Welcome to the world, Baby Maeryn

Welcome to the world, baby Maeryn Julienne! Nancy Rue's a grandma! That's right, her granddaughter, baby Maeryn, was born on Friday afternoon, weighing 8 pounds 4 1/2 ounces. So welcome to this world, baby Maeryn. You are one very blessed, very beautiful and very very loved baby girl. I can't wait to see where this world will take you, sweet baby.

Learning of baby Maeryn's birth seems like a good way to start off what I was originally going to post about today, new beginings. I was thinking today about how many blessings I have in my own life. I was thinking about how people have come into my life that have shown me love in new ways and blessed my life in ways I could have never imagined. and I was thinking about how, no matter what happens to me in this life, there are two things that can't be taken from me. No one can take away who I am, who I know I am in my heart, and the faith and relationship I have with Jesus. I learned that I need to give everything I am to God, daily, and be re-born. I know that no matter where I go, I am never alone. and that after the rain, there will be sunshine. It's there, just beyond the clouds. Things have changed in my life. God has brought people into my life I probably wouldn't have picked to be there if I had done it myself, but who have blessed my life in ways I could have never imagined. They are showing me God's love in a very real way. All I can say is "Thank you."

Things would have gone different if I was writing the script for my own life. But after the rain, there is sunshine. As I sit and think about my life, looking back now, I wouldn't have changed it. The things that happened before only make me realize how blessed I am to have the things I have now, and appreciate them more. There are amazing people in my life who believe in me. there are people in my life who are showing me God's love. and I know that, no matter what happens, I am not alone. I have people who love me, and a God who loves me and will never leave me. Even if I have lost everything, I have not lost God. This is a new begining. I can't wait to see what will happen in my life. I am excited and optimistic. I have found blessings in unexpected places. All I can say is "Thank you," Because I am over whelmed with all the blessings I am experiencing. After the storm, there is sunshine. I know that storms will come again in my life. but I know that, no matter what the storms bring, there is nothing that can seperate me from the love of God. That's enough to carry me through. I can rest in His arms. I can be surrounded by the wonderful people He has brought into my life. and I can rest knowing that there will always be sunshine beyond the clouds. I am set free, and I can have a new begining. So, baby Maeryn, let's start this journey of new life together, basking in blessings and surrounded by love. Because no matter what, we will always be daughters of the King, and we will always be loved. Nothing, not even the storms, can change that

Just Say Thank You

"I don't try to figure it all out. When I'm in trouble, I just say, "Please God." And when He shows up, I just say, "Thank you."

I find it comforting, knowing that I don't have to have the words. I like knowing that God knows my heart and He doesn't need me to try and explain it. I find peace in the fact that I am never alone in what I am going through. I might not be able to explain how I'm feeling, and that's ok. God get's that, and He knows my heart. All I have to say is "Please God." He knows what I'm talking about. He knows exactly what I mean when I say those two simple words. God will just show up and do His God thing. All I have to say is please. When God shows up, like He promises He will, I just say "Thank you." Those simple words are all I have to say.
I've been through one of those situations recently. I had no words, and I didn't know how to express what I was feeling. So I said, "Please God." I said "Please," And waited for God to show up. And He did. He showed up and did things I could have never hoped for. I heard His voice, Felt His arms holding me up and giving me strength. I didn't have to do this anymore. I could let God do His thing, and find comfort in knowing that, whatever happened, it would be for the best. God knows the plans He has for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, to give me hope and a future. He knows what I need, what I want, and what's best for me. and He loves me. He's not going to let something happen that's not part of His big plan for my life. When I finally got the answers, I said "Thank you." I was amazed, yet again, by how God had worked His power in my life. When I didn't know, He did. When I wasn't sure, He was. When I was confused and wondering, God knew.
So I challenge you
next time you have no words, say please, and wait for God to show up. And when He does, which He will, just say Thank you. That's all you need to do, keep saying please and thank-you.
Funny that what your mother taught you when you were little would work for more then just being polite.

Telling Ashley Goodbye

"Are you scared?" I asked, taking hold of her fingers. She nodded, tears in her gorugous blue eyes. I wiped them away with my thumb. "It will be ok," I promised her. In a few minutes, they would take her away for surgery, a surgery that could kill her. "Caleb," She whispered. "It's ok, Ash." I crawled over the rail and lay beside her, taking her in my arms. Her tears fell on my tee shirt. I kissed the side of her head. "I'll be here when you wake up." "What if I don't wake up, Caleb?" Her voice shook. "You will," I said firmly. She closed her eyes and exhaled deeply. I ran my fingers through her short, blonde hair. "You're my princess, Ashley." "Maybe it's time for Cinderella to leave the ball." "Don't talk like that, you'll be fine." "I fought it, Caleb. I tried, but this is the end. I can't do this anymore. it's over." Hot tears stung my eyes, but I blinked them away. "I love you, Caleb, with all my heart. you made my every wish come true." "I love you so much," I whispered softly. "It's time." A nurse came into the room. I saw Ashley's parents by the door. I held her hand as her parents hugged her and kissed her and told her they loved her. "Goodbye doesn't mean forever," Her dad said. Everyone was crying by the time it was my turn. I brushed back her hair and kissed her face. "You, my sweet Ashley, are still the most beautiful girl I have ever laid eyes on." I walked beside her bed as they rolled her to the O.R. Her parents kissed her one more time and sat in the waiting room chairs. "Caleb, choose life," She whispered, touching the sides of my face. I took her hands. "I love you, never forget that." She nodded. "We have to go." The nurse tapped her foot. "Just wait," Ashley pleaded. She slid her necklace over her head and put it around my neck. "Goodbye doesn't mean forever," She said. "I know." I kissed her one last time. "I love you." She smiled and her fingers brushed my cheeks as she was rolled towards the OR. I grabbed her fingers and held them until she disapeered. I wanted to cry, but I knew tears would come later, when the doctors verified what I already knew. I had told Ashley goodbye for the last time.

Chloe's superhero

At coffee break yesterday, I met an adorable little girl named Chloe. She has blond hair and a gapped tooth smile, and she is totally cute. She was sitting at my table for snacks, and crafts, and that was when I got to know this little sweetie. The first thing we were talking about was age. She told me I was old. I said I wasn't that old, but she told me that I wasn't very little either. I had to agree with that, I'm not very little anymore. Then, as I was eating some animal crackers, she told me that teacher's don't eat. Of course, I answered that one by eating another cracker. I guess it's sort of like when you see your teacher outside of school for the first time. It's kind of hard to believe that they actually have a life, and don't live inside of school. It's hard to comprehend that they eat and have a family and go grocery shopping. When I couldn't figure out the tape on one of the crafts, she said, "Ms. Michelle, teacher can't figure this out!" and as I got my coat and bag to leave, she crawled over to me. "You're leaving?" I told her I was, but that I would see her next week. It was funny, how she saw me as a super human kind of person. to Chloe, it didn't matter where I was in life, or what was happening in my life. to Chloe, I was a superhero, of sorts. In her eyes, it didn't matter how everyone else saw me. It didn't matter who I was or what was going on. when Chloe looked at me, it was like she believed in me. and when I saw that, I knew that it didn't matter who I was to everyone else, in Chloe's eyes, I was some sort of superhero. and that's ok with me.

Afloat

in Matthew 14, verses 22-34, it's the story of Peter and Jesus, walking on the water. The disciples are in this boat, and there is this ghost, or what they think is a ghost. naturally, they are a little freaked out. but then Jesus calls to them, saying it is I, don't be afraid. and then Peter says, "Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water." So, Jesus told him to come. Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water to Jesus, but when he saw all the waves and the winds and the storm around him, he started to sink. It says in the Bible, immediatly Jesus caught his hand. "You of little faith," Said Jesus, "Why did you doubt?" Recently, I've been comparing this story to my life. When I took my eyes of Jesus and got caught up in the storms of my own life, I began to sink. I was so wrapped up in what was going on in my life and my own emotions, that I took my eyes off of the only one who could save me. I tried everything I could think of to try and save myself, but nothing worked, because when I take my eyes of Jesus, all the efforts I have are useless. But Jesus was there. He was waiting for me, waiting for me to call on Him. He took my hand, just like He did with Peter. "Why did you doubt?" He asked me. Why did I doubt? Why did I doubt that God was enough? Why did I doubt His power and think I had to do this on my own? Why did I doubt that He was there to help me and that, no matter what, I wasn't alone? Why did I take my eyes off of my only hope of getting through this life? God loves me, no matter what. The blessings I have in this life are just tiny whispers of His love for me. The people I have in my life, that I know will love me, no matter what, and are always going to look out for me, that's God's way of showing me that I'm not alone. When I took my eyes off of Jesus, I started to sink. But He was always there, waiting to catch me. in 2 Corinthians 12, it's talking about Paul and his thorn. He asked God to take it from him, and you know what God said? "My grace is sufficiant for you, my power is made perfect in weakness." When the storms of my life get to much for me to handle, I don't have to handle them alone. God is there, and He will fight for me. His power is made perfect in my weakness. When I am weak and can't do this anymore, God can. He will, because He loves me. Because I am His, He will carry me when I can't take another step. He will whisper promises over me. When I am weak, He is strong. that doesn't mean there will never be any more trials in my life. God didn't promise life would be easy, but He did promise He would never leave me. So when the storms of this life get a little crazy, God is there. He's waiting for me to call on Him. He'll hold my hand and help me through this. He'll stand beside me and hold me when I'm at the end of my rope. He'll whisper His love for me by providing blessings in my life. He's calling me, am I ready to listen? Am I ready to take Jesus's hand and trust that He will help me navigate the storms of my life? Because when I am weak, He is strong

2011

It's the start of a new year. I always hate new years, because it's like I have to say goodbye to everything that happened in 2010. 2010 was a great year. yeah, it had it's ups and downs, but over all it was a pretty good year. I was blessed with getting to know some new people and trying new things. Every step I took in this journey revealed new things to me and showed me more of who I am as a person. Am I ready for 2011? I guess I have to be, there's no going back now! I'm ready to enter this new year, and this new chapter of my life. I'm anxious and nervous but really excited for what this next year will bring. I just have to keep believing that God knows the plans he has for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future. No matter what comes in this next year, I know I'll never walk this road alone. God never promised the road would be easy, but He promised He'd take care of me. So I'm trusting God with whatever comes in my life. The only thing I can tell you about this next year is stay tuned for coming attractions! HAPPY NEW YEAR!