God's gift of "Grace": April 2013

April 30, 2013

Covered in grace...

"The secret to figuring out life: All is grace~ Because God's transfiguring all things for His glory." Ann Voscamp

Life... isn't it beautiful?

We are given life and everyday we wake up and are blessed with another day to live.

Another day to breathe.

Another day to make a difference.

Some days seem easy and full of happiness. And on others, life seems hard or unfair.

Yet, at the end of the day, we are still blessed to have had that day.

My days are funny.

Some days I wake up full of energy with such a zeal for life. I feel like I can take on the world!!!

Then, other days, I wake up with sadness in my heart and I just pray my way through that day.

I'm sure many of you have up and down days too. So many things can affect us.

Yet, I know those hard days are the days when I need the Lord the most.

I need His grace to cover me. I need his love to carry me.

That's why I love this quote above... You really can't figure out life... ~All is Grace.

I don't understand why I'm not able to watch my little girl grow up, but God's grace is covering me as I go through my days without her.

I don't understand why loved ones get sick or go through hardships, but I do know a God full of grace to help us endure these difficult times.

What is grace exactly? And how does it relate to me?

Grace: Divine love and protection bestowed freely on people. Unmerited favor...It is simply love and mercy from God.

That love is for all people.

Oh how grateful I am for how He loves me. He truly loves me.

And on days when I truly don't understand life, He gives his mercy.. and grace to help me.

I don't need a reason for why things are happening or have happened in my life, I just trust in the Lord and let his grace cover me.

For I know, that in everything he Has a purpose and a plan.

So on the days when I feel overwhelmed or defeated, I run to Him. I am then able to move forward and use every trial that I face, to bring more glory to Him.

For at the end of the day, I know my life is not my own, but belongs to Him.

And everyday I wake up and live, it is a gift.

Truly a gift of God's grace.

I find such meaning in this five letter word and it speaks to my heart with much comfort.

Not my will, but thine be done Lord. Everyday of my life.

I know what life is about, pointing others to you.

Thank you for giving me more of a desire to do so, through the trial of my Maddie Grace. She brings me closer to you Lord, every day. I'm so grateful for that.

Though I wish she were here, I'm thankful that through her passing, I found an even greater relationship with God.

Thank you Lord for this life I'm living.

And thank you for your grace. It covers me.

1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Much Love,
Natalie

The Lord has really been dealing with my heart about something, and I can't wait to share when the time is right. I love that the Lord speaks to me and I pray that some how I can be a help or encouragement to you. If you would like some extra prayer this week, please leave me your request in my comment box. I'd love to pray for you as well on this journey through life. =)

April 11, 2013

What we've been up to....

Hello sweet friends!

I had a few free moments and I wanted to jump on and post an update about what we've been up to!

I enjoy sharing things about our sweet family in this space as a way of documenting our lives. This way, I'll always have these moments written down so I can look back at and remember.. I love looking back to my beginning post and seeing just how far the Lord has brought our family. It's truly been amazing the healing and happiness that is ever present in our lives even through heartache.

We miss Maddie Grace every day but the Lord is doing great things in our family. We feel so blessed.

As many of you know we purchased 7 1/2 acres of land in the country just across from our Church. We named the land "Amazing Grace Farm" fitting huh? =)

We've had the land for almost a year now and the goal is to build our dream house there in about 4 more years... but in the mean time we have been taking advantage of all this space. We've been able to host parties and go sledding out there. The boys love to run around and ride their bikes! Rick loves using the land to take the boys out on the four wheeler, dirt bike and golf cart. It's tons of fun. We definitely make great use of all the space and it's been such a blessing. I'm looking forward to planting another garden out there again this year. If anyone has tips, I'd love to hear them!

Just recently, we took on something else. We decided to renovate the old farmhouse that is there on the land! I definitely questioned it when my Husband suggested it. I just thought it's gonna take a TON of work to do this. And it has. But it's been so neat taking something old and in pitiful shape and turning it into something beautiful again. It's actually really fulfilling! The boys are loving helping with this project and I can't wait to show you our progress as it continues... I'll share some pics soon. The first floor is getting really close to being complete.

Also, we planned a little getaway for Valentines Day to Great wolf Lodge. It's kind of become a Valentine tradition and all three boys LOVED it. It was a nice time where really fun family memories were made..

Here's a few pics...

My Heart breakers on Vday!

Valentine's Day treats

So blessed <3

There was a Maddie Bird on the wolf den.. <3

My guys at breakfast

Noah and Jonah

My three sons <3

We also had a wonderful Easter and really fun Spring Break with Noah while he was off of school. He's such a joy to have home. I miss him at school during the day..

Here's us on Easter! =)