This post lists a few memories from 2013… it's mainly for us to have to look back on and remember what all we've been through and how God is always at work in our lives.
2013 was a year packed full of ups and downs for Daniel and I. First we made a huge decision to accept a call and stay in Indiana.
Then Daniel lost his grandpa in February and I lost my Grandaddy soon after. Daniel and I went skiing..this being Daniel's first time skiing and it was a blast..he is a natural of course :)
We went to St. Louis for a wedding and went up in The Gateway Arch!
My sister Danielle got engaged... and married!
Daniel and I had the privilege to take our youth group to San Antonio for the LCMS National Youth Gathering.
We bought a new bed…KING size and it moves!!
We went camping twice..one weekend with another couple that are our great friends and another weekend with my whole family.
I started this blog. We bought a new camera. Daniel grew his first beard (I mean one that he kept for over 2 months and didn't shave after a few days…he makes one handsome lumberjack!)
We lived with our friends for 2 months in their basement. We got pregnant but then had a miscarriage…we now have a sweet baby in Heaven!
Obviously there was more to 2013 but these are the things that stand out at the moment. Most importantly…. we experienced God's amazing love and grace and have felt his presence throughout all these things…the tough times and the great times! We've learned that our God is faithful and just and that He provides in all circumstances and that we are called to be thankful and praise Him in all circumstances and when we did that we experienced God's amazing peace that surpasses all understanding!
Can't wait to see what God has in store for us in 2014!
God's blessings to you all and we wish you a very Happy New Year!
I believe you can choose to stand firm and praise God in the storm or blow away in it.
December 11, 2013.
I laid in bed and cried knowing what was happening to me...to our baby. Everything around me seemed to fade. I felt helpless. All I wanted was to stop what was happening and yet I had no control over it. Thoughts flooded my head, "What didIdo wrong? Why me? Will this happen more than once?" I may never know the answers to those questions, and that's ok. I also think it's natural for those thoughts to run through your head.
I've come to notice a few things since I've had my miscarriage. One thing is that people are afraid or feel uncomfortable talking about miscarriages, either their own or others. I'm not afraid, ashamed, or embarrassed to talk about my miscarriage. (I understand that some people choose to keep their miscarriages a secret, and that is ok also!) I don't believe that I did anything wrong to cause my miscarriage. I believe that these things just happen and it's usually our body's way and God's way of letting go of a baby that wasn't developing properly for some reason. Miscarriages are way more common than most people think…1 in 5 pregnancies end in a miscarriage. This doesn't make it any less sad when they happen… it's truly heart wrenching and only those who have experienced it can truly understand what it feels like to lose their baby that they never got to hold. I strongly believe that if you've had a miscarriage it does not mean you didn't deserve your baby, it doesn't mean you would have been a bad mom, it doesn't mean you are being punished for something. I can't tell you why you or I had to have a miscarriage but I can tell you that God loves you AND your baby! God is holding your baby (and mine) in his perfect arms :) Yes I'm sad, very sad that I lost my baby but I'm still OK and I'm going to keep praising my amazing God. I'm OK because of my faith in God and trusting that He is in control and has a plan far better than any plan I could come up with for myself because I don't know all… but thankfully He does! In the midst of my heartbreak and loss I have learned (still learning) and experienced several things:
While I'm still very sad that I have miscarried our baby, I find comfort in believing that our baby is now in God's hands…really there is no sweeter place for it to be!
I have experienced God's enormous amount of peace and comfort and have truly felt His presence.
I felt the love and prayers from sweet family and friends.
I believe that everything happens for a reason…even if I don't know the reason….God does and that's what matters.
I've learned am learning to let go of control….because really I had NO control in this situation…it's always best when we let God be in control.
I've realized that worrying never helps, instead it allows satan in and it symbolizes a lack of trust in God.
I've felt God's overwhelming amount of love envelope me.
I praise God for blessing me with a loving and supportive husband, family, and friends.
We have a God of love and mercy and grace…really we truly do!
It's not that I never knew these things before…but they have definitely been made so much more clear to me through this loss.
I've chosen to stand firm and praise God through this storm. I refuse to let it blow me away. After all…when all else fades…God's love is everlasting and HIS light will shine through!!!
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.
Psalm 30:11, 12
Take a few minutes to listen to/watch these videos below. I find myself listening to these often :)
I haven't been too fond of living in the North so far. I dislike the flat land, the sunless summer, the cold (WAY TOO COLD) Fall and Winter. The way of life is just different, not bad…different. As I drove through town a few days ago I was suddenly in awe by all the trees.
They were stunning! I've never seen so many purple, red, yellow, and orange trees.
It hit me then that God's beauty shines through everywhere. Not only does God shine through by making beautiful trees during the Fall in an otherwise boring Indiana...but He shines through even during difficult times in our lives. Whenever I think things are spinning out of control and I don't know where God is leading me...I'm somehow reminded of God's beauty and goodness. God's love is unfailing...He never abandons us…. He never forsakes us…. God is good….even when I'm blind to it! Today I'm thankful for the beautiful Indiana Fall trees and their gorgeous colors. I'm thankful for such a simple reminder that God is everywhere, bringing good in all circumstances!
I sit on my couch and stare at my blank walls. My eyes fill with tears as I don't know what our future holds. Then I hear my husband playing his guitar and singing in the next room. The words coming from his mouth are from the song "Second Chance" by Rend Collective Experiment. I suddenly am reminded that I have a God who gives us countless second chances. No matter what I do, He loves me and He forgives me. How could this God not provide a home for us? If I have a God that loves me enough to send His son to die for me would He not also provide all that I ever need? Of course He would!!! Why do I worry? I'm still trying to figure that out. Hopefully one day I'll stop worrying about things. But for now I'm thankful for another second chance. I'm thankful that God forgives me from my worrying and reminds me that He is good. Being content in all circumstances and living FULLY trusting in God is not easy... but it's what He calls us to do. I can not do it by my own strength but with God's help I sure will try.
The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;
Matthew:25-34
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I admit I'm not the most patient person. Waiting for Christmas to come or waiting to see a family member can be hard but it does not compare to waiting on God. Waiting on God is often difficult but we can choose to praise God while waiting and receive huge blessings at the same time.
I know that doesn't seem to make sense but let me explain. When I'm waiting on God I find it difficult because I can not physically see God and don't clearly hear His voice. In today's society we want everything NOW. God does not work that way. God keeps no record of time. God is the same every day and never changing therefore there is no being late with God.
Thankfully we have the option to live by faith and can decide to TRUST God and can choose to be content during our waiting period. I believe God has us wait at times to help us grow in our faith. God kneads us like dough to make us rise. The kneading process can be long and tiring. When you're frustrated and worn from waiting, remember that God has not forgotten about you.
God has a plan and His plan always comes together in His perfect timing. Open your heart and allow God to work in you and strengthen you during your period of waiting. It's not always easy but in the end we will see the benefits of waiting and realize God has a reason for everything. Never stop praying and asking God for guidance. Pray consistently and specifically and pray trusting that God will hear your prayers. We are God's children and I believe He will always take care of us.
I find comfort and peace in these verses below when I'm going through a waiting period.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.
Micah 7:7
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?
Matthew 6:25-27
but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!
My house has no spectacular home decor... however it has a few pieces that I made myself and I am proud of that!! I don't believe you have to have a house full of expensive items to make it feel nice. A house feels nice when you make it your own and allow it to become your homeand let it be a welcoming place for family and friends! Here are a few pieces I have in my home that I made…thanks PINTEREST for the great ideas!
I absolutely love this H I made!! I have it hanging in my kitchen! It was not difficult but it took longer than I thought it would to make! All you need is a wooden or cardboard letter, twine, ribbon, and a hot glue gun! You can purchase all of these things at your local Hobby Lobby, Walmart, or any craft supply store!
I love Christmas and so does my husband! He may even love Christmas decorations more than I do…but I didn't say that :) Daniel actually helped me make this one. The word Noel means Christmas carol and we love music in my house…especially Christmas music! We made this and had it hanging in our living room this past winter. This picture below is of it just hanging in the storage closet right now. We bought the letters, painted them with red and brown paint and glued them together…easy!
I have a thing for wreaths or some kind of door decor year round. This is my spring wreath… I can hardly say I made it. All I did was super glue the flowers I bought at Hobby Lobby onto this plain wreath and added the matching ribbon. Simple yet pretty!
Below is my most recent project. I purchased some 6x6 canvases from Walmart, scrapbook paper, and modge podge. I already had brushes and paint at home. I painted the sides dark brown to match our living room furniture then cut up the scrapbook paper. I then used the modge podge to apply the scrap book paper on the canvas. It took a little bit of time but was fun and easy to do during my free time. I look forward to making more of these in different colors and some seasonal ones!
Feel free to leave me some links or ideas for more easy do it yourself home decor!!!
I'm loving Five Minute Friday!!! Don't be shy…try it! Click HERE to see the new word to write about for five minutes each Friday! Today's word is small..
GO…
It's getting to see your husband for an hour before heading off to work and then being so happy for the 5 minutes you get to see him when you come home and he has to leave for work because you work night shift…it's the small things in life!
It's making a late night run to DQ for a blizzard…it's the small things in life!
It's getting super excited to your family once every couple months because you live too far away….it's the small things in life!
It's spending your free time with your husband being lazy on the couch and enjoying episodes of Duck Dynasty instead of going out to dinner and movies…it's the small things in life!
It's waking up next to your best friend and not caring about morning breath…it's the small things in life!
It's sleeping in and not feeling guilty about it…it's the small things in life!
It's watching your little brother play baseball and be so proud of him…it's the small things in life!
It's complimenting someone and watching their face brighten…it's the small things in life!
It's encouraging someone and helping them out during a difficult time…it's the small things in life!
It's taking the time to listen to someone someone who is hurting even when you're busy…it's the small things in life!
It's the small things in life that turn out to be the most rewarding, most memorable, and often most important!! I'm constantly learning that you don't have to have a BIG life to have a meaningful and enjoyable life!
