A New Year

It's officially here- 2009. I don't know whether I'm happy about that or not. For me, it is difficult to leave 2008 because it feels a little like we are leaving our Grant behind. Though it was without doubt the most horrible year of our lives, it was also a special year. Probably doesn't make much sense, now, does it?! Maybe the best word to describe it would be "bittersweet".
Time has a way of, unfortunately, but yet, fortunately moving on. So, we'll just say, we will never forget, but we will see what God has in His plans for us in the years to come.

I will begin with sharing some good news. First of all, my sister had the big 20 week ultrasound back in November- and it turns out, all is well with my new niece! We praise the Lord that there are no signs of a trisomy anywhere! We saw the ultrasound pics and she looks a lot like my sister, though a couple shots I saw some of Scott in her too. She is so pretty! I am excited to meet her in March, and tell her all about her cousin Grant who is waiting to play with her in Heaven. In the meantime, she has numerous other cousins to play with her and of course her aunts and uncles and grandparents to spoil her rotten. We ask for your prayers that Danielle will have a safe delivery-- as you might imagine, she has been a little extra concerned with her pregnancy after just having witnessed the loss of her baby nephew. We will all breathe a sigh of relief when baby Megan arrives.

Second piece of good news, Dan and Casey Chappell have just adopted a baby girl! For those of you who may not remember, Dan and Casey lost their baby just days before we lost Grant. Please click on "Asher Daniel Chappell" to the right of this blog under "Friends who share the same journey." Here you can read Asher's story, as well as see the new pics of Zoe Elizabeth! What a miracle her birth story is and she has brought such joy to Dan and Casey. You can just see how God is working in their lives.

We praise the Lord for these new little lives; for in this we see just how God can turn mourning into dancing. Please pray for the Chappells as they have welcomed their new daughter, but are still so greatly missing their son.

I hope this year brings blessings far above all that any of us could ever imagine. Mostly, I pray for God's love and peace as we go through each day. Please continue to keep Kris and I in your prayers too, if you would. Pray for God's peace and healing comfort to surround us. Have a wonderful week!

Blessings-