Because he's here, we celebrate!

'I wait for The Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope.' Psalms 130:5

We hope, we wait, and we only find pleasure and contentment when we place our whole being in Christ our Savior and His blessed will.

It is incredible the difference a year can make. This time last year we were blissfully ignorant of the journey our God was about to reveal to us. A journey that initially left us winded and full of heartache, but has since brought more joy than one can imagine. 

In case you missed it, our journey with Elam started with this.

Then four days later, it turned into this. Praise God, it turned into this! 

This day, one year ago, I was unaware of what was to come. Unfamiliar with the details of spina bifida, never dreaming the child growing inside me would have it. 

We spent five months traveling from specialist to specialist. From Nashville to New Orleans. Month after month still uncertain what the diagnosis meant for our child. We knew a lot, but at the same time, we knew very little. 

With all that we knew, and all the more we didn't, we loved. We loved every little piece of our precious boy, and were thankful. 

Thankful for life. Thankful for hope. Thankful for spina bifida. 

You see, spina bifida doesn't just affect Elam. It is affecting me. My heart. My walk with God. And my drive to do something more. Something more than the selfish desires I get lost in. 

And I know, also, it is affecting others. Elam's life, Elam's story has reached beyond our living room, beyond our town, state and country. Lives all over have heard and prayed and have seen God move in ways only he can. And we are thankful. Thankful for the opportunity to be used as an instrument in God's perfect plan. 

This year, and every year from now on, our plan is to celebrate January 28. It's not Elam's birthday, but it is something equally as special.

It is the day we celebrate life and celebrate spina bifida. We celebrate the dark hole we were graciously pulled out of, and embrace the journey in which we were blessed. 

'For I know the plans I have for you, Elam, declares The Lord!' Jeremiah 29:11

Because he's here, we celebrate.

 Praise God, we celebrate!