Going Forward

Lately, I've been sensing a need to write.  It's something that God has laid on my heart and one that I keep getting away from in the busyness of life.  Every time I hit any momentum, something big happens (i.e. getting pregnant or having a baby) to draw my attention away.

The first step I'll be taking is returning this blog to a more writing-based outlet, rather than crafts.  I'm still going to craft, and I'll still (hopefully) share them on here occasionally.  But it honestly overwhelmed me, trying to remember to take pictures and everything.  Once I finished a project, the last thing I felt like doing was editing pictures and writing about it!  Hence the reason I haven't posted in a million years.

In any case... I will be writing more:  sharing more family anecdotes and giving voice to my thoughts going forward.  Ideally, I'd like to get back to posting once (or more) a week as I have time, but we'll see where that goes!

Thanks, all, for sticking with me!

Life is precious

This morning, I read the heartbreaking story of James Camden Sikes.  I followed a link on Facebook, posted by the photographer who took Gabriel's newborn pictures (I love her work, especially of babies).  I had no idea what my heart was getting into.

I fought tears as I read Katie's version of the story, but could fight them no longer when I watched the video that they put together.

I'm in tears again as I write this, having just read some of Kara Sikes' posts about dealing with her loss.  It's so hard to read because I keep imagining myself in her shoes.  What if it had been my sweet Gabriel?  How would I have dealt with the loss of my precious baby boy?

I think the thing I hate most in the world is babies and children dying.  To me, there is no greater evidence of the Fall.  Death is hard to deal with no matter who is dying, but there is just something wrong with life being snuffed out before it's even had a chance.

I've been sitting here, weeping, for the past half-hour trying to decide how to end this post.  I hear Gabriel stirring from his nap in the other room and I want nothing more than to just cuddle him, if he'll let me.

I vow to cherish every single moment with my baby boy (and my baby girl, too, when she comes).

I'm so grateful to God for the gift(s) he's given me.

Be Her Freedom

This weekend, we had an amazing guest speaker at church--Christine Caine, from Hillsong Church in Australia.  She is staying this week to speak at the women's conference that I will be attending Thursday through Saturday and I am SO excited.  She shared a powerful message at the weekend services... prefaced by a video for a ministry that she supports:  The A21 Campaign.  I was in tears by the end of the video, which shares about sex trafficking.  The statistics were overwhelming.

The story struck home for me because it was about a young Bulgarian girl who was trapped in this world.  My fifteen-year-old cousin lives in Bulgaria.  All I could think about through the video was "What if that was her?"  But for the grace of God, protecting my family serving as missionaries in that country, it very well could be.

I plan to support this ministry first and foremost through prayer and fasting.  I also aim to raise awareness and to support this incredible ministry financially when I can.

The average age of victims is 14.
99% of victims are NOT rescued.
Be Her Freedom.