I had been part of a new family and waited in great anticipation to meet our son:
I gave birth to a baby boy. I loved him his entire life. All he knew was love:
I became a wife:
I have laughed:
I have loved:
I have been blessed with amazing opportunities and places to travel:
I have been blessed and surrounded by some pretty incredible friends, err...sisters. I'm not sure where I would be without them:
God has sustained me and allowed me to survive some pretty terrible storms in my life. But, He's made Himself known in them all. He's shown His great shield of protection and love. And even helped me to laugh and find joy while in the depths of the valley:
I don't know what awaits me this next year of my life. But judging by how much love, laughter, and joy I've had this year, I am on the edge of my seat waiting with great excitement and anticipation to see the many things God has in store for me this next year! I am blessed beyond belief. And, am grateful to Him for it ALL. No matter what happens.
20 comments:
Happy Birthday!!! Hope the coming year is a blessed one.
Nicole~
Your outlook on life is amazing and uplifting. I believe God has great things in store for you. I will be praying everyday for you, and for your family. Sending you love and strength, God Bless~ Abbie
Happy Birthday!!!
I loved this post and I love your attitude and outlook!
Happy Birthday!!
Thank you for this post, I love your attitude in it.
I wish you all the happiness in the future.
It's kind of funny how we can both go through some of life's hardest events, but both come out from it
Nicole,
Your joy, upbeat attitude, honesty and most of all your FAITH has astounded me. When I read all you're going through, I am reminded of Job in the Bible. He was thrown into every bad thing, had everything taken from him and yet he still praised God and didn't blame him for anything. Throughout everything you have gone through and are still going through, you have had unwaivering faith in Christ and show such strength when you rely on him. I only wish I could have that much strength if I ever have to go through anything like you. You are an amazing example of what God can do when you simply rely on Him and trust in Him to the fullest! I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving and have a wonderful Christmas. Talk to you soon!!!!
~Nikki (and Madelyn too)
Nicole, you deserve everything God has planned for you and so much more! Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you for always reminding us of the happy and sad things to be thankful about.
Happy Birthday! Hope this coming year is a great one!
Long time lurker, first time comment:
I LOVED this post. It has been my favorite by far. You're upbeat attitude has givin other's reasons to be happy as well. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Visiting from Shoulders. I can't imagine what you must be going through, but know that you are in my thoughts and prayers today.
Happy Belated Birthday!
Hi Nicole. I'm visiting from Shoulders. I've actually visited your blog before - and perhaps even left a comment, but here I am again. :)
I just want you to know how sad I am that your baby isn't in your arms. I understand your grief as I also lost 2 sons shortly after birth due to congenital defects, and my 6 year old daughter too.
Grief is hard and takes courage to get through, but I can tell that you have your chin up, your feet on the ground and your eyes on our Savior. That's wonderful.
Shoulders mentioned that you were separated from your husband. This blog post doesn't reveal that and I hope it's an error, but if that's the case, I just want you to know how very sorry I am for that additional stress and heartache in your life.
I will pray for you and your husband just as soon as I send this comment. May God's love and tender care overwhelm you with peace.
Lynnette
Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground
Just came over from Shoulders to wish you a Happy Birthday and praying for God's blessings to you!!
I found your blog through Shoulders. So glad that I stopped by. I came to encourage you, but you have encouraged me. I appreciate your joy. It shines through your words. I will be praying for you and following you as you go through this next year. God Bless, Jenilee
Praying that the new year brings great things.
Got here through Shoulders! Nicole, I can't imagine what you're going through. I started to read some of your blog posts and just wanted to let you know that I love how you trust our Lord!
Blessings
Hi Nicole,
I'm visiting from Shoulders. These are great pictures, and your perspective through all of your trials seems to be absolutely beautiful. Happy Birthday! I hope this coming year brings many blessings and even more JOY. :)
In His arms,
--Abigail
I too found you through Shoulders. Just wanted to say that you have such a wonderful attitude and heart...it has been such an encouragement to read some of your story. I'm sure I'll be back for more.
Happy *late* Birthday!! May God's blessings shower on you through this year in amazing ways!
Nicole, you're welcome. Your faith is like a fresh wind to me. Keep trusting in God. He loves us so much more than we could ever imagine! Know that you are in my prayers!
I appreciate your honesty and heartfelt poured-out emotions on your blog. I'm not married but I do have a daughter and I have not lost a child but I wanted to share a book with you that you may or may not know about. It is called The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian. She writes AMAZING prayer books that enhance your prayer life. She is about never giving up on a Godly christian marriage no matter what the other spouse is doing. That if you believe that God can change it and continue to pray for that, that he will.
It's encouraging to see that you haven't given up. It seems to me that you are a fighter. I appreciate fighter's and their will & strength.
May God bless you on your birthday and the holidays that come.
You should also know that your story makes me appreciate my daughter a hundred times more and when I look at her now I think of your story and a few other blogs I found. So when I am reminded of those, I pray for those people, including you.
I don't know you but as a sister in Christ, I love you.
Hey Nicole,
I just wanted you to know that I have been thinking about you a lot. As my due date approaches (1-8-10) I continually thinking back to this time last year when I was waiting to read updates on you and Baby Dylan. I can't imagine what you were going throuhg, or how tough this year will be. Praying for you and for some peace this Holiday season.
Love from WI,
Kate
You are so strong! I have just been reading through your blog and am encouraged by your outlook on life, like lizzybit said. Happy Birthday, and wishing you all the best and more for this coming year!
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