when things don't go as planned...

Our family has been dealt a difficult hand the past month. Two weeks after Maliyah was born we found out that Leith as to deploy to Afghanistan this summer for three months. Seeing that I had just had the baby and was on a hormone rollercoaster you can imagine that my reaction was not ideal. But really...what wife would react well to hearing that her husband is leaving for three months?! As we have been processing this information and mentally preparing ourselves for this difficult time we can't help but think "this is not what we had planned!", "God, why are you allowing this?", "We can't handle this!". All those thoughts still enter my mind daily. But although this has been challenging it was also grown us in our marriage and in our individual walks with Christ. We are learning to rely on God's strength more than we ever have and to live by faith daily. We ask that you all keep us in your prayers. Pray for Leith's safety and for myself and the kids as we wait at home for him to return to us. Pray that Leith will be used in a mighty way and that even without words he can be a witness to whomever he places his hands on. Today I read something from a devotional book that has touched my heart and given me hope to get through each day...

"When things don't go as you would like, accept the situation immediately. If you indulge in feelings of regret, they can easily spill over the line into resentment. Remember that I am sovereign over your circumstances, and humble yourself under My mighy hand. Rejoice in what I am doing in your life, even though it is beyond your understanding. I am the way, the Truth, and the Life. In Me you have everything you need, both for this life and for the life yet to come. Don't let the impact of the world shatter your thinking or draw you away from focusing on Me. The ultimate challenge is to keep fixing your eyes on Me, no matter what is going on around you. When I am central in your thinking, you are able to view curcumstances from My perspective."

Maliyah Paige States

we welcomed our precious daughter Maliyah into the world on April 9, 2012. Six weeks later and I still can't believe we are a family of four. Her individual personality has shown through already. She loves to eat and let us know when exactly she wants to be fed but she also loves to cuddle and her one-side grin melts my heart every time. Isaiah has adjusted quite well to the role of big brother. He recognizes that her cries are not fun and when his attempts at giving her a pacifier have failed he simply covers his ears. It's hilarious! Every morning when he wakes up he says "sister?" and rushes downstairs to see her. Watching him interact with her has brought so much joy to Leith and I so far. We look forward to seeing the two of them grow up together and develop a bond that only siblings have. We thank God for blessing us with our sweet baby girl. She is healthy and happy (most of the time) and makes our lives so much sweeter. We love you baby girl!

photos by bachmanville photography