LOTS OF LOVE

{Daddy Love}

 

 

...strong and sweet...

 

 

{Mommy Love}

 

 

...multiplying by the second...

 

{Sibling Love...Meeting Willow}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{Willow Love}

 

 

We're smitten.

 

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above."

James 1:17



WELCOME WILLOW

Welcome to the world, sweetest Willow Love.

You are cherished and adored!

 

{8 lb./20 in.}

 

Thank you, Lord, for this most precious gift!

 

"Thus says the Lord who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you:
Fear not...For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.
They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams."
Isaiah 44:2-4

"The greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13:13



BODEN...

 

...you always make us smile. :)

 

"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!"

Psalm 98:4

LOVE LETTERS

I woke to this in my bookmarked Bible today:

 

(We have a thing for heart shaped eucalyptus leaves around here.)

 

Elka, she's always using words to convey her love for others. She's intentional and encouraging.

She goes out of her way to build others up. She enjoys brightening a day with surprises.

 

Today, my Elka made me smile as I set about my early morning routine,

ministering to her mommy's heart by sharing hers with mine.

 

And sometimes it's the little things that speak of love the most...a kind word, hug, wink, note.

Sometimes seemingly small gestures douse floods of life upon weary flesh and spirit. 

 

Thank you, Elka, for how you love others so beautifully.

Thank you, today in particular, for your signature love letters.

 

"Kind words are like honey--sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."
Proverbs 16:24

WILLOW TREE LOVE

 

She bought it with her own money, a gift of love for her mom and baby sister coming, Willow Love.

It's a sentiment I'll always hold dear, my Willow Tree figure (Angel of Mine, "So loved, so very loved").

 

And you are both deeply loved, oldest and youngest daughters of mine.

 

Thank you for the timely gift, Aida, and for your friendship and supportive role in my life.

Your love offering and sweet thoughtfulness is a cherished reminder of what's about to become.

 

"Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’"

Acts 20:35


FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT GRAFFITI

(garage floor...the most recent sighting)

 

It's happened before. It will probably happen again.

 

And likely we'll conclude the same...It stays.

 

Apparently our kids have an uncontrollable urge to create

fruit of the Spirit graffiti and it's pretty tough to argue with that.

 

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Galatians 5:22-23

DAUGHTERS...SISTERS...FRIENDS

 

7 daughters. 7 sisters. 7 amazing best friends.

 

Each is unique...wonderfully made! Each will leave their imprint in this world.

Lord, may that imprint serve to glorify you! May they live set apart lives, pure because of you!

 

"As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"

1 Peter 1:15

 

 

"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

Proverbs 31:30

 

We went out to Starbucks, us girls. We chatted over hot chocolate and chai about Titus 2 and Proverbs 31, how things are going at home, and what we'd like to invest in more. We sipped and spoke like girlfriends do and my life sort of flashed before my eyes. Not only was I filled with gratitude for what already is...but to think of what will be, all the more.

 

These 7 daughters...sisters...friends are a gift from the Lord, a precious ministry to pour into, a support system for each other and for me. There are times when my girls hold me up in my tears and times when I wipe away theirs. There are times for correction or instruction and times for laughing at ourselves in play. There is complete candidness in friendship with these 7. We live together after all!

 

I'm stunned by the incredible privilege to be surrounded daily by these pillars of God's grace, each one so beautiful from the

inside out in their own God-ordained ways, each chiseled by the master Carpenter, being prepared for His personalized plans.

 

How exciting to get to take part in the preparation!

It's no small task, I'm aware...and I love every aspect of the responsibility!

 

"Older women...are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled."

Titus 2:3-5

  

I thank the Lord for designing our family in just the way He's planned to be best. His ways are perfect and intentional.

When I think of Willow coming to join us and I dream of our future together as the women, the keepers of our home(s),

I'm challenged and I'm extremely thankful for these blessings in my life, these daughters...sisters...friends.

 

 

"May our daughters be like graceful pillars, carved to beautify a palace."

Psalm 144:12


WHEN I GRIEVE

"He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief."

Isaiah 53:3

 

Isaiah 53 speaks of Jesus. The King. He was a man of sorrows. He knew grief.

And so it seems, often the Christian life follows suit as we meld deeper and deeper into Him.

  

"Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Psalm 73:25-26

 

There is a look in the eyes of those who've saturated for seasons in sorrows, a depth in their souls that feels nearly tangible, but not.

It's more a sense than solid and it quickly unites others who've known the same. It beckons we comfort one another,

show empathy for one another, support one another with the comfort we've known ourselves.

 

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction,

with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

 

I remember being a teenager, among peers who knew none of the sorrow I'd lived. Having lost my mom in a very short

and shocking battle with cancer changed me fast and I found it hard to relate to the frolicking of my collegiate cohorts.

 

I remember being a young wife and mother, eager to do my job well, hungry for mentorship that never quite found it's way to me. The sting of friends' weddings and baby showers garnished with doting mothers and grandmothers, comments made in innocence like, "I just can't imagine what I would do without my mom!"...I remember the pangs of such words and experiences, simply normal life for others. But they weren't normal for me. On the contrary, they were my losses and hurts. I often wept alone.

 

I remember my beloved father through his fight to outrun cancer too. Though in God's sovereignty he didn't end up doing that, what he did do is live and love well while he could. He was kind and gentle, a godly, servant leader and oh, how I'd cherish just one more talk with him today in my sorrow as grievous past losses tempt my flesh to fail, old wounds peeled back raw, exposing loss again.

 

Yet, I remind myself in these moments, that it's my heavenly Father I really need. And after all,

HE is who my earthly father would have directed me to if that conversation could be mine.

Both tell me to call upon the Lord where comfort can always be found.

 

"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."
Jeremiah 29:12

 

So, I redirect my homesick heart today to the One who never fails. I call upon Him in my weaknesses in the face of more gaping goodbyes. And I accept that to be acquainted with grief is to know the Lord intimately and need Him fresh again. I don't want to wish such blessing away, not for myself or my family. Instead I lean into His peace and ask humbly for His comfort which is real. I look

to my Abba Father, Best Friend, the only One who will never ever leave or forsake me. He is always near...especially when I grieve.

 

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

Psalm 34:18

SURGERY #2 UPDATE - BEA

We wake to an alarm for her earliest morning medication. The hours, after all, have to be set just right when we're controlling blood pressure. And just before bed, and at intervals throughout the day, the sounding alarm reminds us to care for her medical needs.

We're getting used to it now. And we're a team. And although some of them taste yucky, she whimpers less, accepting more.

 

This is our new normal for Bea.

 

Her follow up visit clarified via ultrasound that her surgery

(Bidirectional Bilateral Glenn, PA band) was successful. Thank you, Lord!

 

(Elka got to be Bea's doctor visit buddy this time around.)

 

Bea will have another investigative surgery in 6 months and then her Fontan procedure in the following year. This typical sequence is complicated by the fact that Bea's organs don't sit arranged like most of ours. Not only is her heart on the right side of her body, missing the left and stronger ventricle (among other matters), and inverse, but the rest of her anatomy is uniquely complex as well. This is not uncommon in Bea's type of situation, but the placement of her liver presents a complication for her otherwise standard Fontan.

 

God knows all of that, though. After all, He created her.

 

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

Psalm 139:13-14

 

Yes, God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth created Bea fearfully and wonderfully and He doesn't make mistakes.

Sure, sin entered the world and causes us disturbance while we're here, but God works all things for good.

 

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good

to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

Genesis 50:20

 

And Bea prefers to focus on the good.

She talks constantly about heaven and she knows there won't be any "owie hearts" there.

"'He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,

and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning,

nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'

And he who was seated on the throne said,

'Behold, I am making all things new.'"

Revelation 21:4-5

 

This is Good News!

 

(Bea on her way to her follow up appointment...no fear amazingly...just JOY!)

 

To observe Bea, you wouldn't know she came home from ICU one week ago today. Unless her physical scars or dressings are exposed, it is otherwise indiscernible that this vibrant child was lifeless just last week. She is incredible! Her spirit leaps with glee and her vitality is remarkable! Bea has quite the gusto and we have to intentionally keep her down and cautious as her flesh isn't quite up to par with her zest just yet. But it will be. 5 more weeks we remain careful, and following that we will deal with some of the disappointments that have set in this week, knowing and respecting her physical limitations. But God doesn't see Bea's flesh as an imposition to His plans.

In fact, all the more will He utilize her for His will, her scars (both physical and experiential) to accomplish His purpose through Bea's

life and story. We'll do everything we can to facilitate this because we believe it's what we've been called to do with our daughter.

 

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

 

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
    and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

 

For you shall go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
    shall break forth into singing,
    and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."

Isaiah 55:8-12

 

So, as we continue to acclimate to some of our new post-surgery realities, approaching them as a family, we look to the Lord to lead us faithfully, knowing that He will. We accept, and will continually encourage Bea to accept the circumstances God has chosen for her, for us, seeing them ALL as good, wise, loving, and purposeful. We will sit in doctor's offices and endure painful separations in the future for the sake of participating in God's plans for both Bea and Beck. And we will praise the Creator for His beautiful creation in Bea's heart...

 

...and He's working on her heart. Bea loves Jesus and she knows that He loves her! She knows He's prepared a place for her where there will be no more pain, no more sorrow, no more tears, separations, or physical limitations such as she endures now.

 

I look at my joyful daughter and I marvel at her faith and passion to know Christ already. She says she wants to go to heaven.

(I'm hoping we can hold off on that a bit.) But, I'm also accepting of the fact that should Bea meet our Lord before I do, she would be the one rejoicing in a whole new way! Until then, He has plans for her here and it's a beautiful thing to get to take part!

 

 

"'Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.'

 

Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?' Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.'"

John 14:1-7



GOOD FRIDAY

He poured the cup. We drank in deep the sacred here at home.

 

 

He offered the broken, one by one, reminding us that this is how we become whole.

"But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."
Isaiah 53:5

We prayed, confessed, discussed eternal things and remembered...

"Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
    make many to be accounted righteous, 
and he shall bear their iniquities."
Isaiah 53:11

It was a blessed, simple, reverent moment.

 

 

This is what we're here for.

 

 

This is our mission at hand.

 

 

Bea, in particular, went on and on repeating verbally all that she has come to understand.

She rejoiced at the knowing, believing. She just gets it in an incredible way and it's so special!

 

"Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Luke 18:17

 

"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them,

for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.'”

Matthew 19:14

 

This weekend as we remember the sacrifice, the ransom for our sin,

we celebrate the hope we have because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

It was a blessed Good Friday.

 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son,

that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16

WAITING FOR WILLOW

 

One thing at a time...

 

We've crossed many hurdles this past year, and as each passes, we wait expectantly for the next.

This time we're waiting for Willow, baby girl growing. It's almost her appointed time and I finally feel...ready.

I sewed her special blankie (my pregnancy tradition) the morning before Bea came home from the hospital.
Though the fabric sat washed, folded for at least a month, the timing that day became right.

 

I pray the Lord's fingerprints upon the life and arrival of our little girl coming. I thank Him for His hand of protection over Bea these past weeks. I praise Him for each child He's blessed us with. And, I press in close as He draws near in this final leg of waiting for Willow.

"Thus says the Lord who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you:
Fear not...For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.
They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams."

Isaiah 44:2-4