I love surprises

I am a girl that loves sweet surprises. . . the spontaneous . . . .unexpected!
 
While I'm doing my day to day routine and thinking no scheduled "fun" for today.  I get the unexpected.  Days like today don't come very often. . .

During laundry, mediating sibling arguments, tripping over toys, . . .just when I think the day is like most, it changes with the vibration of my phone. . .

a sister surprises. . . fills my heart with fun anticipation. I love when God prompts my friends hearts.  He always knows the needs of his children. God brought this perfect stranger to me years ago to meet needs that I didn't know I had and He did the same today.  Oh how I am grateful!

embracing the tender one. . .

love . . . poured out for my princess. . .  genuine beauty.

such a gift. 

never forgetting the beauty that has been sewn in our friendship story. . . and truly blessed that she was placed in my life. Wow! I miss being in the same city.

honored and joy filled that she was able to stop by on their way home. . . bringing her smalls. . . that I gladly kissed and loved on too.

  Good day! . . . For Elaina as well.  She's been prescribed only one chemo from here on out. . .  hoping this will help her counts stay stable.  She has been all smiles today! . . . I will rejoice and be glad!!

branded

It truly amazes me how my body has been created with all these systems that work together to keep me alive and well.  Like platelets. . . I've never thought twice about these things until E had bruises all over and red spots covering her body.  Chemo is well known for causing havoc. . . I hate it. . . I hate seeing sick, weak children. I hate seeing my daughter bruised up over nothing more than normal brother/sister play. 

These times are rough.  But God has a great plan.  This rainbow princess is a constant reminder of promises from the King. . .
I am blessed!. . . to be able to see beauty . . . experience joy through the suffering.  The reminder of 1 peter 1:7 . . . "These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire —may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.". . .  has been branded on her princess head. I won't forget!

Thankful for platelet transfusions!! E had another one yesterday.  We'll see next week if her body is ready for the next round of chemo. 
I was praying on my way to the hospital and felt an overwhelming feeling that I was not going to the hospital just for E this day. . . I had no idea what God was going to do but I continued on . . . grabbed my parking pass and headed up the hill with Jack and E following close behind.  We walked in the elevator and another family stepped in right behind.  They had smiles on their faces . . .  light radiating . . . I just knew this family followed Jesus.  I asked what floor they were going to and the mom hesitated. . . as if she hadn't been there many times before. When she said 2r I was excited that I might get the opportunity to get to know them. 
We had such a great talk. . . exchanging stories, tears, and joy.  Hugging me. . . tears filling her lids . . .  she said, "God took care of me again today. . . He put you in the elevator." . . .I was thinking the same thing about her. . . She blessed me more than she'll ever know.  What an amazing God!! His love is extravagant! . . . I am unworthy. . . yet He is a promise keeper . . . unfailing love! He's teaching me all the time what it means to love. . . I stink at it!  But I am a stubborn one. . . which I am learning can be a good thing.  I WILL allow transformation. . . God's kind. 
God is at work. . . lots of change happening. . . paths leading to the unknown. . .

But I'm expecting great things for our family as we continue along this journey. . . God is always up to something great. . . praying I have seeing eyes. . . .wide open!