Butterbees and Bumbleflies

Several weeks ago, I posted “Inquisitive Children” as a response to the tornado destruction in my home state of Oklahoma.  In that post, I referenced the question “why” and said that I hadn’t found the answer in the Bible.  Today’s reading lead me to hope.  Because, you see, I found where the disciples asked the specific question of “Why”… and Jesus answered.  Here’s the passage.

John  9:1-3

“As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.  His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’  ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.'”

I knew it was there somewhere.  I knew the answer lay within the pages of the Word.  And I found it.  And somehow, it’s reassuring to me.  Even if I don’t want it to happen, I know that God has a plan, but I also know that He will use whatever it is “so that the work of God might be displayed in [my] life.”

And THAT, my friends, it powerful.

When I recently experienced my 2nd miscarriage, I was shattered.  And then, later that day, I turned on KLOVE.  (If you aren’t listening to this radio station, I would encourage you to just try it.  It’s amazing the strength and encouragement that is gained just by listening to positive music.)  When I turned on the radio that day, I heard this song by Laura Story, and my heart began to sing along.  I’ll never understand in my head why His blessings come through raindrops, but my heart knows that He has a purpose, and that through those raindrops “the work of God [WILL] be displayed in [MY] life.”

Check out the song/video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CSVqHcdhXQ

And take heart, for HE has conquered the world.

The day began like any other day- a little down and depressed because I was still single. Seriously! Would I EVER find the right guy? At 24 surely my expiration was rapidly approaching!

And then the whole Match.com thing happened. Long story short, there was

A Man.

We talked on the computer January 1.  We talked on the phone, we met in person 5 days later, and 15 days after that, he asked, and I said “yes.” We decided on a summer wedding. Let the whirlwind begin.

Walt Disney World was running an ad in a bridal magazine with a picture of Cinderella’s glass slipper on the steps of the castle at sunset and said something about all my dreams coming true. We talked, and determined that we’d do a destination wedding at Disney World on June 11.  Enter

A Mouse.

The weeks partly dragged and partly flew, and then it was time! We flew to Orlando, got our marriage license, and began our wonderful, magical time at Disney World. We spent the day before (6-10-08) with our families at Magic Kingdom, and then the glorious day arrived.

We dressed and were shuttled in a long white limo to the Boardwalk. A wonderful minister we had only met online and over the phone met with each of us and went over everything with us. Our fabulous coordinator had everything perfect. I walked down the Boardwalk on my Daddy’s arm, and he handed me over to my Prince Charming. We spoke our vows, the minister spoke- “You may now kiss your Princess,” and then life began.

A Marriage.

The past five years have been full of fabulous adventures- camping, canoeing, skiing, laying on beaches, scuba diving (and NOT scuba diving!), hiking, and lots of photography. We have experienced life and loss, and are learning how to be parents. It truly has been a fabulous ride, and I’m so glad it’s not over yet!! Because, you see, this story isn’t just about A Man and A Mouse.

It’s about A Marriage. It’s about a friendship and a love that grows stronger every day. It’s about knowing that no matter what happens, the other person will ALWAYS be there. There is no escape clause in this “roommate agreement.” We are here for the times of roaring laughter, and we are here for the times so sad that even singing “Soft Kitty” won’t create laughter. Thick and thin. No matter what.

“I, Christy, take you, Cody, as my friend and my love, beside me and apart from me, in laughter and in tears, in good times and bad, asking that you be no other than yourself.  Loving what I know of you, trusting what I do not know, and in all the ways that life may lead us.”

Life is never perfect, but fairy tales DO come true.  Happily ever after DOES exist.  We are proof.

Summer 2008

Fall 2009

Winter 2010

Fall 2011

Summer 2012

Spring 2013

 Tomorrow mornin’, if you wake up
And the sun does not appear
I, I will be here

If in the dark we lose sight of love
Hold my  hand and have no fear
‘Cause I, I will be here

I will be  here
When you feel like bein’ quiet
When you need to speak your  mind
I will listen

And I will be here
When the laughter turns to  cryin’
Through the winnin’, losin’ and tryin’
We’ll be together, ’cause I  will be here

Tomorrow mornin’, if you wake up
And the future is unclear
I, I will be here

As sure as seasons are made for  change
Our lifetimes are made for years
So I, I will be here

I will be here
And you can cry on my  shoulder
When the mirror tells us we’re older
I will hold  you

And I will be here
To watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all  the things
You are to me, I will be here

I will be true
To the  promise I have made
To you and to the One
Who gave you to me
I, I will be here

And just as sure as seasons
Are made for change
Our  lifetimes are made for years
So I, I will be here
We’ll be together, I  will be here

-“I will Be Here” by Michael W Smith-

 

HAPPY 5th ANNIVERSARY, BABY. 
I LOVE YOU MORE TODAY THAN YESTERDAY,
AND MY LOVE WILL NEVER STOP MULTIPLYING.

I have a relatively new friend who just experienced something amazing yesterday. Amazing enough to merit an entire blog post.

I met this woman for the first time several months ago at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). But she wasn’t in my small group, so it’s only been recently because of mutually being on the steering committee for next year that I have come to know her, and be friends with her on Facebook.

I knew that she and her husband were fostering a baby, and trying desperately to adopt him. I didn’t realize what a process that is!! I believe that adoption is a calling that God places on the hearts of those who can handle it. The Bible says He won’t give us more than we can handle. And honestly, I just don’t think I’m that strong. To love and care for a child for months while waiting on paperwork? I think my patience level is about ten notches too low for that.

But their patience has paid off! Their precious little Miles is now officially part of the family. PRAISE THE LORD!! I can only imagine the relief and sheer joy that they felt at that moment when the judge declared him officially theirs. God is so good. And yet, here is another example of His plan. His timing is perfect. We will never understand why they had to wait so long for their beautiful baby to be theirs. But God has a plan. He orchestrated everything perfectly.

Perhaps He knew that they would need to grow in patience. Perhaps it was that they would need to grow in faith. Perhaps He knew that through their amazing journey they would meet people along the way that would need to see the level of grace with which they handled the situation and would question the source of that grace. Perhaps He knew that I needed to see their witness and learn from their example to relate it to situations in my own life with waiting for our next precious child. But for whatever reason, Miles is finally officially their son. His two big sisters are elated. His mother and father have hearts so happy that the only term for it is sheer joy. Because this morning, their son wakes up for the first time- theirs. Officially. He has been a child of God. Now he’s a child of theirs.

Sheer joy. Praise God.

http://vimeo.com/m/67907902

http://m.ksat.com/news/adoption-ceremony-just-in-time-for-fathers-day/-/15126192/20476944/-/1rxxf6/-/index.html

I was a Cold War baby. My favorite tv show growing up was Scarecrow and Mrs King, and I secretly dreamed of growing up to be a spy. Or married to one. I’m neither. But I do enjoy watching Castle, and I’m secretly (well, not so secretly now) hoping she takes the job in DC. I live vicariously thru Kate Beckett. She’s who I would be if I was braver, skinnier, had dark hair, and lived in New York City.

The past couple of days the uninformed of this country have been shocked with a barrage of news stories about the government watching us. Seriously people. They are the government. They’ve been watching us since the Cold War, and probably before that. Get over your shock.

If you are talking about things on your phones, your email, or your Facebook that are truly private, you shouldn’t be telling the world anyway. Get over yourselves. Nothing is private. Every photo you paste on Fb becomes their property. Does that mean you shouldn’t post pictures of your kids for your family and friends to see? No. Seriously. The only reason the government cares that you even have kids is because they cost money and involve tax write-offs. They don’t want to exploit them by stealing your precious pictures. (However there are wierdos out there so for goodness sake, quit posting nude pics of your babies!! Noone really wants to see their junk anyway!!!)

And as for your phone calls. If your hubby/boyfriend/spouse/significant other is not there in the room with you, don’t do things over the phone you wouldn’t want your mom to hear. Or your grandma. Or your government. Don’t text pictures of that crap either.

If you have a secret group on Facebook, rest assured that it is secret- from your friends who are innocent and would never try to hack you. Don’t be afraid to share prayer requests or personal feelings about issues. The government only cares that Aunt Suzy is dying because there’s money and property involved. They care nothing about Uncle Joe’s surgery except that there’s money involved. And sadly, the fact that your marriage is on the rocks only matters if you actually divorce- because money is involved.

We have a God who is far more powerful than any government, and He is allowing this. He has a plan. Have no fear, for He has conquered the world.

But for Pete’s sake, “shhh!” Don’t say it if you don’t want it heard.

There are some people in this world that are here to make us laugh. Some are here to be a shoulder to cry on. Some are here to offer an encouraging word. Some are here to teach us. And some, some are here to be whatever we need them to be in the moment.

God knew yesterday morning would happen from the moment time began. He orchestrated it. But before yesterday morning, were a series of mornings and days and weeks and years of a woman’s life. She was one of those people who was there. Whatever whenever. All things to all people. Lovely through and through. A heart of gold. Most would say she was taken too soon. But she did exactly what God wanted her to do on this earth. And despite our desires, His timing is perfect. She no longer has pain. And she is Home.

Rest in peace, sweet Karen. You will always be loved, and your absence will forever remind us of the love and joy that you added to each of our lives.