CLR Open House

Josh and I had the priviledge to go visit Camp Longridge for the 1st Annual Alumni Brunch and Open House! We actually met at Camp during one of the weekend retreats called That Girl Thing. We both worked various summers but never the same summer. Camp was where Josh went at as a kid- got saved there as well as accepted the call to ministry. Camp was where I was challenged to walk deeper in my faith as well as confirmed that I want to work with children. It is a very special place for both of us and we have met people have become our lifelong friends. Here are a few pics of the day!


On the way!


Signing the years we worked


Dining Hall


Slide


Travis, Laila, and Josh


Baby Patrick


The Girls


Good Times and Good Friends!

Happy Mother's Day

Today has been a day of joy and a day of tears. I smile because I think of my mother. She has taught me so much in my 26 years of life... how to love unconditionally, how to get just the right 'head scratch', how to worry, how to cherish every breath, and how to be strong in the face of fear. I smile because I think of my mother in law. She raised an amazing boy and then shared him with me, while accepting me in as part of her family.

But I also cry... because I think of my sweet baby Faith. She left us 3 months and 5 days ago. Although she is in God's hands now- I will always be her mommy. I wish I'd had the courage to walk up to the front of the church today when they said "All the mothers, please come get a gift from this table." Instead, I ran out the back door in tears. I feared the questions that would have arisen from my taking a gift from the "special table"... I feared having to answer the question of "How old is your child?"... At the same time- I want her to be remembered. I want people to know how much joy she brought to my and Josh's life in the short time she was with us. I want people to know how her passing brought me closer to God.

So- Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful moms out there- My mom, my mom in law, my charleston mom, first time moms, moms to be, all moms! Special prayer to moms like me who are thinking of their angel babies who are w God today...

"If you know someone who has lost a child...and you're afraid to mention them because you think you might make them sad by reminding them that they died, they didn't forget they died. You're not reminding them. What you're reminding them of is that you remember that they lived, and that's a great, great gift."

Blog Land Encouragement...

I am so challenged and blessed by all the stories I stumble across in "blog land".

Reading your stories about the loss of your children... your struggle to concieve.... your adoption stories... your precious babies and their struggles with EB or down syndrome... your daily moments that make you smile...I am encouraged by the love and grace of God.

He is with us all and uses all to draw us to him. He is there when we weep and there when we laugh... I pray for each of you daily. That may seem crazy- as we have never met and may never meet. Thank you all for your honesty and willingness to share your life with the world! :)