Praise God anyway...

Well March has been a month of ups and downs...

The first of the month, Sean and I got excited at the thought that we may be pregnant. I took 2 pregnancy tests and they both came back neg. This is not an unusual thing for me. With all 3 pregnancies to date, the tests didnt come back pos until later. During all of this a good friend had her 3rd miscarriage. The day after that reality set in that I was not pregnant.

The next week a couple from church gave birth to their first child Kaylee. This couple was told that they could not have a child naturally and the Lord blessed them inspite of the doctors!

The next week was spring break. My wonderful husband booked 2 nights in Gatlinburg for us. We were able to connect and talk. I came home for a couple of days and then headed to Dallas for a wedding of 2 two friends from the recreation ministry staff at First Dallas. I also was able to enjoy a 5 mile hike the day before the wedding with some friends from SWBTS.

I came back to work last Mon to a day in the office and staff activity. Tues 3/25, I recieve an email that a college classmate lost her battle to cancer. Thurs night Sean and I missed a call from Mike (a good friend of ours). Fri morning Mike got a hold of Sean and told him horrible news. Our friend JJ from Dallas was no longer with us. Sean and I got in the car and headed to Dallas about 2 hrs after that call.

On that same Fri another couple from church had their little girl. I am still waiting her name and all of her stats. But mom and baby are healthy!

Let me tell you a little bit about JJ. She is the oldest of 2 girls in a wonderful Christian family. She was married to Scott and has a beautiful little boy named Jonathon. She was a teacher and basketball coach at a private Christian school in the Dallas area. Her husband Scott is the Dean of Students at this same school. JJ touched may lives while here. She was active at the private school as well as at the church. She was never above helping anyone. Her family became our family away from home while we lived in TX. She loved life and the Lord and it showed in her words and her actions. JJ was 7mos pregnant and lost her little girl (Tonya Renee) Wed (3/26) and then a couple hrs later she was gone.

When Sean and I met with the family on Sat, their whole attitude was praise God anyway. They continued to say that God is good. The funeral was a celebration of JJ's life. The music was nothing I had ever heard at a funeral. We sang "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and "Victory in Jesus." The choir sang "Isnt He Good" and "Jersualem." The floor of the sanctuary at First Baptist Dallas was full and there were people in the balcony. The choir loft was full as well. The choir filled the loft and spilled over into the balcony. I was really touched when the choir was singing "Jersualem" and Scott and JJ's parents stood up and started praising God. I was moved to tears by this one action.

During the funeral Sean and I sat with a couple has 2 little children. Ella who has cerebral palsy and Will who is only a couple of months old. In the midst of everything they have been through with Ella, this couple has also chosen to say Praise God anyway.

I am amazed sometimes by the people around me who no matter what comes up choose to say Praise God anyway. My friend who miscarried has said this all through her blog. There are times that I know that is what I should be saying, but I cant always make myself say it. This weekend I have tried to keep that attitude. As a Christian I know that the Lord is in control and nothing catches Him off guard. He knew what this month would hold. He knew that there would be many ups and downs. He knew what all of us would be feeling and experiencing as we went through this month.

During the funeral on Sat, something our pastor says all the time kept playing over and over again in my head... Bro. Jerry says "There is nothing so certain as death and nothing so uncertain as the time." No one would have expected to bury a 32 yr old wife and mother, especially one who had been healthy just the day before. It made me think about the urgency that we should all live our lives. We should be sharing the Gospel with those around us. How many chances to share the Gospel do we miss on a weekly basis b/c we dont ask the Lord to show us? Do we tell our family and our friends that we love them like we should? Do we live a life that is pleasing to the Lord? Are there things in life that we say we will do one day and have yet to do any of them? What are we putting off? Are there people in our life that we need to make ammends with? We always assume there will be a tomorrow and there are no guarantees. As I am sitting here typing this I am not saying that I am doing all of these things, but these are things that I have been thinking about and praying about since that phone call Fri morning.

During the next couple of weeks take time to tell your family and friends how much you love and appreciate them. Let them know that you are praying for them. If there is someone in your life with whom things are not right, pick up the phone and call them.

I am not always sure who is reading my blog, but I do know that there are many good friends who read it. I hope all of you know that Sean and I love you very much and we are very appreciative of the love you have shown us through the years. Ya'll have been there to celebrate with us as well a cry with us. We are very blessed to have so many wonderful, godly friends!!! Thank you for being you and being willing to love us!!!! We pray for ya'll and hope that the Lord blesses all of you in a very special way!

Adoption note: We have almost all of round one of paperwork filled out. As soon as Sean completes our taxes we will get the last part of it filled out and into the mail. From there we will hopefully have a tentative homestudy date set!!!

Thanks again for your love and support. Remember that whatever comes up in your lives... Praise God anyway!!!!!