Purpose from pain

It been a while since I've written anything. We have been busy speaking at schools, trying to stay caught up with school, and continuing with the kids activities. While our world will never be the same, life does go on and we have to learn how to continue living.

Since May, when we stepped into sharing Aspen’s Story, we have been able to speak at 9 schools (I’m estimating about 2300 students), the TxDot Press Conference, and an AA meeting. We look forward to sharing with more schools in the spring.

Last week was hard for all of us. We decorated the house which meant getting Aspen’s ornaments out. It was gut wrenching that she wasn’t here to help. She loved the Christmas season, but I do imagine it is way more magnificent in Heaven! We went shopping for the kids yearly ornaments which brought more tears in the middle of Hobby Lobby. We then had our family Thanksgiving on Saturday and while we had fun and enjoyed getting together there was a heaviness in the house. We took a family picture and I don’t know that those will ever be easy.

As we enter into the Christmas season we are trying to stay focused on The Lord, the gift of His Son, and all we have to be thankful for. Even in the midst of heartache, we truly are blessed. We know God is using this to turn hearts towards Him. It really does bring a sense of peace and joy when we hear of someone accepting Christ, or turning back to Him because of the impact of Aspen or her story. I know Heaven rejoices with each of these lives changed! One day, we will get to see that impact.

When we share our story, I talk about how our choices have a ripple effect. Every choice, good or bad, makes an impact far greater than we could ever imagine. We had to choose to take what satan meant for destruction and ruin and parter with The Lord and let him bring beauty from ashes, purpose from pain and joy in sorrow. While some days it is hard to see these things or even feel that God is moving, we have to fight for our faith and continue to trust. If you are in a season of hard, a season of questioning your faith I want to encourage you to hang in there. Jesus and the promise of Heaven are worth the fight.

Revelation 21:3-5
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[a] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”