Seasons...

When Briley was born I couldn't wait to send out an announcement.  I couldn't wait to show the world how beautiful and precious our new little girl was.

I have the same feeling with Hadley.

I wasn't sure what to do.  We have pictures but we are keeping those private and I feel like it is something very sacred between Daniel and I.  I was looking at all of the sonogram pictures I had of her and then I realized what I wanted to do.  

Here is the front of our sweet Hadley's Announcement to the world....(I had to scan it so please ignore poor quality and if you click on it you can see it bigger).

I love how it turned out.  What to know something special?  This design was supposed to be for my baby shower.  My best friend, Tracy came up with it and I wanted to use it for this.  It was intended for Hadley in the beginning and I felt it still needed to be used.  

Born and Welcomed into Heaven on February 28, 2011.  

This is a tough season for our family right now.

Luckily, we have amazing people in our lives that have taken such good care of us.  I wasn't sure how to thank everyone and I decided that writing a letter on the back of her announcement was best.  I wanted people to first see on the front that Hadley is with her Jesus and that we are ok because of Him.  Then on the back I wanted to thank them for what they have done for our family.

I want to share the back with my blog friends as well.  You have also prayed for me and I want to say thank you...(remember to click on it since the text is so small).

I just purchased a new book called, Through a Season of Grief: Devotions for your Journey from Mourning to Joy, by Bill Dunn.  I love it.  Your only supposed to read one page a day but sometimes I can't stop and I read 10 pages!!  C.S Lewis is quoted in the book and I want to share with you a short sentence that really struck me...

"Her absence is like the sky, spread over everything." -C.S. Lewis

This is exactly how I feel.  Hadley's absence is everywhere to me.  

I've been reading a lot in Psalms and did you know that 70 percent of the scripture in Psalms are poems of sorrow?  I did not.  One particular Psalm that I have been reading over and over again is from King David.  He just had been told that Saul and Saul's son Jonathan were just killed in battle.  He writes this to God...

"I am worn out from sobbing.  Every night tears drench my bed; my pillow is wet from weeping." -Psalm 6:6

Oh, how I can relate to David.  

Here is another quote from the book that I want to share with you...

"God understands.  He buried his son.  He also knows the joy of Resurrection.  And, by his power, you will too." -Max Lucado

I have to be honest.  I haven't even thought of that.  It was really humbling for me, because here I am thinking I am in the worst pain and no one can understand and after reading that I realize there is no one that understands better than my God. 

This is the season God has chosen for our family right now.  I am going to thank him and remember that by His power I will see my Hadley one day.

P.S.- Do you like the new design??  My favorite part is the rainbow :)

In Christ's Love,