My 15 minutes of fame...

It's said that everyone gets their 15 minutes of fame. Well, mine's more like 3 minutes, and I doubt you could really call it fame since you probably wouldn't even know it is me...

Last month I got the honor of calling in and talking to one of my favorite radio and talk show personalities, Dave Ramsey. I've been a Dave Ramsey fan for about 18 months now and just thought it was really cool that I got to chat with him. Now in posting this I am divulging a little more than I would generally like about my family's financial situation, but I'm sure it would not be a big shock to any of you who know what our lives have been like the last 5 years.

If you aren't a Dave Ramsey fan, or don't know who he is I encourage you to check him out. Although we haven't committed completely to his plan or advice the areas in which we are following his suggestions are now a much lighter load for me to carry.

Alright Blogger won't let me embed the video right now, so I'll just set up the link to Hulu. That is what I get for trying to be all fancy...

Here it is. Enjoy. And yes feel free to snicker at how much my voice quivers. I was REALLY nervous!

Loss...

I've spent most of the last hour in front of my computer crying. Just letting the tears pour down my face. It is in moments like this that I am amazed by and so confused by God and his will and work in our lives.
I've been thinking a great deal about loss the last few weeks. There are three stories that God has brought before me in the last few weeks, and I wanted to share them with you. Share them so that you may be encouraged in your faith, as I have been. And share them so that you might join me in praying for these amazing people, that God will continue to hold them, lift them up, and bless them as they mourn.
The first story is of my friend Anne. Anne Lincoln moved into the Gardner dorm room that happened right next to mine in the fall of 1999. I don't specifically remember meeting Anne, but to say that my life was forever blessed and changed because of that housing situation is the truth. Anne and I have been good friends for over 10 years now, and even though we don't see each other often our friendship is one that begins just where it was and runs deep. Between our Sophomore and Junior years of college Anne lost her mother. It was a difficult time for Anne, but I remember hearing stories of how Anne's speaking at the funeral was such a testimony of God's forgiveness and goodness. About a month ago Anne also lost her father. A quick run down of that story is given on my friend Laura's blog here. Anne has a half sister, but no other real family. As all of this happened I couldn't imagine what it must be like to be 28 years old and be "alone" without family in this world. But the Lord has been good to Anne and I know he has provided a much larger family to Anne than any blood family could ever be. I know she is still hurting and redefining what is "normal" in her life, but she showed great strength and faith in God at her father's funeral. I said it then, and I'll say it again. I will be blessed if my children end up as faithful to God as my dear friend Anne Lincoln is.
The second family is the Sullivan family. I learned of the Sullivan family and their struggle through a high school friend Mysha, who was in young life with Sara. Sara had a mammogram at the end of February that showed breast cancer. Their baby girl Chloe was born September 8th, and Sara passed away September 22nd. Through all of their trials Brady and Sara, always speak of their faith in God, the faithfulness God delivers and Brady continues to allow God to work in his heart and life. Sara was truly an amazing woman who was used by God. You can read their whole story, and follow Brady and Chloe's journey here.
The third story is of the Jacobs' family. Chelsea and Mark are friends of friends who I didn't even know their story, but I have been blessed by their struggle, their honesty and their faith. They have 3 beautiful daughters, and they were expecting their 4th child and first son Chase in November. Somehow Chase's umbilical cord got pinned and a blood clot formed. Chase passed away without ever seeing a day on this earth. This story touches me deeply as our sons were only a little over 2 weeks apart in due dates. Please join me in praying for the Jacbos family and if you want to read more of their story you will find it here.
I'm not sure exactly how God is speaking to me through all of these stories, or if he is preparing my heart for something. Many of you know we lost a baby in January, and a that point I felt that for the first time I truly turned the happenings of my family over to the Lord. When we were blessed with Evan I knew he was totally of the Lord's design and plan. I am reminded through all of this that all things, including myself, my husband and each of my children are truly the Lord's. And Lord it is our desire to be used for your glory and to be a part of your will. We love you Lord!

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4