Only God...

I heard on a radio program the other day that many times with the loss of a child that a marriage dies shortly after that. The announcer stated it very matter of factly. I had heard this before. My sister just got back from a weekend getaway with her husband... They had a wonderful time and the romance they rekindled was just glowing from her as I spoke to her on the phone. It has been just over a year since they lost their 15 month old son suddenly and I have never seen them stronger in their marriage. Only God. They have always had this sickeningly sweet connection but it was glowing even stronger. Only God. She remarked that on the cruise her and her husband loved talking with the workers from other countries and learning their stories. She remarked that she has thought before "why me" in regards to losing her son. After hearing of their lives and reflecting on how blessed we are just being born American her thoughts reflected to, "why me" why am I so lucky. I was so touched. God is so awesome. I feel overwhelmed many times on how amazing it is what God continues to do through my sister Jenny and how that affects my walk... And, I pray and hold to God providing even more beauty and more blessing in her life- more beauty from ashes. God is in the business of transforming pain into something beautiful something amazing in a way we could never forsee. And, I believe he only just begun in my sisters life!

Perfect Saturday!

I love fall festivals. I love women's retreats. I love Fall. I love live music. All these things in one day - it couldn't have been more perfect!

Yesterday a local church had a fall festival with a kids concert, "Go Fish". It was just a perfect day. We ran into a bunch of people from our church and Zachary's school at the concert which made it even more fun --- it had a beautiful community feel to the whole day. This is a pix of Zack watching the concert with a school friend he ran into there.

And, here is Zane dancing!! The weather was perfect and we all had a wonderful time! Sorry it is sideways!!

God's redemptive power...

I hate when I forget important things. Not just where I put my car keys or returning an important email. Well, I hate that too. But, I go through life on automatic pilot and the important stuff dulls sometimes. And, then God in his beautiful beautiful mercy reminds me of his redemptive power.

http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ

After seeing this it reminded me of participating in something very much like this at my church a year or so ago. I held a sign up saying "Approval Addict" and then it flipped and it said "I'm Enough for Him" on the other side... I felt I had conquered that approval addiction, kicked it. And, I am reminded all over again how far God has taken me but I constantly need to rely on him and be reminded that I am Everything in Christ and nothing without him.