Extreme Makeover Home Edition...

...is happening on OUR street just one block down! We just had the privilege of watching from afar as Ty and the crew surprised the family. Over the last couple days I learned that all the homes that EMHE completes are fully funded by donation only. They recruit local business and neighbors from the surrounding area to complete the work. Pretty neat! We hope to volunteer some of our time and we can't wait to see the final home for this deserving family!

Hitting Home...

I recently mentioned that I have been reading, "My Utmost For His Highest" and I have been so encouraged how God is using this little book in my life. The last time I read it I was a freshman in college and I don't remember it hitting home like it has been lately. I guess having another decade (plus!) of living under my belt has changed my perspective.

I accidently read one day ahead today, but the Lord must have known I needed to read it. It has helped to change my attitude about going to work today. I don't understand why He hasn't allowed me to stay home full time. Even though it doesn't make sense to me, my eyes need to be on Him and not on my end goal.

To challenge your thinking here are the readings for today and tomorrow.

Ready for the Sun!

A friend of mine needed a sunhat for her little boy and I happened to find the perfect pattern on sale for $0.99. When I saw this pattern I had the perfect fabric from my stash in mind- a wonderful khaki patchwork plaid. So adorable!

The hat is fully lined, but was really easy to put together!

The pattern called for using 5/8" ribbon to finish off the edge of the hat. I was on a time crunch and didn't have any ribbon on hand, so I finished off the edge with a decorative stitch. It looks a little unfinished, but it looked OK overall and it was still soft for the little guy's head.

Here is my little Sherlock Holmes modeling the finished product. I'm pleased with the outcome and I will be making more of these, for sure!

So In Love...

...with this hair!

And the little girl it belongs to!

How Well Do I Know Him?

"...that I may know Him..." Philippians 3:10

"A saint is not to take the initiative toward self-realization, but toward knowing Jesus Christ. A spiritually vigorous saint never believes that his circumstances simply happen at random, nor does he ever think of his life as being divided into the secular and the sacred. He sees every situation in which he finds himself as the means of obtaining a greater knowledge of Jesus Christ, and he has an attitude of unrestrained abandon and total surrender about him. The Holy Spirit is determined that we will have the realization of Jesus Christ in every area of our lives, and He will bring us back to the same point over and over again until we do..."

"The aim of a spiritually vigorous saint is "that I may know Him . . ." Do I know Him where I am today? If not, I am failing Him. I am not here for self-realization, but to know Jesus Christ. In Christian work our initiative and motivation are too often simply the result of realizing that there is work to be done and that we must do it. Yet that is never the attitude of a spiritually vigorous saint. His aim is to achieve the realization of Jesus Christ in every set of circumstances."

-modified from Oswald Chamber, "My UtMost For His Highest

Because Every Rainstorm...

...needs an audience!

Wordless Wednesday: Tiny Treasures

More proof in my life how much God really cares!

What Not to Say... (Even Though You're Really Trying to Be Loving)

This is a continuation of the adapted article from Rachel Keller. Again, italics are mine.

What Not To Say

Unless you have been through a loss, it is hard to know what to say. Many times words unintentionally hurt rather than help.

This was God's will. Although this is true, I grew weary of hearing it over and over again.

I heard this in different forms, but for me it was a comforting reminder that God is in control, trustworthy and loving. I can trust His working in my life.

It's for the best. A woman who miscarries wonders how losing a baby can be for the best. Often, there are unanswered questions that may leave her feeling disillusioned.

You should be thankful; there was probably something wrong with the baby.
There probably was something wrong with my baby, but does that make it any easier?

Even though we only had 9 weeks to celebrate this baby's life we still had a lot of hopes and dreams for the future.

It was too soon to have another baby; your body wasn't ready.
I had more than one person tell me that; but in my case, it was not true.

You're young; you can still have more children.
Yes, I can (and did) have another child, but no child ever takes the place of the child who died.

You have two sons already. Be thankful for them.
I am thankful for my two sons, but those babies I lost were important, too.

You NEVER forget the baby/ babies you lost!

At least, you didn't get to know your baby.
I wish I had gotten to know and hold my babies so I could have those precious memories.

Try not to think about it.
How can you not think of your loss?

It can seem awkward and difficult to know what to say to someone who has suffered a loss. Usually, just a simple "I'm so sorry about your loss" is sufficient.

Here are a few of the wonderful things my friends/family offered:

"I am on my knees praying for you!"

"I am here for you!"

"I'd love to come and sit with you if you need someone- no talking required."

"I love you!"

"I'm here if you need to talk!"

"I'm so sorry! I've been there too!"

Hugs.

Lyrics to praise and worship music.

Cards. Food. Coffee.

Again, I have been so blessed. If you know someone who has had a miscarriage recently, don't be afraid to reach out to them. Go out and BLESS them!

How to Help...

I know the next few posts I will be doing won't be for everyone and that's okay. I only hope I can help others through the heartache of a miscarriage.

These tips are adapted from Rachel Keller and can be found here (italics mine). These tips are right on! I know from experience. I have had 2 miscarriages and the first one I completely isolated myself except for family who was in another state. With my second miscarriage the Lord has blessed me beyond reason with loving friends, and of course, my wonderful family! Be open to receiving love and help from those around you! Let others LOVE on you and allow yourself to be blessed during this difficult time! It is important to learn to say, "YES!" to those who offer to help.

How to Help...

Be available. I may need a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, or your presence nearby. Don't tell me to stop grieving. Give me permission to cry. Be available to listen, but never force me to talk.

Be sympathetic. Acknowledge the importance of my grief. Don't offer explanations or try to minimize or eliminate the situation.

Send a card or short note. Your notes and cards let me know that you care.

Call. Whenever you call, ask if this is a good time or if I want to talk. I may or may not be ready to talk.

Visit. Call first to see if it's the right time for a visit. Surround yourself with people who love you! Go out and do something fun! It can be a nice distraction! Even if it's a simple as taking your kids to the park with a friend or window shopping with your favorite drink!

Offer assistance. Miscarriage can be physically and emotionally draining. Any offer of help is appreciated. Don't just say, "Call me if you need anything." I will probably never call. Instead, offer to clean my house, wash dishes, or babysit my children.

Take a meal. I really appreciated meals, especially frozen meals that I could reheat later. Some friends brought their meals in aluminum pans that I could throw out, and that really helped.

Pray for the family. Sometimes, this is the best thing you can do.

Realize that grief takes time. The pain of miscarriage does not go away after a week or two. The expected due date of the baby was an emotional time for me. Many women who experience a miscarriage have a difficult time being around pregnant women. If you are expecting, be considerate of your friend who has had a miscarriage. Don't avoid her, but be aware that she may not want to attend a baby shower. Invite her, but let her know that you understand if she would rather not come.

Also, don't try to hide your pregnancy. One woman was deeply hurt when a friend kept her pregnancy a secret until it was obvious she was pregnant. That friendship was nearly ruined. All life is a wonderful gift and celebration! Perhaps, tell your good news over the phone so your friend can process and grieve in private before you see one another in person. I'm happy for you, but it just reminds me of my own loss and what I won't experience with my own baby.

Thank you to all who have been the hands and feet of Jesus during this time in our lives!

Stay tuned next time for "What Not to Say!"

Loved

This past week has been a journey of disappointment and sadness...

I miscarried our baby at 9 weeks.

Initially I wasn't going to mention this on my blog. Sometimes it's easier to put a difficult situation in a pretty little box and shove it in the back corner of your closet and leave at least one area of your life protected from the sadness. But as I thought it through I want to be able to help someone else who may have experienced the same situation. And, ultimately, I want to bring glory to God, the One who has comforted us and sustained us through this time.

We were so excited for this new addition to our family! When I started having complications the doctor performed an ultrasound and we saw a perfect, tiny little heartbeat. He thought we had a chance to keep this little one. At home on bedrest we prayed, but also prepared our hearts that we might lose our baby. We were surrounded by love and prayers of our wonderful family and friends. Within 24 hrs the baby was gone. We certainly don't understand why, but we KNOW we can trust the Lord with our lives and the lives of our children.

This passage has brought great comfort to me over the last few days:

¹³ Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.

The LORD is faithful to all his promises
and loving toward all he has made.

¹⁴ The LORD upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.

¹⁵ The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.

¹⁶ You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

¹⁷ The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and loving toward all he has made.

¹⁸ The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.

¹⁹ He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.

(photo courtesy of: photobucket-missjessica86)