Dear Young Bride...

One thing I always stress about is...Did I prepare my children enough for adulthood? I remember being a young bride at the age of 18.Though my vows were meaningful and true... I'm not really sure I understood the totality of them all! After 31 years of marriage I'm just beginning to understand what each of them truly entailed.Most brides think they have an idea of what a grand adventure of  marriage really looks like.However in reality, until you step across that threshold, the real view of becoming one is so much more than one could imagine!The in sickness and in health becomes real and the beauty of serving one another turns those ideals into reality.This past week our daughter...a new bride...has been placed onto a road of reality. A road chosen for her. A road that she lovingly walks beside her groom as they face the road of cancer together. Each marriage will experience a trial or two at some point along the way. I know my husband and I have had our fair share and I'm sure there will be many more. I wish I could take this part away from my children! But I can't! For whatever reason God has chosen Sarah and Jason to walk this road. To experience total dependence on Him.To look upon His face and see peace and rest.To see His hand work mighty miracles.To see Him turn their mourning into dancing!

Dear Young Bride....
I was thinking today how blessed I am to have you in my life! I have felt and watched you grow from the very beginning of your infinite soul. Raising you has been a grand adventure with all the ups and downs of life. I have always said you were by far my easiest child to raise. Although,we have had our moments. I can laugh about them now! Your quiet spirit and your loving soul are a beauty that shines through your giving hands. Watching you love others through your daily living makes my heart smile! Guiding you from childhood into adulthood carried a great responsibility and weight upon my heart, with hopes that I had prepared you enough for life. I guess a fear all moms carry with them until they breathe their last breath. A trust I have to place at the feet of our Father in Heaven,that He has perfected you to travel the journey ahead.

Well...Life happens and dreams change. God guides and He provides. He walks us through our darkest days and celebrates with us in our grand adventures. This past week has been no surprise to our Heavenly Father. You have been thrown into the in-sickness part of your marriage vows a lot sooner than any bride would expect, really never considers during the early days of her marriage. But here you are on this grand adventure! A road, a journey that is preparing you for a future unknown. A part of marriage I wish I could have prepared you for sooner. A part I wish I could make go away. But a time in your life that one day will all make sense. A dark time that you will be able to smile upon one day and say....Now I see!

Sarah... You are a blessing to your husband.  I believe God has been preparing you all along for this very moment. He has equipped you and given you all that you need to walk the path before you. He has not left your side! He has placed others beside you to lend a helping hand or encouraging words to build you up. Keep your eyes upon Him for He is perfecting you and making you into that great jewel!  Though the in sickness part sucks right now and the nights become very long, one day you will understand and that joy will return!

This chapter came to mind for you today. Sing praise to the Lord and give thanks for one day soon you will be dancing!

I love you so very much,
Mom

Psalm 30.....

1         I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up,

And have not let my foes rejoice over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried out to You,
And You healed me.
3 O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave;
You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.[a]

4 Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.[b]
5 For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.

6 Now in my prosperity I said,
“I shall never be moved.”
7 Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong;
You hid Your face, and I was troubled.

8 I cried out to You, O Lord;
And to the Lord I made supplication:
9 “What profit is there in my blood,
When I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise You?
Will it declare Your truth?
10 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me;
Lord, be my helper!”

11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever

A Journey Unknown....

I remember Sarah sharing with me about this young man she had met..."Mom, he's the male version of me!" she said, That statement couldn't have been more true! Except that he would always walk in our door ready and willing to help with dishes or whatever I needed help with! Large family probs! I have seen nothing but a heart to serve in this young man since the day we met. More than three years later, I see that same heart!

 One year ago our family celebrated as Jason and Sarah tied the knot and joined our families together! This fun loving tattooed goof ball of a young man is now my son in-law and calls me mom! I have watched as they have served our community as youth ministers and poured out their lives to show others the love of Jesus. I have watched as they have loved our family and made themselves available whenever I needed help. Yes...They are more alike than the "Mom he's just like me" statement could have ever explained!

Now it's time for us all to show these two the love of Jesus and serve them....
This past week our daughter and son received some unexpected news, a diagnosis of Lymphoma. Tomorrow Jason will begin a few medical proceedures to get him on his way to good health. Though this journey may be frightening with all the unknowns, we serve a God who has every detail of Jason's being already in the palm of His hand! He is Jehovah Rapha...the God who heals!

What you may not know is Jason and Sarah were in the middle of an interview process with a church out of state. That is now on hold. Please be praying for their finances as well as Jason's health. Please pray for our daughter Sarah, that God would equip her to be Jason's greatest cheerleader during this journey. Please pray for our familes as we team up to serve them however we can with love and support.

All of their needs as well as this diagnosis is not a surprise to our heavenly Father! Sarah and Jason's futures were surrendered at God's feet the day they chose to follow Him. So together the journey continues...in sickness and in health. This jouney is and will be a testimony of the grace and love of a Father who loves Jason and Sarah more than we can comprehend.

Thank you all for your prayers! During this week of "Thankfulness" I am thankful for each of you!