we also have a responsibility to seek Him in showing us what the true desires of our heart really are. Only God can discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. We think we know what we want, but no one knows us better than our Father.<br /><blockquote>9 “ The heart is deceitful above all things,<br /> And desperately wicked;<br /> Who can know it?<br /> 10 I, the LORD, search the heart,<br /> I test the mind,<br /> Even to give every man according to his ways,<br /> According to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:9-10<br /><br />12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12</blockquote>I could talk all day about the things I’ve learned about God, but what I want to leave with you today is that God is good because He says He is. There are things in our lives that aren’t good, some of them are our fault, and some of them are not, but He has also promised that Jesus would redeem them all. How great is that?<br /><br /><br />So here are some tips for a busy mom to get a daily dose of the Word, that truth about God that will sustain you through all the storms of life:<br /><br />• Sitting down and reading your Bible may be obvious but is not the only way to the Word. Television and internet ministries are a great source to hear the Word while you are trying to get things done. <br />• I’m actually an auditory learner and I didn’t make a lot of headway in my Christian walk until I invested in teaching on CD. Joyce Meyer has been one of my favorites, but Charles Stanley, Chuck Swindoll, and Kenneth Copeland are fantastic too and all are on radio, TV, internet, and Podcast. <br />• I would download the podcasts and CD’s on my iPod and listen while on the bus, going for walks, and cleaning the house. There’s also a great podcast called the Daily Audio Bible that takes you through the Bible in one year.<br />• Reading books about Biblical topics that quote the Word count too. There are many concepts that I only really learned through reading authors like Philip Yancey and CS Lewis.<br />• Let’s not forget Christian fiction. Francine Rivers allowed me to visualize what godly relationship should look like and helped me to understand a new perspective on God’s love. The Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker is an incredible allegory of how Christ came to save us from sin.<br /><br />I’m not saying that you don’t need to read your Bible, because you know you do! But don’t make it a law that “thou shalt sit down with thy Bible”. Seek to get the Word in you every day in any way you can.mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087164202299297346.post-62233612464614258632011-01-12T15:34:00.000-06:002011-01-12T15:35:51.185-06:00The Word for the DayFor the LORD will comfort Zion, <br /> He will comfort all her waste places; <br /> He will make her wilderness like Eden, <br /> And her desert like the garden of the LORD; <br /> Joy and gladness will be found in it, <br /> Thanksgiving and the voice of melody.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Isaiah 51:3</span>mom_of_4http://www.blogger.com/profile/12606608243349305155noreply@blogger.com0