In a moment ... everything can change

Yesterday the phone rang. It was one of those calls a parent hopes to never receive. The shaky voice of my first born .... "We had an accident." At that moment I drifted into a fog that I haven't quite made my way out of yet. It was hard to even grasp the next part of the sentence ... "we're all okay".

I think it's impossible to prepare for such a moment. This type of event sends your mind into a whirlwind that just has a really hard time stopping to rest. A momma's heart envisions the incomprehendable of preparing for your child's funeral. While caught up in that moment you remind yourself once again the reality that everyone is OK ... and someday there may still be that wedding you've dreamed of.

A time such as this sure brings about a lot of reflection. All the "what ifs" flood your mind and heart as if it's been taken over by waves of the ocean. What if the car had crashed into that telephone pole just a few inches over? ... is one of them.

To say that I'm thankful that everyone is okay just does not even begin to try and describe the gratitude within me. No one is exempt from tragedy. We could easily be planning a funeral(s) this week instead of looking forward to the future.

All praise to God for His overwhelming protection over these precious teens. It's hard for me to grasp what must have taken place in that accident in ways we cannot see with human eyes.

Oh Lord, may I never forget your power and great mercy. Thank you for giving me more time to hug my precious son and watch him grow into the man you created him to be. Thank you for sparing these kids' lives. I know you're working in them to bring good from this and glory to yourself. In a moment everything can change. Help me trust you moment by moment as we journey through together.

C ... if you read this ... I love you more than you could ever imagine possible. Someday when you hold your child, you'll understand. I'm so glad we get more time together. I can hardly wait to see more of the ways God will use you.

Family Photo 2010

Never dreamed years ago this is what our family photo would look like. We are so blessed beyond measure. Embracing 2010 and excited to see all that the Lord does!

A New Year 2010

New Year's is often a time of great reflection for people. For me, it's always a time of seeking the Lord about what He wants to do in my life .... what He wants me to work on ... what areas I should focus on for the new year.

Last night as we played games with our big guys my mind and heart kept wandering to a time past. My mind drifted to and from wondering what it must have been like five years ago for the woman who birthed our daughter. As she celebrated New Year's Eve that year .... what must have she been going through ... knowing that any minute her body would go into labor and she'd need to dismiss herself from her life and family and rush to the hospital to deliver a child? Not just any child ... but the child whose laughter and noise fills our house each day. What must it have been like to feel so incredibly alone? How scary must it have been when there were complications and she had to pull herself away not knowing if this little one would even make it? I shudder to think of how great a burden she carried with her all those months.

Today we celebrate this little girl's birthday. But for this momma's heart it's never just simply a day that marks another year. It's a time to remember ... to reflect ... to give THANKS to the Lord for all He has done. It's a time to be in complete awe of His great faithfulness.

Precious Naomi .... you have as much spunk as the size of Texas. Your life has blessed us in ways we could never have imagined. As a baby you brought much sleep deprivation to us that sometimes continues still today. :) We love how you absolutely adore your big brothers. We hope you will learn that you don't always have to prove you're bigger than your little sister. :) There is so much that I want for you, little one. I want you to grown into the young woman God designed you to be ... even with that tinge of vinegar He put inside of you. I want you to know as you grow up that your family and home will always be a safe haven for you, even when the world can be a bit cruel at times. Most of all .... I want you to know that the One who created you can be trusted through each season of your life ... through every year ... every valley and every mountain top. Happy 5th Birthday, precious girl. We love you so very much!

Today we start a new year. May each day find us trusting in the Lord more and more, no matter where this journey takes us. He is our absolute joy! The reason we get up each day. The One we thank when all is going well and the One who is worthy of our absolute trust and obedience during each challenge that comes.