19 Years and Counting

On October 16, 1993 my parents said, "I do". 

 

 

In February 1993, my dad was 23 and mom was 19. They met at my aunt's house, arranged by my aunt and my grandmother. Two weeks later they were engaged. My dad's proposal to my mom was romantically unique. He showed up at her job at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, where she was in charge of the General Surgery Clinic's medical records. He was cleverly dressed up as Prince Charming and was "delivered" by his brother in a washing machine box, which was wrapped up like a present.

 

With family, friends, co-workers, and the local news filming, my mom opened her abnormally large present and out came my dad. He recited a exquisitely written poem, and then dropped down on one knee and asked my mom, "Jennifer Dawn James, will you marry me?" Eight months later, at 24 and 20 respectively, they were married.

 

19 years and three children later, love is still in the air. :-) God brought them through many trials, and they have not only grown closer to each other over the years, but closer to Jesus.

 

I couldn't ask for better parents. They're not perfect, but are constantly striving towards becoming a mirrored image of Christ; and for this I am eternally grateful. From them I've learned that God can take a difficult and rough past, and bring you to a place of restoration and healing, if we are willing to study and respond to His Word.  

 

Happy Anniversary Dad and Mom. I love you both with all my heart. <3

 

 

With gratitude and thankfulness to God to be your daughter,

 

Morgan

 

 

 

The Sibling I Have Yet To Gain

This is a poem I wrote earlier this year. My parents found out a year or two ago that they are unable to medically have any more children. But we are believing by faith, that if it's God's will for us to have more children in our family, He will work a miracle. This poem was written to "the sibling I have yet to gain".

The Sibling I Have Yet To Gain

                 I think about you often, even though we’ve never met.

 

I don’t know your name, what you look like, not even your gender, shape, or size.

I think about all fun things we could do playing dolls, trucks and games. 

I think about the tears and the laughter we would share.

I would teach you what is right and correct you lovingly when you are wrong.

I would teach you how to braid your hair or how to throw a ball.

It’s weird, I’ve never met you, yet I already feel I have.

I long to look into your curious eyes, to tell you how precious you are in His eyes.

But God’s plan is very different than mine. And although I want to meet you and hold you in my arms, I will wait for His perfect timing, to deliver you into our care.

So as I continue dreaming of meeting you face to face, you will, until that day, remain the sibling I have yet to gain.

 

Fish and Anticipation

The art of anticipating: to look forward to as certain: expect (Merriam Webster Dictionary)

My family and I went camping this past weekend. Upon arriving on Friday evening, we were delighted to discover that on our campsite (which was right next to the bay and connected to the ocean) was a miniature dock. It was refreshing to be able to sit and dip our feet in the cool water.

My grandfather, whom we call "Poppy," provided the lot for us as well as the camper.  It was heavenly compared to the tent camping we did when I was younger.  My dad says that you have never been a true camper until you have slept in a hot nylon tent on a plastic air mattress several nights in a row.  My dad is too funny. :-)

Anyway, back to my story. Poppy brought his fishing gear with him and my younger sister, Makaya, was more than enthusiastic to make good use of it. She planned to wake up bright and early the next morning to start her fishing adventure. Around 7:15am (since mom had her go back to sleep around 5:15am), she woke up ready to start fishing. There was one problem: it was raining outside. As the day progressed, the rain fell harder. Amazingly, being the wonderfully persistent girl my little sister is, fished all morning and periodically throughout the day, searching for her first fish.

Sunday morning came, the rain clouds dissipated and the beautiful sun shone brightly in the morning sky.  Upon finishing morning devotions together as a family, Makaya closed us in prayer saying, "Thank you God for this day and this devotion. Please help us have a great day, and please let me catch at least one fish, in Jesus' Name, Amen." We all smiled at her and thought (or at least I did) how cute and innocent her prayer was. Simple, honest, and to the point.

Everyone went about their business while mom and I sat on the couch in the camper (again, it's so nice to have air conditioning while camping). :-) and watched Makaya through the camper window. How cute she looked, standing on the dock, the hot dog-baited fishing pole in one hand and a fishing net in the other.

This picture of my sister made me think, "How many times do I want or "need" something from God?  How impatient do I become, complaining about how He's 'taking too long' to answer my questions and pleas?"  In reality, all I need to do is be persistent and anticipate, waiting for Him to show up and trust that He will answer me in His perfect timing. Just because I have my "line" or prayer "in", doesn't mean He's going to immediately answer.  It takes time, effort, and patience on my end. Even though fish weren't biting my sister's line, it doesn't mean there weren't any fish to catch.  Similarly, God may not be answering right away, but that does not mean He's not there.  On the contrary, He is!

So, approximately five minutes after contemplating these thoughts my mom and I hear Makaya gleefully screaming, "Daddy! Daddy! Come quickly!"  A nice-size fish was dangling from my sister's pole. Her face was priceless as she proudly showed off her first catch. After all of that waiting, her prayers were answered and her desire was fulfilled. It was an incredible moment, not just for her, but surprisingly to me as well--one that I will not easily forget.

By the end of the day, with some help from dad and Poppy, Makaya caught about 17 more fish. God blessed her efforts of wating patiently, and in the same way, does the same for us.

The Bible says in Matthew 18:3, "And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

God is always listening and ready to move in our life. We need to anticipate Him, faithfully praying, persistently waiting, and always trusting and having faith in Him. Blessings are always sure to follow if we will just wait and anticipate our Heavenly Father.


"Wait for the Lord; Be strong,and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord." -Psalm 27:14


Be Blessed!


-Morgan