A special day for a special girl!

Time….  It goes by so quickly…. Especially when you have something to measure against it.

6 years ago the most amazing, tenacious, determined, ball of energy entered our lives, although she entered meekly, mildly, scared and unsure.  I'll never forget her frail frame and her scared little face, unsure of who we were, where she was going and what was happening in her little world.

Time… it changes things… it heals and it allows for growth …..

And boy has Maddie grown!  She has grown into a beautiful 8 year old.  One who is sensitive and caring but rough and tough.  I can't imagine my life without her.  She makes me want to be a better person and a better mom!  I love her more than words could ever express.  And today we celebrate that moment in time where our lives changed forever….  Maddie's GOTCHA Day.  And before the festivities began, I read my blog entry to her that I wrote 6 years ago and looked into her sweet face and told her how special she was and that GOD has a special purpose for her on this earth.

I cannot thank GOD enough for allowing me the privilege of being her mother.  What a wonderful day to celebrate (its my favorite celebration throughout the year).

Friends and family gathered to celebrate this milestone with us.  Although the BIGS could not be with us, we did FaceTime during our celebration.  Chinese food, in beautiful chinese dishes with a beautiful cupcake display made special for Maddie.  Nothing could be better.

Brave

I recently heard a song by Bethel Music that made me pause and think.  The song was called "You Make Me Brave".  The lyrics say -  

"You make me brave, you called me out beyond the shore into the waves."
"You make me brave, no fear can hinder now the promises you made."
"Because your love, in wave after wave, crashes over me. "
"For you are for us, you are not against us.  Champion of heaven you made a way."

I pondered that song and listened to it over and over again.  I concluded that GOD has made me Brave.  In the midst of my storm, he filled me with his promises, never left my side and pulled out of me the bravery he knew was there.  The bravery to face the difficult decisions, to forge ahead and make a new life for me and my children.

I recently gathered up all my kids during this Christmas break and decided it was time for new family pictures.  A symbol of what my new normal is - the face of what my family now looks like.  I use to be afraid of that picture.  The one where I am leading this amazing bunch of young people by myself.  I used to be scared that I could not do it - that without an intact family we were doomed.  GOD and his promises has helped me face my fears.  He has made me realize that He called me beyond my comfort zone into the waves, to strengthen my faith, my reliance on HIM - to a life of abundance and one that HE has prepared for me.  A life where GOD makes all wrongs right, where he uses ALL things to HIS glory.

I am BRAVE!  And as the old saying goes - the apple doesn't fall very far from the tree - so are my children BRAVE!

I LOVE our new family pictures!  I LOVE my family!

Hope in the New Year

And just like that… a new year rings and the calendar turns the page.  Its merely symbolic, but feels like much more, like a blank page - like the refresh button has been pushed and we get to begin again - with new choices, new friendships, new experiences.

Each year instead of making a new years resolution I choose a theme for the year.  2015 I did not choose a theme, as my life was in a bit of turmoil and looking back, the year seems to have had a direction of its own and I was only along for the ride.  2016 I am committed to having one that can focus the years perspective.  I have chosen an appropriate one for the next chapter of my life; HOPE.

The definition of HOPE as a verb (with action) is to have confidence and trust; to desire and consider the possible.  With all the heartache and difficult truths that have been revealed to me this past year that I have had to face - I choose HOPE - I choose to have confidence and trust my GOD, that he has amazing things for me in this new year.  I choose to consider the possibility that I will find fulfillment and love, and that I am worthy of those things.  I have HOPE that my beautiful children will be relatively unaffected by the choices of others and will take away valuable life lessons from 2015.

I don't want to look back anymore, I want to keep my eyes focused on the future.  I want a spirit of Adventure so that I can explore things that are new with an open mind and open heart.  Although my past experiences will never leave me as they shape and define who I am going forward - I want to HOPE for amazing things in the coming year.  I want to HOPE that GOD increases my territory and allows me to be an example to others of what HOPE can bring, the doors that it can open, the life it can restore!  HOPE, a small 4 letter word that can change someone's world.

Happy New Year!

And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. Psalm 39:7