Why the Babies?

I have been quiet the last few weeks because I have so many things going on in me that it's hard to know what thing to write about. I feel impressed to write about the one thing that continues to be on my my mind and heart... recently a friend of my sister in law had the experience that every parent fears happen to her and her family, their three year old daughter Lexis died. She had been sick for a long time and I and many others had been praying and believing that God would heal her and she would live a long fulfilling life here on earth, but that was just not the plan, God brought her home. I have had a hard time with this because I too have a daughter who will soon be three and I can't imagine my life with out her, the very thought of this brings me to tears. I can only begin to imagine the pain that the family feels and every time my mind wanders to them my heart aches. This past Sunday at church the message was about Jesus on the cross and how he cried out to God saying, "My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?" It's hard not to feel forsaken at times in life when our hearts are broken or circumstances seem so overwhelming we can't even see through it. The message continued on to reveal two things for me, 1. Jesus came to experience ALL that we as humans living on the earth experience, even the times that we feel God has forsaken us. 2. God did indeed turn away from Jesus because he was covered in OUR sin, but because of that, he will never leave us or forsake us. The message also addressed the question that we all ask when tragic things like losing a child happen, "WHY?", Why did this happen? As we grow in our walk with God, knowing he is a Good God we can begin to change that question to "What?" What are you doing Lord? What was the purpose? It doesn't take away the pain, but it helps to know that God has a plan, he is using this life of three years to impact people's faith and to draw them near to him.  It's a large sacrifice on the part of this families life, but God understands what it is to give up a child to save the world and he has great plans to bless and restore them. I have been watching another family with a little girl named Layla Grace Marsh, go through the same struggle for their 2 year old daughter, she went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday... my heart breaks for these families and as I sit here with the tears streaming down my face and encourage myself with faith as not to be fearful for my own family, I pray for God to heal these families broken hearts and help them to see the "what". I pray that God will show them the purpose of their precious children's lives and that nothing was wasted. Lexi and Layla will never know the pain of sin or heartbreak, they will live in joy, peace, fulfillment, and perfect love.

I have always been one to cherish the moments with my daughter, probably because as most of you know she was a child I prayed for for 6 years, she is the fulfillment of a dream for me, but after seeing how life is not a guarantee here on earth, I soak up all her kisses, hold her hand longer, listen to her sing, make her days fun, practice more patience, linger with her at bed time while she sings "Jesus Loves Me" back to me, play dolls with her, paint pictures, color.... life is short, but heaven is eternal and we have that to look forward to.

Leslie~

A Little Time Away

My dear friend Kathryn treated Claire and I to a few days away in the mountains in Branson, MO this week. What a fun time we had. We had the pleasure of staying with her and her two boys in a darling and I do mean "DARLING" Cape Cod style community. It was such a fun and refreshing time to just get away from the normal routine and enjoy time with friends. Kathryn and I have been close friends now for about 6 and a 1/2 years. We have been through a lot together and I treasure our friendship. It's been a challenging year for me (not all bad, but challenging none the less) and Kathryn knew it would do me some good to get away and have some fun, thank you for that friend!!! In this stage of life it's all about our kiddos so we spent lots of time swimming in the indoor pool, playing games, doing a little bargain shopping at the Tanger Outlet ( didn't buy a thing for myself, Claire made out like a bandit though ), cooking, watching every kid movie we brought along, bathing those munchkins, and of course reading bed time stories. After the kiddos were all tucked snugly into bed, it was time for us to be "girls", so we watched chick flicks, made cookies, did facials, read magazines, and just enjoyed hanging out and talking. We ventured into Branson here and there but mostly just relaxed in our cute little cottage. On one trip out though we trecked over to Krispy Kreme Doughnuts to get the kids hyped up on sugar and then headed over to the "World's Largest Toy Museum", it was pretty neat :) Kathryn and I had a good laugh about the fact that the toys we played with as kids were now on display in a museum... go figure, we're OLD now!! Lol! Such a fun time, and memories that will last a lifetime were made. I love my life!

 

~LOVE~

As Valentines Day approaches I am reminded that we are blessed with so many people to love and to love us. I am so grateful that this is the case in my life... Life can be challenging at times and it is truly the love that I receive from so many family members and friends that pushes me through. The bible teaches us that Love is the greatest gift of all...  And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.1 Corinthians 13:13 

I am a huge fan of talking about love. Like many I have studied the concept of "The 5 Love Languages" by Gary Chapman, it was life changing for me and I share it with anyone that seems to want to listen ;) So for those who are unfamiliar with the concept it is simply the way that you communicate and receive "LOVE". The 5 Love Languages are: Gifts,Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Quality Time, and Physical Touch.... personally I am a Quality Time and Words of Affirmation girl ;) I just "love" to spend time with the people I care most about and "love" to encourage and compliment them, it's how I feel most full :) In return if you want to make me feel loved I respond best to love being communicated in those same ways. Not to say that if the other languages are spoken to me I will feel unloved, it's just that those two send me over the moon ;). 

I of course am interested in applying this concept to my family and friends and try to tune into what makes them tick... I think my husband is a major Words of Affirmation guy... it has taken me a very long time to figure this out because he is pretty low maintenance... As far as Claire goes, I am still honing in on what makes her little heart feel full, but I intend to figure that one out soon.  

I want to be a more effective friend so if you happen to know what your "Love Language" is leave me a comment telling me what it is... I want to bless those around me by truly knowing how to love on them. 

 As our country and families face uncertain times it's so important to focus on what we do have, and for me that is amazing friends and family... I am rich in all the ways that matter... and more thankful for what I have than ever!!!

I am posting a few pictures of Claire receiving a gift from a very close and wonderful friend who communicates love with giving gifts... and let me tell you she has mastered that Love Language ;) Thank you Lara for your sweet and loving Valentines gift for my baby girl!! 

Leslie~