Everything Happens For a Reason....

I believe everything happens for a reason, and if we don't know that reason right away, we will someday! - Alison Cummins

This quote was posted on my friend Alison Cummins blog on 10-12-08 titled Randomness and the words and message just meant so much to me. I really appreciate Alison for writing it. I don't know how many times I have said this very same thing to myself when I have been down. So, when I read Alison's blog, it prompted me to write the following:

I am not very good with words, so bear with me. As most of you know, Jason and I tried for many years to have children. We had 5 miscarriages and 1 ectopic pregnancy. After the last miscarriage, I really questioned God and why he would put us through what we were going through at the time. I wondered why he would always let us find out we were expecting, and then yank all the excitement right out from under us. We even quit going to church for some time. (I am not sure if it was all anger, Bro. Ray left Gath around the same time we quit going, so I think it was several things). I just did not understand. I was full of anger. At any rate, I got REALLY depressed.. No joke.. I did not want to be around children, did not go to baby showers I should have been at, did not "throw" the baby showers I should have thrown, was full of jealously and doubt, pretty much did not want to do anything nor see anyone. The last couple of times I found out I was pregnant, I only told a select few people. (If any, I can't really remember). Then, in November 2004, Jason and I contacted Heaven Sent Children about adopting. Now, for those of you who know me, I never thought I would adopt a child. That just wasn't my plan,nor Jason's, but obviously it was God's. We have the most precious baby girl and we could not even imagine our lives without her. She is the greatest blessing. Now, God knew what we needed. I can tell you that Jason and I would not have adopted if I would have had a successful pregnancy and Olivia would not be here, and that breaks my heart just thinking about it. I thank God everyday now for Olivia and for all the trials I have been through, as there are reasons for them. (Even though they did really hurt at the time) If you take anything from this post, please learn to lay your life in God's hands and trust in him. There is a reason for everything, even if you do not know it right away. I want to thank Alison for her beautiful post as it inspired me to write mine. I don't think I have ever said these words to anyone except my husband. I hope it helps someone else who may have doubts now or later in life. Those words that Alison posted---- keep saying them to yourself when you get down. God will guide you through and never give you more than you can handle.

I also found this picture yesterday at Kirklands while Jason and I were Christmas shopping that had the following quote on it that I love:

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see
Hebrews11:1. (So very true!)