Bloggy Makeover

Look what I got!  A much needed blog makeover!  I feel like I just got a new cute outfit!  The super-duper sweet and amazingly talented new friend of mine, Jennifer, did an amazing job and was so great to work with! Thank you so much, Jennifer! Don't you love the colors?  I wanted these colors in my bedroom, but they just didn't go with the decor of the rest of my house...so the blog, perfect!  Ha!

I am working to update the different tabs at the top and starting to write more so keep checking back.  You can even subscribe to my blog and get posts emailed right to your inbox.  I feel so fancy!

What do you all think?

Don't Yell

God and I have many conversations throughout my day.  We chat a lot and I even yell and scream when I am upset.  I plead for answers.  I plead for direction, guidance, hope.

I ask "why"....I ask "what now"...I ask "what about..."

But, I am learning more and more every day to just stop and listen.

Be quiet.

Be still.

Listen.

Really listen.

I NEED to listen.

It is hard.  So very hard to do.  How do you know when He speaks?  How do you know it is really Him speaking?  Do you find yourself wondering if it is the Holy Spirit or satan?  I know I sure do.

Many times I have asked God to speak really loud so I know it's Him.  I have even asked Him to slap me in the face so there is no question that I know it's Him.  There have been many times in my life that He has done just that.  I talked about it in my blog from when I lived in Europe.  Here is a link to that post (click here).  It talks about how God clearly and loudly spoke to me and told me to go to Europe.  It was so clear.  So loud. I also wrote about when God clearly and loudly spoke to me soon after Jamey went to be with Jesus (click here).  I still think about that day.  His voice was so incredibly loud in my heart it stopped me in my tracks. Amazing!

I often wonder why I heard Him so loudly those days.  How was my heart so open to be able to hear Him and know it was Him?  My little impatient mind wants more.  I want it now!  But how?  I am teaching Brenna about patience.  She needs to learn patience.  I should take some of my own advice and be patient.  Stop, be quiet, and listen.

I heard this a while back and I love the image it left in my mind.

Do you know why God doesn't yell?  

It is because He's sitting right next to you. You don't yell at someone sitting right next to you.

What an amazing visual that left in my head.  I try to no longer scream or yell when I am upset.  I am not always successful, but I do try.  I try to sit quietly knowing my Lord is sitting right next to me holding me up.  He's got this, my friend Sarah, would say. She's right, God's got this.  I just have to be still, be quiet, and wait patiently.

Psalm 37:7-9
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.  Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret - it leads only to evil.  For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

My Birthday

(I am playing catch up, so we are going back to October!!)

One of the 'firsts' I was dreading was my birthday. I have this thing about birthdays. They are worth celebrating, making a big deal over, and having fun!  Everyone has one and I say "go big or go home."  ;-)

I knew this day would be sad. But, I didn't want to be sad. So, I told Brenna to invite a group of girls over and let's party!  I mean, really, how can you be sad with a bunch of 11 & 12 year olds in the house?!?!  I have many wonderful, amazing friends who would have gone completely out of their way to make my day special; however, I knew this was the perfect plan!

So, we did just that. We had a house full of girls!  I picked them up from school and came home for dinner.  

I had a few hungry girls on my hands!!!  And I got enough for a midnight snack!  

My party!!!  I cannot tell you how much I love these girls!!  They are the most precious friends to Brenna. They are crazy, wild, sweet, and compassionate. I pray they are always this amazing and not let the teenage drama creep up and come between them. 

And, their parents....yep, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!  They are pretty spectacular too!!

We are so blessed!

I recruited another mom to help transport and watch this crew for our next adventure. For the evening entertainment, we went to a local farm for some spooky, haunted Halloween fun!  Haunted hayrides, bonfires, hot chocolate, etc.  We had such a great night!!!  (My birthday was in October.)

On the way home I got a call from my friend, Jennie. She currently lives in Akron, OH. I thought she was calling to wish me a happy birthday. But, no, she was in town to surprise me and sitting in my driveway!!!  And, since I planned this little party and didn't know she was in town, she showed up at my house at 11pm when we got home from the farm!  What an amazing surprise!!!  Thanks, Jennie, for making my day!!!

We ended the night with cupcakes and a sleepover!  

I went to bed exhausted and missed Jamey like crazy, but these girls filled me up with lots of love!

Such a great night!  

I'm Back!

Wow, I cannot believe that I have not written since October!  Ouch!  Life got a little crazy with my birthday (October 25th), Thanksgiving, then Christmas.  So many firsts!

I have prayed about this blog and if I will continue to write.  The overwhelming feeling I got was, yes!  God wants me to continue to share my journey with you sweet friends.

So, stay tuned!  I will be back and update you all on how our holidays went and where we are in our journey of grief!

And, thank you all for continuing to reach out to me and pray for us!  I have said it many times, prayers are the only way we are making it through!

Love to you all!