Jesus' Birthday

I know many of you are wondering how we survived Christmas. Well, I can't say that it was a good Christmas. I will say that this Christmas, Christ's birth means more to me than ever before. It is because of His sacrifice that we have a way to eternal life. He could have come as a grown man, but He didn't. He came as a baby and lived in this world that is cursed by death and sorrow and pain. We are praising HIM for what He has given us, eternal life through His Son. That is the Hope that keeps us going - knowing that Lindsey lives and she is waiting for that glorious day when we will be called up to join her. I am ready. Some of you don't understand truly how much we are ready to live in in the NEW EARTH with our Heavenly Father. I hope all who read this are ready to meet Him.

Jason's mother Liz and his sister Jennifer and her family have been with us and now my brother Rick and his family are in town. It has been so good to have family here taking care of our every need. For the last two days we have spent some time with Frank and Mari Venezia, dear friends of our family who lost their son Frankie 12 years ago. We have talked and cried together, and it has been encouraging to be with someone who knows us and understands the cave of darkness that we are in, but who have also experienced the awesome grace that only God can give. Conitnue to pray for my parents. My dad will have another chemo treatment tomorrow.

I will try to post pictures of Cadence from Christmas. She loved spending time with her favorite babysitter Megan!! We took Megan to Build-A-Bear and gave her the same bear that she gave Lindsey last Christmas. It was a sweet, but tearful trip to the store. So many memories.

Jason and I are looking forward to some peace and quiet in January. We have been surrounded by friends and family for weeks, which has been so needed, but we really need some time to BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD.

The new year will be hard, we will have to say that Lindsey died last year. Those are very painful words. Continue to pray...the Lord will answer.

Thanks to all who have been giving us music, here is a song that has ministered to me in the last few days.

I will follow You through green pastures
And sing hallelujah to Your Name
I will follow You through dark disaster
And sing hallelujah through the pain

And even in the shadow of death
I will praise You
And even in the valley I will say

Holy, my God
You are worthy of all my praise
Holy, my God
You are worthy of all my praise

You are seated on Your throne in heaven
And You see all of us down here
And You have promised You will not abandon
So I shall not fear

The Memory Tree

Lindsey's Memory Tree
Jason's mother Liz was here this week and she helped me put up our Christmas decorations. We decided it would be a shame to waste all the beautiful bows that the neighbors used on the mailboxes, so we used them to create this beautiful tree. The butterfly on top came on a plant that was given to us from The Turner Family in Chattanooga. Their daughter Sadie was Lindsey's friend. The ornament with her picture is from The Picketts, another family in Chattanooga.

Our friends Amy Thompson and Haley Wooten are here for a few days with their boys Wesley and Smith. It is so good to be surrounded by friends and family. Although the pain of losing Lindsey cannot be taken away, we are comforted by all the love and prayers.

Outpouring of Love

Soon after Lindsey's homegoing, my friends in the neighborhood (spearheaded by Angela) put white bows on all the mailboxes (over 100 houses) and on the lightposts, stop signs and the front entrance. They were all placed in memory and honor of Lindsey. The picture below is of Cadence proudly showing off the bows.