Pink Docs and an Anniversary

Before I share with you my anniversary story, I have to share with you the highlight of my day.  Ellie and I dropped Noah off at school this morning and then headed to the doctor's office to get her stitches out.  I felt bad because I forgot to give her meds this morning, and now I was taking her to get her "squares" as Noah calls them taken out of her head...I didn't know if it would hurt or not.  We walked into the pediatrician's office to find an entire office dressed in pink.  Not only were they dressed in pink, they all had hair bows, even the doctor.  Ellie immediately grinned when she saw the hair bows, I know she doesn't quite get they are for her, but it sure puts a smile on her face.  She was then given a present (which she is very into at the moment).  Every nurse took the time to say hi to her and stop by the room to wish us well.  Of course oh oh ah ah (the pink monkey's name) had to have her stitches taken out first and then Ellie.  Like the tough cookie she is, she just sat in my lap, still as can be while the doctor cut out 12 stitches. Ellie thanked her in true Ellie fashion and proclaimed...no more "ditches!"  Thank you Orange Peds for making our day...you brought a huge smile to this momma's face.

As I sat in church yesterday, surrounded by family and church family, I realized it was February 24th.  

This day marks my 5 year anniversary of giving my heart to Jesus.  I can remember that Sunday morning like it was yesterday.  I was pregnant with Noah, Richard was at work, and my last living grandparent had just passed away.  We had just started attending our church because I wanted to raise my children in church.  It had been a long time since either of us had been in church on any type of regular basis.  I was still going through the motions of church.  In fact it's only by God that I was there by myself, because usually I wouldn't attend without Richard.  Richard had just been saved the Sunday before while visiting his brother's church and I was at my grandmother's funeral.  I hated that I had missed that moment with him, but still didn't completely understand.  

Sermon was done, invitation was given, one girl had already gone up and Preacher had already talked to her.  He put out the invitation again...heart pounding...my brain realing...."I can't go up there, what will they all think, Richard's not here, I don't know what to say when I get there"....heart still pounding....head saying stay put...heart saying move.  And I did, I remember hearing my heels click on the floor on my walk up (must have been 5 years ago...first pregnancy, still wearing heels).  My Preacher hugged me and I gave my heart to Jesus.  Afterwards lots of hugs and love.  I drove straight to Richard's store to go tell him, I was excited but still wasn't sure how to explain it to my family.

Life hasn't been the same since, and I can't be more grateful for that.  Preacher always talks about how once saved you life and actions are never the same.  I tried to live life like we used to and I found it just couldn't happen.  I can't imagine my life any other way, I love the peace of mind I have being a believer, knowing what my future holds.  Knowing that because He saved me, I can go into Ellie's newest battle with the assurance that my God is going to take care of this.  That no matter what happens, this is His plan, all I can do is be faithful.  That's not to say I don't get upset or I don't cry.  I do my fair share of crying, I start to doubt my strength...but luckily I don't have to be strong enough 

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Prayers, Praise and Pink

~Carly