~Changed Forever~

FEAR- Why do I feel this fear?

Maybe it's the pain, O yes it's the pain

Please make it go away

WONDER- I wonder what you'll look like

I wonder what you'll feel like here in my arms

Ahh!! I feel swarmed

ALONE- Why do I feel so alone

Yet everyone is here

I wish I were at home kicking back and having a nice cold beer

ANXIOUS- Please little one

Won't you come see

Don't you want to meet your daddy and me

RIGHT NOW- O! Wait....you mean it's time?

It's ok I am doing just fine

Now I look in your eyes for the very first time

And place your tiny hand in mine

Eyes they wonder

they wonder

they meet

I can't take my eyes off you

as you gaze up at me

And so was the day I became a mommy
 
 written by: Macie Cantrell

~ Dreams~

Hallie has always loved to draw. Ever since she was old enough to pick up a pen, crayon, or pencil she has loved to draw. Drawing is something that she starts at the beginning of the day, and by the end of the day the living room floor is covered with her colorful works of art. Some days, as much as I hate to admit it, I find it frustrating to have a very messy living room that I had just cleaned the previous night. Well today as she was drawing, instead of being foolish and getting irritated about my dirty messy floor, I took the time to look at each individual picture and listen to her tell me the stories behind each one. I realized it was dumb that I waited so long to do so. As I looked around the living room at each unique drawing, it truly inspired me! The way that she stayed so passionate and driven to finish each elaborate drawing, made me think of the things I often leave unfinished because I loose interest or simply don't have the time. A lot of times us "adults" forget how to stay focused, driven and passionate about that one thing in life that surpasses all others. The one thing that when you join or engage in, makes everything else in the world stop, and for a moment it's just you with your dream..... How truly intimate is that??!!  We are all made to accomplish that one thing in life that no other human on earth can accomplish! We are all beautifully and wonderfully made! We must not forget about our dreams or let them slip away! Do not let the things of this world keep you from your dream and gift that God designed for you!

"But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."2 Chronicles 15:7

Even though we are grown up to our children, we are still children in Gods eyes. We must remember to sometimes keep a childlike approach in life. We must remember to devote ourselves to our dreams and callings just as Jesus devoted his life to his calling.

So as I am finishing up, I leave you with these questions: What is your calling? What do you dream about? What makes you the most fulfilled when you experience it? Now that you know what that dream is, What is keeping you from fulfilling your dream? Pray about it! Let me know your dreams so I can pray for you!

Hallie posing with her drawing

She fell asleep while she was drawing.
If that's not devotion I don't know what is.

A drawing of Hallie, Maddie and Emmie


 

~ I Wish She Could Stay Little~

As I sit here, in my new Edmond apartment, watching Tinker Bell with Hallie (who will be 4 in September), I am taken back.... It seems like just yesterday we were living in McLoud watching Barbie and the Diamond Castle. It's crazy to think that so much has changed in just two short years.
 

As I have been reflecting on my life,  I have also had much more time to spend with my family.  My little Hallie is not so little anymore, and sometimes it's scary to think about. It's one thing to hear your parents say " I will miss you, and be so sad on your first day of school, but I will be happy for you:" and to actually experience it for yourself. Well I have actually had to experience this the last week, and it is very bittersweet. It's hard to imagine that my little Grace is already so anxious to take off away from me. I knew this day would come, but unfortunately I didn't know it would be so soon... I am already so proud of the young girl she has become. I love the way that she lights up when she speaks of Jesus and what he has done for her. WOW! What an amazing child of God.  Raising her and being her mother has been fun, difficult, and yet the most amazing experience of my life. Thank you Lord for giving me Hallie, my unexpected, wonderful and lovely first born daughter.

Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.

—Proverbs 22:6