A year ago my world was given what some might call the start of a very bad storm. Not just my world but my families and especially my sister's world.

"

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;

                          my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,

my shield

and the horn

of my salvation, my stronghold." 

Psalm 18:2

God from the very beginning of only what we can comprehend as time had my family in His mind. He laid out the path we would all take.  He chose for us the direction our soul would choose.  Our most powerful Savior who sent His Son to earth to suffer and take the sins of my heart chose a certain life for me. God doesn't work around my choice He already chose it.

A year ago life was shaken.  I remember getting the call that my sister was loosing all of her blood. She should have died. After delivering two healthy little babies for another family her life was on the line.  I remember having her boys staying with us for the night which ended up for the whole week and then off and on for the whole month following.  Memories come and go but crying with the possibility of loosing a family member is tough and an experience I hadn't ever dealt with.  My sister's story was just beginning although it began before she was born. ( You can read my view on my sister's story in my earlier blogs. And continue with the Sister tab on the right. Even watch a video it's all on here).

So what's your Story? I pray that it's in God's will that my story be one that brings Glory to Him. God chose my family to go through what we did a year ago all for His Glory. Some might not understand or some might disagree, but I have full confidence in my Savior and this is part of my families story that could have shaken us to the ground but our feet were planted in knowing God causes all.

My family four times had to give Tiff up. Deep down coming to the conclusion God was calling her home. We prayed that it was in God's will to keep her with us although knowing ultimately Heaven is by far a better home.

My story? Well, really it's God's story! God gives and God takes away. Everything that God has given me is God's. What will I do with my gifts from God?  Tell others and share my gifts. Thank God for all my gifts. Remembering that gifts can even come through heart ache.

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

Romans 8:18

Today a year ago marks the start of memories that won't ever fade. Today a year ago marks the start of two beautiful and created lives that God brought into this world. Today a year ago and now forever marks a more driven passion to share a story of God's Glory. What a blessing God hand picked my family to go through this. It's not easy at times and I know for my sister and her family it's even harder. Satan continues to attach. Satan knows he can't ever have us but he would like to think he can bring us down. Well, our Savior is stronger and what a comfort to know our Savior holds His children in His hands. We may not understand all the questions we have in our present lives, but holding on to our Creator and knowing He ultimately has a plan and works everything out for His Glory gives us comfort.

 "

31

What,

then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

32

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

33

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.

34

Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

35

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

36

As it is written:

   “For your sake we face death all day long; 

   we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37

 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 

38

 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,

neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 

39

 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:31-38

Tiff - You will forever be such a wonderful and awesome big sister. I tell my girls regularly that God hand picked them each in the order they were born for a special purpose. I love having an older sister. I love learning from you. I love seeing your desire for our Savior. It breaks my heart to see what you have gone through this past year. It saddens me to see you hurting, but it lifts me up to know we believe in our Savior and that He chose from the beginning this path. It comforts me to know one day you will be perfect. It comforts me to know this is God's story! I love you so very much. I love calling you my sister. We are blessed to have been given more time with each other here on earth, but we are even more blessed knowing we will get to spend eternity together. May your week be blessed! May Jeff and your boys be blessed getting to hug and kiss you. Tiff you are such a blessing to each and all of us, and I want you to forever know that! :)

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

(Tiff holding her newest niece just minutes old)