Glassblowing is an art. Beautiful treasures can be created by manipulating molten glass, but in order for the glass to take the desired shape it must first be exposed to fire, often repeatedly in a short amount of time, to make it soft and yielding. With a careful and intentional orchestration of tugging and pulling masterpieces emerge from the flames.
My family had the privilege of watching an artist blow glass once on a family vacation and it was an incredible experience to witness. I was fascinated because it didn't seem entirely intuitive to me; the color crystals didn't always create the color I expected; the pulling and tugging all had different results; there was carefully orchestrated "breaking" involved. I guess the most surprising part of it for me was the breaking; I had always considered breaking glass a bad thing, a messy thing, even a potentially dangerous thing. But under the right circumstances broken glass can be beautiful, stunning even.
Right now our family is like an incomplete sculpture. Some days it feels like we are thrown in the fire and forgotten about but it is always followed by this incredible tugging and pulling on my heart shaping me and transforming me. I don't know what we will look like when this is all finished, but then again I'm not the artist.
Nothing about this past year has happened as I expected, but the end result is nothing short of miraculous. We may still be unfinished, but I know with all of my heart that we are at the hand of a magnificent Artist and crafted out of love. I'm thrilled to report that after 123 days in the the flames (aka the NICU) our family has finally emerged stronger than ever before with the addition of our sixth and final member. Welcome home Baby A! THANK YOU JESUS!!!
In many ways it feels like we have been at this forever but it also very much feels like a new beginning. Some quiet time would be nice (figuratively speaking, not literally - with 4 kids 5 and under our house is anything but quiet), but if we get thrown back into the fire again that's okay, I'm not afraid anymore; as long as we choose love above all other emotions and choices we cannot be broken...at least not in a way that wouldn't bring us closer to God - and that my dear friends is a beautiful thing and something to be treasured.
Hebrews 12:29
For our God is a consuming fire.
Colossians 2:2-3
My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Isaiah 33:6
He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.
Inspirational Quote:
"God has entrusted us with His most precious treasure - people. He asks them to shepherd and mold them into strong disciples, with brave faith and good character. ~ John Orthberg
My Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
You have blessed us beyond what our imaginations were capable of imagining. You saved us when we were on the cusp of being lost forever. You have loved us faithfully every step never leaving our side. Through this experience You have brought us - and so many others - closer to You so that we may know You more personally and trust You more fully. "Thank you" doesn't seem nearly sufficient for what You have given us. I know You must have big plans for these little girls and their siblings otherwise the enemy wouldn't have tried so hard to take them away; the enemy is always lurking when Your work is being done. Please help us nourish our children with the love and values they will need to continue the good fight. Please protect all of their hearts and give us the courage and strength we will need to step back into the fire when the time is right. In the meantime please give us peace and quiet to enjoy and cherish these four tiny little blessings. Thank You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Nothing about this past year has happened as I expected, but the end result is nothing short of miraculous. We may still be unfinished, but I know with all of my heart that we are at the hand of a magnificent Artist and crafted out of love. I'm thrilled to report that after 123 days in the the flames (aka the NICU) our family has finally emerged stronger than ever before with the addition of our sixth and final member. Welcome home Baby A! THANK YOU JESUS!!!
In many ways it feels like we have been at this forever but it also very much feels like a new beginning. Some quiet time would be nice (figuratively speaking, not literally - with 4 kids 5 and under our house is anything but quiet), but if we get thrown back into the fire again that's okay, I'm not afraid anymore; as long as we choose love above all other emotions and choices we cannot be broken...at least not in a way that wouldn't bring us closer to God - and that my dear friends is a beautiful thing and something to be treasured.
 |
| We're thrilled you're home, too, Baby A! |
 |
| My treasures, my heart, my purpose. |
Hebrews 12:29
For our God is a consuming fire.
Colossians 2:2-3
My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Isaiah 33:6
He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.
Inspirational Quote:
"God has entrusted us with His most precious treasure - people. He asks them to shepherd and mold them into strong disciples, with brave faith and good character. ~ John Orthberg
My Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
You have blessed us beyond what our imaginations were capable of imagining. You saved us when we were on the cusp of being lost forever. You have loved us faithfully every step never leaving our side. Through this experience You have brought us - and so many others - closer to You so that we may know You more personally and trust You more fully. "Thank you" doesn't seem nearly sufficient for what You have given us. I know You must have big plans for these little girls and their siblings otherwise the enemy wouldn't have tried so hard to take them away; the enemy is always lurking when Your work is being done. Please help us nourish our children with the love and values they will need to continue the good fight. Please protect all of their hearts and give us the courage and strength we will need to step back into the fire when the time is right. In the meantime please give us peace and quiet to enjoy and cherish these four tiny little blessings. Thank You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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