One tooth down. . .

the tooth fairy will be visiting tonight!!! Ellie is so excited ... and well, so are we!!!!

Happy Jackson Day!!

That is what Ellie said when we were leaving the park today! So adorable! Today we did have a celebration in honor of our son, Jackson Christopher, (you can read more about him here) as today was our due date. I wasn't really sure how I would feel today . . . it has been rather surreal to have this day get closer and closer and not be preparing for a baby. I have to say that Lily has been the beneficiary of many, many hugs and snuggles -Ellie too, but Lily is still small enough to carry around and hold on my lap. She has filled my arms where I had hoped my son would be. As we appoached today - I could not help but think about God's goodness to us! He spared our son a life of pain, agony, surgeries, and a host of other things. He spared our hearts the torment of watching our son go through so much. I do not understand the fullness of His power and might, but I do know for certain that Our God is an Awesome and Mighty God - that His plan is far better than mine!!

We had decided that we would do something special on this day. I didn't want to be at home all day - I wanted to have something to look forward to. We told the girls that we were going to go to the park for a little celebration - we told them that today was the day that their brother was due to be born - honestly I think all they heard was park, play, cupcakes, balloons, and friends - well that sounded GREAT to them!!! And it was!!!

I made some special "J" cupcakes, got some blue balloons, packed and lunch, and off we went to the park. My parents joined us along with our sweet friend Abby and her two little ones. The kids played and played and then we had a little balloon launch for our sweet son!!!!

Flavio prayed this morning - thanking God for today - this is the day that the Lord planned from the beginning of time. He knew that today would be a day of sadness and joy and He also promises to never give His children more than we can handle - that is from point A to point Z and we can honestly say that He has been faithful. It is by His strength alone that we have been able to do anything, most of all Praise Him through this! No, we are not perfect and yes our hearts hurt, but God has been so gracious to put His arms around us and comfort us and He has used many of you as those tangible arms! We are forever grateful for our family and friends who have loved us so much - they have cried with us, laughed with us, thrown their arms around us, carried our burdens, and mostly just loved us! To name you all would take too long, but you know who you are (plus I want your reward to be in Heaven - what a blessed day that will be!!)

Over the past 4 months or so there have been many verses that have greatly ministered to my heart, but I would have to say that this one is quite tremendous:

1 Peter 5:10-11
And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
TO HIM BE THE DOMINION FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.

overwhelmed

This is more for me than anything else. . . I don't journal anywhere else, but here, so here goes...

For the past couple weeks I had this overwhelming feeling of gratitude. Gratitude for a few things, but mostly for my salvation! I, like so many of us, have gone about my life just plugging along - thankful for God's gracious gift in sending His son, but not always or completely understanding the depth of that gift (nor do I still . . .ahh Heaven!). But last Sunday as we were singing and praising God I was just filled with emotion and gratitude to My Heavenly Father for sending His son, Jesus Christ, to die for me! Me, a wretched, selfish, stubborn, undeserving sinner, and yet, He did!!! I don't know how else to put it but I am so thankful that God saw fit to save me from the snares of the devil and write my name in The Lambs Book of Life. What a tremendous gift!!!

I have also felt so overwhelmed by the relationships that God has put in my life. Each one is there for a specific purpose - not all known to me yet. Some are easier than others and yet, I am grateful for them all! I am particularly grateful for my parents and their tremendous love and support - their prayers and their practicality. What would I do without them!?!?! I don't even want to imagine. Last night I got to spend some time with two of my dearest friends - oh how I enjoy their sweet fellowship and their encouragement and their wisdom and just their laughs - such joy they bring to my heart! I hope they know how much I love them!!! There are just so many ways that I have been blessed - to name them all would take forever, but I just wanted/had to get my thoughts down on "paper". My heart is overflowing with gratitude, with emotion, with joy because of all that God has done for me and all those He has brought in to my life!! This morning we sang "And Can It Be" - I LOVE that hymn - I love most hymns - but this is at the top

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

I could go on and on and may on another post, but . . . that is where my heart is right now! Overwhelmed with gratitude!