I didn't think they would grow. I came home and stuck them into the ground and muttered something about how they would never come up. A whole year passed and some slight growth took place. I could see that something was there but nothing really came up. More time passed and I could literally see the growth right in front of me. I noticed that the plant multiplied and there was no longer one stem but two. Buds were coming up left and right!!

Years later, I still can't believe how much growth has taken place since I first brought it home and gave it some love. I am amazed at how things so small, so weak, can become so beautiful. How truly there is hope, even for the faint of heart.

Beauty of the Day

I am blown away with the beauty of today! So pretty outside!

Today is dear to me and my family because today is my brother-in-laws birthday. He would have been 41 today. He is missed so much. Not a day goes by without a reminder of the deep longing to see him again. I think about him a lot...especially today. I asked myself if he was still here, what would I say? As a way to work through the grief, I decided to write some of the things I miss and remember..

How much he loved my sister

How much he teased me growing up...and when I would talk to my sister on the phone he always would say funny things in the background.

How often he would listen and offer encouragement.

He would try to teach me football..over and over again.

He was one of the funniest people ever...

How happy he was when Nora was born...so crazy happy

My list could go on with all the happy memories. Some are even hard to type or put into words. The biggest thing I miss is just having my whole family together. I know a lot of people can relate to that.

"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your Salvation....." Psalm 13

What's a Girl to do?

This heart is heavy. Today I wondered how I will overcome this heartache and I thought a lot about the heartache in the world. So much to cover this week, so many prayers that need to be heard. I find my mind racing and sometimes physically hurting from the worry. So...I ask myself...what am I to do with all these emotions? Where do I take them? Where do I run? I am reminded that I have a Deliverer who wants to do just that in my life...HE wants to Deliver. So I run and I find peace in the fact that God has a purpose and He is strong enough to carry us all through.

Praying for Joplin

My thoughts and prayers keep going out to the people of Joplin today. It's breaking my heart to see the loss and the sadness. People are missing and loved ones are desperate to find them.  Please keep praying and donating.