Two Thousand Ten

This was the most life changing year I've ever experienced. I know that every year is life changing...because change is inevitable...

But this year was big.

Twenty Ten started out painful.

We lost our first baby at the beginning of the year.

 I miscarried.

 It was one of the hardest things we've ever endured.  It left me hurt, confused, vulnerable and numb. But we got to go to Eugene for a conference, which gave us the opportunity to mourn with some of our closest friends who still live there. It was healing and life giving for me, and I'm forever grateful to the Lord for orchestrating the timing in that. This is the first time I've ever said anything about it publicly, and it's very freeing.

But the rest of the year was filled with surprise, wonder, and amazement. Jesus made 2010 the year of more for us. More life, more fruit, more grace.  

In March we found out I was pregnant. Eight weeks pregnant! Due October 21. Oh, what a flood of emotions! It was an incredible surprise from the Lord. We were not expecting this at all. Renewed, healed, fulfilled. So excited! As Spring arrived with new life, my belly began to swell with new life as well. It was so precious, so perfect, and so Jesus.

I spent my first trimester making close friends with the toilet, but it didn't matter. I would do it all over again, still. The summer was spent celebrating, preparing, growing. Thankfully, we were blessed with an unusual mild summer which my pregnant body greatly appreciated. Again, grace.

School started. God miraculously gave Levi favor with the middle school down the street. Week after week at the Christian club he was leading at the school, he led dozens and dozens of students to Christ. This trend continues! More life, more fruit, more grace.

And then it came.

The ninth month. Week 36. Week 37. Two days shy of week 38: labor. An early, unexpected, thrilling surprise. And exactly 10 months (almost to the hour) after losing our first baby, Noah Gregory was born.

Redemption.
Redemption.
Redemption.

Noah means peace, comfort, rest. And oh, how that precious boy has already lived up this name...

This boy made me a mama. And this year was one crazy, wild ride. And I'm so, so grateful. So grateful for the life. So grateful for the fruit. So grateful for the grace.

So grateful for the more.