Laminin

Colossians 1:3-8 (New International Version)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

 ³We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, ⁴because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints—⁵the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel ⁶that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. ⁷You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, ⁸and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

Colossians 1:17 (New International Version)

¹⁷He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Kelly, from Kelly's Korner, posted this video today. I just had to post it for mothers like me. God made you in his image. This video defines what that means! 

Louie Giglio - Laminin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4

"Sweetly Broken" ~ Jeremy Riddle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Yei2uvA-vY&feature=related

Waiting

Philippians 4:6 (New International Version)

⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

This is a hard one! It's so hard for me not to be anxious! I'm a very anxious person. Yet, I do believe it's okay to rest in my faith that everything will be better. Does that make sense?

"Brighter Days" ~ Leeland

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fgur2OSQhY

Change of Mind

Okay, I took the website address off my Facebook account today. I'm not ready. 

Indescribable

Psalm 147:3-4 (New King James Version)

 ³ He heals the brokenhearted
         And binds up their wounds.
 ⁴ He counts the number of the stars;
         He calls them all by name.

Shortly after the loss of my baby, a precious friend prayed for me and reminded me of this verse. 

On a cute yellow card she wrote the following:

"If God names all of the stars, He has a name for your unborn child and is calling him/her by that name now."

Her perspective brought me so much comfort. 

One day I wll see my baby again in Heaven. It will be indescribable!

"Indescribable" ~ Chris Tomlin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PTvr755V8s&feature=related

God is With You

Psalm 22:24-31 (New Century Version)

 ²⁴ He does not ignore those in trouble. 
    He doesn't hide from them 
       but listens when they call out to him.
 ²⁵ Lord, I praise you in the great meeting of your people; 
       these worshipers will see me do what I promised.
 ²⁶ Poor people will eat until they are full; 
       those who look to the Lord will praise him. 
       May your hearts live forever!
 ²⁷ People everywhere will remember 
       and will turn to the Lord. 
    All the families of the nations 
       will worship him
 ²⁸ because the Lord is King, 
       and he rules the nations. 
 ²⁹ All the powerful people on earth will eat and worship. 
       Everyone will bow down to him, 
       all who will one day die. 
 ³⁰ The people in the future will serve him; 
       they will always be told about the Lord.
 ³¹ They will tell that he does what is right. 
       People who are not yet born 
       will hear what God has done.

Going Public

I decided to post this website on my Facebook account today. I've been very nervous about making this decision for weeks. I want God to use me through my blog to help others, but my story is also very personal. On the other hand, how will anyone know about my blog if I never share it? My prayer is that my blog will only be used to bless others who need to be blessed. If you know of someone who has had a miscarriage and you feel comfortable sharing my website, tell them about it.

"Use Me" ~ Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPhAlDBzOI0

Praise

God wants us to give Him praise at all times because He knows what's best for us. He has a plan. 

Praising God for the things He has done has always restored me during times of pain. It's reminded me to be thankful for everything I do have. I might not have a baby now, but I have a God who loves me and knows each and every desire of my heart!  

It's through my praise that "My Arms are Open."

Jeremiah 33:11 (New International Version)

¹¹ the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD, saying, 
       "Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, 
       for the LORD is good; 
       his love endures forever." 
      For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,' says the LORD.

Psalm 7:17 (New International Version)

 ¹⁷ I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness 
       and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

1 Chronicles 29:11-13 (New International Version)

 ¹¹ Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power 
       and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, 
       for everything in heaven and earth is yours. 
       Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; 
       you are exalted as head over all.

 ¹² Wealth and honor come from you; 
       you are the ruler of all things. 
       In your hands are strength and power 
       to exalt and give strength to all.

 ¹³ Now, our God, we give you thanks, 
       and praise your glorious name.

Last fall, I downloaded this song. It's great!

"I Never Lost My Praise" - Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ioDkHjXtbg&feature=related

New Doors

Seven years ago when Jamie and I decided to move five hours away for him to go back to school, I prayed about the decision for weeks. I knew we would be leaving everything and going to a new place where we had very few connections. Well, Jamie had a few connections, but I had none. Since I knew I would be providing the income for our financial needs, I knew God would have to intervene! 

Jamie finally felt that God really did want us to move, but I still needed God's confirmation. It was this song that sealed the deal for me after weeks of praying. 

"Beyond the Open Door"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMGlzMONWoE&feature=related

God did bless us. The day we arrived, I got a call that I had a job! That's God!!! Jamie graduated last May, and God provided for ALL of our needs! That's God!!!

Don't be afraid to take risks that you feel the Holy Spirit leading you to take. Pray about it, pray for confirmation, and get advice from Christian people around you.

Joy

Psalm 16:11 (New International Version)

 ¹¹ You have made known to me the path of life; 
       you will fill me with joy in your presence, 
       with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Perfect Peace

Isaiah 26:3 (New International Version)

 ³ You will keep in perfect peace 
       him whose mind is steadfast, 
       because he trusts in you.

Beautiful Son

Romans 8:18-27 (New International Version)

 ¹⁸I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. ¹⁹The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. ²⁰For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

 ²²We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? ²⁵But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

 ²⁶In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. ²⁷And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

Joann Rosario "Beautiful Son"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlYdBfQb-t8

I downloaded this song to a "Christmas" CD before I knew I was pregnant. I didn't pack away this CD when I put away all of my Christmas items. 

Joy for Others

I found out today that another one of my friends is pregnant. My family has known this for awhile, but they didn't tell me because they wanted to protect me. I didn't understand why they would think I would be upset because I honestly am very happy for the couple. I know many couples who are trying to get pregnant and many couples who had to try for a long time (years) before they conceived. I want nothing but joy and happiness for every single lady who becomes pregnant. I want to celebrate every moment with my friends screaming with extreme excitement, praising Jesus, and just talking about all the days to come. I want to pray for their babies to be healthy and happy! :)  Praying for others has really helped me since the loss of my baby. 

I don't want any of my friends to be weary of telling me they are pregnant because I want to be apart of the excitement. I know God is a good God and He has me in the center of His will. I know He will take care of me and bless me beyond measure. I don't know how or when, but I don't want to spoil the surprise either. 

Yes, your pain is real. Yes, you need to mourn. Yes, it's hard to move on. 

But...

Yes, your God loves you. Yes, he's going to bless you in a way you NEVER imagined. Yes, he chose you because he wants to use you. Yes, you can look forward to the days to come. Yes, you can continue to look at baby clothes because it's the desire of your heart to have babies again, and God knows and cares about the desires of your heart. Yes, you can hold a baby and cry with happiness because the baby is so perfect. Yes, you can be happy because you have Faith larger than a mustard seed that God is going to take care of you and use you mightily to bless others and be blessed!!!

God has a story just for you, and it is so beautifully written! 

Here are a few versus that have really blessed me lately. 

Matthew 7:7-8 (New International Version)

⁷"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 21:22 (New International Version)

²²If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Mark 11:24 (New International Version)

²⁴Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Jonah 2:2 (New International Version)

² He said: 
       "In my distress I called to the LORD, 
       and he answered me. 
       From the depths of the grave I called for help, 
       and you listened to my cry.

God is so good all the time!!!

"God is Good"

Here are two versions of this song. I love both of them!

Regina Belle (I have this downloaded. It's so easy to sing.) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy4dwdJKiy4

Don Moen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eepJeel3LnU

This version comes with a unique video. It's got some cute pictures, but it has some scary ones too. 

I found it!

I've looked for this song for a couple of months. I could only remember a few words, and I sang them over and over. Well, I have finally found it. I'm so excited I can finish the sentences with the correct words. 

The melody of this song blessed me so much when I needed to relax in God's presence. Whenever I was stressed, I caught myself humming the sweet melody. 

Enjoy!

"All Who Are Thirsty"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW-3GMrQoaQ

Also, I love how his "arms are open" at the end of the video. 

I got this text message from my husband today!

"March 9, 1996, changed my life forever! I love you!"

He's the BEST! That was the night of our first date. 

More on Miracles

Hebrews 2:4 (Amplified Bible)

⁴[Besides this evidence] it was also established and plainly endorsed by God, Who showed His approval of it by signs and wonders and various miraculous manifestations of [His] power and by imparting the gifts of the Holy Spirit [to the believers] according to His own will.

I downloaded this song last November before I found out I was pregnant. There are many ways to perceive this song. As you listen to it, you'll clearly understand my perspective. 

"One Little Miracle" Hawk Nelson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mVWXBYWVxY&feature=related

Held

Ruth 3:11 (New International Reader's Version)

¹¹ Dear woman, don't be afraid. I'll do for you everything you ask. All of the people of my town know that you are a noble woman.

When my father passed away, I didn't understand how I seemed to be holding it together. Then, I realized it was really God holding me together thanks to the many prayers being prayed over me and my family. The song below emphasizes how God and prayer can pull you through tough times.

"Held" by Natalie Grant (This song is emotional.) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2m1HZekCcc

Miracles

Numbers 14:11 (New International Version)

¹¹ The LORD said to Moses, "How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them?

God's miracles are all around us. If you're not a Christian, I pray God completely reveals himself to you today. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gur8ccqrQ9c&feature=related

4-8-09 I was thinking about this song today. I remember when I watched it in March, and I wondered why it has the phrase, "It's hard to kill." Well, this is the message every pregnant teenage mother needs to hear. Times will be hard with a baby, but it's not right to have an abortion. 

My House Will Be a House of Praise

Psalm 118:15 (New International Reader's Version)

 ¹⁵ Shouts of joy ring out in the tents of godly people. 
      They praise him for his help in battle. 
   They shout, "The Lord's powerful right hand has done mighty things!

Dear Jesus, 

Let shouts of joy always ring out from my home. May I always be thankful. 

Amen

Dear Jesus

1 John 5:14-15 (New International Version)

¹⁴This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ¹⁵And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

Dear Jesus, 

Thank you for my wonderful baby in heaven. I can't wait to see him or her one day. I trust that everything works according to Your will. Help me to be everything you want me to be during this time. As for me and my husband, I humbly cry out to you to ask that you bless us with another child. This is the desire of our hearts. Help us to be the parents you want us to be. We love you.

Amen

'Tis So Sweet

My husband has been a wonderful blessing to me during this time. Every night, he has prayed over our family and prayed for us to have "happy, healthy babies!" 

"'Tis So Sweet to Trust in God" ~ Casting Crowns

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km63bQinoJk

Bless Others and Be Blessed

A few years ago, my close friend, Stacie, lost her dad. Stacie and I share the grief of losing a father, and we often just talk about our dads because we both need to remember how blessed we were to have Godly fathers. 

Well, I, for some reason, had never heard of Chris Rice until Stacie's dad's funeral. I fell in love with it immediately. To me, there's a clear message. I want to "Let My Little Light Shine" no matter what circumstance or trial God puts in my path. I've been singing that song since I was little. Why would I let a trial, God put in my path for a reason, stop me from praising God and giving Him thanks for every moment of my life that I have had and that I will have in the future? I know that ALL things work for God's glory! 

During this difficult time, I have been blessed the most when I have had opportunities to bless others. That's what this song is about. Go light your world! :)

Go Light Your World ~ Chris Rice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YVF_OXNIbI

Faith Pleases God

Hebrews 11:6 (New International Version)

⁶And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.