Disappointments

I typically update our blog with exciting things happening in our little family. I enjoy posting pictures of birthday parties, zoo trips, visits to grandparents, etc., but there is more to life than weekend getaways and happy days with three little boys. There are also days of disappointment and lack of understanding.

I don't want to come across as "bah humbug" or "Debbie downer" so I have stayed away from such a topic. However, it's part of life. There are days of pure happiness and there are days where we question God's hand in our lives. I am in the latter.

He has GOT to hear me by now! Right?
I am sure he has had enough of my whining in prayer. Right?
There IS a purpose? Right?
He will never leave me nor forsake me? Right?

I know the answers to all these questions...in my head. I KNOW that He is sovereign, all-knowing, ever-present. I KNOW that He can count the hairs on my head and knows the number of my days. I also KNOW that He loves me with an unfathomable love and can and will do more than I could ever ask or imagine. I KNOW these things...in my head.

My heart has been deceived to think that God would choose to turn His ear from me. That He would place me in a valley and leave me there. My heart has been deceived.

So, what do I do? Do I lay in sackcloth and ashes and pout until I feel like God has revealed Himself enough that I snap out of the funk I am in? That sure does sound selfish don't you think?

It's a choice...
I will choose to fix my eyes on Him (Hebrews 12:2).
I will choose to be still  (Psalm 46:10).
I will choose to trust the One that can put a new song in my mouth/heart (Psalm 40:3).

When I do these things my heart will have no choice but to trust in His promises. Disappointments will come but I don't have to stay in the pit. He has promised His presence and that's enough. Again, He has promised His presence and that's enough!!

Honestly, it's been a rough two years for me. As I stated before, I don't want to come across as negative and whiney. It's just where I am. There has been disappointment after disappointment BUT
I have grown through them. God has taught me and even disciplined me. Has it been fun? NOT.AT.ALL!!! My emotional state is not at the top of His to-do list. He is more worried about me becoming more like his Son...growing me in Christlikeness.

He is teaching. I am learning.


His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

Weekend in Alabama

Brandon and Carson were in Alabama the week of Dalton's surgery so that weekend Nate, Dalton, and I went down there to visit for the weekend and bring them home.

They had been part of VBS all week and we made it just in time for Family Night where we got to see all they had done that week.

Those VBS songs have great moves =)

 

Brandon was so excited that he got to hold the Christian flag

 

 

 

Carson "showing his Daddy" his VBS certificate

 

 

He loved VBS!

 

Saturday was Dalton's birthday!! I CAN'T BELIEVE HE IS ONE!!
Nate and the older boys went to motorcycle races with Papa (Nate's dad) while a few of us went shopping.
That evening we grilled out and celebrated Dalton's big day.
I made him a cake and he loved it!!! =)

Nathan preached Sunday morning...have I ever mentioned how I love to hear him preach?? I might be a little biased but he does a great job! I have said time and time again that he has a passion for the Word that is evident in his preaching/teaching. I am so thankful for his encouragement as my husband but also as a teacher of the Word.

We came back to Nashville late Sunday afternoon. It was a fun weekend and it was good seeing family from Florida that was in town for the weekend. This is my niece, Samantha...don't she and Carson favor??

We are blessed and thankful to have such a loving and supportive family!!!

His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

Thankful

Dalton had his surgery today and everything went great!! I am so thankful for emails and texts I received throughout the day letting me know our sweet baby boy was being prayed for...well, our almost one year old big boy! =)

His birthday is Saturday so the Child Life group at Vanderbilt gave him a birthday present. How sweet!

Since he wasn't able to eat or drink anything we had to find a way to entertain him. Fortunately the hospital had this car. We pushed him up and down the hall numerous times as we waited his turn for surgery.

I am thankful for the team of doctors and nurses that took care of Dalton today. Of course I shed a few tears when they took him back for surgery but I was confident that he was in good hands and everything would be ok.

I am also thankful for a sweet Mama who drove here from Jackson to be with me!! Thank you, Mama! I love you!!!



His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

All I Have Is Christ

We sang this song at church on Sunday and it has stuck with me the past few days.

I once was lost in darkest night,
Yet I thought I knew the way.
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave.
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will.
And if You had not loved me first,
I would refuse you still.

But as I ran my hell bound race,
Indifferent to the cost,
You looked upon my helpless state,
And led me to the cross.
And I beheld God's love displayed -
You suffered in my place.
You bore the wrath reserved for me -
Now all I know is grace.

Halleljuah! All I have is Christ.
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life.

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me.
Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You.

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ.
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life.

What a powerful message that all believers can testify to. We are all rebels saved by God's grace. We are all still rebels saved by God's grace. I am thankful that he bore the wrath reserved for me!!



His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

Prayer

Dalton was scheduled to have surgery a few months ago and we weren't able to go through with it because he had a slight wheeze.

Well, the wheeze has been gone for a couple months now and surgery is back on for this Thursday, June 20th.

I am nervous. I am not nervous about the procedure or the healing/post op process. I am more nervous about the duration of the surgery. I am just flat out anxious about the anesthesia and his response to it...if the chronic wheeze he has had most of his life will be triggered while in surgery which could cause complications afterwards...

Anxiety.

Everything is out of my control. I trust the Vanderbilt medical team and I trust my God. Period.

I am asking for prayer for Dalton and his health during surgery and for my continued trust in the medical team during the procedure. It's about 1 1/2 hour ordeal according to the doctor which is an ETERNITY!! Ok not really but that's a long time to wait on an almost one year old to come out of surgery.

I will update later this week but just pray...



His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

Happy Fathers Day!

After Brandon's party on Saturday the big boys (Brandon and Carson) went to stay with their Grammy and Papa in Alabama. It's VBS week at their church and they wanted Brandon and Carson to be a part of it...I do too but I don't like it when they are gone!! =( However, I am trying to enjoy the time with Dalton since I never get him by himself.

Today was Father's Day and Dalton was the only one here. After church I went to work for a little while and Nate hung out (aka napped) with Dalton. When I got off work we went to one of Nathan's favorite restaurants...Famous Dave's. We go there twice a year - his birthday and Father's Day. hahahahaha. In my opinion it's ok but it's Nate's day so whatever! =)

Dalton didn't have a single complaint about the food...but I don't much food that he complains about. He eats just about anything and everything.

I am so thankful for Nate and the role that he plays in the life of our boys. He is so patient and loving towards them and with them. They adore him and want to be just like him...they walk around and play in his shoes; every day they ask how much longer till Daddy is home; they want to wrestle with him as soon as he walks in the door from work; they look forward to a Bible story every night before bed. They adore him and want to be just like him. I am ok with that. Nate has a love for the Lord that is evident in the way he treats us and loves us. I am so blessed and so thankful!!! We love you, Nate!!! Happy Father's Day!

His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

Birthday Boy!

We have moved to a new place and things are settling down a bit (thank goodness).

During our move Brandon celebrated his FOURTH birthday. So crazy to think that he is four!! Unfortunately his birthday was moving day =( so the night before his big day we went to dinner at Chuck E Cheese!!! Such a fun a way to celebrate my baby...yes, still my baby!! =)

The rest of the week was spent moving in, organizing, and trying to get back into our routine. It wasn't long before Nathan and I were back to work and we were back into our normal routine.

On Saturday, the 15th, we had Brandon's birthday party and it was awesome! He had so much fun and he was able to play with friends and family that he hasn't seen in a while.

It was a great day. At the end of all of it Brandon looked at me and said, "Thank you for my birthday." He is so precious and I am so thankful for him!!!

He is growing up too fast!



His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17