May 2, 2012

A field of dreams...

Every now and then an opportunity comes along that is too hard to believe. It's one of those "is this really happening to us?" moments.

A few weeks ago, that happened to us. And it has completely changed our lives.

One of mine and Rick's dreams has always been to one day buy land and build a home. I'm sure this is honestly the dreams of most everyone, but we always hoped it would happen to us one day.

But like I said, it was just a dream. Well like my last post quoted, I learned this week, "Dreams really do come true." They do.

Rick was approached two weeks ago by Rhonda, a sweet friend of ours who has been a big part of our lives for a long time. She's truly been a blessing to us over and over again.

Rick was looking for a second job about 4 years ago and she approached him about coming to work for her company in sales. He took the offer, learned the business and worked his way up to Vice President and now runs the entire National branch of this company. I just know the Lord used Rhonda to lead Rick there. He has blessed Rick and I so much with this job. And He has allowed Rick to still be a full time part of the ministry of our Church as well. It's been amazing.

Rhonda shared that day with Rick some exciting news. She just recently purchased a piece of property with 7 1/2 acres that included a farmhouse and a big barn. This is a piece of land that we know well and see many times a week. It is the farm just across the street from our Church

We see this property every time we pull out of our Church parking lot. We have even taken family photos on this land. Ones that even Maddie Grace was a part of. =)

Rhonda told Rick that when she bought this land and that she knew when she bought it, it was meant for us. She told the man she bought it from (before she even talked to us) that she knew we needed this land and she was going to talk to us about buying it. She said the Lord laid it on her heart for us.

When I received the phone call from my Husband about her offer, my jaw dropped. We weren't even looking for land and were no where near ready (I thought) to make this kind of investment.  I listened to my Husband with open ears and waited to see what he said... We decided to pray about this decision with hopes that the Lord would lead our hearts to a decision. And He did.

That afternoon Rick asked me to meet him at the land so we could walk around and check it out. What happened next was something I will never forget.

He took my hand and walked me to the back of the 7 1/2 acre lot. It was a far walk and I quickly realized just how much land that truly is... We turned around once we reached the back.

Then we both stood there, hand in hand, completely silent. For a few minutes I don't think either of us spoke.

Then, he looked at me and I looked at him. It was like we both just knew. God gave us both a peace that we just knew. This was going to be ours.

With tears in our eyes, he pulled me close and said. I think this is it, Nat. This will be our home.

We were standing in a field of dreams.

It was like everything that had happened up until this moment just stopped.

The heartache. The fear. The pain. The wants and wishes. It all stood still with time as we faced this field that the Lord was blessing us with. We both knew.

I could see our Church off to the right in the distance but I truly could feel the Lords arms around me. Around us. It was amazing. What a blessing.

The following week as we prayed, everything was falling into place so perfectly. One thing after another, Rick and I found ourselves speechless. Numbers added up perfectly, down to the dollar. We had interest for the farmhouse from some friends of ours, who said they would rent it from us to help us pay down the property. And since the farmhouse needs much work, they said they would renovate it too. And get this, they were ready to move in immediately. Their lease was up in one week.

One thing after another fell into place and we just "knew" this was another one of the Lord's rainbows for our lives. Another precious blessing.

Well, I'm proud to say...

We are now the proud owners of that piece of that land. All 7 1/2 acres, the farmhouse and the barn. They belong to us now. =) It's still just so surreal. I just can't believe how the Lord has blessed us!

Rick and I walk around out there and almost cry. To think that the Lord would have such favor on us to give such a wonderful blessing. Through loosing so much with our beautiful daughter, He has in returned blessed us with another beautiful son and a future home for our family.

Land.

A farm.

A place to watch our boys grow up.  A place where we can watch them run and play and just be boys.

It just brings tears to my eyes as I type.

And the best part is, Maddie's memory is such a part of that farm.

The tree's that I had her maternity photos taken under. The yard where the boys cradled my belly and spoke to her. It was there. She will always be remembered there and that makes me so unbelievably happy. She will always be a part of it all. No mater what.

So many times, my eyes have wandered from our Church parking lot to that yard where we spent the day laughing under the tree's with our little boys and our precious girl. It was there that I felt her kicks as her brothers talked to my belly. It was there that I had so much hope for the future.

There on that land.

I can't tell you how full circle this brings me. Now our sweet rainbow of hope will grow up on that land with his big brothers. He will run in that very same yard. He will be here with us growing and becoming all that God wants him to be.

And to think he never would have been here. Our sweet Maddie Grace made a way for him. She has taught us of God's grace and goodness, and it is falling out fully onto our lives.

God has truly blessed us with another rainbow. Another blessing to show us how much He loves us and cares for us. Rick and I can't help but beam with excitement for what the future holds for us there.

We plan to build our home there in the next 4 to 5 years. In the mean time we will be maintaining the land and spending much time out there planting a garden and drawing up plans for our dream house. 

We absolutely love the fact that our boys have such a special place to grow up. Oh if you could see them run across the farm and play in the barn. It truly is a dream come true.

It will take us a little while to have our home built and be out there for good, but as my Husband tells me, "Everything worth waiting for will be worth the wait in the end, dreams take time."

I'm so thankful for the field of dreams that the Lord has blessed us with. It's amazing to think what our future looks like but one things for sure, it's bright.

I can only imagine what the Lord has in store. What a wonderful double rainbow God has given us. A sweet friend told me I should paint a rainbow on the back of the barn so when we one day look out from our home, we will remember; God carried us through the greatest storm of our lives, but at the end of it, was more of a blessing than we could of ever imagined. More that we could of dreamed.

Keep chasing your dreams, because sometimes when you're not even looking, they just might come true.

Much Love,
Natalie





The photograph's below were taken on our land two years ago while expecting Maddie Grace. We had no idea it would one day be ours. It's just amazing! Enjoy!












Always with us my sweet girl. Always.






April 23, 2012

Blessings and Rainbows...

Blessings.

I love them. I feel honored to have so many in my life and feel them constantly surrounding me.

Last week, as I struggled missing my Maddie Grace, I received more. I felt more. I read more.

I'm very thankful that on the days when I need them God always provides.

What is a blessing?

1. the act or words of a person who blesses.

2. a special favor, mercy, or benefit:

3. a favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing happiness..

4. the invoking of God's favor upon a person:

5. praise; devotion; worship.

Lately in my life, I've experienced a little bit of all of these.

I opened my inbox last week and read the sweetest note from a friend who I met while attending Bible college. This is what she share..

"Hi sweet friend! I just wanted you to know I shared your sweet Maddie with my ladies today at our Ladies Conference! The morning session was about the desert & I had the privilege of speaking on it.. As I was putting the finishing touches on my outline yesterday, God told me to use your very first blog entry as I talked about when we are allowed to ask Him why...


I then continued to remind them to remember God is still the same God who is good in the good times & remembering that helps us see Him working in the midst of our rough times.

So I read your later post on Jan 3rd of this year as you reflected on your year... I loved how the words you wrote were just what God wanted me to say & you said it even more beautifully.. I also got to show them pics of your sweet Maddie & how she is changing lives! Then I showed them your handsome Jonah "hope."

I thought you would enjoy knowing... That God is still using you & Maddie to minister. Thank you for your brokenness & humbled obedient heart.. Thank you for using your gift of writing & encouragement.. God used You today & Maddie to soften the hearts of those ladies living in the wilderness in their life & they allowed Him to RAIN down his presence in their situations!

Love you & continually encouraged by you & praying for you as you continue to " hope" in Him!!
Much love & hugs!" ~Chrissy

I don't think my sweet friend Chrissy will ever know just what her message meant to me.

Especially during a time when I miss sweet Maddie Grace so much.


To know that my sweet girl is still being spoken of, even 15 months later just blesses my heart.

Her story of God's grace is still being talked of and shared. I just love how Maddie's Ministry keeps on going and making an impact in this world.

It just blesses my heart so much. I'm just so thankful that her little life is touching others and making an impact in this world. I'm thankful I have been able to be a small part of that. It encourages me.

Day after day, God leads me along and continues to teach and show me things...

As I sat in Church yesterday morning, I listened to my Pastor preach a wonderful message on Abraham. And guess what he talked about?

Blessings. =)

He spoke of how Abraham's blessings were falling out onto the lives of those around him.

He charged us with a question.... "What kind of an impact are you making?"

Abraham made a huge impact in the lives of others and his blessings were falling out to those around him.

As my Pastor preached, I thought about what kind of impact I'm making, and my children are making. I want to say I made an impact in this world. A good one. For we all make some sort of an impact.

I know my daughter is making an impact with her little life. My prayer is that I can make one too.

So many people are and have made an impact in my life. Every week I receive sweet notes and messages of encouragement. So many are being used as an encourager in my life. I want to do the same in the lives of others. I want to live in a way that others see Christ in me. I want to be an uplifter, an encourager. I want others to say that I am doing the best I can for the Lord. Sure I'll fail and make mistakes along the way, but I've got to keep trying and pushing forward for the cause of Christ. It's what I was put here to do. I know that.

So as I pondered on these things, I recieved another sweet blessing this week.

I also received another wonderful message this week from my sweet friend Robyn. She shared...

"Your profile picture makes me smile. Your smile is just the best. :) Praise the Lord for rainbows!

I just wanted to tell you that I saw someone say that someone at their work told them to "move on" after the loss of her daughter. It had only been three months. I guess this person asked the woman why she had "shrines" for her daughter. It broke my heart. I wrote to her and told her that I don't know her, but I have been grieving with a friend who lost her daughter over a year ago and even though she has a sweet rainbow baby to fill her arms, that space in her heart will never be filled.

Natalie, the Lord isn't just using you for people you know, He's using you THROUGH people. The woman was someone that posted on a page of a woman that I don't even know, but she's a birth advocate and birth photographer. I was able to encourage her to grieve the way she needed to because I know you and know you need time to grieve because of the way you share your heart. And I don't know why I didn't think of it until now, but I'm going to track down that post and share your blog with her!"

I love you, Natalie and I love seeing the Lord work in your life. It gives me so much courage." Robyn

I just love her and her continued encouragement and blessings on my life. I don't want to let her, or anyone else down. People are hurting. People are going through pain. They need HOPE! If I can give them a way to have that, I want to. I want everyone to know of God's grace. I want them to know that during the darkest moments in our lives, He's there waiting to hold us, help us up. Help us move forward. He loves us.

I just love what Robyn said.... Praise the Lord for Rainbows!!!

I truly do! I'm so thankful God is providing them in my life...

Life is like a rainbow, you need both the sunshine and the rain to make the colors appear. =)

It seems like God just keeps sending more and more rainbows our way and we are enjoying the beauty of them. I want everyone to experience the joy of that. Seeing the beauty in something after the most devastating time in life. Through the hardest storm you have ever walked through. It's an amazing feeling to lift your head and see. We all are hurting for some reason, aren't we?




I love that! So true... I'm just gonna keep watching for the rainbows God is revealing through our storm....  Continuing to praise Him through it all!

Tomorrow, Rick and I are taking a huge step forward into our future for us and our family.

I can't wait to blog about how the Lord has opened doors for our family in such an amazing way. Doors that we haven't even been knocking at. He is doing so much in our lives.

We are moving forward and growing together as a family.

God is providing us with more blessings and more rainbows than we could have ever imagined.

I just know it's all because of Maddie and our faithfulness to Him during the hardest time of our lives.

God truly does take care for His own.

We are trying our best to make an impact., like Abraham. And God's blessings are falling out onto our lives. And I'm hoping, we can share them with others.

I can't wait to share our wonderful news and the story behind it.

Stay tuned...  =)

May many blessings and rainbows come your way this week!

Much Love,
Natalie




April 15, 2012

Hope found this Easter...

I vividly remember this month last year.

My heart was completely broken over Madeline.

It was almost Easter time, and Rick and I were just trying to get through each day. Just trying to breathe.

We were not sure what was ahead or what the future held for us; but we were just trusting in the Lord to carry us through each day.

It was then, the week before Easter that the Lord starting giving me all my hope signs; and a positive pregnancy test. =)

Little did I know just how much these two things would go hand in hand.

I was driving through my town and on the side of a local area Church, I saw a sign that said... "Find hope this Easter."

I remember reading it and thinking, " I could really use some of that.... Hope."

Then it dawned on me...

This baby is our hope.

From that moment forward, hope just kept pouring into my life.  I saw it everywhere. I heard it everywhere. I felt it everywhere.

God was walking with me and comforting me. He was filling my heart and my life with an abundance of hope. He still is. =)

You can re-read that post here...http://mymaddiegrace.blogspot.com/2011/04/finding-hope.html

I loved looking back to where I was a year ago. The posts leading up to our announcement too.

It just blesses my heart to see how God had such a plan for us...

When I read those words, I can't help but beam with smiles. I didn't announce my pregnancy until a few weeks after that post, but he was on his way. Our little bundle of hope.


I most definitely found what I was looking for.

God blessed me more abundantly than I could have imagined. He answered my prayer and gave me what I was searching for. He knew exactly what I needed.

And now, one year later, we were holding him in the flesh. Our little rainbow of hope.



Jonah's story stands to tell that dreams do come true. Prayers are answered. God is good.

This Easter was so sweet. Our arms were filled with Jonah, Elijah and Noah; but our hearts were full of Maddie Grace. We are blessed beyond all measure. We are so full of happiness again.

Looking back now, I can truly see that God had a plan all along, for me and for our precious family.

The road hasn't been easy, but the result was worth it.

I can truly say, I found it.

I found that hope I was looking for last Easter; and I continue to enjoy it everyday.

Thank you Lord for the hope you provide; and thank you for Your Son and what he gave for us. We can know we have heaven as our home, because of what Jesus did for us. John 3:16

Because of Your grace, we know we will be with Maddie again. Though we miss her with us here, we are so thankful that she is safe with you in Heaven.

Lord, you have given us so much and we are so very grateful.


To all of you reading, thank you for continuing to follow our story, it means so much to us. We hope all of you had a very blessed Easter as well.

Much love,
Natalie

Our precious family on Easter this year <3