Pressing On

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We enjoyed some time with Brad's family on Thanksgiving day and then went to my parents' house in Chattanooga for a couple nights. Friday evening we went downtown to the Christmas lighting boat parade where we enjoyed having hot chocolate down by the river, and then enjoyed the other festivities they had going on. Here are some pictures from that night.

And here is Karsten with his great-grandparents--

I want to be transparent for just a little bit. Here lately I've been having a hard time missing my son Kyler. I know that while here on earth I am always going to miss him. I have said before that time does not heal, only God does. It is evident that until I am with my Husband Redeemer there is going to be sadness and sorrow here on earth. I am ever so grateful that God says in His Word that sorrow and sadness will flee away (Isaiah 35:10). This time of the year is especially difficult for people who have lost loved ones. There are many in this world broken and hopeless. The loss of a child is something you never get over. Recently, I was talking with my neighbor and found out that her 2 day old son went to live with Jesus 43 years ago. As she was telling me tears formed in her eyes. She is still grieving, yet with hope for she knows that one sweet day she will be reunited with her son.

I will admit that I have been focusing on my pain rather than the ultimate goal--the assurance of eternity in heaven where there will be everlasting joy and no more pain. As 2 Corinthians 4:18 says, I need to fix my eyes on what in unseen which is eternal because the things that we can see are temporary. I pray that the resurrection power of Christ will strengthen those around the world who are suffering.

I thank God for His many blessings over my life. He is so gracious to me. The pain and suffering that Christ endured for me is unspeakable. He alone is worthy of my praise and I bow down to Him. God is so patient with me and I am so thankful for the wonderful husband He gave me, for Karsten and what a kind and loving son he is, for little baby and Kyler and how God continues to use them to teach me to cherish each day, and for Kylie who has been growing in my heart for 4 years now--I love Kylie as much as I do Karsten and Kyler. How I pray that we will have her soon. I am also so thankful for my mom and dad and seeing them grow in the sweetness of the Lord. I've said it before and I'll say it again...I am so thankful that this world is not my home and that God is preparing a home for me in heaven! This life is only an introduction to our eternity.