How He Crosses Our Path with Others

A couple weeks ago, I was in a shop at the Vintage Village in Raleigh when I told the owner that I liked the beautiful music she was playing. She told me it was the new Hillsong CD. I took a picture of the album cover to look it up later and mentioned a new worship album I am enjoying.

I told her the reason I liked a particular piece of artwork is because it has roses and lilies and why those flowers are significant to me. She mentioned her granddaughter who is due to be born in a few weeks might be named Lily (she was told her name starts with an "L").

Anyways, we had many other things in common as well. I jotted down my blog address for her and told her it's about my pro-life story. She then told me she is strongly pro-life and got involved in pro-life ministry in the 1970s and she's looking forward to checking out my blog.

It's just so neat how God crosses our paths with others. Don't be nervous about striking up conversations with people, you never know who you'll meet or how you can share the Gospel. :)

Here is what I got from her shop.

Tweet

Belated Mother's Day Gifts

My Aunt Helen surprised me with these beautiful lilies as a belated Mother's Day gift. She gave them to me over Memorial Day weekend when I was visiting Virginia. They aren't real, but certainly look it, so it'll be nice to always have some white lilies on my desk in honor of my pure little flower. I have them in a mug with lily of the valley on it that I got from the gift shop in the hospital where Lily was born.

She also gave me this little lamb (with a flower) that I'll keep in Lily's memory chest. Helen had it originally to use in my cousin Hope's nursery. Hope was adopted from China and is now grown. I think it's special to have. I love that lilies and lambs remind Helen of Lily and I. :)

When Helen gave me this gift, she had tears in her eyes as she told me she hopes one day I will be a mother to more children on Earth. I could tell she deeply meant what she was saying. I can't explain why fully, but it means a lot to know people "see me" here.

Tweet

Memorial Day Visit to Her Spot

I was able to tend to Lily Kat's special spot over Memorial Day weekend when I was in Virginia visiting. I took her a bouquet of pretty fresh flowers that I put together for summer. The grave will never diminish my love or desire to mother her.

This picture moves me and I feel it speaks so much. The shadow of her death will always dwell in the shadow of my life. But she only died because she first lived... and that is what's most important. Her stone is a symbol of death, but so much more a symbol of her existence and life. But I sure wish a 5-year-old girl's shadow was standing beside me, rather than a memorial stone that doesn't talk, move, or grow...

This is what Lily's spot looks like driving up.

I find peace at her spot. Wish I could go more often.

The color pink and baby's breath remind me of her.

I wanted the flag and flowers to match... they are both so bright for summer!

I had to get a picture of her stone with my tattoo for her. :) Two of the biggest things I've done as her mommy.

Tweet

Telluride Memories

In June 2009, my Aunt Nana and I went on a cross-country road-trip from Virginia to Colorado and then back to Virginia. Whenever I remember this trip, it makes me think of Lily because that is the month her life began within me.

We drove through many states and had such a special time together, stopping along the way and doing memorable things such as going up in the St Louis Arch. The main purpose of our trip was to attend the Telluride Jazz Festival in Telluride, Colorado. Oh my, is Telluride gorgeous!! Colorado is one of the most beautiful states in the country, in my opinion. I'm not sure where any photos from our trip are, but hope to find them at some point. I have souvenirs from the trip, including a mug that I regularly use, and a scarf, and magnets. And in some of the only photos I'll ever have of Lily, her father is wearing a shirt that says "Telluride, Colorado" on it.

This road-trip was such a fun adventure! I can hardly believe it was six years ago now. I was 19. I remember so much from this trip and now associate Telluride with first discovering I was pregnant.

My aunt really liked a singer named Lizz Wright and she was at the jazz festival. Hearing her music takes me right back to that time. It is so bittersweet.

This is random, but it's just another thing that reminds me of Lily that I want to share on my blog. 

Here is Lizz Wright singing:

Tweet

My Little Girl Forever

Precious Moments sends me their catalogues which I occasionally look through. I came across the page of figurines for little girls to collect as they grow up. This is for 5-year-old girls, the age Lily would be now. She will never be 5... always my baby. I can hardly believe she'd be starting Kindergarten this fall, as depicted in this figurine. What a huge milestone that makes my heart hurt. Ironic that above it says "little girl forever" because that's what she'll be. When people talk about how hard it is for their kids to be growing up, they have no idea how much I wish my daughter could do the same. Such a difference in perspective.

Tweet

Makes My Day

My friend Bexie sent me this picture recently and said, "Reminders of your little girl are everywhere."

In March, my sister-in-law Kala's brother, Daniel, saw this sign for a charming-looking store in Georgia and snapped a photo for me. How thoughtful!

My friend Chloé in New Zealand posted this picture on Facebook last month and said, "Found these in a shop, had to take a photo for Lily Katherine."

It makes my day when people think of Lily Kat! :)

Tweet

Lily Remembered at Loch Leven

My sweet friend Suzie sent me some photos last week when she was walking around Loch (the Scottish name for lake) Leven in Scotland. If you have a moment, you should Google this lake. I am amazed by the beauty there! You can tell it's lovely from this photo. Anyways, it's so special knowing Lily is being thought of and honored around the world. :)

Tweet