Guest Blogger...kinda

These are my best friends...Abbey on the far left, then Amy, then me.

Abbey and I met at church when we were 5!  I actually remember the day we met and who introduced us.  That's a lotta years of being friends...26 and counting.  We have been through a lot together, and I consider her the sister I never had.  I tried to dig up some old pics of us...here are a few that will probably only make us laugh.  (and I can't believe I am posting some of these!)

I'm not sure if you can see the look I am giving her...it looks like I'm not too pleased with her.

You will notice that I am Very white...what can I say?? 

All I remember about this pic is that it was raining outside and I didn't want my shoes to get wet...not 100% sure why I'm wearing the garbage bag.

A little more recent...

Back to the guest blogger part...Abbey was asked to write a daily devotional for her church's Lenten booklet.  She sent me what she wrote so that I could post it. 

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Psalm 118: 15-18, 26-29
 
In these verses, the psalmist writes about God's enduring love for us.  “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!” (v. 15)  How true that has been for our family.  My husband, Daniel, finished his last maintenance chemotherapy treatment in September after being diagnosed in 2009 with lymphoma.  Due to side effects from his treatment, we were unable to naturally have another child.  But by God‘s grace, in late March, we are expecting our second daughter, Emma Kate, through the first successful ‘natural IVF’ in Mississippi.  As you read this, she should have just arrived!  "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." (v. 29)

We do have so much to be thankful for, but what I thought would be one of the happiest times in our lives has turned out to be one of the hardest.   My best friend, who has basically been my sister since age 5, and I found out we were expecting at the same time and are due just days apart.  When we each had our sonogram to find out the sex of the babies, we were so excited to hear they were both girls!  But here’s where the hard part comes in.  When my friend and her husband went for their sonogram, they learned their daughter had some complications.  Through extensive testing, it was discovered their daughter has Trisomy 18, a genetic disorder where most babies do not survive long after birth.  This was devastating news for she and her family and for the two of us. It’s as though all the dreams we’d had for the two of them growing up together (like we did)  just disappeared.  And although I know I shouldn’t, I feel so much guilt knowing that Emma Kate appears to be healthy.

It’s during times like this I have to remind myself that God has a plan and a purpose.  Although I feel hurt and sorrow over this, I must remember He is with us, sustaining us with His love.  My friend and her husband have been a wonderful testament of faith and hope.  Although all of this has been so painful for them, they have shown so much strength and courage, and witnessing their faith has helped strengthen Daniel’s and my faith as well.  It’s so clear to us that God is carrying them during this time, just as He has done for us during our trials.

Going through this makes it easier for me to identify with what Jesus’ followers must have felt after his death.  The feeling must have been so hopeless, filled with confusion over what God’s plan was in this.  But thank God that Easter morning was in the plan too, and because of what Jesus did for us, no matter how long my friend’s sweet baby girl has on this Earth, we know that one day we will meet again.  What a day of rejoicing that will be!

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever."

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for being strong when we are weak and for carrying us through the trials in our lives.  I ask that you comfort those who need it most right now.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Abbey 

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This will be the devotional for March 30th...Battley's due date.

C