The Reason For The Season

Christmas has always been the most looked forward to day of the year in our family. We love getting together with rarely seen family. Enjoying the laughter, and sharing stories of how this year has treated each of us. As we sat around this year it was a little different. We realized just how lucky we are to be in such a tight knit family. As we look forward to our addition that we pray for daily, we feel so blessed to bring that child into a family so eager and excited to meet them.

Over the past few days we have had several get togethers with loved ones. Jill's family Christmas party consisted of about 25 family members. While my family party involved more than 60 people crammed into my parents house which seems to get smaller every year. Both of these parties had the most beautiful similarities that are a staple most homes during Christmas. Great food and a warm love that fills every room. Every minute we were squeezed by a different family member. Everyone wanted to make a point to explain their unique happiness for us.

Our first, and probably most exciting, gift came in the form of good news. Our new caseworker, Jennifer, contacted Jill to schedule our home visit in a little over a week. This was so huge to us. It will be the final step in moving past our first point in the process. Jill explained it as "making it through our first trimester". Which I thought was a beautiful way of looking at it. Most of our other gifts from family and friends included baby clothes, blankets, other nursery items, and a few very helpful monetary donations.

Last night as Jill and I were sitting in the candlelight service at our church we were struck by something that our pastor was saying. He explained that in so many of our lives we spend everyday walking in the wrong direction searching for His plan for our lives. While we travel down this wandering path, He is following right behind us. And as soon as we turn around we walk right into His arms. When we finally walk in His planned direction there is an inner peace that cannot be explained. These last few years have been full of heartache and strife. We constantly worried about trying to grow our family, and coming up with ridiculous amounts of money to undergo the latest and greatest in infertility treatments.
Since turning around and following Him down the path meant for our family, we have found that inner peace. No matter how long the trip is, or how many obstacles are in our pathway we will be comforted by this peace. We have this comfort because He is driving our lives. We simply have to relax, kick our feet up, and let Him take us to our destiny. He navigates these roads we have never traveled. All we have to do is trust in Him, follow Him, and love Him unconditionally. We know that this peace will last forever. Our journey with Him will not end when we have our first child in our arms. We will simply just stop to pick up another passenger on our way to His kingdom.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!