...And Faith Will Lead You Home.

This may be a short post, but there's a lot within what I want to say tonight. I want to tell you something "amazing"  this evening.

I've been quite an emotional momma today, thinking about the journey that has led me here and the journey that I know God has planned for me. I started crying this morning on my way to work just thinking about how much I love my daughter and my family. I've even started reading a book that I'll share with you in a later post, that reminds me just how God shares His Light to all of us, especially in the littlest of smiles and cries for Mommy.

Tonight, I was blessed to go to the first of a 6-week women's bible study with the women of my Sunday School class. I was very excited. The special 2-hours I had with the group didn't disappoint. I felt in "the bubble" - and I think most of you may know what that means, but I just felt ...  held.

I left and it was dark and late. I was tired. And about 10 minutes later, I realized I wasn't anywhere I had been or should have been. I was hopelessly, completely lost. The home was in an area I wasn't familiar and it was pitch dark. Of course, everything I'd just heard flew out the window and panic struck. After utter panic, I finally got to a gas station and finally found where I needed to go. Once I found the interstate and my "way home", I turned back up the radio, where my iPod was playing. 

The song is below. We've heard them a million times. But it was this familiar section that came to life and rung more true than ever before:

 " ... I was once lost, but now I'm found ... and Faith will lead me home." 

I was crying, but this time, not in panic. In love. Remember, trust him. Faith will lead you home. My heart2heart.

Moving in"2" the "3"s ...

It was close to a year ago today that I made my first blog entry. A lot has changed, but fortunately, I've stayed the same, "true at heart." 

Heart2Heart started out of two different ideas:

1. My daughter had just turned 2 and I was trying to figure out how to cope with her getting older and the new "life" with a toddler.

2. I was also starting a new journey as an instructor for first-year students, teaching them about the University and life/study skills.

All in all, it was quite the journey. I've gone back and realized that a lot has happened. I'm beginning my second semester as a University 101 instructor. I've got a great semester planned and pray that God gives me the strength and compassion that are needed to help be the best influence I can on these young(ish) lives.

I've matured as a parent, but I'm also facing a different journey. After surviving the "terrible 2's", I now enter the gates of the 3's. Kendall turned 3 on June 15, a few days ago, and since then, we think we have a "theme" to this age: POWER and CONTROL. Oh yeah, let's not forget defiance!

But for all the headaches that I'm sure we're facing, I don't forget for one mili-second of the path we've taken and the joys that God has granted us, as parents, to have with her. Through defiance comes passion. Through power struggle comes independence. Through control issues come decision making.

Kendall, June 15, 2011: Turning 3

The laughs we share, the smiles we create and the numerous "I love you mommy's" that we hear daily ... I'll take all the headaches that this life throws our way. 

I look at her now and see God's image. I see His plan for me and our family. I see happiness, innocence and life. I'll take the pouty lip and tears to feel her hand in mine.

As we venture into Kendall's 3rd year and life as her mom, keep reminding me that all our hearts are made to love. My heart2heart to share with you tonight: Keep smiling. The tough times are here to help you remember that bright ones are right in front of you. God gives us blessings everyday.

I leave you with a special song that touches me because I realize that all that He makes, is beautiful.