Beautiful

These pictures were taken tonight at a playground in Castle Rock, CO by my sister-in-law's father. He has a really, really nice SLR digital camera and a great eye. I thought they were such beautiful, candid pictures of Olivia (o:

But the beautiful pictures of our daughter is not the only reason why I titled this BLOG "Beautiful"...

This is the last post I'll write from our time here in Colorado Springs wih my family, and I am sad because the past 9 months here have been a beautiful and sweet time. Olivia's relationships with her grandparents, cousin Logan, Uncle Ryan & Aunt Cathy, Uncle Deon & Aunt Ernestine, Uncle Harlan & Aunt Susan, Carrie and Joshua have evolved into lasting bonds. We have so many memories from here to carry with us and cherish...God is so good!!!! Here are just a few of the beautiful things God has done over the past 9 months here in Colorado...

...placed us in a home with my loving parents who have done everything they can to take care of Olivia and I.

...allowed us time with JP's family who traveled all the way to Colorado from Arkansas just to see us!

...given me a small group of beautiful women and mentors, the majority of whom are grandmothers themselves.

...brought to life His Word in a way I have never experienced before in my lifetime!!!

...spoke to me about His plans for the remaining time of JP's deployment-namely that He has a work for us to do in Tenessee and it's time to go back. And like Gideon setting out his fleece in Judges 6, I have asked God numerous time to reconfirm the words He spoke. And such a beautiful Abba Father, with each doubting request He has answered nearly immediately including given me weekly confirmations of what He said way back in April through every Sunday morning sermon and every quiet time. He has used words from my family, words from the Bible, and quiet words spoken to my heart. I have never heard His voice so clearly or persistently, and it's the most beautiful thing in the world!

And now we get to head back to Tennessee on Friday where Olivia and I will get to spend a beautiful three weeks with JP who is heading home for R&R in three weeks. She talks about her daddy every day and looks forward to his calls. One day she even picked up the phone and started dialing and when Nema (grandma) asked who she wanted to call she said "daddy."

I am so excited about what's ahead over the next 6 months until JP gets to come home for good. God has brought to the forefront of my mind something He taught me last Spring through Beth Moore's Bible Study, "Stepping Up: a journey through the Psalms of Ascent." God is a gracious God and wants to bring restoration to our souls, especially after a time of sadness and drought.

"I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:13 -14.

JP and I can both testify of this restoration after our long drought of infertility and then God brining us Olivia Hope; and also with JP's major career change within the army. Both of these events were preceded by wondering what in the world was going on, waiting for God to hear our prayers, and then watching as God moved mountains to bring about results way beyond anything we ever asked or dreamed about!! Beautiful results we can attribute to God alone!!

Our time of separation now because of the deployment is defintitely another season of drought (though sprinkled with God's gracious love), and now Olivia and I will be going through more separations again with my family and then JP again after his R&R...but I am so excited because I know the God who brought us though the drought last time! And His restorations are sure and lasting...and the best thing about it is they bring Him all the glory! Life is never more beautiful than when we can bring Him glory! So with Beth Moore I say:

"I have seen huge wonders of God in the past and I want to seem them again! As Eugene Peterson writes, 'And now, God, do it again!' I want an "again" work of God in my life. Do you?"

If God leads you to pray for us over the next 6 months, here are some things we need:

...safety for my dad as he drives our van and 4 animals back to Tennessess this coming Thursday.

...safety for my mom, Olivia, and I as we fly Friday.

...a healthy balance of sadness for leaving all we love here in Colorado and excitement for what's ahead in Tennessee.

...Olivia as she says good-bye to CO, hello to Daddy, and then good-bye to daddy again. This is the one that overwhelms me the most. Nothing pierces my heart more than my little girls heartbreak!!! But I know God is not oblivious to her tender heart, so I'm trusting Him to provide, but please pray.

...our time with JP the end of July.

...JP's health and safety.

...God's perfect will over the next 6 months.

...for God to show Himself gracious in a way beyond our dreams and imagination.

...for us to see huge wonders of God again!!!!