Sharing Addy's Story

Don't we all have parts of our stories we would change if left to our own accord? 

Don't we think, 'if I were in charge, I would...', only to be reminded that we are indeed not in control. If left to me, my journey would have looked different. But, this is my story and I want to embrace the hope that has enfolded through the hurt. 

I was recently asked to share Addy's story and the healing that I have found through Alexandra's House. I don't need to share nor do I share for me. I agreed to share the hard parts of my story, because I deeply believe that hope brings healing.

You can find the link to the news story here.

-----

And while I am sharing links...Inside Pediatrics: Children's Mercy Kansas City recently aired. 

This six part series follows patients through their medical jounrey. The series hit home for me because it is the very hospital where I work. It made me proud to see the work being done everyday be captured. And, it hit home for me as it follows the journey of the two families who found themselves sitting around the very conference table in the Fetal Health Center just like I once did.

When you have time, you should watch the series. You can find the series here.

Christmas Decor {2014 Edition}

I think I may need a faux deer intervention.

I have zero desire for a taxidermy real, strange glass eye type of deer hanging in my house but I can't seem to get enough faux deer. At last count, I think I have 4 in my home. Oh dear.

The most recent is a paper mache friend on my fireplace. 

He makes me happy, all festive and farmhouse lookin'.

When we finished decorating, Abby told me it looks like we were living in the Stoney Creek Inn. I am just going to assume that is a compliment.

Of all the holiday decor, my most favorite is Addy's tree. 

 Last year, I purchased a couple ornaments that I felt reflected my beloved, made a few more, and then was gifted a couple to round out my collection. It made this momma's heart so happy to rediscover each ornament this year.

I can't get enough of the sparkly lights, garland galore, or my fireplace friend.

Happy holiday decorating to you all!

Dating {Part III...I guess}

You know what I don't like doing? Flossing.  

I dislike it so much that I may or may not only floss two weeks out of the year.

Naturally, if I floss the week before I go to the dentist, my hygienist won't realize that I don't floss the other 50 weeks out of the year. I work with people who stash those little flossing sticks in the their desk drawer and after lunch they get to picking. Kudos to them but it is just not my jam. Why? I have no idea but it's not.

That has nothing to do with this blog post other then to talk about my recent trip to the dentist.  But, aren't you glad to know such an interesting tidbit about me? 

No? Then just erase that from your memory.

Ok, back to the dentist. 

I have been going to the same dentist for the last five years. Same dentist with the same hygienist. So recently when I checked in, I was perplexed when the receptionist explained that my hygienist is no longer with the office and that I would be getting my pearly whites cleaned by someone else. 

It is always rather odd when they ask questions that require more than just a simple yes or no with your mouth wide open and that blessed floss being strung through your teeth. Nonetheless, the new hygienist was asking the basic 'get to know you' questions. 

Job. Kids. Marriage status. Oh how I love these questions. 

She appeared to be around my age and I was pretty proud of her for asking such bold follow-up questions after my surprising answers to her basic questions. When I answered that I was divorced, she was bold enough to ask why. Most shy away after my answers catch them off guard so when she was brave enough to dig deeper, I shared. Knowing that I was there for my teeth and not therapy, I spared her all the details but I gave her an honest rendition of how my past two years unfolded. And after I did, I thanked her for being bold enough to ask. I don't know why it made such an impact but it did. I just really appreciate honest and real conversations and that we had (or I could have just been stalling and hoping she would skip a few sections needing plaque scrapping).

The conversation continued and she asked about my dating life.

I explained how I went on one blind date and one second date with a really nice guy and then promptly retired from blind dates. Perhaps I will have to come out of retirement at some point but this girl is still holding out for my future spouse to show up on my doorstep already knowing my story. Friends, I believe in miracles more than the Mighty Ducks did. It is scary to sit across the table from a complete stranger. I mean really scary because the truth is it leaves me vulnerable to how they embrace my story. So tap your hockey stick against the ice, together let us form the 'v', and in unison quack...quack...quack.

I am at peace with where my life is at the present. I have pulled my floundering fins from the mound of brokenness that once felt all consuming. I feel refreshed, rejuvenated, and oh so redeemed. Perfect, completely whole, freed from all difficult days? Certainly not. And I don't think I ever will be. Because even when I am 80, there will still be triggers. Moments when I vividly remember kissing the lips of my lifeless child one last time. There will be moments when that familiar drop in my stomach hits as I am reminded of a fond memory that is no more. Those triggers will come next week, next year, and all the years to come. Forever. 

But those pings are a beautiful result of a love so deep. And I embrace them as a reminder that I am a momma who did the best she knew for her child and as reminder of the innocence of a sixteen year old dreamer who had yet to fathom the complexity of life.

When there were no spaces left to floss, the hygienist whom I had met a mere 52 minutes before asked if I would reconsider my retirement from blind dates because she has a brother. Oh Lord.  If not now, she assured me she was going to ask again when I come back in six months.

I smiled as I walked out of the office at the way my life has played out. 

This isn't how it was supposed to be. This isn't how I envisioned it. 

But this is me. This is my story. 

Once so deeply broken yet being so faithfully mended.

Tis' great redemption that leaves me surprisingly excited to see how life unfolds from here. 

quack...quack...quack

Africa Bound {Abby That Is}...

Guys...Do you know my little sis/running buddy/roomie for life?

You know, the one who keeps appearing in all my pictures because she is my right hand {wo}man? Well, she is about to take a big leap of faith. Not a little nudge or casual frolic but a giant jump!  

Friends, she is headed to Africa! 
I refuse to say moving because as a part of her lease to live with me, she committed to forever. So someday she will be coming home but for the time being, she is packing her bags and faithfully headed where the Lord is leading her. 

As I read a letter she wrote about her upcoming mission, I could not be more excited and proud and filled with hope. 


"Have you ever had a dream that felt so big you wondered if it would ever become reality?
Maybe a dream that you knew wasn’t yours but was from the Creator of dreams?"


She dreamed big. Real big and real bold.

And where most might shy away out of fear or find an excuse to cover the calling, she raised her hand and said "here I am." And so, she is going to live out a dream, a perfectly cultivated dream.

In February, Abby will begin a three month long internship for Abide Family Center in Uganda. Can we just take that in for a moment...Uganda people! 
Uganda-be-kidding-me.

The mission of Abide is to empower families by equipping them with tools to stay together and ultimately keep the children out of orphanages. Through the organization, Abby will be working to bring children and families hope and joy though programming activities where they learn skills to improve their quality of life. A-maz-ing. 

Will you join me and faithfully praying for Abby while she serves?

I have already begun praying for the logistics of planning, the finances, and the international travels. I have been praying for unity amongst the team she will be serving with, for the
the hearts of the families she will be encountering, and for the mission set forth through Abide. But mostly, I have been praying for God to use Abby in big, big ways.

Look out friends, she is fierce and passionate and ready.
And as her biggest sister, I could not be more proud.

----

If you are interested in financially supporting Abby as she serves the people of Uganda,
you can visit her funding site here.