Usually the new year brings hope and renewal and excitement for most people but for us, this time of year has often brought so much sadness and pain. It was in February 2011 that my mama passed away. and the two of us were very close-knit. She showed me what it truly means to be a worshipper of God so it was a hard season for me when she passed. And then in January 2015 our furry baby (Gigi) unexpectedly and painfully passed away. Some may think this is a joke, but if you have ever struggled through infertility and loss, you know the pain of losing a furry baby. They help fill the void of not having a child in a way that can’t be explained so this was another tragedy for us that made the new year a bit hard to look forward to. BUT thankfully, the story doesn’t end there! God is so awesome that He didn’t want the new year to always be a reminder of sadness and pain, so He turned it around and restored our joy, by bringing Cady home in February 2013! It renewed our hope and gave us something to celebrate during this time of year, instead of something to grieve. It reminded us that he turns our mourning into dancing.

But sadly, last year, January brought more heartache and pain as we experienced more pain and heartache and it took a lot for me to heal and recover from it. BUT GOD. He wasn’t done yet and He wasn’t going to leave it like that. Because this year is different. He has restored our hope and joy again. From the ashes of our pain last January, we are now celebrating the soon-to-be growth of our family this January. And as we do, I”m reminded that the circumstances we go through could get us down and keep us down if we allow them to. If we stay stuck in them., but when we look to the One, True, God who can and will restore and renew us, we don’t ever have to stay in that pain of remembrance, We can look forward for the good things He has in store for us.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. 

I know it’s a bit hard for everyone to celebrate with us, without knowing all the details but I can assure you that we are only weeks away from sharing all of it! So please continue to stick with us and pray with us as our family moves into this new season! And I pray that if the new year has often brought you heartache and pain to you, that reading this will renew your hope and remind you that God is good. All the time! And He restores that which Satan mean for evil and turns it to good. He won’t leave you in grief and sorrow. He WILL turn your mourning into dancing!