Well yesterday afternoon in Northwest Arkansas it began to “ice” and it has not stopped yet. We are covered in ice-it almost looks like snow-but don’t be fooled-its the hard stuff. Of course I was super excited yesterday at the prospect of school being out and being “shut in” for a day-but I believe I got more than I bargained for-we may be shut in for a few days. Many around here are without power and heat-were thankful we still have electricity.

This present state of nature reminds me of one of my favorite songs entitled “Every Season” by Nicole Nordeman. The song describes how our journey in this life with the Lord is constantly changing. Our experiences with infertility have left me feeling stuck in a perpetual state of winter. Frozen and dead-with no new growth or life. Christ’s nature proves that even in death new life can enter-and just like winter melts away and spring brings forth new life-this season in our lives will pass and Christ’s purpose will be revealed. Here is the ending of this great song-

And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter

And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You
And how You make me new
With every season’s change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring

Stay warm my friends, enjoy the wonder of God’s creation-blanketed in ice, curl up by the fire and reflect on the sweetness of God!

On October 29 of last year our Ella began her journey and walk with the Lord when she made the decision to accept him as her Savior. Her life is forever changed by that choice and I rejoiced not only as her mother, but as a sister in Christ. Tomorrow Ella will be baptized. Her heart is tender towards the things of God, but she is anxious and fearful about being “dunked” under the water. Brandon has the blessed privelage of baptizing his baby girl, and I pray as Ella takes this step she will find comfort in her daddy’s arms and her Father’s faithfullness. Please pray for her-that she will be at peace. We keep reciting “what time I am afraid I will trust in thee”.

I reflect back tonight on the goodness of God to Ella. She has been a healthy child-O praise you father for protecting her small body-your mercy rains. She has a sound mind-well in fact-she’s brilliant! Our sweet friend Clint Puryear used to always say “she’s a genius”. Ella delights in school and in learning. She’s also very creative-constantly drawing/coloring and making things-we could fill rooms with her artwork. I pray Father she is a life long learner-not only to expand her mind, but especially a student of your Word. Help me father to teach her. I pray she finds creative ways to serve you in ministry. Ella is sweet to her friends. She has always been and continues to be extremely shy-still hiding behind my back when others speak to her; in spite of this she finds joy in her relationships with her little friends at church and school. I pray she will pursue you Father with a red hot passion-that she will never hide from you. Guide her relationships, Lord-lead her to others who seek to find your favor. One of Ella’s best qualities is her sweet nature. She laughs readily and is quick to show compassion and love. She’s not perfect, after all she is the product of man-sinful nature and all-but she has begun her walk with Christ and is growing in her knowledge of  Him. We are trying to train her up Father in the way she should go, when she is old may she not depart from it. Continue to make yourself known to her, protect her and comfort her. May her life bring only Honor and Glory to you. May I give her wholly to you!

“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts”.  Psalms 145: 3-4

I am usually super prompt about taking down the Christmas tree after the Holiday’s. I usually wait till after New Years day and then all the Christmas decor is packed back up until the next year; however, this year I’m struggling to tear it all down. I’m not sure if its out of business, laziness or my affection for lighted faux pine but I’m just not ready.

I didn’t post over the Holiday-mostly because I’m so new to this I kinda forgot I had a blog-and because we were kinda busy. We traveled back to Missouri to my folks house and had a great time with Ella’s Nana and Papa and my sister and her family.  My mom goes out of her way to make the holiday’s magical for everyone.  Brandon and I even got to sneak away to see a movie as we had “free” babysitters!

The new year is now upon us. Brandon and I have come to the end of another year where little has changed in our quest to “grow” our family. This past spring we dealt with another heartbreaking loss when I miscarried. We underwent continued fertility treatment with no success and struggled to know what the next step should be. God’s great gift to us in times of despair has always been and continues to be-HOPE!

We can begin this new year with a renewed hope and zeal that God will answer our prayers-maybe not in the way we have planned-but we can rest assured that His purposes will be fulfilled and that our “light affliction” is only for a moment and God will receive the Glory!

I’ll post more about Christmas (pictures included) at a later date.

Happy New year!