Birthday Boy

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY AIDAN!

March for Babies 2008

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

The Lord continues to be faithful to his word and faithful to us! This day, gladness and a rejoicing spirit were truly upon my heart. Blessings unfolded in so many aspects of our day and we are very thankful!

Stephen and I have been amazed at the outpour of support that has once again been shown to the families of Team Manna. Thank You to everyone who supported us by prayer, walking and contributions!

TEAM MANNA WALKERS 2008

TEAM MANNA FAMILIES

MANNA MOMMIES: RACHEL, KENZIE, BROOKE

WE MADE IT!

FOR OUR BABIES

A BEAUTIFUL SIGN MADE FOR NOAH!

BABY MADDOX'S SIGN

BABY ANDREW'S SIGN!

HANNAH'S SIGN!

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

Acts 20:24

The Great Escape

I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel the need to escape. My reasons may differ from one time to the next, but the result for me is a desire to step back and escape to a place I can pull my thoughts, emotions and actions together.

This weekend was one of those times that I heard the "place" calling my name. I always know, with out a doubt, when it is time. It is almost as if my car can sense exactly where to go because on many occasions I reach my destination without even realizing that is where I was headed.

Down the little dirt road I drive, feeling a sense of relief and peace the minute I hear gravel under my tires. Instantly, I see clearly through my tears (usually brought on by the very reason I am escaping) and the beauty of the land, trees and flowers penetrates my being. What I find even more magnificent are the sounds I hear upon closing my eyes. The wind leads the chimes in chorus and the birds chirp in perfect harmony. There are no other noises or sights to interrupt the glory God wants to reveal.

The Lord's presence exudes from every aspect. In this place, He speaks volumes to me and I feel His precious comfort warm me from the inside out. I am reminded that He is near and loves me dearly. Upon these reassurances, I am able to look down, with joy in my heart, and be reminded of the reason I am drawn to this place. Noah James Galbincea : Dec 26, 2006 - Feb. 2, 2007.

There is usally no other reason that I arrive here other than I just need to be with my God and my baby boy. I still feel the desire to take care of 3 children. I still feel the need to care for Noah in some form or fashion. This may seem very strange to some, but not to me. I know he is in the best hands and doesn't literally need to be taken care of, and I am very aware that he is in heaven and not there in the cemetery. However, the need to nurture a baby or a family of 5 doesn't simply go away. I am not yet sure if it ever will. So, I find great satisfaction in taking care of what IS there and what I CAN get my hands on this side of heaven. For me, that is pruning and watering his flowers, making sure the bench and angel that decorate his tiny gravesite are in place and that the rest of Baby Land (what they call Noah's side of the cemetery) is cared for.

Prayerfully, others will be able to see this as a place of beauty and a place of reminders of the promises to come for those that are in Christ. Prayerfully, the glory and beauty of God will continue be revealed through the sight and sounds of the land. And prayerfully, others will be able to percieve a cemetery not as a place of death, but rather a place of LIFE and a place of blessings. GLORY to our God who promises eternal life if we believe in Him.

So, for now and I am sure for days to come, I will continue to escape to be with my God and my son. What a GREAT escape it is!

Homesick

Today, is definitely what I would call a "homesick" day. Not for my own, or any home that I used to have. Not for any place here on this earth that I have been before. It is a homesick for my eternal home. Homesick for my Father and my baby Noah. Homesick for everything I miss about him and for the future with him that has been promised to me.

I was looking at a picture of Noah this morning and thought about some of the things I can't wait to experience again when I go home. The feel of his sweet, soft cheeks on my lips. The smell of his hair after a bath. The sound of each breath as he lay sleeping on my chest. The sight of his precious smile that melted my heart. I miss him so much, but praise our Father that I won't miss him forever.


This song "Homesick" by Mercy Me describes my pain and praise today.

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times

And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you

But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry

Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face

If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place

Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways

The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know

But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same

Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see your face

If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place

Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbye

And in Christ, there is no end

So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have

To see you again

To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face

If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place

Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

"But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness."
2 Peter 3:12-14

To Grandma's House We Go!

Aidan and Emma had Easter AGAIN with Grandma today! They had a BLAST!

These Feet Were Made for Walking...Are Yours?

We are now within one month of the
March for Babies
at the University of Houston
Sunday, April 27th
Starts at 9am

We are getting excited and getting ready to do something to honor the lives of our precious babies. So the question is... we are walking... ARE YOU?If you are, please go online to register on the Team Manna page and indicate that you will be walking (click on Register to March.) We have been to the site and know it can be a little confusing because it asks you to set your own monetary goal. Rest assured that the goal you indicate will be counted under the Team Manna total goal. IF you still have questions, please email Kenzie to let us know(kenzie.stanfield@yahoo.com).

Also, we need a fairly accurate count because we will be ordering Team Manna T-shirts. If you would like to buy one (certainly not required to walk, just fun), please let Kenzie know in an email that you would like one and what size. They will be under $10. We will have them at the walk when you arrive. As a sidenote, we have also been asked if the T-shirts can be purchased, even if you aren't walking. Of course! If you would just like to buy a T-shirt, please email me to let me know.Thank you EVERYONE for the continued love and support for this walk! We are so appreciative!

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."- Acts 20:24