Family, One of God's Greatest Gifts!

Before I got pregnant, I was advised against looking at baby stuff too much or planning for a baby before I was pregnant because it would make my heart hurt more. However, I found the opposite to be true! Additionally, I think it was good for me to be around people with children. I think that some people tried to protect my heart by not inviting me to be around them and their children, but that actually made things worse. I prefer hanging out with people with children because that is where my heart has been for a long time. While it was challenging at times because of the deep sadness in my own heart, I think that overall it was really good for me. By choosing to rejoice with others, my heart was given no other choice but to rejoice also. I greatly appreciate people like my sister who went out of her way to include me. She shared her children with me and always encouraged me that God would one day give me what it seemed like everyone else had. She was even okay when I sent out a Christmas card with a picture of me and Scott with Allison. It kind of looked like Allison was our daughter, but she was totally cool with it. Ha! Thanks, Laura! She never doubted that I too would one day be a mother! I know that the Lord used her to keep me hopeful and keep me trusting the Lord inspite of my circumstances. I am eternally grateful for my precious nieces as well! They kept me distracted and busy! Taking care of them taught me a lot of things about myself that I REALLY needed to learn. I always questioned what kind of mother I would be, but taking care of my nieces showed me that I could do anything! Thank the Lord for family! They truly are God's greatest gift!