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