Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord
This year has been tremendously challenging is so many ways similar and yet very different to 2015, the year we were blessed with Millie but also had to trust in the Lord that we would some day see Millie again in eternity. In Acts 9:18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he regained his sight which is precisely what I experienced when Millie was only 2 days old and we were gifted Sarah Young's Jesus Calling. Through my grief there were times when I begged that the pain would just end but I knew that by continuing to have faith in God I would find my peace in due time. Over the months since Millie's passing and in the months leading up to Bodey's arrival, I was beginning to crave more and more knowledge of what a life that walks with Christ entails. I had waited passively for the Word to come upon me but of course I needed more than just wishing! So this year I was finally forced to face some of life's challenges by leaning into my faith in the Lord. I got to a place where I was in constant need of his word to prevent fear and grief from overcoming me. Therefore, I reached out to the Stephen Ministry offered through our church and have been meeting weekly with a woman who has become my friend as she listens to my woes and continues to encourage me in His Word. I have learned how to pray more effectively and can watch the ways in which God answers my prayers when I am allowing His will to prevail.
As a result we have joined a life group at church and I find it quite fulfilling to connect with other couples who are similar in our age with young children who are also choosing to walk through life with God as their leader. This helps to give our journey encouragement to grow. Having more connections through church is helping us to step out of our comfort zone and engage even more in a life in Christ. One of the greatest blessings has come as Christmas time draws near and we choose to celebrate our daughter Millie through the RACK-Random Acts of Christmas Kindness that my sister Jenny initiated our 1st Christmas without Millie. In years past we have supported children in need but typically older boys. This year I was finally able to pick the card for blessing a 2-4 year old girl. It was very emotionally challenging but also comforting to shop for our girl this year. Here are the gifts I chose for a young 2-4 year old girl as I would have chosen for our almost 3 year old Millie, knowing she would be interested in dolls (with butterflies of course) and feeling like she would be interested in medical like her Momma and aunts and we picked out a pet play-dough set in honor of her brother who loves doggies and animals more than any kid I've ever met!
Here is Bodey and Daddy delivering our gifts to church.
This year we were able to start out the holiday month with a visit from Santa. This is the same Santa Bodey met last year but this year he was a bit less fond to say the least
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We tried for a family pic but that was a bit rough too!
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And here is the best shot of Bodey and Santa from this year
Down here in Georgia we received an extra special Christmas surprise when the forecasted 1" of snowy dusting turned into 25 hours of consistent snowing and 12" of total snow mass!! Luckily Heath and I both had off work so we packed up the crew and headed out for an afternoon of hiking in the snowy winter wonderland.
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| We realized the conditions had become much less safe when this big pine was found across our path when only about 30 minutes prior it was not present on the path at all. With about 1/2 mile to get out of the woods we started hearing the disconcerting sound of more and more branches breaking under the weight of the heavy snow. |
We were blessed to make it out of the woods safely but then came across this tree blocking our only exit from the park. The right hand edge of this picture is the edge of a large drop down to the Etowah River so luckily this park ranger was available on the other side of the tree to help us make enough room to squeeze out. We made it home for dinner and then we were back out in the snow!
It has been such a joy watching Bodey explore his first real snow! As a girl from Wisconsin this white blanket was the perfect gift from up above to help ease the homesickness from being unable to spend Christmas with the Wiedmeyer family in Wisconsin this year.
My heart is warmed seeing the beauty of God's gift of snow as this year comes to a close. It has truly been a tough and challenging year but one of tremendous growth with the reminder that faith overcomes fear in all the challenges that will come our way. When life has felt overwhelming in my seasons of grief I am reminded And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose --Romans 8:28. This piece of scripture has been my anchor as I try to look beyond my immediate moments of pain, to remind me of hope in the greater good that God has planned for me. I am blessed to call myself a daughter of the King. I am grateful for all the ways God has shown me his never-ending love and security in my greatest moments of vulnerability. I am honored to celebrate the birth of Christ with my sweet little family of 4, with our supportive family and friends near and far, and with the church, North Metro, that we like to call home.
Merry Christmas to each of you! John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life
