Christmas looked a little different than what we dreamed this year. 

Stomach flu +

Flu A 

A room full of unopened gifts for all

And not even close to being out of the woods. 

Our big Christmas meal is still unbaked. 

And not an adorable Christmas Day picture was taken other than this one. 

But, I went to bed soundly, even in the many times awaking, because I knew heaven was fighting for us. 

I just knew in my heart it would be one of our favorite years yet of memories with Jasper as a three year old and Jude’s first. 

Life doesn’t always look like what we wanted and I’ve grown very keen to the fact that, it’s ok. 

Elisabeth Elliot once said, “When our plans are interrupted, His are not. His plans are proceeding exactly as scheduled, moving us always; including those minutes or hours or years which seem most useless or wasted or unendurable.”

Many moments the last few days I’ve wanted to let my heart wander into the aching at what we’ve “missed,” the Christmas that we will never get back. 

I would be lying if I said I hadn’t teared up or battled fear over my mind for my children… but at the same time I’m reminded for the preciousness that we still have all around us. 

-The cuddles, the closeness, and the stillness. 

Knowing one day, we will yearn for those. 

-The sleepless nights that warrants fervent prayers. 

Leaving the precious gift of desperation. 

-The reality of a village who loves us well. 

Doing life with no family close is hard, these days lessen that reality.  

-Humbling empathy for friends and family in our lives that have faced this alone- or worse. 

A precious gift to crawl into a hole with another human being and feel just a glimpse of their trials. 

-Having a husband to do

this with, knowing that we can trust we are praying for healing just as hard as the other. 

GRATITUDE

So, one day we will smile at Christmas 2024. 

These are the precious valleys that Papa always taught me about. 

The lessons are invaluable and the growth is refining.