Bring the Rain

Chris and I have been taking a class a church for the past few weeks and it has been so wonderful!  One week, we talked about listening to God.  Hearing God speak to you can be very difficult.  Lately I feel that God has been speaking to me about losing my dad.  The biggest sign I've gotten is from a song.  You may read Angie Smith's blog (if you haven't, you should--but get your tissues ready first!).  There is a link to click if you've never been there before so you'll know her story.  Through Angie's blog I found the song "Bring the Rain".  I've always like the song, but lately I've really felt that God was speaking to me through this song.  I posted the song below but this is the verse that really hit me

"there'll be days

When this life brings me pain

But if that's what it takes to praise You

Jesus, bring the rain"

Although I don't understand why my dad had to leave this Earth so soon, I trust God completely.  I trust that this is part of his plan and I realize that I may never understand it.  There are days when the pain is so great that it's even difficult to breathe--I love and miss him so!  For me it took something painful in my life for me to renew my faith in God. I now realize that God is the key to my healing and that he is such an important part of my life.  He has blessed my life so much! God's plan is so much greater than ours, his plan is beyond our understanding but we have to trust in his plan.  Without complete trust in him, I wouldn't be able to get through each day. 

I have more thoughts on this, but I'll save them for another day.  Enjoy the song below!

"Bring the Rain" by Mercy Me

Engagement!

We have some exciting news in this family!  Andrew (my brother) is engaged!  We knew that Jenna would be a part of our family, but it's so great that it's finally official.  We've known for awhile that it was coming since we helped Andrew pick out the ring, and it's been driving us crazy! 

Yesterday was Chris' birthday so we all went to dinner and came back to my mom's house for cake and to let Chris open his presents.  After Chris opened his presents, Andrew said that he had one more gift.  Jenna said that she didn't know that there was something else for Chris and Andrew said that this gift was not for Chris.  Then, he got down on one knee!  Jenna was so surprised! 

It was such a fun night and one that we'll never forget!  We were all a little sad that my dad wasn't there since he would have been over the moon, but we took comfort in something a friend told us. Mr. O'Brien told us to remember that he is celebrating too but just in a different place.  At least my dad was able to meet Jenna and loved her so much!  My mom told Jenna some sweet stories about when she and Andrew realized that Jenna was the one.  My mom said she knew Jenna was it when she jumped in the car with Andrew when my dad died without bringing a thing.  And, Andrew shared that he knew Jenna was the one after my dad's funeral at our house.  He said Jenna was making sure everyone had something to drink and was taking the trash out-He said that is exactly what my dad would have been doing! 

After the engagement, I gave Jenna some Bridal magazines.  And, my mom got Jenna and I charms for our Pandora bracelets.  She got us the "journey" charm.  It was really special.  

Then, we had cake and ice cream and toasted to the new couple!  We are so blessed to have Jenna joining our family!

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 

-1 Corinthians 13:13

Happy Birthday Chris!

Happy Birthday Chris! (and Uncle Bret too)

We think you are the best husband and dad in the world!  We are so blessed to have you in our family.  We love you so much!

Love,
Alison and Noah

Zoo Trip

We went to Columbia this week to visit Andrew and Jenna and hit the zoo!  The zoo was SO packed!  We had never seen it like that...it took us at least 30 minutes just to find a parking place.  It was a really nice day and Noah loved seeing the animals.

Noah's Girlfriend

This week Noah got to visit with his girlfriend, Lucy.  Isn't she the cutest thing you've ever seen?  She was visiting her Mommy at work. 

Noah also had fun watching his dad get a haircut!

New Pictures

We just got the pictures back that Sarah Rogers took for us.  They turned out so cute!  Here are a few of my favorites:

Thank you Sarah!  We love them! 

Blackmail

This morning Noah was obsessed with playing with my lipstick.  He kept sticking his finger in it, so we put the top on and put it in a case.   This made him SO mad!  I told him I had to take a picture of it so I can show his future wife how upset he was to have his lipstick taken away.