And They're Off...

It seems like just yesterday, I watched them turn their tassels and graduate from high school.

They had big dreams and big plans for their "college years", but I don't think even they knew for sure just where and how far God would lead them. 

Four years ago, we packed down my parent's SUV and moved them to The Plains.

These days, we're hopping planes moving them all over the country. 

The oldest - by thirty seconds - Mary Elizabeth is giving back a little of what was given to her. 

During their time at Auburn University, they were all involved in RUF (Reformed University Fellowship). Mary Elizabeth has accepted a two year internship at TCU (Texas Christian University) in Fort Worth, Texas, serving the college students there. She is currently raising support. To learn more about what Mary Elizabeth will be doing, or to find out more information on how you can support her, visit her blog. 

Next comes Sarah Grace. Sarah went to college (in her older sister's opinion) with three main goals - 1. Graduate 2. Make friends that will last a lifetime 3. Find a husband. 

She not-at-all-surprisingly accomplished all three. Sarah met Ben last May. Almost a year to the date later, they were married in one of the most beautiful ceremonies I've ever been to. While standing there vowing to love her new husband till death do them part - some of her best friends from college stood by her side. It was a day that God truly showed us just a glimpse of His majesty through the beautiful picture of His faithfulness to His church.

Ben is in seminary at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, and Sarah is nannying. I cannot wait to see how God is going to use them and their ministry as a couple. If you're interested in keeping up with the newlyweds, check out their cute little blog. 

And then there's Will. The only boy in the bunch... but this boy transformed into one of the most amazing men I know... right before our eyes. 

We watched Will face some pretty tough stuff this year with humility and grace. He accepted a job offer in Dallas, Texas with Covenant Multifamily Offices - a wealth management firm. I have no doubt that he'll succeed at whatever he puts his mind to. Honestly, there's no telling how far he'll go. 

Last but not least is Caitlin. Caitlin's journey so far has been one to be admired. She has lived out Psalm 27:14, and it's been an amazing example for this older sister of hers.

"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage: wait for the Lord!"

Caitlin took a leap of faith and moved to New York City just a week ago. God opened doors and she trusted Him, even when no "concrete plan" could be found. Just today, she accepted a full time job as a preschool teacher at The Goddard School in Manhattan.

God has been so faithful to my family.

"I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation: I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation." Psalm 40:10

These four beautiful souls mean the world to me. Thank you for letting me share my heart.

Sweet Baby...

By now we would have known whether or not we were expecting another baby girl or taking on a new adventure with a baby boy.

More than likely, I would be trying to finalize the perfect nursery for you to come home to, while Daddy tried to convince me it was already perfect.

Your big sister would probably be rubbing my big belly and asking me 100 times a day when you were coming out.

Your daddy would be singing and talking to you so that you would recognize his voice after you were born.

But we aren't doing any of that.

Instead, we can only imagine whether or not you were our son or our daughter. We lost you before it was possible to tell.

Instead, a playroom full of toys fills the space that would have been your nursery - a welcomed distraction instead of an empty crib.

Instead, your sister is now asking when God is going to give her a little brother or sister while I gulp and try to explain providence and God's sovereignty to a two-and-a-half year old.

Instead, your Daddy is praying over my empty womb, asking God to fill it with precious life again.

No sooner than God gave you to us, He took you away.

But it was not without purpose.

You see sweet baby - your mommy knows Jesus in a deeper, more intimate way than she did before you.

The ache in her heart and emptiness in her gut pushed her closer and closer to her Savior.

Your daddy learned to love me in a more intimate, Christ-like, way as he held me and served me while I mourned your loss.

You were not without purpose.

You were for my good.

In the infinite wisdom of the Lord of all the earth, each event falls with exact precision into its proper place in the unfolding of His divine plan. Nothing, however small, however strange, occurs without His ordering, or without its particular fitness for its place in the working out of His purpose; and the end of all shall be the manifestation of His glory, and the accumulation of His praise.

B.B. Warfield