Monday, June 25, 2007

Happy Father's Day!


HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, 2007

Aden and Jaiden enjoyed an ice cream bar together to conclude this year's Father's Day.

Jaiden soon realized that ice cream was not only for eating, but you can enjoy it as a body paint as well! Yahoo!


Please enjoy the slideshow of this wonderful event!
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Friday, June 08, 2007

Psalm 139.16


Psalm 139:16 reads, "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."



I hesitate before you all as I begin to type this entry. Today has been an unusual day. It started out just as any other day would have, with hurried attempts to get the house picked up and laundry started before I hear Jaiden's sweet voice. Then I went to get her with the usual, sweet requests of "mama, look at birds please" as I take her straight to her window from her crib to see if there are any birds outside her window as they often are in the morning. We also went to the park and played on the playground and hit the grocery store on the way home. All of these things are almost routine on a daily basis.



But there was something that has been hanging over me today and it's a feeling that I hadn't felt in such a long time. And although I have been smiling off and on all morning, there was something missing. And as enjoyable as my day has been, it has hit me. I miss Savannah. I really miss my sweet baby girl. Now, I think of Savannah all of the time. I am able to smile and laugh and think of the beautiful memories I've had with her. But there are days, days like these, that for some reason are like a kick to the stomach. I just really ache inside for her.



Perhaps it is because I wonder what she would have been like as I watch Jaiden go from words to sentences with a similar sweet voice. Perhaps it's because they both call me "mama" over-emphasizing the M's. And maybe it's because Jaiden is just as determined yet soft in her demeanor. Nonetheless, the ache is here today.



I am so grateful that I have come to a point in my life where I no longer question God's intention for her death. Psalm 139:16 has never been more true or evident than a day with Savannah... "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." To question her death to me would be equivalent as questioning the days of her life. I do not intend to question our Almighty God as much as I would be able to understand His explanation. But the truth remains: It hurts. It hurts 5 years and 10 months from the day she went to Heaven.



It amazes me how we go through so many things in our lives. It amazes me further how God has had it all in this Master plan. I'm continuously reminded of the blessings I have in my life (those that are currently here and those that have since passed, but the effect yet remains).


It saddens me to know that there are families out there right now that have the agony and sorrow in their hearts this instant, as they live through the nightmare of discovering their child has been lost to this thing called SIDS. Lord, I pray that you wrap your arms around those individuals because although you did get me through it, I cannot imagine being in that place right now. And I also pray for those who are in the same position as I am right now... years from that moment when their lives changed forever, that still ache to hold their precious children in their earthly arms.


Our God is an amazing God. Every day that he has given me. Every morning that I tear through our home getting things picked up and laundry cleaned is a blessing. Every whispered plea to look out the window at the birds by Jaiden are a blessing. Every safely traveled trip to the park and grocery store are a blessing. There are days that go by that I don't even think about what's happening because I am just going with the flow. And there are days when something is lingering over me and I think it's an important reminder from our God to keep going. A reminder that tells me, "Look how far you've come. Look ahead to what I have planned for you."


I will hold onto His words in Psalm 139:16: "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." The Author of my life is the most amazing Writer ever to be and yet to come. I know that the books of my life that lie ahead are going to be great. There will be dramas, comedies, and tragedies. But I look forward to them. How else could I possibly go from today's chapter of grief and turn the page of my life and look forward to reading tomorrow? I do not know what will come tomorrow, but I am confident that whatever the Lord has ordained for us, He has already proudly written.


Thursday, June 07, 2007

It's Officially Summer Time!



Well, it's here. Texas summer. The thunderstorms have been coming and going for the past couple of weeks. The temperatures are comfortably settling in around 90 degrees. The tank tops, cut off shorts, and flip flops are everywhere.

For most people in the South, it is a time for backyard bbq's, afternoons out on the water, and a time to get and stay outside. I did say for most people, didn't I?

Then there are folks like me who find this new heat wave almost unbearable! I am trying to find the thinnest t-shirt I can possibly dig up in my closet (I can't wear a tank because this girl would fry and look like a Louisiana crawfish!). I am guzzling ice water by the gallon it seems. I am longing to live at my parents' house where the pool is only inches from their back door (yes, pretty scary for both of us, I realize!).

I do see the good in summer, too. The children all seem to have this 'glow' about them and are excited to be dismissed from school (even if it is at the detriment of their parents!). We all seem to get a little more motivated to take care of the body that God has entrusted us with (even if our motivation is primarily for getting into the little sundress or taking off that shirt to mow the lawn (I'm referring to the guys only here!)). The animals seem to be playful. Furthermore, God seems to have given us more time with the lingering daylight (although I still seem to just crunch more things onto my 'to-do' list than use it wisely!). It really is beautiful.

So do the promises our Lord has given us. "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease." Times are changing. It's evident every time we open the newspaper (or click our mouse if we're the technological savvy individual). There is war, there is famine, there is the highest divorce rate I could ever have imagined as a young adult. There are also cures for diseases that ailed our ancestors. There have been advances in technology. And there are more churches now that our grandparents could have imagined! We know that these things will continue to change, both for the good and the bad. We know that these days will come and go.

I know that in this summer, there will be things that God has in store for my family that I need to continually pray about and prepare for. Even more that I will never know until it happens. I know there will be sunny days and stormy nights. I am confident that we will get through all of them because we have put our trust in the One Who can get us through anything.

I am excited to see what that plan is. I am certain that we will be having our own share of backyard bbq's, time out on the lake, and spending many hot afternoons out in the sun. I am however, hopeful in the book of Daniel because it promises that "He changes times and seasons." Oh please Lord, please let that time be short and the season be chilly!

Love from (hot) Texas,

Jodie

Miss Elizabeth Clare "Lizzie" Keeter




Baby Elizabeth Clare has arrived!

She was born Monday, March 26, 2007 at 5:47pm.

She weighed 6 lbs. 15 oz & was 20 inches long.


This is a late post, and I feel horribly about it, but I did want to get it up here! So sorry for the delay Keeter family!

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Happy Anniversary Mr. Aden Sr. and Mrs. Carol!


Year Number 43!!!
Today marks a very special day in the Keeter Family. Aden Sr. and Carol celebrate over 4 decades of marriage together!
1 Corinthians tells us that "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
What an inspiration to us all what God had in mind for marriage. May we all continue to pray for them as they continue to inspire us!
Oh, and by the way, this picture is a year old. Until I have an updated picture, they will just have to be happy with this one if they do not approve! he he he... Happy Anniversary! We love you both!