Where You Go

We are semi-settled in our living quarters, down in sunny, HOT Florida. More about the move, later.

Today is our 5 Year Wedding Anniversary. As I was thinking about our wedding day and how much we have grown and changed in just a mere 5 years I thought about the vows Michael and I recited to each other.

We were counseled by godly, a wise-beyond-their-years couple who were leaders in our church. Michael and I were in each of their small groups and gleaned so much from them during our college years.

Upon the suggestion of my leader, she and I completed a study of Ruth together. I will forever cherish this time of learning and truly studying and longing to be in the word. She made Ruth so "real" and relatable to me.

Hence, the reason segments of Ruth, Chapter 1 were included in our wedding vows.

"Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." Ruth 1:16-17

 

 

Wow, are these verses reigning true to our lives today! It it my honor to serve and follow this man, wherever he may lead our family. I can say with certainty that this move has been difficult, and leaving our family 13 hours away pains my heart. But, I know that this decision was made with careful consideration and many prayerful nights seeking guidance from the Lord. I can be confident that Michael's decision to choose Tampa was not his own, but under the supervision of The One guiding and directing our path. It brings me joy knowing that The Lord has great blessings in store for our family down here!

If you know Michael, then you likely love him for his humor. I am happy to say this man has kept me laughing through times when I thought smiling was impossible. I am beyond thankful for his devotion to our family, his dedication to achieving goals that once seemed so far away and for his unending love and passion to making me feel loved and cherished as his bride.

Happy Anniversary!

This is Really Happening

Owen had his last nephrology clinic visit at Cincinnati Children's this morning. We were forced to say goodbye to the most compassionate, caring, loving doctor that has cared for Owen.

Our beloved Dr. Donna has been by our side since Owen's birth. She has been a constant source of strength and hope, even during our darkest times. She loves Owen dearly and I am so, so very grateful that God placed us in her care. I cannot tell you the countless emails she has answered from me and the advice she freely gives on anything and everything. She has not only cared for Owen, but our entire family as well. She has become a dear friend to me and I will deeply miss our clinic visits and our talks about life.

Aside from leaving our family, moving Owen's care to Tampa is utterly gut wrenching for me. Going through our journey, I have come to love, know and trust so many of the nurses and doctors up here and this change is a hard one to swallow. While I know that we will be in good hands in Tampa, there is simply not another Dr. Donna that we can call our own.

So yes, it's really happening. We're really moving and my heart is really starting to break. I am confident that God is directing our path, but boy...this one is tough.

Thank you, Dr. Donna for loving us and being so over the top amazing! You have truly made a difficult journey just a little bit easier and my heart is deeply grateful for you and all you have done for our family. You will truly be missed!

1 Corinthians 1:4

"I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus"