Shuffield Photography/1 Year Celebration

Most of y'all know that I have the most amazing "parents" who have stepped into my life, Tisha and Jim Shuffield.  Well, they are also some of the best photographers in the entire country, so we are super lucky to get them to capture all of the special events in our life.  

PLEASE check out Shuffield Photography.  It'll make you want to run to the mall, pick out some cute outfits and get your family Christmas card pics taken!  Or maybe even renew your vows so you can have an awesome wedding pic like this one!    

Reid was the speaker at the celebration, and the Lord spoke through him.  It was so refreshing and perfect.  

 My concentration face isn't pretty... ;)

 This talented (and gorgeous) young lady, Beth, sang Blessings for us

Stormy

JD

 Amber and other friends

 Lauren

 Again, I don't chew tobacco...I just look that way when I write apparently

 My handsome man and best Daddy I know!

 Rebecca, baby Trevor and Billy

 Riley

 Casey, who also played the piano brilliantly

 Taren

 Kasey

 Vanessa

 Peanut strutting her stuff

 Sweet Pea

 About to release balloons (notice the rain let up just in time to create a gorgeous sky)

 These ladies (hostesses for the evening) are so precious, I have no words

 Kara planned the entire celebration...what a dear friend...

 My twin and me, who also happens to be everything in a sister, and more, that I could ever ask for

 Tisha Shuffield looks more like a sister than a mom.  I know.

 Garrett

 Riley

 My sweet family

The LORD appeared to us in the past saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.  Jeremiah 31:3

Big Brother

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
   before you were born I set you apart;
   Jeremiah 1:5

Lord willing, we will meet this little person in March.

All things

(designed by Freely Me Designs)

Our dearest friends and family created and gathered for the most wonderfully beautiful celebration last night.  It was a celebration about what God has done in the last 13 months.

For me, it was the most healing moment I have experienced in my life, and certainly within this year.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  (vs. 18)  For in this hope we were saved.  But hope that is seen is no hope at all.  Who hopes for what they already have?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. (vs. 24-25)  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  (vs. 28-29) ) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (vs. 38-39) [emphasis mine]


Romans 8 has carried us through this year, and Reid's message emphasized it last night.  Trusting God to work all for the good is such a powerful thing.  We know Holden Uganda is just getting started, and what a BLESSING it is to be a part of it.

The evening consisted of friends and family, smiles and laughs, a breath-taking setting (my sister and friends are ridiculously talented decorators), delicious food (my friends also happen to be amazing chefs), a message from God's word from Reid, prayers, a beautiful video timeline of our family created by Kara, songs played by Casey and sung by Lauren and Beth that gave me tears and chills, striking canvases of all the wells dedicated to Hope Babies from Shuffield Photography, and a sunset balloon release.  (The rain let up just in time.)  Chet and I got home and we both agreed that it was the perfect celebration of this season in our lives.

I have again realized there is nothing we can do to adequately thank the friends and family we have who have carried us and loved us in such a tremendous way through this season.  Our circle of loved ones is the epitome of Christ's love towards us.

Looking forward to posting photos of the evening soon!