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Thoughts of Lulu

Last year at this time we had our little baby girl at home with us. Learning to live in the moment with her. Celebrating everyday.

Sometimes it feels like an eternity ago that I held Lulu in my arms & other times it feels like it was just yesterday.

Such a tiny piece of hope & joy & love for us to be able to share.

I wake up some mornings & think, did this really happen to us? Do we have a daughter that we will never see grow here on earth? How could this all be real?

That is when I start to focus on myself.

My own hurt & my own sadness & my own wants.

And then God…

He gently reminds me that He is enough. He is the 1 constant in my life. He will never ever go away.

And my love for Him swells.

Friday Praise & Prayers

“Accept each day just as it comes to you, remembering that I am sovereign over your life. Rejoice in this day that I have made, trusting that I am abundantly present in it. Instead of regretting or resenting the way things are, thank Me in all circumstances. Trust Me and don’t be fearful; thank Me and rest in my sovereignty.”

-Sarah Young “Jesus Calling”

What today, in your life are you rejoicing about?

Is it your littles that wear you out daily, but also make your heart swell so big?

Is it the BEAUTIFUL fall day that explodes with so much of His glory?

Is it Him and Him alone?

What are you praising God for today?

Take an extra minute of your day and say “thank you” to Him.

 I will do the same…

 

Birthday Weekend

We had such a difficult yet wonderful celebration for Lulu this past weekend.

Friday was a special day that we filled with new memories. We got to spend it with people who were with us when Lulu was born and even got to hear some of their memories of her. That was very special.

Saturday we blew our bubbles…

 

 

  

 and I made a strawberry pie – my first one… 

It was runny (we had to eat it with spoons) but it was delicious….

 

And something else that filled our hearts all weekend long were the cards, the visits, the emails, the texts, the phone calls,

the “thinking of you’s” – and the “praying for you’s”,

and the most helpful words to hear… the “she will not be forgotten’s”.

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!

 

His plans

We had our own plans.

They were good plans.

Even Godly plans.

Plans that would keep us on the safe path.

Now everyday I am reminded that His plans are…

GREAT plans.

They are God’s plans.

And they are plans that will lead us to our safe home.

“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” Jeremiah 29:11

 

Our Kindergartener…

Simon woke up this morning at 4:00 AM & said (with a huge smile on his face), “is it morning time so I can go to school?”

“No, Simon, it is NOT morning” (yeah I kinda lied) “& NOT time for school”

He is past ready to go.

We met his teacher yesterday & after we got done, he wanted to stay for the rest of the day.

Here he is at 8:00 AM (much better hour of the day), ready to go.

And yes, he’s wearing a tux t-shirt.

After all it’s 1st day of kindergarten.

Happy Anniversary

14 years ago these 2 kids decided to become 1

(look how she has to keep him from sticking out his tongue)

they danced to “A Whole New World”

(and look there are bubbles)

they “ate” cake

(yea, they shoved it)

it was such a fun day

What great memories I have with you and what great memories are still to come.

I love you always, babe.

Friday Praise & Prayers

This weekend D, O & I head up to Camp Wild. This will be D & my 4th year & O’s 1st year. It is an amazing week of praise, prayers & fun. And weather-wise, it sounds like it will be filled with sun (and lots of it) this year. 130 kids will be packing their sleeping bags & flashlights and heading to camp this year. It is a place where the Holy Spirit is present & the kids are covered in prayer & can learn what a deeper relationship with Jesus is all about.

My prayer today is for everyone going, from the parents bringing the kids to camp, the campers, the AMAZING counselors, the lead team (my role this year), or to the Wesley staff. Would you please join me in prayer for all these people who help make this week happen for a group of kids who are our next world-changers.

I also want to say thank you to all the spouses & families that stay home & keep things going while we are serving – you are just as much a part of Camp Wild as us! (Thank you, babe, for supporting me in this ministry that is so very dear to my heart this season in my life & to our kiddos that stay at home while mommy goes away for a few days to serve. I can’t wait for you all to experience this wonderful place – I luv you!)

This year we will have a special time to honor one of our veteran counselors who moved home to heaven earlier this year. Chuck, camp will be so different without you here, but oh the joy you are experiencing in heaven, I can only imagine! 

Isn’t this pic fun? This is our 1st year of camp…this little guy is now 10…10! What good memories we are making. Another prayer request I am asking for is just for my mind to continue to stay steadfast on Christ. This summer I’ve had A LOT of thoughts of last summer, with my pregnant belly & what our busy family of 7 would be like in the fall. Now, this summer, as I think of & pack for camp, my mind instantly goes back to me being pregnant a year ago & what that was like. It brings tears, to think that this year I don’t have a baby at home for daddy to take care of while I’m gone.

It will be a great week with God whispering to me daily, but my heart is still heavy.

My praise this week is a praise in advance for what God will do while we are at camp, because I believe He ALWAYS does great things.

What are you praying for these days?

What are you praising God for?

Good Things

I am always amazed as I read the kids devotion to them (which unfortunately I don’t always do a regular basis) and how often more times than not, it is such a fitting devotion for me, too.

This morning it was entitled “Good Things” & it talked about how just like parents, we give our children things that they NEED, even if it is not things that they WANT, our heavenly Father does the same for us. We can (& should) pray & ask God for our needs & our wants.

 He is teaching me to trust Him even if our needs & wants are not the same. We prayed for 62 days that we would be able to keep Lulu here with us, we prayed that she would be the miracle baby that would teach her medical care-givers about Jesus.

And although I didn’t get what I “wanted”, I DO believe that His plan was (& still is) greater than mine & that the “needs” of my life will be fulfilled by Him.

Matthew 7:11 says “Surely your heavenly Father will give good things to those who ask Him”, so continue to ask Him.

We were given a very good gift indeed. He could have chosen any other family to give Lulu to, but we are blessed to call ourselves her daddy, her mama, her brothers, her sister &  her family.