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

 

Lulu Book

My sis-in-law, Kelly, wrote & illustrated a book for us, in honor of Lulu.

She wrote a beautiful story…

 “The Story of Lulu”

 

 

“Daddy loved kissing Lulu’s chubby cheeks”

“Mommy loved Lulu’s little hiccups” 

 “Dylan loved everything about Lulu” 

 “Owen loved when Lulu would smile at him”

 

 “Simon loved to hold Lulu”

 “Boo loved kissing & hugging Lulu”

 

 

 

 

11 months

Today we will celebrate you Lulu…

I think we will go & have a picnic at the memory garden.

I need to be near you, somehow, today.

We will blow bubbles.

And send our love up in them to you.

We will laugh & play & think of you.

We love you so much.

Our story

“I speak to you from deepest heaven. You hear Me in the depths of your being. Deep calls unto deep. You are blessed to hear Me so directly. Never take this privilege for granted. The best response is a heart overflowing with gratitude. I am training you to cultivate a thankful mind-set. This is like building your house on a firm rock, where life’s storms cannot shake you. As you learn these lessons, you are to teach them to others. I will open up the way before you, one step at a time.”- Sarah Young “Jesus Calling”

I am a mother of 5…

4 here with us…

and 1 who is already in our forever home…

This is NOT the story I would have chosen if I had my way.

It is the exact opposite of what we prayed for, for 62 days.

But here we are living on this side of death. Trying to figure out “how to do it”.

We mess up.

We try again.

Through it all we KNOW that Lulu was given to us for a specific reason.

And we choose to trust that He knows, He cares and He heals.

So, what is your story?

Dear Lulu

Dear Lulu,

Daddy & I started this morning with a couple of these…

And one beautiful sunrise.  Yes, it was cloudy, but it was also calming. Just to sit with daddy & talk about heaven.

Your home now & our home to be.

I still can’t help but wonder what the oceans look like from where you are, when I see the sunrise, are you watching it set?

Your grandpa sent me an email & I have been thinking about it A LOT.

 He said, “I heard from one preacher that we are building our heavenly home by how we live here on earth – the love, peace, longsuffering, etc. that we manifest here on earth are the only things that will be taken with us to heaven, as much of God’s attributes that are manifested in us…so I have a little thought (and we know that God is able to do more than what we ask or think) that maybe Lulu is being raised by your motherly feelings you have for her here on earth. It is a thought that I had and I think God can do all things…”

Not being able to raise you here with our family is such a hard thing for me, as your earthly mama. I long to hold you, feed you, kiss you & watch you grow.

I don’t know if I will get to do any of those things when I see you next (and honestly will it even matter, I mean we’ll be standing in His presence), but it is something that breaks my heart every day.  This thought, from grandpa, (whether it is true or not) has given me some comfort.

I love you sweet baby & I will sleep with you in my heart tonight…

It’s stuff but it’s HER stuff.

Tonight we started packing for a trip & I was looking for a bag to use…

I knew the perfect bag would be the diaper bag I got for Lulu.

I hadn’t unpacked her stuff from it…

her extra pink clothes

her tiny diapers

her pacifier

her stuff…

It was really hard to take her stuff out and put my stuff in, Jason had to help me.

I want to use the bag, so I can think of her, but I don’t want to use the bag.

Does that even make sense?

I know it’s stuff but it’s HER stuff.

Swimsuit for Lulu

We went swimming tonight to try to cool off.

Boo swam over to me and asked, “mama, what kind of swimsuit does Lulu have?”

Me – “we don’t have a swimsuit for Lulu, but if you could pick one out for her what color would you like?”

Boo – “pink & purple”

Of course.