Happy Thanksgiving

from our turkeys to yours!

Were You Raised in a Barn?

It began as a beautiful story of a brother and sister playing together sweetly.

Then brother wasn't so sure he wanted to remain in the barn.

But sister was having none of that.

Mom: "Good grief, Eveley. Were you raised in a barn?"

Eveley: "Yes I am, mom."

*****

Hmmm. She's got a point.

Productive Week

Life is busy. Really busy. But I have finally finished it. Well, almost.

Remember this lofty goal.

It began as this

The dining room was turned into my craft room.

And after lots of 90-second sewing intervals, my project has finally become this.

I've still got to iron it and then pick out the fabric for the back. But the end is in sight. Maybe it will even be ready for Christmas??

And I had some scraps, so I made these.

I've started taping Eveley's walls, and we hope to paint soon. It's all coming together and will probably be done just in time to sell our house and move. Oh well...

And I'm not the only one with a little creative energy bursting out. We've had a very rainy week. But fortunately, my mother-in-law bought Eveley this awesome art kit when we were visiting. She sent us hone with an old vinyl window shade and told me to tack it to the wall and let Eveley go wild. Great idea!

I'm still working on my hairbraiding skills. But I had to get a picture of her cute kitty jacket!

Happy Fall Y'all!

The Blues

They don't call them the Blue Ridge Mountains for nothing!

This was our Saturday evening sky. Isn't it beautiful?!

We got together with friends this weekend for a Fall Festival. I busted out the overalls and plopped my pumkin down in the grass for his 11-month portrait. Can you believe he is eleven months?
I sure can't!

I am still unpacking all of my thoughts from our Respite Retreat a few weekends ago. It seems there is so much going on in my head and I can hardly process it fast enough.

Grief is a gnarly thing! It has so many facets, stages, speeds, highs, lows. It has the power to pull you to the utter depths of despair and hopelessness. It has the power to strangle or suffocate you.

I have decided, however, it is all about perspective.
Please don't misunderstand me. I have spent a good amount of time in the initial stage of grief -- weeping, confused, angry, cynical.
I think of Robbie every second. Every second.

But we have chosen to trust God. Trust Him with our doubts, anger, confusion, and disappointment.

We have yelled, "Where were you?" and asked "Why?"

That's okay.

As God told Habakkuk, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." (Hab. 1:5)

Through Christ, death is not the end of the story. God promises, at some point, to break through and make all wrong right.

In the meantime, we will try to maintain an eternal perspective. We will change our focus from our overwhelming sorrow to the power and magnificence of God.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Ps. 118:1-2)

Dress Up

My favorite little monkeys! Caleb (2009) and Robbie (2005)

And I couldn't leave out my favorite Elmos Robbie & Parker (2006)

AND NOW . . . INTRODUCING . . .

PRINCESS EVELEY and Curious Caleb

This was our first time doing the actual door-to-door trick or treating.

And Princess Eveley had been practicing all day long.

The princess shoes were for the birds, she decided, and these would be much more comfy!

She was so excited!

The Princess and her Prince Charming.

Glad we get an extra hour of sleep!

Weekend Update: Part 1

We returned from our Respite Retreat late Sunday evening. I have not even begun to fully process my thoughts from the weekend. But one thing I know is that I miss everyone already!



We were joined by 11 other couples. Throughout the first night and following morning, we shared our stories. This was an incredibly emotional time. The stories were all unique but equally horrendous. And while this sounds pretty depressing, I must say that it was a deep, bonding experience.

Everyone was so open this weekend, allowing themselves to be vulnerable and honest. Because we all were familiar with the earth-shattering pain and loss, no question was off-limits, and there was no time or need for shallow conversation.

There was something very comfortable about being with a group of people who really understood. They knew the numbing pain. They remembered the deep groans. They experienced an irreplaceable loss. They were haunted with unanswered questions and sad memories. There was no need to apologize for an awkward moment, or to try to filter my words and thoughts. We could just be real. It was refreshing.

I was sad today. I was sad for myself and missed my Robbie. And I was sad for my new friends. I was sad that some of them were returning to quiet houses. I was sad that they have many hard and difficult days in front of them.

I'm very thankful for this weekend and for the wonderful people we met. Two and a half years ago, I would never have believed that it was possible to be at this place I find myself today. This has only come by submitting to the Lord as my Creator and the Ruler of the universe, and allowing Him to carry me on this road.

I don't like it. I don't understand it. I would not have chosen it. But I will trust Him.

My heart will choose to say, "Lord, Blessed be Your Name!"

Long Story Short

Where are we headed this weekend? I'll try to make this long story short.

A few weeks after Robbie went to heaven, my sweet friend April gave me a book. It had been recommended by one of her friends who lost a child years earlier.

This book, written by Nancy Guthrie, told her story of losing 2 children and examined the life and suffering of Job. It was perfect. I desperately wanted to find someone who had been in my shoes and survived! Nancy helped me gain perspective during those early, critical hours. I began her 1 year devotional book on Hope. When the book was finished, I could hardly believe I had survived one whole year.

I began to read more of her articles and books. I emailed her several times, and she kindly responded with sincere encouragment.

Earlier this year, my sister Carrianna called from college to tell me some sad news. Her friend, James, had a young niece who had just been diagnosed with cancer. James was working in China but decided to fly back to the States to be with his family. We helped my sister fly to Kansas to see James, and while she was there, sweet Cora went to heaven. I mentioned it here. Because Carrianna had a similar experience saying goodbye to Robbie, she was able to cry with and encourage this family.

I wrote to Cora's mom, Jess, and sent her Nancy's book and devotional guide. I prayed it would minister to and encourage her as it had done for me.

Over the past 2 years, many people have asked me for advice on things to say/not to say or ways to help a grieving family. To be honest, the only advice I can give is that it must all be about Jesus! That's it! There is no comfort other than the reminder that Jesus is our Hope and the Ultimate Healer of our pain. That is why these books were such a comfort to me. Their focus was always Jesus -- encouraging me to keep an eternal perspective and to be excited because of the Hope my Jesus gives me.

So, long story short... What does all of this have to do with this weekend?

This summer, I received an invitation from Nancy to a Respite Retreat. Nancy and her husband are hosting 12 couples who are on similar journeys of surviving the loss of a child. It is held in Tennessee at a 13-bedroom lodge. Very intimate setting. Somewhat scary!

And guess who else will be joining us.....? Sweet Cora's parents! I got the invitation the same day I received an email from Jess and just had to pass it along. What a small world.

We'll be dropping the kids off at my parents tomorrow and then heading to the retreat. If you think of it, say a special prayer for the couples who will be coming together to share about a very difficult and personal subject. Pray that we learn more about the Lord and His masterful plan for our lives. Pray that we can encourage one another on this lifelong journey. (Oh yeah. And pray that Caleb will take a bottle!)