Hearts Breaking Around Me

Over the past week I have watched hearts break in the lives of people around me.  My heart has broken for them and my tears shed for them.  A young family laid their six year old son to rest after a year long battle with disease and a bone marrow transplant.  Another family - expecting a baby - found out nearly half way through the pregnancy that they had lost the baby.  And finally, a women (wife and mother) found out she has cancer.  In my eyes, all three of these things are horrific experiences.  When things around me start happening like this, it's almost as though I become 'afraid.'  It really makes me think and ponder my life.... My life as a Christian, as a wife, as a mother, as a daugther as a friend as even as a stranger. 

All three of these families have at least one thing in common - Their faith.  These are all families that I would consider "good Christians."  I know there really is no such thing as a "Good Christian," either you've asked Jesus into your heart or you haven't.  But beyond that, there is living for the Lord, living in His will and serving Him and trusting Him.  I suppose that's what I think of when I have this idea of a 'good christian.'  All three of these families are families that I would consider to be "Good Christians."  I've seen them living for the Lord and heard of their great faith.  Each of them experienced something this week that I imagine would bring my world crashing down.  However, these families have done nothing but continue to put their faith in Him and trust Him.  It simply amazes me.  I sometimes wonder if I would have that same faith under those terrible circumstances.  I pray that I would. 

Each of these stories breaks my heart, but the one that hits closest to home is the six year old little boy.  I keep imagining the parents of that little boy and my heart breaks for them.  Then, like a bucket of ice, it hits me, that could be me....In any one of those circumstances, it could be me....it could be our family.  If these people were living for the Lord and they weren't spared from these horrible events, then what does that mean for me?  (Please don't misunderstand this as me thinking living for the Lord, being saved by the Lord and being "good christian" excludes you from difficult or even unimaginable times.  I don't believe that at all.) 

My walk with the Lord is Not going to save me from tragedy in my life, as I've already seen.  However, walking closer to the Lord in my daily life will allow Him to hold my hand and help me over the paths that seem uncrossable.  I pray that I will have this kind of walk with the Lord, but also that my family will always keep close to Him that they would be comforted in times of need. 

As I was discussing this with my husband tonight, he reminded me of a story he knows about a family who lost their son/brother and how in the midst of that tragedy, two people came to know Jesus Christ as their Personal Lord and Saviour.  And the very selfish, human side of me thought for half a second, yeah, but I don't want to lose my kids just so somebody can be saved.  I know that sounds terrible, but I'm certain that most of you would also think the same thing for a moment.  However, what made me feel most guilty about feeling this thought, is that is what God did for us.  He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for OUR sins...MY sins, on the cross. 

What is it that the Lord gave me today? I should find it, cherish it and thank Him for it.

In closing, I ask that you would lift up these three families in continued prayer.

I Love My Life!

Has it really been almost an entire month since my last update?  Apparently, I have been busier than I have even realized.  It's so hard for me to belive that Christmas is just one week away.  This month has flown by.  I am happy to repart that many of my gifts were homemade this year.  (Thanks to my mom for all of her help!  There is no way I could've done it without her!!!)  I made cloth photo books, shape toys, a mommy and me apron 9and something I can't reveal yet, but because one of my readers hasn't opened up her present :-) But guess what....I didn't even take any pictures!!! What was I thinking?

This has been an interesting month for us due to some situations at Nathan's work, but we're almost on the other sideof all of that now. 

So, now onto the fun stuff!  My boys!  One month has changed them so much.  They are so grown up in the way they move, the way they act, the way they talk and even the way they play.  Let's see if I can try to sum up the changes in a nutshell. 

What's new this month?  Well, they've mastered the art of climbing.  I wish I had a picture to show you, but I've been too busy making sure they don't fall to grab my camera.  They both like to climb on top of the changing table and have recently mastered  climbing down from it.  They are getting fairly decent with feeding themselves with a spoon and fork.  I partially blame myself for that because two toddler boys, brightly colored food, a clean floor and a fork just don't always appeal to me so much :D  You understand, right?

They have gotten very funny as well.  It's as though they're starting to understand humor and silliness.  For example, Nolan has transitioned from open mouth kisses to puckered lips with a "mu-ah!" It's so sweet.  Well, the other day I was trying to get Nolan to give me a 'real kiss' so my mom could see and I said "Nolan, can you give Mommy kisses?"  He looked at me, smiled, shook his head no and started giggling.  (Don't mistake his humor for defiance.  He never outright tells me no when he's asked/told to do something.  He knew he was being funny here:)  Asher has become quite the comic as well.  A few days ago we were with my mom and he fell over and my mom started to laugh at him.  Well, apparently he realized this action got a reaction, so he did it again, and each time my mom laughed.  Needless to say, his 'falls' became more and more exaggerated! 

Oh, Asher and Nolan are also working on drinking out of real cups.  No lids, no straws - strict supervision :D  They love to drink out of REAL cups!  They think they are so grown when they do it!  

I have really enjoyed our children more so than usual this month.  I mean, I always enjoy them, but there are sometimes when they bring an extra dose of joy to our lives it almost makes me want to cry a few happy tears.  They have been such a pleasure to be around the past few weeks.  I am truly thankful for every moment I get with my little family!