Baby Love...

I have always been amazed by mothers. I was raised with an awesome Mom and two Grandmas who were examples of women that were completely selfless in the way they lived their lives. The most important thing for them was always the well being of their families. I have admired that characteristic since I was a little girl. But as I get older, the women in my life who are mothers have changed from my mom and aunts...to my sister and cousins and some of my very best friends. I can’t believe we are even old enough to have kids but as it turns out, we are! I was looking through facebook pictures today and just marveling at the fact that my sweet friends have not only found the person they are going to love forever (miracle in itself!) BUT many of them have now had a child/children with this person. It seems like just yesterday we were having sleepovers and giggling about liking boys and now they have kids of their own. It's incredible.

Children are one of my favorite things in all the world. The fact that two people with infinite love for each other can create a tiny person that is a combination of the both of them...it’s mind blowing! Beauty at its very best. I have never even been close to thinking I could marry a particular person. I can’t imagine the love that your heart must feel...to know that you want to spend every day forever with that person. But even more than that, to be able to look at a little human being that is a perfect combination of you and your love? It’s too much. I feel like my heart would just explode.

Sometimes I feel like the world is such a dark and dreary place. There is so much hurt and disease and pain. But holding one of these little ones...so loved...so perfect...so pure. They are the truest evidence that there is still good in this bad world. They are a ray of light in a dark place. And if they follow in the footsteps of their precious parents, they will remain those lights long after their sweet newborn smell has faded away....

I feel blessed to know these sweet families...and hope you lil' mamas know how precious you are; how rare; how invaluable.

"Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her." - Proverbs 31:28

Speaking of baby love, I'm hosting a little shower this weekend for my sweet friend Sarah. And it's a girl! Hooray! I'm ready for some {more} pink in my life!

Love is in the Air?

Valentine's Day is right around the corner people! This has always been one of my favorite days. I just don't understand how you could hate a day where there are pink glittery hearts everywhere and chocolate is passed out. It's basically a combination of some of my very favorite things.

For some reason this year I'm not excited. I was planning a trip to Dallas to see the ever-beloved 'Pioneer Woman' at a book signing there, but had to cancel that trip after remembering that we had a board meeting scheduled here at camp on the 15th that I simply cannot miss. I was so excited about being there - or rather, about NOT being home alone on Monday night.

If you have spent any amount of time with me you know I am EXTREMELY independent. I have been this way for as long as I can remember. I support myself completely, and handle most things in my life on my own. I am not 'one of those girls'. I don't always have a boyfriend and I'm fine on my own - honestly. But certain times of the year are more difficult than others to be a 26 year old single girl. Valentine's Day is just one of those days. I don't want to babysit. I don't want to stay home by myself, but even more than that, I don't want to go OUT by myself. I have found myself uncharacteristically emotional and aggravated about it lately. It feels like there is a flashing neon sign hanging over my head that reads, "HEY EVERYONE! I AM SINGLE! I WILL BE EATING LARGE AMOUNTS OF ICE CREAM AND WATCHING NICHOLAS SPARKS MOVIES AT MY HOUSE TONIGHT WHILE YOU GET DRESSED UP AND EAT AT A NICE RESTAURANT."

God continues to teach me that He is more than enough for me, and that I need nothing in addition to His love. Last Sunday the lesson for the youth Bible study I taught was over the book of Hosea. I love the prophets of the Old Testament. I am in awe of these great men and how they delivered very difficult messages straight from God without fear or hesitation. If you have not read the book of Hosea you MUST take time to read it. I actually teared up during Sunday School - just remembering again the redemption of Christ - the great immeasurable love that He has for us, His people. This love is illustrated in the love between Hosea and Gomer and it moves me every time I read it. The third chapter where Hosea buys his WIFE from slavery for fifteen shekels is a clear reminder that Christ paid the price for us. He considered us worthy of love - even though we don't deserve it. No man can ever take the place of Christ in my life; ever love me as fully as He does.

I am grateful for His love always - but forget to think about it sometimes. On this day, the day when love is celebrated, I choose to celebrate this gift. I don't have to have flowers or dinner at a nice restaurant to remember that I am loved beyond all that I can ask or imagine. I am forever grateful that the greatest Love of all touched the heart of little seven-year old Abby and said, "Be Mine."