promise.

Yesterday, we watched our sweet friends do something that no Mommy or Daddy should ever have to do…bury their sweet baby…their precious first born son. It was heartbreaking and seemed so unfair.

But, Dr. David Shibley, the amazing man that led part of the service, said it beautifully. He said, “Because of Jesus Christ, our pain is all wrapped up in promise!” Promise that sweet Smith is in Heaven. Promise that, if we believe, we will get to see him one day. And, promise that, in his too short 11 days of life, he fulfilled God’s purpose for him.

Dr. Shibley reminded us that in that week and a half, people were brought to pray at the throne of God in a way that would not have been done otherwise…and that the outpouring of faith, hope and love during that time was indescribable.

Ephesians 4:20 says, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory…” Even though we would have hoped that Jesus had chosen to heal Smith and give him a long life on earth, He knew that this was was His way of doing immeasurably more.

So, since Smith’s passing on the 10th of May, my prayers have changed from “heal his body…may this little man be a living miracle...” to “continue to change people through the short life that he lived…may they see Your face in the situation and in his sweet family…may they HAVE to know You because of this little man and his testimony!”

When I hugged Kori at the funeral (with my BIG and very obvious belly in our way), I grieved with her. And, even though pain and heartache is obviously there, the peace and strength that she exudes (especially as she spoke so beautifully at her son’s funeral) could only come from her precious relationship with Jesus Christ.

It is true that I am better for knowing her and her family, and I am very thankful for her friendship. Sadly, Smith & Nash won’t be the “cool buddies” that we were dreaming of them being, but I’m thankful that they’ll get to meet in Heaven one day. And, I can rest assured that playgroups are much more fun there anyway.

…Please continue to pray for this family. They are precious to us and I want them to truly experience the peace that surpasses all understanding. (Philippians 4:7)

Praying for Smith

Words can’t express the miracle of sweet Smith Randle Bailey! My friend, Kori, gave birth to her precious little man on Thursday, April 29th at 23 weeks and 6 days! Thankfully, she had been in the hospital for 9 days and was able to get the perfect medicine and INSANE amounts of prayers for Smith! God showed just how mighty He can be by helping Smith reach milestone after milestone…and, his precious 1 pound, 8 oz. body is doing well! …

Smith’s Daddy has started a blog to track his miraculous progress! And, I know that this family would appreciate your prayers! …Please take the little “button” above to place on your blog…and remember Smith Randle Bailey each day! I have NO doubt that our God has BIG plans for this precious little one! What a story he’s going to have to tell!!! The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth. 
Psalm 145.18

Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Ephesians 6:7

On Saturday, our church had its second S.O.S. (Saturday of Service). Brad, Matt’s Two-Five partner, is the Missions Pastor at our church and does such an excellent job organizing all kinds of service projects for our church to participate in. …This time we were helping a single woman do a lot of stuff around her house, cleaning up the landscaping outside of a local community outreach center, hosting a Backyard Bible Club, and then a Jesus Loves You picnic in the evening. It was a full and HOT day…but I am always so amazed to watch people as they become the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. I love seeing the joy that they receive and the overwhelming thanks in the people that are helped! Even though {due to Matt’s still healing knee} we were the unofficial event photographer/videographer, we got our hands a little dirty and had a great time!

Here are Remy and I at the single woman’s house…she had a HUGE backyard Since my parents were in town for Father’s Day, they kept Q…Matt and I had fun being ‘just us!” … Our Pastor doing Father Abraham…mercy me!!!…:) …

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet servant girls… The picnic was so fun…there was face painting, games, bounce houses, popsicles, water guns, sidewalk chalk, hot dogs, and more!!!…We put flyers around a neighborhood and had lots of people come out to play with our church family… Sweet Coleman…

TOMS Shoes

While preparing for our youth group's 'Synergy Retreat,' Matt came across a really cool idea. Instead of doing hoodies for the retreat, he thought he would propose that the kids get a pair of TOMS Shoes. Buying one pair of TOMS shoes allows a child in Africa to get a brand-new pair of shoes as well. The students were all over it and all 50 something of them are proudly sporting their TOMS shoes this weekend. Even my baby got a pair for the occasion! So, this Christmas, think about giving a pair of TOMS shoes and your heart will smile in knowing that a South African child is a lot more comfortable!

No More Monkey Business, PLEASE!

What a fun Halloween we had. Quinn was the cutest baby in the world (if you're asking my opinion) in his monkey costume and got the oohs and aahs of everyone that saw him. ... Look at some of the festivities from the past week...

(Above are his pics we had taken...we had banana muffins, banana pudding, banana splits and lots of bananas for breakfast for a long while at our house! )

Here is Quinn and his classmates at the Tricycle Parade...

Our yummy Halloween breakfast...
Halloween day...
Halloween night...
If I were you, I wouldn't smell those little baby feet...they really are stinky!!! Can you imagine what I have to look forward to when those precious baby stinky feet turn 14!?



With Pastor Randy and Nancy...
Cruse and Quinn...

The little "goodies" Quinn gave away...
Our Fall Fest Family Pic...
After the festival, we came home, got Quinn in his jammies and put to bed and started packing to leave for Matt's grandmother's funeral. As Matt made a run to the store, and I'm in my closet packing for California weather, I hear a weird sound through the monitor and then Quinn starts fussing. I go in his room to find him covered in throw up and his bed was soaked. It was horrible!!! Then, when Matt got home, it happened again...and continued to happen twice more as we were calling the doctor. Dr. G assured us that it was Rotovirus and should run its course in 12-24 hours. So, the entire night consisted of a very sick little baby. We slept on the couch and would make frequent trips to the sink. It was so sad to see my baby lifeless. I would cry every time he would get sick and just pray that the nightmare would end! ... So, at about 6, Matt got some Pedialyte and Quinn has since taken 4 ounces. He's happy...bouncing in his Jumparoo and watching Praise Baby! Thank you, Jesus. So, our flight leaves tonight and we are hoping that my happy, smiling baby stays around! Pray for us as we fly with a recovering 7 month old, as Matt's family deals with another loss, and as we hope to avoid getting the sickness that Quinn had! ... Whew...what a Halloween...one full of tricks and treats...one we'll never forget!!!

And, here he is this morning...ALL BETTER!!!...

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. ~George Eliot

I LOVE FALL!!! I love the cooler weather (FINALLY!), the warmer clothes and the beginning of my favorite holidays!!! Today Quinn and I went to the pumpkin patch with our mom's group from church and had such fun! I loved dressing him in his cute fall clothes, his toboggan, and his little moccasins. I also loved showing Q some cool animals and taking a photo shoot of my 'little pumpkin' in the real patch. Such a fun memory!