on my mind.

My heart is heavy today.. with joy and with sorrow.  It's been one of those days, of reflecting and praying.  There is so much to be grateful for in life.. so many blessings that the Lord has so generously given us.  But there's also a lot of.. heartache.  and just complications.  that make life what it is.

First it's the babies.  I love getting on facebook and seeing all the pregnancy/baby news among my friends!  It's so exciting to get the news of a new life quickly approaching.  This is the basic run down of my friends (and this isn't a complete list, just the most recent and upcoming.. there's been so many!) 

First, my friend Watson is anxiously awaiting the arrival of little Levi.  He seems to want to make his appearance early.. but just stay in there little buddy!  (maybe until March?) :)  This is my sweet friend with her man Zakary.  I can't wait for them to be a family of 4 and experience this new whirlwind!  (sure, whirlwind is the nice word for it!)

Then, there's Johnna who is due in June and is hosting an adorable "gender reveal" party this Saturday to let us know what this baby is!  ahh!  And my friend Mary, who is due in May (hurry up May!! surprise baby coming!).    There's quite a few baby's due this summer.. it's going to be a wonderful summer!

and the baby's that just happened.. my friend Lindsay had sweet little Jada, with some complications.. but God has been SO good to that family and has answered incredible prayers!  And my friend Lizzy had baby girl #2.  miss Penelope.  (she makes adooorable babies.. so keep em comin!)  But maybe we'll learn to not have them so close right?   And Allison recently had little Ruby!  

Like I said, those are just the recent, and only a few.  There's tons of tons!   Oh how I love this stage in life.  See what I mean.. joy!  my heart is exploding with gratitude and joy for what God has done.

But then there's the other side of life.  The hard stuff.  The stuff that you don't think we should have to deal with, but there's no escaping it.  And God knows that!  He is completely faithful through it all. 

The short story is.. a fellow teacher or mine at Liberty has battled cancer for 7 years now.  Chris is a young guy.. so full of life and wisdom I can't help but envy.  He has so much light that points directly to Christ and I am lucky to know him for the brief time I did.  He is leaving this world.. possibly today.  He, his wife Emily and their 2 year old daughter Erika are facing challenges that are beyond understanding.  But they are also rising above it, crossing this river and glorifying the Lord in incredible ways.  See, that's why we're here!  That's why God brings us through this..  life is not fair, life doesn't make sense.  That's one lesson that I hope I can bring to my children.. but that through it all God is faithful to deliver us.  There will be sorrow, but joy triumphs.

The verse that has been laid on my heart today as I think about Chris. "I have completed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith! Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge will award it to me in that day - and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on His appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8

That's what life is about.. to complete well and finish the race!   Apologies if this is random, but such is my heart today.  Until next time :)