Saturday, December 27, 2008

A picture of happiness


See these wonderful people? Every single one of them was around our tree this year. The rule on Christmas morning is that everyone has to come in their pajamas (or what they slept in!) So they're not made up and their hair isn't styled(Sarah says Bennie even sleeps in his hat!), but they are beautiful! Austin looks unhappy in this picture, don't know what was up with that face because believe you me, he was one happy kid! Sarah and Bennie are in the back standing on the hearth, Patrick and Amber are on the left and Emily and Wendell are on the right, with Austin, of course, in front.

At one point on Christmas morning I looked around the room and saw all my kids together, laughing and hugging each other and just having a good time together and it was one of those moments in time that you just want to freeze and savor. Nothing is promised to us. No one knows what tomorrow, or next week, or next year will bring our way. So, when it's good, (and this was soooo verrrry good) we need to soak up those times, remember the smell, the feel, the sounds of it all. I did that, over and over and over.

Emily is in good spirits and Wendell is being wonderful with her. This is the second time that he's been here to visit with us and I thank God for bringing him into her life. He is just a great guy and anyone watching them together can tell that they are very much in love. She so deserves him. They have a very frightening and trying time ahead of them. I have no doubt but that he'll be there taking care of her every step of the way.

We often wonder about God's timing, or at least I do. In the past several days I have been able to look at so many things and see God's perfect timing. It's no accident that Emily was able to get away from her unkind ex husband when she did. Very soon after she left him she met Wendell at the gym where she works out. Some have said that it was too fast for her to meet someone. I believe that God was the one orchestrating that particular meeting. He knew that she was going to need someone like Wendell in her life. I've never seen her so happy. He is so obviously devoted to her and after the way she was treated in her marriage it is like balm for my soul to see someone appreciate her and treat her with such love and kindness. How could I not love someone who does that for my daughter. He's also the Santa's helper that suggested that they come "home" to Kentucky for Christmas (He is from Illinois). I had an emotional moment on Christmas Eve when Emily was in another room and I hugged him and thanked him for bringing her home for Christmas. He said to me, "Please don't cry or you'll make me cry. It was my pleasure to bring her home for Christmas."

We have laughed and hugged and played games. They have gone to movies, museums, and met with friends. I've worked two shifts since they have been here and slept fast so we could spend more time together. We haven't done a lot of talking about the cancer. She will go home this weekend and we're working on getting a name of a specialist for her to see once she gets home. I've asked everyone I know to pray for her and I have every reason to believe that she will be cured. Anything less is just not acceptable. If the faith of a mustard seed can move a mountain, this is going to be a piece of cake, because I've got enough faith to fill an entire country.

I've said so many times that she is spunky, determined, smart, goal oriented and a go getter. Well, cancer has met it's match with my girl. When she sets her mind to do something, put it in the bank, it's gonna happen. She's finally found happiness and our family is whole again. Miracles happen....hold on.

22 comments:

garnett109 said...

Looks like a very Happy Family!

LYN said...

YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY...

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

All those beautiful smiles show what love there is there in your family. I'm so happy that you all were able to be together and enjoy this Christmas together.
'On Ya'-ma

Leslie said...

What a beautiful happy family. You must feel so blessed to have them all in your life. We're still praying for Emily. It's wonderful that she's found Wendell. I swear, I love that picture.. I can just imagine all of the noise and laughter. I can't wait to have a full house.
Merry Christmas and Happy New year.

kbear said...

Beautiful family! so happy all of you were able to get together this year. what a treasure! Emily is still in my prayers. take care and be strong knowing she is whole, perfect and complete regardless. hugz~kbear

Chris said...

" one of those moments in time that you just want to freeze and savor"

I love those. They are better than diamonds, money or gold.

PS: Wendell is cheating on the "no making your hair up" deal.

Ken Riches said...

So glad you had such a wonderful Christmas. May the New Year continue with such happiness and good fortune for your whole family.

Chrissie a.k.a. HoneyB said...

You have a beautiful family and I'm so happy they were all together with you at Christmas. You're right you have to savor every moment you can once you have adult children. I am just now hitting that point and those moments are far between.
I think your daughter will be fine. God is definately working in her favor.
Take care, Chrissie

Monica said...

" one of those moments in time that you just want to freeze and savor"

I'm so glad you had that moment to savor and more importantly you recognized it as such. It will stay with you for years to come. To me, this is far greater value then any material object on earth.

As for Emily and the timing of meeting Wendell, it was God's timing. I was told I stepped out of my divorce into a relationhip with Sonny (now my husband) to soon after the divorce. He came into my life when I needed a friend I could trust and from that friendship it grew into something so much more than friendship. I don't doubt that it was meant for them to find each other when they did.

Beautiful family, thank you for sharing them with us. Oh, and you better believe Emily will still be in my prayers.

Monica

Terri said...

Beautiful beautiful entry Melissa...and a beautiful family too! So glad ya'll had a wonderful Christmas...

LOL@ Chris saying Wendall is cheating on the no fixing your hair on Christmas morning... :)

Prayers are being said daily on Emily and your families behalf...

Hugs
Terri

Cindi said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE...THATS ALL I CAN SEE IN THIS PIC!!!! THANKS FOR SHARING...We were in our pjs too at my sisters house....love it!
take care

emmapeelDallas said...

Miracles do happen. What a beautiful pic! Your family is in my prayers...

XO

Judi

Maria said...

Miracles can happen! I pray that one happens for Emily and your family.

Mrs. L said...

Great looking family!!! Love the come as you are rule. We not only had to wear our pjs, we had to put on all the clothes we got as presents, too. Talk about some interesting Xmas morning photos.

cw2smom said...

What a wonderful gathering! What a blessing! I am so happy that your daughter has a wonderful man to love, support and treat her to the kindness she so deserves. I so want that for myself, and I am praying that I've found that in someone special. If only he feels the same? I dunno at this point. We'll see. God's perfect timing, right! I am keeping the faith too! Hugs and prayers! Lisa

Beth said...

Melissa, I'm so glad to hear that you had such a wonderful Christmas! Positive thoughts...all will be well in the coming year.

Hugs, Beth

Janie said...

So glad that all of you had a wonderful Christmas. In my prayers that you will have a wonderful New Year and a miracle with your daughter. Love, hugs, and prayers, Janie

Lisa said...

Awwwww you have a beautiful family hon, I added myself as a reader to your journal and will continue to send up prayers for Emily, Love and Hugs Lisa

Carlene Noggle said...

MIRACLES DO HAPPEN...KEEP BELIEVING.
LOVE,
CARLENE

Mandy said...

What a beautiful photograph - love shines through it...lovely smiles.

I'm so glad your Christmas went well. I was thankful this year as I didn't know this time last year whether my girl would be here or not...and as you know SHE IS!!! And she is well...

I have you all in my thoughts...

Hugs, Millie :)

Lisa said...

This brought so much joy and tears to my eyes. I just came through a huge miracle in our life with winning a custody battle to keep my son and I am a firm believer that God can do all things and anything we ask in Jesus name so long as we believe we receive it and I can see you are all ready holding onto your gift of faith and that it has been increased for such a time as this. I belong to a prayer warriors' group and they are all good praying Christians and will be glad to send her first name on for prayer if you wish. I too believe in the power of prayer and lots of it. I did the same thing, asking everyone I could to pray for my custody battle during the whole thing... we won the battle just before Thanksgiving and I had so much to be thankful for. I can feel it in my spirit that your daughter will be healed and it will be a powerful testimony to God. Each time I stop by your journal I am so blessed by your faith and words. May 2009 be a year of victory for you and yours.
Lisa

Rose said...

I have learned throw my trails that I must praise God in good and bad times, because His timing is perfect! you are so wise. Glad everything went great over the holiday and with your daughter!