Thursday, December 31, 2015

2015

2015 started out the same as the last few years.  Learning to live without my sister.  Having a grieving heart and trying to find joy in the midst.  God sent me those I needed in my life when I needed them for as long as I needed them. . .even if at times I felt like I needed them longer.  I have some great friends that will probably always be my friends. . .made some new friends that will be long time friends and said good bye to some friends also.  It was a very busy year.

I dreaded the time up until Chris got remarried.  I've learned though that having Brenda in our lives doesn't take anything away from Brandy.  It doesn't mean we don't love her just as much or miss her terribly what it means is that Chris Brenda and the kids are a family.  In all reality that is what we want.  Brenda doesn't replace Brandy but she adds to our family.  I appreciate her for who she is and what she is doing and for loving Chris and the kids.  The only part that makes me at all sad besides just missing the kids because I do not see them several times a week is that they will eventually be living in another country.   However I trust God!

In the months leading up to summer Anthony and I felt like it was time to move to another church.  I do not know if we were ever suppose to be at Edmond Road maybe we were. . .maybe we weren't.  Maybe God allowed me to be there so I could be with family and close friends during the first few years after Brandy's passing.  I could play a million scenarios out here for you to read and I would still never know the truth.  God's reason's.

I do know this that we stepped out in compete faith.  We prayed about it for months leading up to making the decision.  The decision was made once I accepted what God had been telling me.  God has really been working on me in the area of faith and trust.

I won't lie it hasn't all been easy.  I miss my friends and family and friends who were family.  Most of the one's I expected to talk to I still talk to and I am thankful for that!  I miss being comfortable enough to walk up to anyone and talk to almost anyone at church about their day.

I have been through a lot and I am just not one to want to make new friends. It really just has never came easy for me. . .

I love the church God has brought us to, I love the people.  I love the love I see.  I love their mission. . . "We come in to go out" and they mean it.  I love their worship.  I love that my husband is involved.  (& was before we even joined) I love that they have asked me to photograph some events.  I love love being a blessing with my photography!

 Kind of a cheesy picture but I didn't have my camera at church and decided I wanted a picture

I know that God has brought us to this church.  Like my husband said 15 year relationships do not develop overnight.  They sure do not!

Church is just such a big part of our families life.  It has defiantly been a big change.  This change has defiantly brought me closer to God.  I have had to put my life, my children's and husbands lives and relationships in His hands.  I trust him about who is to be in my life and who is not.  I won't lie and say none of it hurt because a lot of it did.  However I believe that He knows what I need more than I do.

I think this quote sums up so many "moves" God has planned for me better than I ever could. I think I am finally getting it!  From the move to Louisiana to the move home to the move to another church . . .and many other moves and changes in between.  God's God ME! (and He has you too!) Love you my friends!


Sunday, December 20, 2015

We Love You


We started off with a plan that involved letters that spell out WE LOVE YOU . . .my sister Amanda started the ball rolling and painted the letters.  We chose a date and met at the park.  It was such a cold day.  It even started snowing if you look in the last picture you will see a few snow flakes.  

I pretty much love all of these pictures and love love all of these kids!!


 



oh and this is the picture Amanda wanted that started these others pictures. . .