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!!!  


Comments

Murray's Corner said…
Out of the ones you suggested, I like Micah, August, and Kai.
I'm curious, what's the meaning behind August? I wanted to name my son that when he was born in August but I thought it would be too funny since we named our daughter Summer! So he's stuck with Nash :)
Anonymous said…
Tara I wanted to tell you that I check your blog every day and I am always so encouraged by what you have to say. I'm still thinking about you and praying for you. I'm afraid I'm not much help with those names because I love them all! Maybe think about the shortened version of the name, Jo, Eli, etc and see if there's any that you particularly like or dislike. That helped narrow the list down for me. Or try shouting the full name like you're angry and see which has more impact! haha.
Lindsey said…
I have a friend whose name is Kai and I simply love the name!
I agree with Ashlea... the "nick name" of a name sometimes really kills it.
Anonymous said…
what about malachi...then you can call him kai for short which is sooo cute, and malachi means God's messenger. lots of love,
Renee
L-i-n-d-s-a-y said…
I vote for Micah or Elijah. I think Micah is my favorite!
Micah = "Who is like Yahweh?"
Elijah = "My God is Yahweh"
Anonymous said…
Hey Tara, I want you to know that I think and pray for you often. I enjoy reading your blog so much and feel like I am so encouraged every time I read it. You just make me feel better about the world and I always feel like I wish there was a way for me to encourage you the way that I know you are encouraging me and many others. My vote is on Elijah for the names by the way, you probably already know that, but I love the way Elijah Preston sounds together and I love the meaning. I look foreward to seeing you this December if it works out, tlak to you soon! Love Shawna
My favorite of the bunch is Elijah :)
Bre said…
Hi ,
my name is Breanna and I am a young mom in Vernon , BC with a son the same age as yours and I read about your story in the Vernon morning star about a month ago or so and I have followed your blog ever since. My heart reaches out to you even though I don't know you and I pray for you regularly. I just wanted to say that your name choices are all wonderful - August especially!! That was one I had wanted but my husband nixed it so we chose Jasper instead. God bless!!
Anonymous said…
be blessed...u are a great woman tara!
I'm Dominique said…
Tara, I also am no help because I think they're all beautiful names. I really like the name August and Micah and Kai and Elijah and Josiah, o.k. so I told you I'd be no help but I love you. I can wait to see you and your baby bump at Christmas
hey tara, I cant imagine how long it would take for the pain to subside, it's must be terrible. But you are constantly going back to the word and our Father, which will sustain you!
Jesus loves you this I know:)

I LOVE the name Josiah, that was my first choice for Seth, but he just looked like a Seth... so he isnt josiah:) but one of our children is bound to have that name, I hope. Anyway thats my vote!
Love Kathryn
Catrina said…
Tara, I hope you don't mind me checking in on you through your blog. You are really an amazing person with an incredible amount of strength I could only dream of having. I'm so glad you've been going on with the girls.Good for you!!! I hope to see you at bible study in the morning. I'm looking forward to watching the kiddos perform for us. Should be entertaining!! Oh...I love the name August. I don't think you mentioned that one when I saw you last. But I like them all. Great choices!
Unknown said…
Hey Tara...

Names are such a big thing hey!! We didn't know what we were going to name Gabriel until after he was born!! lol
I was so stuck. I really liked the name Malachi and then Kai for short...
Kinda along the same lines. Anyway have fun with it! Hopefully you'll find that just right name sooner than I did!!!
hugs and prayers for you
kate
Anonymous said…
Tara,
I am praying for you regularly....knowing that the Father is with you all the time, even in the darkest moments...
I vote for Micah [we have used it!] due to the verse Micah 6:8. Doesn't that sum Preston up?
Grace and peace to you!
Karen Baylis
Jonathan said…
We think it should be a secret - whatever you pick but i sure like Jonathan!
Kristin said…
Hi sweet buddy, I think Jonathan is kidding about suggesting his name, BUT I do totally agree that you should keep it a secret and surprise everybody when the baby is born! We loved doing that with Susannah (even though we told you about an hour before she was born.. you were the first to know, other than Jacob, who couldn't talk at all to tell anyone!)

Oh how we miss you while you are gone! Did Jacob tell you he called Mimi the Monkey today? Hee hee.
Anonymous said…
Hi Tara,
I'm not sure if you remember me from BBC...I was friends with Preston, Tim, Joya and the bunch. I have been reading your blog ever since I heard about what happened. I cried reading your story the first time. I too have a little guy born April 12 and am due with little guy number 2 March 20. I found God deeply speaking to me through your losing Preston. Thank you for sharing your trials in your blog and your faith. It inspires and speaks to me and I am sure many. God is using you even in this time.
AS for names... I like Micah Preston :)
Praying for you both,
Krystal Schriner (Slade at BBC)
PS - can you blog on how Jake is through all of this?? I'm curious too chat kind of little boy he is.

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