Thankful

Oh it’s a rough holiday season for our family this year. We live in the tension of celebrating and mourning and praying and crying and hoping. I know some of you do too.

I am SO very thankful for my family. We have rallied. We have rallied more than we thought possible, honestly. Nothing looks the same as it did SIX months ago but we’re in it for the long hall; until Kate is restored to our family.  Katie has a family behind her that would do anything to help her heal and her warriors are fierce.

I’m so thankful for my Dan. I said “we have to buy a van” and he said “yes”. I said “I want those babies with us several days a week” “of course” he said. “I need to go look at facilities for Kate. Tomorrow” he just smiles and says “I’ll take off work”. This man is my hero. It is not glamorous to be a support role.  Nobody is going to throw him a party for watching our kids after working all day so I can be with Kate but without Dan there’s no Ashley. I prayed earlier this year for God to show us how to be a team. This wasn’t what I had in mind but He’s nothing if He’s not faithful!

I’m so very thankful for my tribe. There are days that I feel deserted by the Lord. My tribe straight shows off on those days. They pamper with words, with cries, with coffee and gifts. They watch my kids when I can’t. They say hard things to me. They push me and tell me who I really am when I forget. They pray over and over-every time I tell them there’s something new that needs praying over they do it and they ask me about it the next day. They are so precious. They are Gods picture of His provision incarnate.

Lastly-I’m thankful for a God who can handle anger. I’m angry. It’s not fair. I’d do anything to change what happened to Kate and I can’t. He and I aren’t done.

Romans 15:4 says, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”

I’m not the only one in the universe walking through great sorrow. I can still have hope.

Well enough crying-I’ve got babies to play with. Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

If you find yourself praying around a Thanksgiving table, pray for Kate. That this is her last thanksgiving wishing she was holding her babes.