Finding Joy

As I share our lives with you I feel as though I can't let this moment slip by unoticed.  This weekend was very hard.  We had  a loss that completely broke my heart.   We lost a babe at 13 & 1/2 weeks.  But we have been completely surrounded with love, care & prayer.

Because of complications we spent a long scary night at the hospital.  But driving home the next morning I found myself thinking "I simply remember my favorite things & then I don't feel so bad."

So I did.

I thought of my prayer pal, a sweet 5th grader dear to my heart.  On Sunday she handed me a crumpled up wad of tissue paper,
"Merry Christmas," she said shly. 

I remember the joy that little package brought me when I opened it to find the tiniest jingle bells that she had strung onto green thread for me to hang on my tree.

I remember the joy I felt when just a week ago

Annie got to play Mary in the church nativity....

D. Chua Photo

....and how Bo the white cow spun around the

entire song and made me laugh until I cried.

D. Chua Photo

I found joy in returning home to a house decorated for Christmas

full of people who love me and each other.

And I knew...I needed to keep seeking joy.

So that very night we found joy jumping into the Christmas jammies Beth sent, and we jumped into our big ole' car

(my parents in there too :)

to ride around and look at Christmas lights.

And my kids favorite display of all is a

church nativity display by our home.

...and that fills me with joy.

Remember dear friends,

even on the darkest nights.

There is light and joy all around.

Be sure to find it!

P.S.  Thanks to my parents & husband who are taking the best care of my family and me!