Taranator update...

Well it feels like I haven't blogged in forever.... and in blogging world maybe a week really is forever!  These past few weeks have been super difficult for me, (starting out on such a happy note! - sorry!)  Maybe it is the holidays, or maybe it's the fact that more than two months have passed and the intensity of the pain I feel hasn't gone away. I know, I know, it's only two months but that can be a really long time in this situation, and I want things to feel less painful! But yet through this all, I have continued to feel the closeness of the Lord like nothing I've ever experienced. For that I am thankful. 

Pastor Jim had a really great talk last Sunday about Phil 4 - 

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

One of the many things he said really struck me, (and I greatly paraphrase) Life is an adventure, full of absolutely incredible moments, but also times that are super difficult, as we all well know!!! Sure we can go about life thinking good thoughts, trying to rid the bad that comes our way - I call this Oprahs way!

Or we can take these trials that affect us so deeply and ask ourselves what do we do when we face these times? Do we run from God and burry ourselves in those fleeting "pleasures" of this world that do not satisfy or do we run to Jesus, who can carry us through even the most terrifying storm? No one wants bad things to come their way, but they do, that is real. And IF we can seek God in the trials and draw closer to him we can be thankful that although that was a brutal moment in our life, at least we grew spiritually, - our relationship with the Lord was deepened and he is magnified because of it. In the end isn't that what really matters? I can't think of anything negative about this. It has lifted my burden greatly.

"The God of our blessings is also the God of our burdens. He intends the latter as much for the good as the former" - Jim Andrews

You know what else really helps in times like this? Girlfriends! This past month I have gone on four girls nights and each one has been amazing.  I feel so safe with these girls, we are all very close and find ourselves talking about anything from parenting, to farting to spiritual matters.... ok, so we didn't talk about farting, but I'm sure we would!  How great is it to be completely yourself and allow others to do the same? I always walk away feeling so encouraged. I love you girls! 

Oh and one more thing....NAMES!  Thank you for all the help! Some ppl really got into it and trust me, I'm thankful! Here are my ideas.... but if you don't like them... don't tell me! ha! Isn't that terrible? I mean tell me your favorite, but I have had some ppl bag on the names and I'm not a fan of that! Ok with that said... and these are not in favorite order... I still have no clue what I like best!  Preston will be the middle name though. And it would be great if the first name meant something special....

Micah, Josiah, August, Kai, and Elijah.....hmmm i'm still open to suggestions though!!!