Peace, Love & Joy in 2011

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:

love, joy, peace,

patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23


This verse has quickly become one of my new favs!
Other than the fact that it is, and always has been, fabulous;
I have recently found new personal meaning
for this little bit of The Bible.

This past month, I was talking with Tim's mom
about this new pregnancy.
In that conversation,
she shared with me that when she thinks of this child
the word PEACE always comes to mind.
From the moment she knew we were pregnant with this child
she has had the word PEACE surface
over and over again in her thoughts.
This child will bring PEACE to our family.

She shared that in our pregnancy with Noah
she had similar occurrences
but with Noah, the word was always
JOY.
That he would bring JOY to our family.
Since his birth he has done nothing but.

Sadly, while I was pregnant with Amelia,
no word surfaced for her.
I however, did continuously have one word
surface; and that word was
LOVE.
From the moment we knew we were pregnant again
we loved her.
She taught us a deeper understanding of love,
taught us so many things...sigh
She challenged us to express our love
to a child in utero,
a child that couldn't see, hear or feel as we do,
and eventually as a child in heaven.
Anyone recall the PRO love blog? :)
I could go on, and on...
Amelia is LOVE.

I am so blessed.
As I reflect back on 2010
there is indeed an overwhelming amount of sorrow.
In some ways I am glad to
"put this year behind us" sorta speak.
But I am also deeply sad to see it pass,
as the turning of the year takes us
one more day further away
from Amelia's time here on earth.
also one more day closer to seeing her again!

It is through tear filled eyes
I gaze back on 2010
and remember a LOVE
like I have never known.
And still, the fruits of the spirit are so evident.
LOVE Amelia, JOY Noah & PEACE baby
were all given to us by our Lord in 2010.

Knowing all this,
you might feel a bit of a smile
creep onto your face when I tell you this next part...
Yesterday night Tim, Noah and I ran out to pick up groceries
we passed a local catholic church
whose lawn sign was illuminated
 in the early hours of the winter evening.

It read:
Peace and Joy
in 2011

It made me smile.
It made me wince.
 It stung a little knowing
the one word they were missing.
But then again, in 2011
we are missing her too...