Thursday, October 6, 2011

Scriptures for Hope Mommies

Some Hope Mommies friends and I compiled a list of Scriptures for anyone who is facing a difficult situation.  They are especially hopeful to a family experiencing the death of a child.  They are listed in order they appear in the Bible.  Please feel free to share!

Numbers 6:24-25 The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;

1 Samuel 1:27-28  I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.  So now I give him to the LORD.  For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.   

Psalm 18:5-6,17-19 The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.

Psalm 91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

Psalm 21:6 Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.

Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 33:20-22 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 34:18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 56:8 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.

Psalm 139:16-17 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!

Psalm 143:8,10 Be still and know that I am God. Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting You. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Teach me to do your will for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, Do not lean on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.

Isaiah 35:10 Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.

Isaiah 40:31 But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 41:10 Don't be afraid for I am with you. Don't be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 43:7 …everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 65:17-20,23  Behold I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever is what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. Never again will there be an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years for they wll be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 31:13b I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

Lamentations 3:22 (and all of chapter 3) Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

Habakkuk 3:19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

John 14:2-4 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Romans 8:28  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. (and all of Romans 8)

Romans 8:38  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.   

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:9  However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” the things God has prepared for those who love him.

1 Corinthians 15:54-55 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory." “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.


Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

1 Peter 1:3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne
will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Revelation 21:4-6 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.

Revelation 22:5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.



Sunday, October 2, 2011

October update

I noticed I haven't been blogging much lately.  For sure a big part of why I have blogged less is because we haven't taken any pictures recently, and I have been in bed as early as I can possibly make it there every night for the last couple of months.  I am thankful for the fact that being tired means a baby is growing [hopefully healthy] inside of me; I forgot how sleepy pregnancy can make someone.  My energy is slowly coming back to me this week though, and I have even made it through some late-night movies with Chet without dozing off.

Yesterday was Chet's 29th birthday.  Although it is his last year in the twenties, we are definitely already getting old, because we enjoyed the opportunity to do nothing but watch college football all day.  I realize each day that I love Chet more and more...and each day I don't think it's possible to love him anymore than I do.  I am such a blessed girl to be lucky enough to wake up every day to my best friend and rock.

I am liking the slightly cooler weather and look forward to this season.  Fall was blurry last year, so I am going to try to enjoy it more this time around.

A photo of our blessing #2 ("Gummy Bear") taken on 9/26

They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty  - and I will meditate on your wonderful works.  Psalm 145:5

Thursday, September 22, 2011

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

Sunday, September 18, 2011

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.

Friday, September 16, 2011

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!