Rainbows through the rain

My last "update" was January 22nd. I was working on so many ways to make use of the time, now that I'd come to terms with the fact that I wasn't where I had anticipated being. And I meant to come back to blogging. I had time, and topics I wanted to address, and I was dying to write.

And then, January 30th, my life took a turn I didn't see coming... and for the first time in months, it wasn't one that left me grieving.

We had a lot of snow January and February!

Most of you know that I volunteered with special needs church ministries for a few years. I also was a respite caregiver for some family friends who had a daughter with special needs. And some of you know that I was actually working towards becoming a licensed respite/caregiver for families with special needs kiddos.

I had my life "all figured out"... I got a job (made the decision to start looking, and ended up hired in a way that was obvious this was where God was sending me, for whatever reason, within 6 weeks of that decision, the first place I applied) to pay for a vehicle and my CNA training. I was going to take my classes in Greenville, where my mom's family lives. I was even offered a job as a hospice nurse (by a regular customer at CFA. He didn't know I was looking for another job, but thought I had "a caregiver's heart"), which would have given me the year's healthcare experience I needed before applying to the organization I was looking at. I could finally do what I've been passionate about doing since I was 16. It all would have come together late last summer/early last fall.

What I didn't figure into my plans was a move out of state... again. And one that dragged out for over a year. Late summer left my plans absolutely crushed, so many other loses and emotions hitting me, and the nagging consciousness, as my birthday approached, that I was still two years away from were I thought I'd be. Those few months were full of intense testing on every level for me.

Then, as I was checking up on a blog I've read for years... checking up for progress on the MACC... I just so happened to notice what hospital this family took their little girl to when she had an accident recently. Beautiful little Mary... I've talked about her to my family so many times before. I've followed quite a few adoption families over the years. Three of them especially have made a huge impact on me, and this family is one. I've been reading Julia's blog since they were bringing John home. I love his and Aaron's stories, but something about Mary... the story leading to her adoption, and the struggles they've had with her seizure disorder since they brought her home, and those big brown eyes. I've had a special place in my heart for this little girl I "knew" across the internet. Poor thing, with her now fractured jaw, that they had taken care of at... UVA?

UVA is our hospital.

"Don't get too excited," I told myself. "They could be 40 minutes away from UVA in the other direction, there is no guarantee Julia will be able to give me any guidance. But still... if there is any chance they live close enough to go there, it's just possible they know of some organizations in the area that I could apply to, since they are in that community with the three youngest kids." So I sent an email. I laid out how absolutely pathetic my "resume" was, literally every reason no one would want me. "But it's what I'm passionate about. Money isn't an issue, I'm even willing to volunteer, at least to begin with. I just need to know WHERE to begin, because this is what I feel I'm called to do."

Philip has grown so much since this picture
was taken, but he's still just as wonderful <3.

I figured, you know, she might message me back and tell me of a church that might do a respite event once a month like I volunteered at before. Or tell me yeah, what you're looking at is probably the best option, go for it. Maybe know someone who did something similar in the area I could talk to nd find out how they prepared.

Instead, Julia asked me to come to her house and meet her kids and talk to her. They live 15 minutes from me. I was going to get to *meet* Mary, and it sounded like I was going to get a real lead on what direction to take. We scheduled to meet on Saturday.

"So... helping people like our family. Is that the sort of thing you're looking at?", she asked, after introducing me to the children and their pets, and explaining their family needs and what she has had aides help her with over the past few years.

The amount of pictures of sleeping children on my
phone is insane, but look at my snuggle bug.

"It's EXACTLY what I'm looking for, but I haven't known where to find it", I answered, as Mary stuck stickers all over my face and my water bottle. "In fact, something like this is closer to what I've been looking for than anything I found in South Carolina."

"Then you don't need to get into an organization, come work for me! Can we start the paperwork now?" she asked me.

In that one question, so many of my own questions felt answered. Time and again it felt like there was a door I wasn't able to walk through because... well, now I know it was because I didn't need that door to get here. Those doors were never *closed*... I could have taken a part time job at Mt. Horeb. I could have gotten into hospice. I could have applied to BrightStar. But I didn't have peace with the compromises I would have had to make with other convictions ( or logistical life requirements at the time). The doors WERE open, but they were side doors... they weren't on my path, they were optional turns. And I don't think to have chosen them would have been *wrong*... but I was never confident it would be *right* *for me*. Here I was, and I knew now that I'd been led past those side doors to reach my door at the end on the hall, and I was suddenly only mere months, rather than years, behind "my timeline", but MILES ahead in what a perfect fit it was. Everything I had looked at in the past was, truthfully, a settle; as close as I could get to what I knew families needed. This was, in contrast, an answer to more prayers than I had felt it appropriate to ask! And that was only the beginning of this whirlwind that I've been on... but the rest will have to be saved for future posts :).

Rejoicing in Hope,

Ambrielle

Shine Bright Book Release!

The Girl Defined devotional releases today!

Things are crazy busy over here, but I want to share this new book with you! I love the books and articles that Kristen Clark and Bethany Beal have put out in the past (I did a review of Girl Defined here in 2018), and I am so excited for this devotional. You can get it at www.girldefined.com/shine, and there is going to be an online study group going through it together starting June 1st, if you want to join!

Isn't it pretty?! And my launch party copy arrived like a present this afternoon. I haven't had a chance to sit down with it yet, but I will be getting to it this evening, and I will be giving a full review on it soon! (I plan on reading through the devotions during the launch, and then going back through it at a slower pace to do the "study deeper" with some friends :).) I'd love if you joined!

I have several posts coming up... I just need to edit them (and add pictures!). A lot has happened the past few months. And then next month has a full plate, too. But until then, have you heard of Girl Defined ministries before? Have you done a devotional you would recommend lately? Let me know if you get this one!

Rejoicing in Hope,

Ambrielle

Josiah is 7!

Seven years ago today, our family was heading into one of the scariest events we've had to deal with, but in the end, we got our sweet Josiah out of it, and I'm so very grateful! This little guy is my special bud. And while he's definitely growing up and doesn't seem to need me quite as much as he used to, he still had to sneak in some snuggles the day I came back from being out of town last week, and it thrilled my soul, haha.

Josiah's biggest accomplishment lately has been learning to read so well that he got his own bible for his birthday this year, a special request he made :). He's a knowledgeable little man, loves taking things apart just to look at them, especially if they have batteries and buttons. He's has a good birthday, I think. He and the other little guys were happy to get to go to the store today, a special treat during this pandemic crazy world, and pick out some fun things, I know they enjoyed it!

Happy birthday, Siah!

 

Noah is 5!

Five years ago this little imp joined our family! 

His birthday celebration is not going to be quite the same as we've done many years. Daddy's job is running him through the wringer, and covid regulations are still pretty intense where we are, so there won't be a trip to the zoo or anything, but he enjoyed playing with the new sandbox, and we made this little paper rocket craft. It's so cute! I did it with the kids at school, and now with our little guys, and it was a hit with everyone! https://inspirationlaboratories.com/make-straw-rockets/ And of course we'll be doing his cake and presents in just a bit :).

Noah is my self-proclaimed "snuggle buddy". Don't let him fool you, I think he just likes that I always have a blanket with me, but I enjoy it regardless ;). He's a mischievous hilarious little guy, right in the middle of all the little boys, and a wonderful blessing to our family!

Happy birthday, Noah!

All the babies (and some of the not-so-little babies anymore) are down for their rest time, and the house is nice and quiet. It's so quiet that, when I left this little clodhopper asleep...

... I walked out to our birds intent on taking advantage of it themselves 😉.

We recently got Mango and Misty a new, huge, wonderful cage, and I'm seriously so happy about it. Seeing Mango flying around thrills my heart! A second cage was a must for me when we got him, in case they ever need temporarily separated, but after we saw how he loves to play and be busy (much more than the girls ever did), we decided it had to be bigger if we were going to bother. 

I thought, since it was quiet and I had some time, I'd write a blog post, and pulled out my laptop. But we've been having ridiculous internet issues lately, so of course it's out right now. I'm typing this on my phone instead, and I hate doing that... Which is why I originally quit blogging a couple years ago. So I'll decide if this is a permanent rediscovered hobby or not after I learn if that is going to stay an issue, lol...

Philip is becoming more and more interactive, and his rare giggle is so much fun ❤️. Mama and I are positive he said "I love you" last week, which was just about the cutest thing, even though it was probably an accident 😉. He has also started to roll over!

Life has been full and pleasant lately. Christmas is officially over, even for us (we had a lot of "Christmas" left to enjoy after the holidays were over, because December was not long enough, especially with Daddy working such long hours right now). We're ready to get back into the swing of things, maybe find a new normal. Mama has been reorganizing and finalizing the house so much, now that we've been here long enough to troubleshoot problem spots in the home.... Like the high cabinets that not even Andrew can reach without a stool. Or the fact that hardwood floors + four small boys = furniture traveling all over the house on accident 😶.

I'm trying to get back into the things I used to do all the time and have let slip over the past few hard years. One is reading! I want to use this time at home that I have right  now in some useful way, and I truly believe reading is one of those ways I can both grow in understanding and wisdom, plus get some more redeeming, truly relaxing down time than scrolling through Instagram (although Isaac and I still do that often enough, talking about all the little foster kitties and trained parakeets on my page 😉). I'm planning (barring the internet being permanently out, of course...) sharing my monthly reads, but if I don't get to it, or if you just want a sneak peak, THIS book is one I wish I could lend to everyone, honestly. So. Good.

Being in the kitchen was the one thing I didn't stop doing while I worked at Chick-fil-A, but I've been doing even more of it since the move. My baking stone is one of my favorite Christmas gifts ever, and I made cheese balls last week 😄!

I'm also trying to either do something creative/crafty or spend extra time writing (outside of my journal) each day. I have a crochet project I really want to finish, but I'm having trouble finding the last bit of the pattern I need 😕. So here's a picture of some recent artwork instead, haha. 

I've had a hard time deciding how to come back to blogging. The truth is, a LOT has happened in the last year. I kind of want to do a big update post... I kind of want to pretend that a lot of what happened didn't happen... I don't feel like I can, because so much of what happened has had such a big impact on my day-to-day life, and I feel like that needs acknowledged. But I'm at a spot where I'm ready to be where God has brought me and move forward. The lessons, the timing of things, yes, they've been good, even when they have been hard, because I see how they've all played into each other and it's obvious God is in control. But I feel like looking back too much, I'm not growing from it, but become anxious about it. Maybe, sometime, those things will come up, and that will be okay. But for now... If anyone wants to know what's happened the past year, you are free to check out my Instagram (rejoicing_in_hope) which is what I did the most updating on. And I'm just going to jump in where I'm at, at this point. I do have so many friends who aren't on instagram/social media at all, and I actually prefer to be able to ramble when I share updates, anyway... quite a bit, if any of you remember that from back in the day when I was pretending I was in control of my life and kept up with this space 😉. I think I just want the simplicity and personalization of blogging back, and I don't want to wait until everything is "perfect" to come back. Remember my lesson from 2020? Haha. 

If you're still around (or just joining me, doesn't matter!), what have you been up to 😃?! Also, would anyone be interested in me starting a page just to link to recipes I've tried online? Because it's something I'm thinking about, if only so I don't lose them and make something good only once 😉.

Rejoicing in hope,

Ambrielle