The Best Birthday Gift

My friend Amy got me some of these for my birthday. How cool to know a child in Ethiopia has a pair of shoes like me! Not only that - they go on "shoe missions" where they fit each kid specifically!

Birthday Bash

My sweet hubby's' b-day is the 7th of January and mine is the 19th, so this month has a lot of excuses for cake eating! Our last year in our 20's...we better make the best of it!





I leave you with a lesson. Never leave a box of opened teddybears on a table then tell your 2 year old "I'll be right back," even if you're only going to be gone long enough to grab a bowl and walk back.

Peace

We really appreciate the calls, cards, texts, emails, etc....so much. Thank you for surrounding our family with prayer and support. Although I have my moments, please know God has granted me a peace through this that I just can't explain. There is a blessed assurance that He is in control, He can get us through anything, He has the sovereign right to give and take away, that His plan is bigger than we an understand, that grace is here (we see pieces, but how much more can't we see?), and that we will one day mend to where we can just rejoice over mom's life and not feel such deep sorrow. The 11 days that mom was in ICU, she was in a vegetative state that we knew she would never want to live in. We were at a point of devastation in facing that mom may be in a hospital bed and unresponsive the rest of her life...which changed our prayer towards begging God to take her because we knew she wouldn't want to live that way. Mom is joyful and dancing with Jesus...that grants a peace I can't explain.
Philippians 4:7 - And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
This peace is needed to guard...satan is constantly whispering lies and seeking depression in our lives...and I'm constantly reminded to seek His truths and peace to guard my heart. It's hard. Life is hard. It's supposed to be..it's not heaven. I'm looking forward to the days I get to be with her again. I miss her so much. I want to mourn in a healthy way, but I refuse to let satan rob me of the unknown days I have left. His plan wasn't ours...but who am I?
He is my rock, fortress, strength. He is my purpose, peace, and daddy. In all things, to Him be the glory.
Psalm 139:16 - All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.
Job 1:20 - At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
Psalm 23:4 - Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me
I'm not sure how people face this without the Lord...I praise you Jesus for the comfort and peace you bring. Please cover Dad with it!