Growing up fast...

Last week, after only 16 days of living with my beloved again, I got up tired, loaded my bags into our truck with a little feeling of wishing I didn't have to and I sat holding hands with him as he drove me to the airport... Of course everything that could go wrong other than the plane plummeting to the ground did, but as I ponder the outcome... I am amazed yet again at the faithfulness of my God.

If it wasn't for those planes being delayed and over booked, I wouldn't have had the chance to meet for a quick coffee date with my beautifully grown niece who I haven't seen in 2 and a half years...

It's been far to long since I've held her in my arms and looked her in the eye as we discuss the things that challenge our hearts. These conversations have changed over the years but I know that our relationship will always hold a special place in my heart! That girl who is no longer a girl but a grown woman with dreams and goals and a BOY... okay, a man... will always bring a smile to my lips when I think of her.

You see, I care for these lil ones who have grown and are growing so fast. Courtney, J..., Shawna, Austin, Hailey, Aydin, ..., Tyson, Naomi, ..., Koen, Ben, Caleb, ..., Rehannah, Tanaya, Mistii, Bella, Issak, Lyla, ... and Oliver. And I pray for the ones who may come still...

I cherish those memories of the ones I was able to hold in one arm cooing and singing and rocking them through tears and falling asleep with them on comfy couches and chairs.

I will never forget those late night sleepovers and questions about who that man Jesus was in that Good Book I read.

The popcorn movie nights,
     the too much junk food,
         the laughs in the snow piled too deep,
              running on the shores getting wet from the waters,
                   Lego's and dolly's and songs and dancing and Christmas mornings with way to many sugar cookies...
not to mention the story after story after story and then just one more before good nights...

I am honored with those deep life concerns shared and young arms giving the best hugs and kisses galore. I long for the days between to go quickly and yet want so badly for them to stay little so they fit perfectly in my arms. I wish for those who are far away and the ones that I've yet to meet to be nearer so I can know by the look in their eyes the simple truths that God is revealing to them in their youth.

The time goes fast.

The growing up it seems even faster.

I miss my beloved but I am SO incredibly thankful for his desire to see me in right relationship with those I love and that he honors my desire to be here to spend time watching them grow.

From my eldest Courtney who is now over 2 decades young who enjoys sipping coffee with her crazy auntie all the way down to my sweet young Oliver a little more than 2 months old that I get to comfort and snuggle as his big sister goes crazy dancing and twirling for me... I am so thankful for these beautiful individuals that are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Auntie loves you, all of you, with all her heart and I pray that you might also some day come to know the love of your Heavenly Father that is never changing...

 

Matthew 7 

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

⁹ Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? ¹¹ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! ¹² “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Psalm 103 

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
² Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
³ Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
⁴ Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
⁵ Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

⁶ The Lord performs righteous deeds
And judgments for all who are oppressed.
⁷ He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the sons of Israel.
⁸ The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
⁹ He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
¹⁰ He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
¹² As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
¹³ Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
¹⁴ For He Himself knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust.

¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
¹⁶ When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,
And its place acknowledges it no longer.
¹⁷ But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
¹⁸ To those who keep His covenant
And remember His precepts to do them.