4th of July!

As you know....I love the 4th of July. It is one of those days that I look forward to all year long. But Ive been thinking a lot about why I love it so much (maybe because of the sermon we had this week) and these are some of my thoughts.

Of course there are the surfacey things that are fun....swimming, basketball, BBQ, potato sack races, dancing and the fireworks...but who we do all of these things with is really why it is fun. I love that we serve a God who has created us to "enjoy" the things He has given us but especially the relationships that He has allowed us to have. What a blessing! But as much as I do enjoy the preparations, the people and falling into bed exhausted there is more to it for me. It is seeing the things that God has given us, be used in a way to encourage others. That might sound strange but this is what I mean by that....when I look at this picture, at the families that are represented here, I see people who love the Lord, people who have loved us, but I also see people who have been through a lot. They have all had pain, struggles, heart aches, and to see them all come together to have fun & enjoy this life God has given us is really special to me. I don't want them to forget their struggles because God truly does grow us through hard times, but to see them be able to enjoy the happiness of life too, is so great! It makes me think about Heaven...how in the presence of Jesus we will have real joy, perfect relationships and fun! The 4th of July is a little piece of Heaven on earth for me and I really do thank the Lord for it. =)

You might be saying "the 4th of July is a holiday to celebrate our country" and that is true! And I so appreciate that the Lord allowed for me and for my children to be born into a country with so many freedoms, but it too makes me long for Heaven...where my one purpose, to worship Jesus, will not be clouded by "American" things. That even as "nice" as being an American is, being in Heaven with Jesus will be.....indescribable! There is always tension on this earth....I am SO thankful to be and American and yet I look forward to being taken from this place that is not my home for eternity. And I am also thankful, like I mentioned up above, for the joy we are able to experience here on earth because they too point my affections heavenward.

Bet you didn't think those were the reasons I love the 4th of July! =)

God's mercy on our little girl.

I know its been a while since this happened but I really wanted to document this. Although it was such a scary and horrible thing that happened we have all come to know the Lord better because of it. To experience His mercy and His grace through an accident like this was....well, I don't even have the words to describe it.

On June 15th, 2009 Kenna had an accident on the diving board that took us to the ER immediately. After being looked at she was moved to the downtown St. Lukes for surgery. She had torn her "girl parts" open and we were unsure of the damage until after the surgery. God was so gracious to give us all female nurses and doctors...all whom were amazing with Kenna. Kenna's anesthesiologist just so happened to be a friend of ours from football...and when I say just so happened I MEAN God ordained it to be that way. It was so comforting to see a familiar face...the face of a friend who would be watching out for Kenna through her surgery. We also found out from the surgeon that Kenna was about a cm away from having a very painful "intimate" relationship with her husband one day and not being able to have kids. Praise God for his goodness! She will have to have to give birth by c-section which she has said is OK since she already knows what it feels like to hurt "down there"...she doesn't want to feel that again! =) Oh the innocence of an 8 year old.

She celebrated her 8th birthday laying in a bed which was slightly depressing to her and to us....UNTIL almost every person she knows and loves showed up with gifts, flowers, balloons and signs! She was showered with love and it was amazing to watch our little girl experience God's love through his people. So thanks to all of you for loving on our little girl...she will NEVER forget this birthday!

When we finally got the OK to go home we gratefully packed up our bags and looked forward to sleeping in our own beds!

Its been 4 weeks since her surgery and I am AMAZED at how quickly she has recovered! Praise God!!! She can do just about everything except ride a bike or jump on the trampoline but just by looking at her and her activity you wouldn't guess she had just went through what she did! For that we are extremely thankful. Through this we learned that we are not in control, only God is and even through hard times he still remains GOOD. He loves us, protects us, showers us with encouragement through his people and gives us joy in the time of trials. Thank you, Lord.

Kenna's wonderful nurse Collette who was with her 3 of the 4 days. And one of her 2 American Girl dolls that she got for her big day!

Kenna talking to Mamo on her birthday.

And this is only one part of the room!

The IV is out and she is ready to go home! So is mommy!