Big Girls

My beautiful daughter and niece! Could it get any better than that? The past two months have been the hardest months of our lives, but we are so grateful for our little girl. She is such a blessing to us! Sometimes it's hard to see through the screaming, but she will get through that.

The other day I was talking to a friend and saying how Ian always cried when he was a baby too and didn't like to sleep. I also said that he still doesn't sleep very well. And my friend pointed out that at least he doesn't cry that much anymore!! That made me laugh, and also realize that Mary will be like a real person in a few months (a little less crying, and a lot more interaction). Thanks for that encouraging thought Dee!

One of Ian's friends from college is going through a terrible time right now. His daughter is about a month younger than Mary and she is really sick. We read about his daughter (on their blog) and it just breaks our hearts for them. If you're the type to do so, pray for Justin, Kristen, and Kara. They don't think she will live to see her first birthday, but Justin and Kristen have such a God centered perspective on it all. They know he has a plan for their daughter and that he loves their daughter more than they do. It's sad (an understatement), but encouraging to read their blog because of the way they glorify God in their lives. He's first, despite the dark circumstances that surround their lives right now. They've asked people to pray for wisdom in decision-making and parenting, and a peace beyond understanding in their hearts as they seek after God. We pray for mercy Lord.

Thinking about them made me cry and talk to God more today. While I was praying for them an old song came to my mind. It's called Be Near and it's by Shane Barnard. The lyrics go like this:
be near, oh God
be near, oh God of us
Your nearness is to us our good
It's a beautiful song, and it reminded me what's really important: not the safety of our family, or the abundance of our finances, a big house, or any of those things. God's nearness is our good. That's what we want above all else. The Lubbers' family will seek Him!