Availability

Availability

With it being quite obvious that God wanted me to have some freed up time, due to the fact that I am not currently a mommy to a living child, nor a participating, active, on-duty wife, I began to pray that God would use me and my new found spare time in any way He saw fit. And, that I would be willingly available to do it.

Because God is the Ultimate Expert in turning ashes into beauty, I knew there had to be some good that would come out of my given circumstances.

And, some of the good has been revealed.

I'm not sure how many of you read the comments on my blog posts, but because of my post on December 31, I have been given the opportunity to meet Rylan's Mommy.

Rylan is a sweet baby boy that was born on December 28, 2009. It was a perfectly healthy pregnancy, and Rylan passed away from unknown reasons. Those are all the details that I'm aware of at this point. Rylan is buried just a few plots away from my Dylan. They share the same birthday, one year apart. I am planning on meeting Rylan's Mommy this week. Would you please pray that I will be able to bring words of comfort, peace, and joy to her, in this, a devastating situation? And, that I would be able to mourn with her in her grief through one of the most devastating losses a person can experience, as so many of you did for me?

Another door that has been opened, is a new Beth Moore study that I start this week. We will be reading "Believing God". I will update you on that, as it progresses. I am super stoked to begin the study.

And yet even another door has been opened.

Several years ago, God put an interest in me to go on an overseas missions trip. Shortly after the possible opportunity came about, Chad and I became engaged. Shortly after that, we became pregnant. And, well, you know the rest. The timing for such a trip wasn't right yet...until now.

Given my present circumstances, I had an inclination that going on a missionary trip would most likely be in my near future. And, it appears as though it is. Last week, our bulletin asked "Interested in going on a missions trip?". I replied, "Why yes, I am". It continued to say there would be a team going to Guatemala(!!!) this spring/summer. June actually. I am so excited and so at peace with the plans for this trip! Looks like my passport from the honeymoon will come in handy! I will update you more as the date approaches, but I am now accepting donations towards the trip, in case you are wondering. ;)

Ashes into beauty, my theme for 2010.

I love how God works.

Would you please join me in prayer this week for both the comfort for Rylan's Family, and for God's blessings and favor on the upcoming Guatemalan trip?

May God make His Will known to you too, as He has for me. And, may we all find the peace, joy, and comfort in knowing that the best is yet to come.

Blessings,
Nicole

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor."

Isaiah 61:1-3