Miss Tylee Jayne

My newest little niece has arrived! Tylee Jayne was born Monday, August 10 at just before 8 p.m. She was 5 lbs, 2 oz, 18 in and perfect! :)

She is doing great... breathing on her own and eating. She has quite the personality already, and knows what she wants! The nurses call her fiesty. Her name (Tylee) means "powerful battler", and she is proving to be! Hopefully she and her mommy will be able to go home in a few more days.

Held

Today, I woke up early and went to work out with a friend. On my drive to her house, I looked out my window and saw a beautiful sunrise. I looked out the other window and saw a rainbow. Then in front of me, I saw lightning in the clouds. Three of my favorite things, all at once! We took a 2-mile walk... mostly in a cool, refreshing rain. What a great way to start my day! It reminded me to be aware of the little blessings in life, the reminders that God is holy, and powerful, and always PRESENT, even we we feel forgotten.

I have been feeling that way a little bit lately, with everything that is going on. I've been too busy and wrapped up in my own thoughts and desires, and not focused enough on what I am doing for Him. Sometimes in life it is easy to feel sorry for yourself, to lose perspective and think that because you don't have the one thing you think you need, you don't have anything. And sometimes life does seem unfair. Noone understands why my Uncle Cliff has ALS... why he and his family, who have lived their lives for Christ, are suffering in this way. We don't know why we are waiting and waiting for a child to come into our lives, while there are children being abused and neglected every day by parents who probably shouldn't be blessed with them.

I was listening to a song last night, Held by Natalie Grant. (To listen, play the video below.) It talks about how life does seem unfair sometimes, but that we were never promised that we wouldn't suffer. We were promised, however, that we would be held and loved in the arms of Christ. That if we choose that instead of anger and bitterness, He will carry us through.

So today, I am choosing to focus on His love, and the little reminders of His presence. And to remember that through these situations, and all others, He is continually growing and shaping us into who He wants us to be.