Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Family Visit

Sorry about the long break in posting. I told myself if I started a blog, I would be very purposeful to post regularly. I blew it this past week, but this is a new week, and I promise to do better.

My mom, my sister, and 2 of my sisters kids came to visit us this past weekend. I had so much fun just hanging with family, and the boys loved every minute of playing with their cousins. When we lived in Charlotte, Max and Jack spent time with their cousins almost every day, so as you can imagine, it has been quite an adjustment for all of us to go a couple of months without seeing each other. I have to say, the hardest part for me about moving away from family has been this fear that my kids will not be close to their cousins, my mom, or the rest of my family. I really, really struggle with this. I want their cousins to be their best friends and my family to always be a part of their everyday lives. I struggle to trust God that He will make this happen despite the miles between us. A common prayer of mine is, "God, I know I will be OK, but will my boys? They miss my family so bad, what can I do to help them? Will you promise me they will be OK and they will still be close to everyone?"

I have a hard time trusting that He is going to meet their needs too-- and that sometimes He will do that completely independent of Chris and I. As a mom, I always feel like it is up to me to take care of EVERYTHING for them. God is teaching me otherwise. I need to walk in faith that God is not just in control of my circumstances, but He also is in control of theirs--not me. He knows, and even orchestrates for my children's good, how Chris and I's decisions will affect my children. Unbelievably, He had all this figured out and planned before He called us to move. I know that He will use the steps He calls us as parents to take to better our children. I know all this to be true, but it is hard to believe and walk fearlessly in it at times (being postpartum is definitely not helping with this! :)

Regardless, as soon as they drove up (My sister will not fly--absolutely will not. So she drove all the way down here --12 hours, 30 weeks pregnant, and 2 kids! I am buying her Beth Moore's Breaking Free study in hopes that she will read it and at least consider flying next time:) in our driveway and jumped out of the car to greet my anxiously awaiting boys, it was like no time was lost. They were hugging and jumping and talking a mile a minute-- all of them at the same time. Within minutes, Luke and Max were fighting about something--just like before :). It made me laugh and cry at the same time --it was awesome! I actually didn't care at all when they fought this weekend because I felt the Lord telling me in those moments, "See, Holly, they are still just as close as ever, and I will make a way for them to stay close. I promised that I will supply all your needs in a sunscorched land (I consider South Florida a sunscorched land), and I will supply your children's needs too-- just trust Me. I know they need family. I will make a way."


Dear Lord, Help me to trust you and rest in your promises. Thank you for a great weekend wih family and for your reassurance that you are in control. Thank you for being faithful to meet my needs and my children's needs.



Here are a few pics from our weekend:









Annie did not get put down for one minute this weekend!!

4 comments:

paige said...

Beautifully written! and Amen!

Faith said...

Awww! I am so thankful that the Lord provided this time for you to spend with your family!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you were able to enjoy some family time with your Mom, Melanie & the kids. And I can totally relate to your feelings of fear about not being close to family...BUT, I can tell you from my experience that God will provide just what you, Chris & the kids need. He knows your fear & the cool thing is that He already has it all worked out :) I'm SO glad you guys are here with us in S.Florida & on the Flamingo team!

Jenny said...

I'm so glad you all had a great time!!! The Lord is so good to confirm to us that He IS faithful!