Last week we attended a Jazzy Christmas concert, organized by Cody's piano teacher. The kids were encouraged to play a duet with Christopher Norton and live Christmas music was the perfect setting to get us in the holiday spirit!
Cody was not into practicing in the weeks leading up to the concert. He had been sick and it was a battle to get him to sit down to the piano. So, he told Dianne he didn't want to do a duet.
We arrived at the church and settled into our seats. After a few solo songs, Christopher talked with the audience and asked if there was anyone there that could not play the piano. Devin's hand went up and he was promptly asked if he'd like to learn! He was soon on the stage learning to play Jingle Bells.
I as so impressed! So was Cody! Daddy obviously paved the way for when Christopher asked "Has anyone been learning O Holy Night? Would they like to play it with me?"...Cody's hand went up. I was so proud of him. He didn't really prepare to do this song, but away he went. It was beautiful. It's my favourite Christmas carol and I had tears in my eyes as I listened to him. I'm so very proud of this boy and all of the new challenges and accomplishments he has taken on!
Friday, December 14, 2018
Thursday, December 06, 2018
Finding Joy in Disappointment
This past year has been one of accepting what God has given me and adjusting my expectations and dreams. It was the year that I laid down my dream of having a baby and rejoiced in the son that God gave me when Cody came into my life.
Accepting this reality took some time and has had many emotional twists and turns but God is faithful and he provided me with such a great family. I just love our little family of three.
In working through these emotions, I felt God calling me to share my story. I didn't know what that would look like - would it be through this blog? Would it be chatting with someone one-on-one that was struggling with something similar? I just wasn't sure, but I talked to Devin about it one evening. We thought it was amazing that God can take a difficult situation and use it for good.
Several days later, I received an email from our pastor. He was preparing for his sermon series for Advent - Joy To The World. He was looking for people to share their stories about joy and wondered if I would be open to speaking about finding joy in the midst of a difficult circumstance. To speak about my desire to be a mom, meeting Devin, the difficulty of a blended family and the pain of trying unsuccessfully to have biological children.
I couldn't believe the email when I read it. God had definitely been preparing my heart for this moment. In fact, in his request, Nate commented that he knew it was outside my comfort zone and understood if the answer was no. I responded to say that I had felt God calling me to share my story and I knew He was preparing me for this.
Someone at our church has an elaborate studio set up in his garage (Nate affectionately calls it the garage-mahal) and volunteered to put the videos together. I was quite impressed with the multi-camera set up, wireless mic, chroma key background and teleprompter! I felt like I was back at the TV station!
After putting together the elements, he sent me the link. I thought I would share it here as my hope is in sharing I will help someone else that is struggling with similar challenges and to know the joy that God can bring.
Accepting this reality took some time and has had many emotional twists and turns but God is faithful and he provided me with such a great family. I just love our little family of three.
In working through these emotions, I felt God calling me to share my story. I didn't know what that would look like - would it be through this blog? Would it be chatting with someone one-on-one that was struggling with something similar? I just wasn't sure, but I talked to Devin about it one evening. We thought it was amazing that God can take a difficult situation and use it for good.
Several days later, I received an email from our pastor. He was preparing for his sermon series for Advent - Joy To The World. He was looking for people to share their stories about joy and wondered if I would be open to speaking about finding joy in the midst of a difficult circumstance. To speak about my desire to be a mom, meeting Devin, the difficulty of a blended family and the pain of trying unsuccessfully to have biological children.
I couldn't believe the email when I read it. God had definitely been preparing my heart for this moment. In fact, in his request, Nate commented that he knew it was outside my comfort zone and understood if the answer was no. I responded to say that I had felt God calling me to share my story and I knew He was preparing me for this.
Someone at our church has an elaborate studio set up in his garage (Nate affectionately calls it the garage-mahal) and volunteered to put the videos together. I was quite impressed with the multi-camera set up, wireless mic, chroma key background and teleprompter! I felt like I was back at the TV station!
After putting together the elements, he sent me the link. I thought I would share it here as my hope is in sharing I will help someone else that is struggling with similar challenges and to know the joy that God can bring.
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