I always love December.... the Christmas cards, the parade, the festive dress you see on others, the cold nights of going to watch basketball, church services and singing Christmas songs, the family time, the food, the gifts, the acts of blessing others and all the unexpected that comes with the magical month. You never know what kind of things will happen in December, but it's always been a month I love!
It's a month that we all need to remember
not to worry about everything being perfect... just make memories!
My focus for the month still holds true but it couldn't sting more than it does this year. Christmas this year was just us as we always do and at home with our children. That night we went to bed after the full day and Nathan and I were awakened with a phone call at 3 am. It's a phonecall I will never forget that led to a night our family will mourn forever over. We lost our precious 3 year old niece that early morning following Christmas. She had been in hospital on and off for a while but did get to come home for a very memorable Christmas with her family. It's hard to write about it but I can't end the year and not acknowledge what happened. We ended our December with more family time and a funeral. Not what anyone would hope for.
There are so many things we just don't understand in this life and so many things we desperately need the Lord to get through. This is one of those things. Our sweet Ansley Faith definitely gave us all more faith and in the end left us so that we couldn't see her no longer but we would still have to carry the faith of the unseen. That Hebrews verse is one I held tight to after losing my father over 17 years ago. Watching your family member lose a child is gut wrenching. The feeling we all had and have doesn't just leave. Unfortunately the stings of death never completely leave. Somehow we manage one day at a time to do life and go on without them. It hurts so bad and no one wants a pain like this. I pray for especially them throughout this upcoming year to be comforted and loved in a way that will help them do exactly that... move on and take it one day at a time in their grief. In times like these we still thank God for all that He has done and is going to do but mainly we beg him for peace and comfort for all who mourn the loss of loved ones. It's a faith as believers we hold on to... of being Sure of what we Hope for and certain of what we do not see... yet... because we will one day... we will see heaven and all of our loved ones all right there with Jesus as we know they are right now.
Rest in Heavenly Peace Sweet Ansley Faith
We will all be there with you in Heaven one day.
