Family

     I've been continuing to go through my journals and have prayerfully started writing my book!  :)  It's been fun reading through my journals and seeing the growth--seeing my newborn Christian faith as Jesus called me to Himself.  My first recorded prayer, prayers agonizing over what to do my senior year of high school and thinking ahead to college and the unknown "real world".  Hoping to meet that special someone that would love me more than anything.  And memory after memory of times with my family--those who have been so instrumental in the woman I am today.  I've found many things that I've never shared with all of you, so you might be getting some emails or texts!  Here is a poem I found that I wrote in September of 2001.  I had been a believer for about a year, Papa had been gone for two years, and 9/11 hadn't happened yet.  I confess as I read through it, there is a stanza that talks about the time coming for my Mom and Dad to become Grandparents and my Brothers and Sister to become Aunts, and I just started sobbing.  It's different than the discontented cries and anger of the past.  I know God's plan is best and His answer as of yet isn't no forever, but not yet.  I'm still praying and hoping that one day we will become parents--in His perfect timing.  In the meantime, I continue to cast my care upon Him, as He cares for me as a loving Father.  And I count my blessings.  My life is filled with many wonderful blessings: My amazing hubby, my wonderful family, many godly friends, a great church that preaches Jesus Christ and Him crucified, many children that I get to love on, spoil, and send home, and most of all the gift of eternal life because of Jesus Christ's death on the cross!  :)  

Here's the poem entitled "Family".  By His grace, I have been adopted into Jord's family as a daughter, and several other families that through the bond of Jesus, we have become so close, just like family.  I love you all so much and am so incredibly grateful to God for each one of you!

 Family

Your world, your strength, your everything,

In one word, Family,

We sum up the most important people in our lives.

Your Mom is there to hold you,

When you’re born,

When you tripped and scraped your knee,

When you made a mistake,

Or just to say, “I love you.”

You’re “Daddy’s little girl”,

When you do flips for hours,

When you learn to hold the bat just right,

When you go on your first date,

When he walks you down the aisle.

Your brothers and sisters are there,

To play games, to argue,

To tease, and to protect,

We can mess with each other,

But how dare someone from the outside,

Even think of hurting my best friends.

Your Aunts and Uncles,

There to spoil you,

With lots of love,

And tents in the living room,

When Mom and Dad get a much needed date.

Papa and Grandma,

The Mom and Dad,

That get to spoil this time around,

And then send you home. :)

Chocolate chip cookies, tractors,

Paddles and drawers full of lids,

And socks to make sure you’re awake.

Everyone’s family,

Is unique and different,

Mine is filled with love.

Sometimes I don’t realize,

Just how blessed I am,

To have what I do,

And get the opportunities I’ve had.

Almost time for college,

Almost time for Mom and Dad,

And my family,

To say good-bye to their little girl,

For that little girl to say good-bye,

To the innocence of childhood…forever.

But wait! 

As I gaze into the great unknown,

Starting a life of my own,

The possibility of a new family,

The thoughts of long awaited dreams come true.

Sitting in the chairs,

As I walk across the stage,

I glance out and see my family,

There every step of the way.

Walking down the aisle,

 Saying “I do”,

Mom and Dad wondering,

“Is our job done?”

I turn around and smile…

For their job has just begun.

It’s their turn to spoil,

My brothers and sisters,

Become Aunts and Uncles,

Mom and Dad become

Grandma and Grandpa,

And the circle of life…

It continues.

At times there are questions,

Confusion and misunderstanding,

What am I to do?

Will this ever end?

Why me? Why us? Why now?

No matter what comes my way,

I know that I have one very powerful bond,

One very powerful word,

That can get me through anything:

FAMILY 

May you enjoy just a small glimpse into my family :) 

Thankful for His many blessings,

Rachelle 

Spring--A Time for New Life

     As I look all around me, there are signs of new life everyday.  Baby calves gallivanting around the pastures, chicks and geese at the feed store, trees starting to bud with new leaves, and flowers poking their heads out of the ground.  The desert where I grew up has its own beauty and the cactus flowers are some of the most beautiful flowers around, but many last only for a night.  It's exciting to experience spring in a whole new way this year, as I literally am watching things that were, or appeared to be dead, awaken to a new season of life.  Everyday it seems like the pastures, lawns, medians, and hills are getting greener. 

It reminds me of Isaiah 55:10-13:

  “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,

And do not return there,

But water the earth,

And make it bring forth and bud,

That it may give seed to the sower

And bread to the eater,

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;

It shall not return to Me void,

But it shall accomplish what I please,

And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

“For you shall go out with joy,

And be led out with peace;

The mountains and the hills

Shall break forth into singing before you,

And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree,

And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree;

And it shall be to the Lord for a name,

For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”

     What joyous seasons God brings to our lives.  Spring is a reminder that the darkness of winter doesn't last forever, even though when we are walking through those valleys and dark seasons, it seems like things will never change, never get any easier.  That way of thinking forgets that we serve a great God whose resurrection conquered death, and thus one Day all suffering and sorrow WILL pass into everlasting joy with Jesus in heaven.  It has been amazing to see the work He has done in my heart over the last couple of months as I have settled in and truly feel at home here.  Just like the plants that are slowly peeking their heads out of the ground, weary of the frosty nights we still get, yet bravely coming up and creating something beautiful for us to behold.  God has brought me out of my shell of isolation and brought people into my life here in Montana who love, encourage, and exhort me.  People to walk this road called life with me as we traverse our own mountains.  I was talking with a dear friend tonight, and I am so incredibly blessed to have many godly friends that have walked with me through many dark seasons and have never left my side, but no matter how many miles separate us, I know they faithfully pray for me, even though we may not get to talk on a regular basis.  

    

     I have also been reflecting on Jordan and I's relationship.  It's like the last three years have been a cold, difficult winter to get through, although it produces its own kind of beauty as trials produce perseverance, character, and hope as God reminds us in Romans 5.  However, as spring is blooming all around us, it seems as if our love has grown deeper and sweeter, and is blossoming all over again.  In December, we will celebrate 10 years of marriage.  It's amazing how it seems like just yesterday we were beginning our life together, but at the same time it seems like we have withstood so many different seasons and been together forever.  God blessed me with a man that desires to honor and glorify Him with his life and who took his vows to me seriously, as there has been more sickness than health in our relationship.  It takes a special man to treasure me through all that we have endured together.  I was reminded of this truth during my season of depression when Jordan shared that he was telling a little of our story to a co-worker who in some pretty colorful language made it clear that he would have been long gone and couldn't understand why Jordan was still with me.  I can't praise God enough for Jord...for his tender care of me when I am sick, to his patience when I'm struggling, working hard to provide for us, his loyalty and steadfast love, how he makes me smile and laugh a million times over, and so much more.  I am so incredibly grateful he is climbing the mountains right beside me every step of the way!  Thank you Jesus for the man I call my husband and for the promise of new seasons every year.

Praising Him!

Rachelle