Joy Over Jealousy

I'll admit I was jealous. I was jealous when my good friend Caleb (see his blog here) got the news that they would be traveling this month to pick up their little girl, when they hadn't been in the process near as long as we had. I was jealous when he got to go with his dad and meet her. I was jealous when their Gotcha Day, the day she became their's forever was on Christmas. I was jealous when I found out little Julia would be home by New Years.

I'm a very jealous person, aren't I? At first I felt justified, and wallowed in my own jealousy. It wasn't fair that Evan wasn't coming home and Julia was. Why did we have to wait so long?

Then I caught myself. How dare I? How dare I be upset over a baby coming home to her forever family, let alone the sister of one of my friends? Not to mention questioning God's timing... All those justifications melted away, leaving only cruel and hurtful jealousy.

I had absolutely no right to be jealous. In fact, I had every cause to be joyful. One of God's princesses is coming home to her family! She was saved from a "life" in a institution, abandoned and unloved. Evan will come home when it's time for her to come home, which leaves only room for absolute and uninhibited joy at the homecoming of another princess.

Please pray for their trip home from the Ukraine tomorrow. It's a long plane ride, and they'll have a 4-year-old who's not even used to them, let alone a plane.

Jealousy is a seed of Satan, but it can be overcome by joy. Don't let jealousy get in the way of being truly happy for others. I can say now that while, no, I'm not happy that Evan isn't home yet, I am ecstatic over the fact that my friend gets to experience the fun and joy of having a sibling with Down syndrome now. I am filled to the brim with joy that this little baby was saved from a life in an institution. And jealousy has been vanquished.

Another baby is coming home! Let's rejoice!

Letting Go - And Having Fun

In life, sometimes you have to do what you have to do. You have to work when you don't want to. It's called taking responsibility.

But other times, you need to just let go, loosen up, and have some fun. Did I have a lot of homework today? Yes, but I had a few more days to get it done. Did I have plenty of things to worry about? Absolutely.

But did I also have a little brother who needed some time with his sister now that his Momma was on vacation? Yes, I did. And little brothers trump everything else.

So, without further ado, here's me and Levi just hanging out and having some fun! Maybe by this time next year, I'll be doing this with Evan! Although, I doubt she'll be as ecstatic about seeing herself in a camera as Levi... But, hey, you never know!

Don't Worry, Be Happy

So lately I've been somewhat depressed. My baby brother's been in the hospital for a week and a half. This is the third or fourth time this year he's been in. I know my way around Vanderbilt and I can't get from my house to school!!! Now that's just SAD. But I've also been introduced to some people who are hurting ten times more than I am. If I thought I was going through a tough time, listen to these stories:

Jake is 18-years-old. He's across the hall from us.

He's waiting for a heart.

He's already been to one hospital and they turned him away and said they couldn't help him. The doctors here haven't given him a very good chance. If he doesn't get a heart soon, he'll day.

Emily, a little baby girl, got life-flighted in yesterday. She was aspirating because the doctors at a different hospital forced liquid into her mouth when she had trouble swallowing. This also caused her to develop heart problems. And her parents don't even have money for gas or a hotel.

When I think of these people, I think, "Wow, I can't believe I've been so selfish as to think that I was going through a hard time when these people are going through so much worse."

I've been trying to be happier now, to give those people hope. Let them know that Jesus loves them and he's ALWAYS there for them. No matter what they're going through. Just the way we act is a testimony for Jesus. Because people just don't understand how we can still be happy, hoping, and trusting in such situations. And when they ask, we can say "I've got the love of Jesus." It's a wonderful thing, to be able to say that. So remember to act (or try to act) in a way that honors the Lord. I know we can't ever live up to his standards, but that shouldn't stop us from trying. Jesus loves it when we try. He loves it when we're striving to please him. Even if we fail. He still loves us. We need to show him in our lives. Be HAPPY!!! The King of the Universe died for YOU and he's coming back to bring us to paradise!!!

Live what you believe!