A New Computer!

I have been needing a new computer for some time now....and Santa brought one! So you know what that means...lots of blogging! Yay! I have been making a list for months now of blog topics and I can't wait to get busy.

Christmas was awesome this year. As I am sure everyone is aware of by now, Daniel and I chose to separate this year. I have taken on the role as MollyKate's sole parent and provider which has come with a handful of challenges along the way, but God has been so faithful. I was not really sure what Christmas would hold for us this year, but knew we would make the best of whatever came along. As the Lord would have it, I met an incredible man that just so happens to be the brother of my sweet friend Bailey, and who comes from a precious family. They have accepted my daughter and I like one of them. There's never been one ounce of hesitation, not a second of being uncomfortable, not a minute of anything but love and acceptance of BOTH of us. For a group of people to open my child with open and loving arms like they have leaves me at a loss for words. They have stepped right in and filled a place where there could have been a void for us this year.

My family hosted Casey (AKA dream boy) and his family for Christmas Day dinner. Jon (Bailey's husband....kind of a big deal...wins bbq competitions and stuff....has been on TV) grilled us some steaks. They were amazing, not that I expected anything less. We had a great meal, awesome desserts, and sat around lazy and watching the kids play for the rest of the night.

As I looked around last night, my heart smiled. I reflected on everything that I have always wanted, everything that my heart longed for so deeply for years. Two families sitting around laughing, having meaningful conversations, kids playing, friendships deepening, memories being made...and my eyes welled up with tears. I have always heard and read the verses about God using what the devil intended for harm and making it good, about how He will redeem your life from the pit, how He will set your feet upon solid ground, how He has plans to prosper us, and that there is beauty that comes from the ashes. There are moments in life when God becomes SO REAL. Those moments when  it feels like it is just you and Him, that He is literally wrapping His sweet loving arms around you and whispering to you that He loves you. They don't happen all the time, maybe not even but a few precious times in an entire life. When that moment happens though, it is a feeling of love unlike any other. These moments when His promises are shown to be true make every other day worth it.

If I can offer any encouragement to anyone out there, it is to HOLD ON. Stay faithful because I promise He is. It may feel like there are times when you are alone. You may feel like God doesn't hear you, doesn't care, heck...it may feel like He forgot he even created you. I promise you friend, that is not the case. Run to Him. Pursue Him like nothing you've ever chased before. Pray when you don't feel like it. Close you bedroom door and scream, cry, talk to God. It's ok to be angry. It's ok to cry out to Him. Don't forget that He was once human too. I think that is something we too often forget. He was perfect when He was here on Earth, but He WAS human. He felt our same emotions. And on those days when you want to give up, keep going because it always storms right before a rainbow comes.

xoxoxo