Prayers, Please

There have been so many times in the past month that I have turned to update this blog, and simply have not had the energy. I am not going to lie- this month has been tough, tough, tough. It is difficult to record happy things and the many blessings I encounter each day, when so many around me are hurting.

Watching my husband grieve over the loss of a close friend, standing helpless as another friend fights for strength and courage as she wages her own battle with cancer, saying goodbye to a precious family as they embark on a new journey, and supporting family when pain hits them square on-- not exactly what I pictured when this year began.

We are taking the good with the bad. We are healthy, we are warm and safe. We have jobs, we have wonderful friends and wonderful family. The guilt seeps in when such precious people around me are suffering and there is absolutely nothing I can do- nothing but pray, and pray and pray.

In my mind, everything should stay the same. Fifty years from now, as an old woman, I picture my friends and I sharing laughs and tears as we do now. I picture the same friends- the same group, where no one leaves, no one gets sick and no one moves. It's not reality, but it's a reality that I have clung to the last four years. Post-college was a challenge, but once I found my groove, once I became a mom and the Lord blessed me with an incredible network of amazing women I knew it would rock my world to have to watch one of them wrestle great adversity, or struggle with infertility, or maneuver a minefield of disappointments.

Change is inevitable - I know that in my head, but it is hard to accept when it affects the heart. Our "golden group" may not, (and probably won't) remain the same into our golden years. What a difficult lesson to learn. It is teaching me to be grateful in the small things and to take each day as it comes.

So, friends... I am asking for prayers. Not for me, but for those around us. I am sure everyone knows someone who is hurting this season. Let's be a community that prays for each other. I truly believe that there is power in prayer. Although we may not be getting the response or the outscome that we see as best- I find great comfort in the knowledge that Jesus is Lord and everything is His to control.

Heavy Heart

Please continue to pray for those affected by the devastating tornadoes that ripped through the South yesterday. I am completely overwhelmed and saddened by all that I have seen and heard today.

Alabama was the worst hit, and the damage is completely unbelievable. The pictures and videos speak for themselves, but it is the images of our neighbors who literally have nothing left that are burned into my mind.

Out of these tragedies always come those unsung heroes- and there are plenty of them. I could never say enough about the doctors, nurses, aides, administrators and critical care transport teams I witnessed working countless hours who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. I pray that God would help me know where and when to serve others throughout the recovery- the needs are so overwhelming but I know that together we can be the light of Christ in the midst of great darkness.

Could it get any sweeter?

I absolutely love this picture. Erin did an incredible job -as always- capturing a precious moment between father and son. As I was going through the images from our last session trying to decide which ones to frame on the walls in our home, I was reminded of how truly, truly blessed I am.

Admist horrible tragedy in our community, my father who has been laid off, a wonderful friend going through a tough time - I can still feel God's hand in the middle of it all. It is as if he is whispering in my ear I have a plan, just trust in me, and all will be restored.. keep praying, keep praying, keep praying.

So I am. And, I am thanking God for my blessings and trying not to get caught up in complaining about little annoyances. I pray that even if bad things happen, if the needs seem too great during this time of the year- that God will grant me the peace to know that everything happens for a reason. I pray for the right words to speak, for the wisdom to know when I am needed or when I should step aside. I pray that God might use me for His glory- that I might be a blessing to others. I pray that I do not get in the way, but that I might be a vessel for His Kingdom.

During this Christmas season, as we prepare to celebrate Jesus' birth- my prayer is that the Lord will quiet my heart and my mind to focus on that which is of greatest importance- My Emmanuel. God is with us! Rejoice!

A Heavy Heart...

As mothers, we are all thankful for our children. It doesn't take a national holiday for me to thank the Lord for my sweet Wyatt, and I know all the moms that are reading this feel the same way. We thank Him every day- and even though we are tired, stressed and have four loads of laundry to fold at any given time, nothing beats the proud swell that we feel each and every time we look at that sweet face, those precious hands and angelic baby toes that grew in us for nine months.

That is why I carry a huge burden for those suffering with infertility. My heart aches for my amazing and incredible friends who are trying, hoping and praying for their own miracle. I know several of my closest and dearest friends who are waiting on the Lord this holiday season... these women are inspirations to me and they would be the BEST moms. I have cried so many tears and shared many hugs of encouragement with them- but I know that as hard as it is- the LORD's timing is impeccable, and we must wait on Him.

That is why, this year, as I am thanking God for my son, my husband, my family, my job- I am committed to praying for these women and all the women who want nothing more than to be a mom but are suffering with infertility. I will petition the Lord in earnest asking Him to reveal Himself and His plan for these girls. As they take a break over the holidays from endless testing, shots and treatments to spend time with their husbands and to patiently seek God, I am praying.

Will you join me? You may not have a specific person to pray for- but let's lift all of these women up together. Thank God for all of your blessings, but remember those that are hurting as well. I am a firm believer in the power of prayer, and I know, I KNOW- that Jesus hears our requests.

To my sweet, precious friends- you know who you are-have FAITH beloved- the Lord our God will deliver you, the Lord our God will give you the desires of your heart.

" Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. " - Ephesians 3:20