In Memory

We are the proud parents of five very special, very sweet…Sweet Peas.

That’s how we look at it. Since everything that is needed to create human life is present at conception, we believe that is when life starts. So as we’ve discussed before, we love each one of our Sweet Peas. All five of them.

We love these two:

And we love these three:

We love all of them. Individually and authentically.

We felt called to adopt these specific embryos. We thank God for the privilege of being their parents. And we grieve the loss of four of their lives that happened before we ever held them. They are forever a part of our family. They could have grown up to be anything they wanted to be. We pray that they would have grown up to love and serve Jesus.

We were willing to have however many babies God gave us. Secretly, I had always hoped for twins. Even as a small girl. I remember talking to my mom when I was little and asking, “Mommy, I want twins. Can I ever have twins?” Because none ran in our family, she thought it would be a long shot. So when we began this fertility journey, to me it seemed like twins were more of a possibility than they ever were. The reality is that God is the author of life. If us giving birth to twins or triplets was a part of His plan, He would have made it happen. And this time, for at least six weeks, I was the momma of twins. We lost Baby B at 6 weeks and we were devastated.

So, this post is to honor the ones that didn’t survive. By God’s grace, we have one beautiful baby growing strong in my belly 9 weeks old! But as far as the other four go…I don’t know what we would have named them. Or what they would have looked like. I don’t know when they would have first giggled or rolled over or crawled for the first time. I don’t have a date for their first tooth or their first step or their first day of kindergarden. We won’t be able to sit at their sporting events or band concerts or awards ceremonies. We won’t get to hear them worship Jesus and we won’t get to see them go to their first prom, drive away in their first car, or walk down the aisle with the love of their life.

That makes us sad. We wanted to do all of that. Wanted to do it all so very badly. So we grieve.

Ultimately, our hearts have peace. Ultimately, we trust Jesus. Ultimately, we believe they are with Him. And ultimately we believe our family will be whole and reunited one day.

But today we remember our four babies that didn’t survive. You are loved. Not just by us, but by so many. Until then…

1 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 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.’ 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ 6 And he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.'” {Revelation 21:1-7}

Why Don’tcha Heap Some Burning Coals on Your Enemy’s Head?

“To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty; give him something to drink; for by doing so you will heap burning coals on his head.” (Romans 12:20)

This is post #19 in Paul’s Marks of a True Christian from Romans 12:9-21. We have one post left after this! Wow! Today we’re going to be talking some more about loving your enemy.

“Hoooooraaaaaayyyyy!”

“Waaaaaahoooooooooo!”

“Roooooooaaaaaarrrrrrr!”

(The crowd goes wiiiiilllllld)

Once again we have Paul keeping the Christian’s challenges challenging. No shock there. Here we see Paul talking about feeding and providing drink for your enemy. And in the very same sentence he talks about heaping burning coals on his head. Sounds congruent, right? Wrong. At first look, it sure doesn’t. That’s one of the really cool things about the Bible. If there is something that seems off it’s because I’m missing something. Not because the Bible is inaccurate. So let’s do some digging.

The first portion of the verse might sound familiar. That’s because it is. It’s Proverbs 25:21-22. Paul has pulled directly from the Old Testament. Additionally, we hear Jesus in Luke referring to this same text from Proverbs when he talks about loving your enemies. Here’s some super controversial words He shared in Luke 6:27-36:

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, so do to them. If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and to the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”

These are really challenging, complex things Jesus is telling his followers to do. He’s asking us to love, do good, bless, and pray for those that hate us. He’s saying don’t take just one insulting slap on the face, but turn the cheek and take another. Don’t just give your coat, give your shirt also. Jesus is flipping everything on its head and telling Christians that they are to face persecution and rejection differently than the world. Their response is to be one of generosity and compassion rather than retaliation.

Then he makes three poignant statements:

1. Even sinners love those who love them.
2. Even sinners do good to those that do good to them.
3. Even sinners lend to sinners.

His point is: what makes you different as a follower of Jesus? If we are just doing the bare minimum, what’s the difference? What distinguishes us from a non-believer?

If we can’t love our enemies, we’ve got a serious problem. If we can’t bless and pray for our enemies we’ve got a serious problem. If we can’t do good and generous and compassionate things for our enemies, we’ve got a serious problem. These are commands straight from the mouth of Jesus.

Why? So we can get our blue ribbon citizen of the month award? So people will clap for us and pat us on the back? So we’ll get a prime parking spot at work, or Miss Congeniality, or “Nice Guy of the Year?”

Nope. It’s not about us. It’s about Jesus. Surprise, surprise.

But it’s not even about Jesus just for Jesus’ sake. Jesus doesn’t want a blue ribbon or a parking spot, or the title of “a really nice guy that lived an amazing life.” There is more to it than that. Loving our enemies is about pointing people to Jesus through word and deed so they can meet Him, find out what He’s done for them, and find salvation.

Bottom line, Jesus is about His Father’s business. His Father’s business is saving souls. We’re adopted into the family. Loving our enemies is part of the family business. Are we carrying on the family tradition?

This is a challenging one. But it should be the calling card of the Christian. I should love EVERYONE. Including, and ESPECIALLY my enemies. That sort of lifestyle turns heads, and it ought to. Everyone loves someone who loves them in return. That’s easy. Child’s play. What about our enemies? What about them?

Before we conclude, let’s take another look at the whole “heaping-coals-of-fire-on-the-head” ordeal. It doesn’t seem to jive that one second we have Paul telling us to do good to our enemies and then the very next second he’s talking about heaping burning coals on their head. Here’s what’s so cool. The original verse, as I mentioned, was penned in Proverbs 25:21-22. The ESV study note makes the following points. Five chapters earlier, personal revenge is forbidden in Proverbs 20:22: “Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; wait for the Lord and he will deliver you.” This absolutely lines up with Romans 12:17-21 that we just have been discussing. Both in Proverbs 20:22 and Romans 12:17-21 we are being told to do good to our enemy and to never repay evil for evil. Right? At initial inspection, it seems that this verse is contradicting itself. But here’s the cool part. It’s not. Heaping burning coals on one’s head is actually a metaphor for leading someone to repentance, NOT PERSONAL HARM. “Heaping burning coals” in this metaphorical sense is actually extremely LOVING.

Here’s why: Loving your enemy has incredible potential to catch them so off guard and shake up their world. The reality is, when we choose to love instead of retaliate, our enemy is more likely to feel guilt and shame. This potentially leads to repentance and reconciliation. Retribution after retribution only heightens the cycle of violence and hatred. Instead, by meeting conflict with good, there is a chance to stop the cycle. There is a chance genuine repentance will result and sin that has gotten in between you and your enemy or your enemy and God will be forgiven. There is even a chance that your loving actions will either lead someone to the Lord for the first time, or back to Him in repentance and relationship. It’s profound, really.

I know there have been times in our marriage where Jason and I have acted as enemies. In those moments, when he comes at me to love me, pray for me, bless me, and serve me, I FEEL TREMENDOUS conviction. Sometimes pride gets in the way of immediate repentance, but eventually his love melts my exterior pride-shell (not a pretty picture, folks) and leads me to repentance. It’s amazing. It really is.

Friends,

We don’t love our enemies to manipulate them to repentance…

• we love them because it mirrors our Father
• we love them because it encourages them to repent of sin (anything that gets in the way of their relationship with God)
• we love them because, well, “it’s what we do” as Christians

Three thoughts to close:

1. What one “enemy” can you pick to deliberately love, bless, pray for, and do good to this next week?

2. Has there ever been an instance where you have poured metaphorical “burning coals” on someone’s head and it has led to their repentance? Or vice versa? Has someone done that for you and are you willing to share?

3. Where do you need to repent for repaying evil with evil instead of love, grace, forgiveness, mercy, and just plain good?

“Ta-dah!” Magic by Jason

I never knew Jason was a magician. He is. His ta-dah abracadabra moment?

Turning two back to back nights at the ER into romantic date nights.

“Ohhhh, wow, sounds wonderful,” you say. Well, it was wonderful. Cause here’s the deal. Typically when one speaks of romantic date nights, they’re alluding to candlelight, fancy clothes, great conversation, nice restaurant, or even something just well thought out and considerately planned.

An ER visit includes waiting, needles, SEXY hospital gowns, waiting, drugs that make you vomit, waiting, horrible noises from other human beings down the hall, waiting, crankiness, tears, and waiting. And then a little more waiting. There’s no time to plan ahead to make it romantic. It’s an on-the-spot, let’s see how you’re going to handle it, are you all in or not type of deal?

I hate the ER and I hate being as miserable as I was. But the ray of light in the middle of all of it was how my husband turned misery into romance, service, and love. My husband turned ER rooms into candlelight romance. Dare I even say he superseded it? Yes, I dare.

He stayed by my side for six hours from 8:30-2:30 on Sunday night and for six hours last night from 5:15-11:15. Never complained. Never made me feel bad. Never stopped trying to comfort me. He held my hand, he cracked jokes. He drew near when I was losing my mind. There was even something about my hot gown and matted down disheveled hair that he found “beautiful.” That’s magic.

I love you, Jason, and I’m thankful for how you’ve loved me so sacrificially these last two nights. But, if you were here you’d want me to tell everyone it’s not your magic. It’s His. It’s not your ability to love well. It’s His love working through you. It’s not because of who you are or what you’ve done that you were able to serve me. It’s because He’s enabled to you serve well. As always, it’s all about Jesus. So more than thanking you for how you treated me, I worship Jesus with you for the transformations He’s done and is continuing in both of our hearts that enables us to love and serve in bigger and better ways than we ever imagined possible. Jesus loved us first. He’s enabled us to REALLY love Him back. End product, learning to love and serve each other well.

Bottom line: I’d take ER date night with Jesus at the center over any of our MOST ROMANTIC date nights with Jesus left at home. He makes ALL the difference and I love loving Jesus with you.

All that being said, I promise to do my best to avoid “third times the charm.”

We certainly don’t need to get on a first name basis with every single doctor and nurse in the Emergency Room.

Outdo One Another

Outdo one another. Check and checkmate.

We’re naturally good at that. We’ve got movies, books, music, and quotes that teach us how to be all that we can be, to be the best version of ourselves, and to strive for success.

“The higher we soar, the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly.”
-Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

Our motivation is to earn praise, approval, attention, honor and glory. Some people will stop at nothing to earn it. Our competition becomes our enemy. Stepping on or over them is insignificant in our quest to achieve our goal. Their loss is our gain.

“Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.”
-Napoleon Bonaparte

We applaud, admire, and even worship those that are seen as most successful in our society.  Success has become of highest virtue.

It seems that the lives of history’s most successful people are carefully logged in encyclopedias, journals, history books, and articles. We study them. Learn from them. Discuss them. In doing so, we are culturally conditioned to focus on the self and be driven to achieve self-actualization like our historic heroes.

“The kind of society which we still have is maybe, in some cases, getting worse. Competition is becoming a virtue. Intense competition drives people to go more and more into self-interest.”
-Major Owens

The reality is that we are competitive by nature. We just are. Some more than others. But we all, in some arena, have a competitiveness about us. We want to outshine, outthink, outperform, outlast, and outlive our competition. We most want to outdo those who are like us. Whether it’s someone in the same career path, someone on the same athletic court, someone of the same age, gender or race. We want to outdo anyone who might be a threat to us being number one.

“Whenever you face a man who’s playing your instrument, there’s a competition.”
-Wynton Marsalis

We compete. Why?

Cause we want glory. We want other’s admiration, affirmation and approval. If you think about it, it is scary how much each of these things drive us. How badly we want it. How deeply embedded the desire is in our hearts. What lengths we’ll go to get it. Glory. Admiration. Affirmation. Approval. Sounds like we want to be equal with God.

Let’s be absolutely clear here. Not all competition is bad. We can have healthy competition. Competition, when not for selfish gain or glory, can be a wonderful thing. Competition can challenge us to get up, get out of our comfort zone, and grow! This is redeemed competition. A great place to start is here.

“Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10b)

This exhortation from Paul isn’t competition for self-glorification. It’s not for the badge of biggest out-doer. This is competition for the sheer joy of honoring another human being and therefore bringing attention and glory to Jesus.

Yesterday we were talking about brotherly love. Paul challenged us to love one another with “brotherly affection.” Here, in the end of verse ten, he brings the point home. He shows us one way that we can love with brotherly affection. We can outdo one another in showing honor. We are not to compete with one another for our own honor. We are not to compare ourselves to one another in jealousy or envy. In fact, this sort of unhealthy competition/comparison, as author Elizabeth Fishel points out, is “a death knell to sibling harmony.”

I think before we can outdo one another in showing honor, we have to stop trying to outdo one another in winning honor for ourselves. We have to stop focusing on ourselves, stop wanting glory, wanting praise, wanting to be number one.

What would happen to our brotherly love if, instead, we each saw our individual role as not only unique but also uniquely important? If we were satisfied with who God made us to be? If I believed that God has made no other me? If I realized that I’m an ear, you’re a shoulder, he’s a toe, she’s an elbow, and they’re eyeballs. Each one of us uniquely playing our part. Not for our own glory, but so the body functions as a whole. Not for our corporate glory, but for God’s glory. What if the ear was no longer jealously watching (can an ear watch?) the elbow bend gloriously and if the eyeballs were no longer enviously eyeballing the strength of the shoulder?

What if the eye could take it to the next level and honor the elbow? What if the elbow in return honored the ear, and the eye, and the toe, and the heart, and the brain?

Someone once asked puppeteer, Jim Henson, about jealousy among other people in his profession. He responded, “No, there’s not much competition between puppeteers in general, because everyone’s working their own style.”

“Everyone’s working their own style.”

As it should be.

If I was more concerned with honoring you…and you were more concerned with honoring me…wouldn’t we both be honored? And we’d be sin-free honorees. My honor wouldn’t come from my ceaseless striving for self-glory and neither would yours. In fact, in honoring you before honoring myself, I’d be learning a whole lot of humility. I’d be learning how to genuinely love with brotherly affection instead of jealously making comparisons and trying to turn the tables so that I could outdo you.

That sort of life would turn heads, would it not? Would it not be counter-cultural? Would it not point away from us and to the Author of Honor? The Creator of Brotherly Love? To Jesus? What if we stopped caring about our own glory so that He could get glory and so that others could see Him and know Him?

What if?

So let’s practice. Instead of needing to have the last word, listen. Instead of needing to be right, apologize sincerely. Instead of staying in your comfort zone, go talk to someone. Instead of buying something for yourself, buy something for someone else. Instead of being jealous, celebrate someone else’s success. Instead of throwing yourself a pity party, serve someone else in need. And instead of comparing your weaknesses to someone else’s strengths (and therefore crippling yourself), be thankful for the gifts God has given you—and then USE THEM TO BLESS SOMEONE ELSE for God’s glory.

For God’s glory.

For God’s glory.

Not yours. Not mine.

We gotta get our eyes up, on Jesus, and off of ourselves. The view is so much better.

And we have the BEST Big Brother’s example:

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant that yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER.”
-Philippians 2:1-11

_________________

A link to other posts in this series can be found on the menu to the right!

Simply Sweet

In sickness and in health.

Yesterday while eating lunch in our back room with Tami and Renee we saw three people walking out of the store adjacent to ours. Two were elderly, perhaps in their 80’s and the other was a woman in her 40’s. We stopped talking and noticed them because the older man and the younger woman had the elderly lady propped up in between them and were helping to hold her up. She was shuffling her feet along very slowly and it was evident that they were essentially holding up most of her body weight.

Suddenly, unexpectedly, something happened with the woman and she started to go down onto the pavement. The older man and younger woman stopped and turned trying to use all of their strength to brace her and hold her up in an effort to prevent her from falling onto the ground. We all jumped up and ran outside to offer our assistance, but by the time we had gotten out there the two had pretty much gotten a handle on her body weight and had prevented her from falling.

We walked with them as they got her to the car and started asking questions to make sure that everyone was okay. It turned out that the man was her husband, and her caretaker. She had alzheimer’s. The man shared that sometimes she forgets to use her legs and that usually she has a walker. He talked about how he helps her from the bed to the bathroom at home, and all around the house. He had walked her to the store with the hope of giving her some exercise, but her legs had given up.

He then focused all of his attention, energy, and 80 year old strength on bending down and gently, carefully, and slowly lowering his wife into the passenger seat, going so far as to totally shield her head with his arm to prevent her from knocking her head on the roof as she sat down. He buckled her up, turned to us and thanked us, and then got in the car and drove away with the younger woman (probably the daughter—she had tears in her eyes the whole time) and his wife.

And not once, not for one second, was there even an ounce of frustration, regret, or despair in his voice. He wasn’t rude. He wasn’t embarrassed. He wasn’t impatient. He didn’t complain about the unfairness of life. He literally acted normal, went about his duty as a faithful husband, and then left on his way with not even a frown.

It was beautiful.

And we went back inside and said to each other: “THAT is what all couples need to see before they decide to get married. THAT is what we all need to understand that marriage should look like. THAT is love. THAT is commitment. THAT is truly the example of selflessness.”

Here’s Philippians 2:3:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

And I really like it in the Amplified Bible:

Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].

Loved.

Today was an experience that I will never forget. I admit that I did not sleep more than 3 hours last night as I prayed and talked to God about the surgery. I was trying to surrender my fears and anxiety about going under, about being “sliced“, and about the unknown of the recovery.

We woke up at 3:45 this morning (I use the term “woke up” loosely) and were out of the house by 4:20. The drive to the hospital was traffic free and we easily found the entrance with the totem pole (yes, really). We checked in, waited about 20 minutes, and then I was taken back by my personal nurse Kathy to do the prep for surgery. She had me get changed, I weighed in, then I got a supergallatic blanket that attaches to an air hose and inflates with warm air! It was rad. She asked me another billion questions (why do they always ask you the same questions 3 times)? And then Mom and Jason got to come in and hear the details of the rest of the morning.

And then we sat around for almost an hour. That time was a little hard as I started to get anxious again, but Mom and Jason did a great job entertaining me and keeping my focus off of the impending surgery. Then people started coming in pretty regularly: I met Dr. Cha my anesthesiologist; Heidi, my operating room nurse; and then got to chat with our doctor doing the surgery, Dr. D. Before I knew it they gave me my “double martini” shot and wheeled me to the operating room.

Lots of faces, some stickers on my chest to monitor my heart, wraps on my legs to pump air and prevent blood clots, annnnnnddd….that’s it.

Boom. Recovery room.

Anesthesia is pretty amazing stuff. When I woke up Dr. Dudley was in the room and give me a quick synopsis of how the procedure had gone (very well—they unblocked both my tubes)*. Then I got to talk to my recovery room nurse, Gilbert, who was a rad dude and stayed by my side making conversation the entire time. He helped the time pass quickly. I guess when I first woke up he asked me who was waiting for me in the waiting room and I started to cry and said, “The most amazing man in the whole wide world. And the most incredible mom.” Ha! I don’t laugh when I go off anesthesia. Apparently I get sentimental, thankful, and tearful.  Then Gilbert wheeled me to my day surgery nurse, Tom, and on the way picked up my mom and Jason.

The first thing I wanted to do was open my Bible to the Psalms and I just started crying and reading outloud:

Psalm 46

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. ^[a]

¹ God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

³ though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah

⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.

⁵ God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

⁶ Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

⁷ The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

⁸ Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.

⁹ He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields ^[b] with fire.

¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

¹¹ The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

God is good. And so faithful. Then, I got to talk to my dad who had been fasting and praying for me since the night before. He had committed to being ON HIS KNEES for me every 20 minutes until he heard from us that I was out of surgery and doing okay. That’s my father. I am blessed.

And then I got to drink! Had some sips of cranberry juice and a few bites of a mini-muffin. Then I pretty much changed and went potty and was able to go home!

Since being home I’ve had quite a bit of pain and discomfort, but am trying to stay ahead of schedule on the pain meds. Most of my pain originally (if you can believe it) was from the tube in my throat (that’s finally feeling better), the catheter (burning when I tried to pee), and a lot of pain/discomfort in my shoulders/lungs from the breathing tube that was helping me breathe. I have three small incisions (one on my belly button, and two over my ovaries). I should be able to take them off by Monday. When I walk and try to move I feel discomfort, so I’m just taking it slow. Have had a really nice, laid back night, hanging with MY cousin Monica and Jason and Mom. And I have to tell you that after today…

I feel loved.

 

Flowers from Papa

 

 

From Mama

 

 

Photo Collage from Erin

 

As you can see, Erin, from “Ski’ing Through Life” is a talented photographer, writer and friend. When my mom showed up yesterday from NY she had these photos for us from Erin with a beautiful card. Essentially, Erin set up an appointment to go to my parents’ house in NY and do a photo shoot with a bunch of my toys from my childhood. Not only that, but she sent a CD with ALL of the photos, and a few custom made headers and footers for our blog (hence the total makeover of our blog)! All for free and out of the kindness of her heart. Here are the words from her beautiful card:

I hope this gift can be an encouragement to you as you being this journey of hope and faith. These photographs are but a piece of your childhood, your mother’s praying hands, your baby booties, all things that your McMiracle will enjoy when it is time. Know that as you journey forward in good times and the challenges you have us praying for you. God is Good! We can’t wait to see it all unfold. Hebrews 10:25. Thank you for being you.

-Erin, Paul, Mason and Grady

And here is the slideshow of all of the amazing pictures she took:
(You can close out of the add below the slideshow by clicking on the black “x” in the top write corner)

 

Entertainment and Fav Foods from Monica

 

 

"Jesus, I trust in you." From Gailette

 

 

 

Flowers, Cinnamon Roll, Hot Chocolate, and Candy from Jennie

 

Odwallas and Homemade Healthy Soup from the Blondins

Handmade Bibs/Burpers from Mom, Fav KitKats and Life Cereal (for a new life that's coming) from Minners, and a Handmade Lunch Bag from Angie

These are the amazing comments I got on Facebook from all of you guys. This doesn’t include the 30+ texts of encouragement that I got from you all last night and throughout the day as well. Each of you has known the exact right thing to say and truthfully, your prayers, encouragement and generosity totally overwhelmed me today.

I felt so loved and covered in prayer…all the way from England to New York, to the Carolinas, to Colorado, to Alaska, to everywhere that you all are. God is so faithful for many reasons, but I am especially thankful for the friends and family that He has given me. Thank you all so much for being such an amazing part of my day.

Since this blog is intended to be a chronicle of our journey that Jason and I (and our children) plan on looking back on, I had to include the things that were said to us today so we can always remember this support. We love you all.

*In light of today’s findings, Jason and I still very much feel led to move forward with embryo adoption, like we mentioned in the “Sliced” post that I linked up above. We may have gotten confirmation today that natural conception is now more possible than it was before, but a lot would have to change (like embryo adoption would have to fall through) for us to head in a different direction. Conceiving naturally is not out the door, but as of today we are prayerfully continuing to move forward toward the child(ren) God has for us through EA. Just as an FYI for those of you that might be wondering.