Definitions

Hope:
noun, verb, hoped, hop·ing.

Mom:
–noun Informal .
mother.
noun, adjective, verb, idiom, mothered

I dictionary.com-ed the terms "hope" and "mom/mother" and realized there would be a lot to copy and paste.  There are 19 examples for 'mother'.  (Look it up)  I won't do that to you, but it's interesting to read through all of them.

The terms "Hope Mom" and "Hope Baby" do not have online definitions, yet, but I believe they will catch on soon.  An informal definition of them:
Hope Mom:  A mother who is also a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, and one who has given her child up to heaven due to an earthly death.  She has the hope and promise of being reunited with her child, because of the hope given to her when Jesus Christ died on the cross and gave us all the opportunity to have eternal life through salvation in Him.

Hope Babies:  Babies who are born of hope, prayed for in hope and taken to Christ in hope.  (Thank you Erin for the term and definition)

Hope, even amidst death.

I have started about 15 blog posts and journals in the past couple of weeks, but haven't finished any of them.  I don't really know what constitutes a "finish" to a blog entry, but since I do not have the energy or time to make them make any sense, I better not post.  Let's just say we have been homebound more than usual due to sickness and snow, so I had a lot of time for some serious talks with the Lord, and lots of time to write and think. 

What I have been super excited to say is this:
Tomorrow I will get to meet up with 9 other Hope Mommies at a ranch near Brady; Selah Springs Ranch.  Chelsea, Erin, Holly, Kelly, Mary Beth, Lauren, Sara, Whitney and Melissa are some of the most beautiful women inside and out, that I have ever known.  (We will miss several Hope Mommies who are unable to attend this year, but look forward to all of us reuniting again in 2012!) 

We will spend Friday-Monday at the ranch, in what I am positive will be one of the most life-changing weekends ever.  These women bless me more than I can ever say, so I guess I am just out of words.  Pictures might have to suffice for words come Monday night.  (Thankfully, the other women are talented writers, so there will probably be plenty of amazing blog posts to come.  I will just have to direct you to their blogs!) ;) 

Tisha Shuffield, the Mom I have been blessed to have since I was 19 (she should be listed among the definitions of 'mom'), has worked so hard to coordinate this weekend.  Gratefulness does not begin to describe what I feel towards her for planning to get these Hope Moms together.

Please be in prayer for this weekend to be an uplifting weekend of growth, love and friendship.  Maybe it is just me, but I am beginning to get a little nervous about it all.  My mind and heart already feel a little overloaded, so I am praying that I will calm down a little.  And maybe pack. =)

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. While we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Titus 2:11, 13