Hands and Feet of Jesus

This week has been one of the most difficult weeks of my life.  Due to some bad timing 2/3 of my family is out of the country.  That left us to fend for ourselves during this difficult season.  But Jesus sent some people into our lives the past week to care for us in ways that we could not have even asked for.  I'm trying to come up with a list but if I have forgotten someone, I am deeply sorry.  My mind isn't the clearest right now.

• MaryBeth - Not only is she my nanny but she's a wonderful friend.  She has spoken Truth and comfort to me over the past week.  She has walked this path before and has been crucial in giving Ainsley some extra TLC this week.
• Anne - Over the past years Anne has become a second mother to me.  This week she really stepped up and cared for me like only a mother could
• Mary - What started as a client/patient relationship over 2 years ago has turned into a wonderful friendship.  Mary was our doula for Ainsley's birth and her experience in this area of loss is too familiar.  She has sent me endless texts of encouragement and love
• Amy - She was the first one to know I was pregnant.  A coworker and also a friend.  She has listened to me and helped me through a few long days at work this week.
• Jessica - She's about to birth herself and yet has put many of those emotions aside this week to care for me.  She definitely is a BFF.
• Lindsay - She's a friend from long ago who loves me deeply.  A note in the mail came at the perfect time.  It was like a gift directly from Jesus.
• Sarah - When I needed a meal, she provided us with one.  She has such a tender heart and when she says she's praying for you, you know it's true.
• Kate - As my oldest friend, she stepped up big time.  She literally has a 1 week old.  And yet she took the time out of the sleepless nights to stop and call me.  I was the first non-family member she called since the birth of her adorable son Charlie.  To say this meant a lot would be an understatement.
• Wendy - My sister Wendy is the only family member I have in the country right now.  While she doesn't know the loss personally she has walked many of her friends through the same thing.  She has been my protector since the day I was born and she has been there for me like no one else during this time.
• Our Homegroup - We have a small home group from our church that meets once a week and has so for years.  This group of people has walked beside us through many things and will continue to do so.  What a gift it is to share this life with a group of fellow believers
• Community of Women Who Have Walked the Path - This is not an exclusive club.  There are so many women who have walked the path that I am on now.  The notes and emails have been endless.  The support of this group of women is invaluable.  This experience has brought me a new perspective on loss and to share it with this group of women is an incredible yet difficult gift.
• Countless People Praying - There are so many people praying for our family right now.  I couldn't even begin to list them.  But each prayer has been a gift to us.  We feel loved and prayed over like we never have been before.
• Ainsley - The best thing that I could have during this time was a sweet 2 year old looking to me for love and support.  This week has been hard on her.  Children have a way that they know that something is wrong.  And yet their lives need to go on.  And to me that's a gift.  I can't drown in my sorrow and bring this sweet innocent girl down with me.  She has a heart of gold and nothing has made me feel better during this time that the sweet hugs and kisses that only she can give.
• Ryan - It's hard to even put into words the strength that this man of God that I have married has given me over the past week.  While he is grieving this loss too, he has given me such unconditional love and support.  He has taken over everything from watching Ainsley to house hold chores to pretty much everything.  And the whole time he has been willing to listen to me cry and to hold me and even to be snapped at.  He's my rock and my protector.  I count it a privilege every day that I get to walk this journey of life with him.

So thank you friends.  You have shown me Jesus this week.

Matthew 25:37-40

 ³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

   ⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Are We Rich?

I don't usually do recap or event driven blog posts but this weekend was so full that I just had to share.  Putting it all together paints a big picture.

Friday was a day of prep for the weekend.  I was given a last minute batch of tomatoes and just had to can them.  They were free people! I ran some errands, baked some brownies, and even snuck in some cuddles with my precious 2 year old.

Friday night we got to celebrate my sweet mother in law.  She turned 60 and her husband threw her a surprise party.  It was great to be able to celebrate her life and the friends and family that love her so well.  And man was she surprised which made it so much more fun!

Saturday I spent the morning with Kendra from http://www.myfirstkitchen.net/ learning to cook vegetables.  I LOVE her blog and when she posted that she was doing a cooking class on vegetables, I was the first to sign up.  Wow.  I can't wait to try all these new recipes and methods!

Saturday night we drove to our old stomping ground and had a reunion of sorts with our old friends.  We were all in a small group together at church when we were all newlyweds and no one had kids.  Now we are a group of 16 adults and 17 children.  What a group we had back then and what a blessing they all are still today.  It's amazing to me how much can change and stay the same at the same time. 

Sunday after church we met together with family for brunch.  We were sending my sister in law off to start her first real job in Atlanta.  I can't believe that when I met her she was 5 and now she's a grown up with a grown up job.  I'm so proud.  Here's a picture of her from Friday night.  And yes, she looks just like her mom.

We rounded out the night with a church pool party.  We were at a city pool with all kinds of fun fountains and slides.  I think my child has never had more fun.

When I was little, I used to ask my mother if we were rich.  Her answer was always the same.  "We are rich in friends and love"  Truer words have never been spoken.

Sad Goodbye

They were our first real friends once we moved back to NC and got settled.  We joined their home group at church.  Instant friends.  Our lives run parallels.  Mine with Jason's.  Ryan's with Leah's.  And now the road splits.

Our friends Jason and Leah are moving this week to PA.  She worked tirelessly on a PhD and now she has earned a position as a college professor.  As I think back to the times we have had together, I know that my life has been enriched for knowing them. 

I've been in denial that they are actually leaving us until Sunday morning.  We had a goodbye party for them Saturday night and I still didn't break.  Then church rolled around and they were 3 rows in front of me.  I  sobbed through much of church.  I'm pretty much a hot mess.

So instead of dwelling on my sadness and the void that will be in our daily lives, I'm going to leave you with some wonderful pictures that remind me of the wonderful friendships we have formed. 

An afternoon hiking with our dogs, before the children, although I was pregnant here.

At the hospital holding Ainsley for the first time

Leah's baby shower with Heather

Our original home group right after Ainsley was born and when Leah was still pregnant. 

Ainsley and Logan when Leah and I were childcare swapping.  Kind of funny picture of both Ainsley and Logan!

At Ross and Laura's wedding making fools of ourselves.

An afternoon at the pool

Matching bees at Halloween

Cheering the mommies on at our 5K

The 5K finishers

And tonight at home group. 

Friends like these are hard to find.  We sure will miss you Jason, Leah, and Logan.  We love you so much.