Faith’s Second Birthday

This past weekend, we not only celebrated Emmy turning 6 months old, but we also celebrated Faith’s second birthday.  It was a tough week, but a good week.

Saturday morning started out with a few tears.  I got a text, then saw a facebook message from my best friend, Amy.

She had put the butterflies and angels at Faith’s Garden Saturday morning.  One of the hardest things about losing a child is fear they will be forgotten.  The best way to encourage that parent is to remember that child.  Nothing does my heart good like someone remembering Faith.    Amy never lets me down!!!

That evening, my sweet friend, Kristi had invited me to speak  at her church.  I had the honor of sharing Faith’s story at their ladies event.  

I had worried all day long about being so emotional, but the Lord is faithful and gave me peace.  I met so many wonderful ladies, and I left with the assurance that God is still using Faith’s life to minister to others.

Sunday was her birthday.  I woke up fully expecting to be an emotional wreck.  And I was a little emotional.  But I had such a thankful heart knowing that Faith was singing with Jesus.  It’s what gives me hope.  We had flowers in the church to honor her and her day.

Ms. Dianne at Lady Bug Flowers and Plants did an amazing job and the arrangement was fit for a princess!!!

After church, we got an extended nap ( a much needed 2 hours, thank you!!!) and then headed to Faith’s Garden.

Although the Garden always stirs some emotion, I always find hope in this:

We had cleaned everything out a few weeks ago to repurpose it and freshen it up. Rob repainted the sign, and one of our high school students, Lane, repaired our  girl statue.  Then Gamma stopped by with the balloons.  I am so proud of the way it turned out. 

Once we got home, SG wanted to bake something, so we made some pink birthday cookies in honor of Baby Faith.  We had to use the Easy Bake Oven, of course.

SG was the master pastry chef! She must have really liked them because she ate them all by herself:)

I would be telling a story if I tried to act like my heart isn’t broken.  Sunday was a hard day.  But I was reminded that He is ever close to us and never leaves us, even in our darkest days. 

Psalm 34:18

¹⁸ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

I am overwhelmed by the loving and encouraging words and notes from our friends and loved ones, both old and new.  God has used you to bless our family this past week.  Thank you for being a part of our lives, and for sharing in the life of our sweet daughter.

Our family had made a pact to do something fun each year to celebrate Faith’s birthday.  We will be celebrating this weekend with a fun surprise trip to a Disney resort with the kids.  I am sure there will be plenty to post when I get back.  There is never a dull moment with our bunch!!!

Almost Two Years…

I feel like I have been absent from my blog for way too long.  My life has gotten even more crazy than before, but I love every minute of it:)  As we are approaching Faith’s second birthday on Sunday, I feel compelled to share what God is doing in our lives at this time.

We are loving being involved with our youth at church.  God is teaching us so much through these teenagers, and they are such a blessing to us.  I love that they all love my children, and it does my heart good to see them post pictures of my babies on their instagrams and facebook pages.  God is using them to keep us accountable as teachers, parents and most of all, His children.  He is growing us in ministry, and we are so excited to see where He will lead in that area.

My book is coming along slowly.  Trying to find uninterrupted time to write is a challenge, but the conviction to finish is getting stronger by the day.  I know that God has called me to far more than sitting behind this computer on a daily basis.  He has given us such a testimony and it needs to be shared with all who will hear.  But I have to be a good steward of the task He has set before me so He can show us what to do next.

I’m finding that He is granting me with more and more opportunities to share our Faith and our faith with others.  I had mentioned that Rob and I had gone to DreamNow weekend a few weeks back, and we were challenged to find God’s dream for our life.  One of the exercises we did was to write down our passions and our talents.  It was said that where your talents and passions collide is where you can often find God’s dream for you.  After much prayer, I realized that my passion is truly sharing with people all that God has done in our lives.  It is what brings me joy.  When asked what I would do for free, the answer was simply “Share and Sing.”  That’s what I need to be doing with my life.  I am just praying about the “HOW”. 

Two years seems like just yesterday in so many ways.  I can remember every last detail from the day Faith was born.  But it also seems like an eternity since I held her in my arms.  I am sometimes ashamed that I have held out for so long on being obedient about God’s calling in my life.  I have had two years to finish this book, yet I have found every excuse in the book not to do it.  It’s hard; I’m a perfectionist; I want her story to be so perfect for her.  As her mom, I couldn’t do anything for her here on this earth…except share her story.  The devil is playing on that guilt in a big way.

I told Bryan and Christina that whatever God’s plans were, they must be something good because the devil is all over it trying to be a discouragement.  As I was praying about this, the Lord laid these verses on my heart:

Hebrews 12: 1-3 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

I am fixing my eyes on Jesus, the perfecter of faith.  I am running with perseverence the race He has set before me.  I am so thankful that He has already marked it out for me.  I am excited about the things God has for our future!