A Mix up on the Geese and Swans

Wednesday night when we got home, we found Day 7 on our front porch. At first we thought that we were singing the song wrong when we saw the swans a swimming, but then we saw the Day 7 verse. We weren't sure what to do, but the kids decided to "dive" right in. This package included three of the nicest snorkels I've ever seen and then 5 passes for us to go to the Aquatic Center to swim. The kids were so excited! I'm not sure we will look much like swans, but we will have fun. Barrett even asked me several times today when we could go use the swim tickets.

"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.'" John 7:38

Then today we received Day 6. My sweet neighbor Lynn is playing 'elf' for my clever friends. She came to the door and said, "Oops for the mix up." No problem, we are just excited to see whatever day it is.

On Thursday afternoons at 4pm, the time that Brock died, I try to spend some time in Brock's room. I just sit in the rocking chair and pour my heart out to the Lord. I journal, pray and read Scripture from Beth Moore's "Praying God's Word." Today was especially hard as I thought that next Thursday will be Christmas. This is strange...I actually had some feelings of grief over our first Christmas without Brock being over. I know this sounds strange, but I began to think when it is just one of many Christmases without him. I told the Lord I was tired and weary. I knew that meant there was much room for Him to be strong! I have asked Him all day long to be strong as I have felt so weak. (Some of it might be due to Drew being out of town and Barrett and Mason sleeping with me. Between those two restless monkeys, I think I got 2 hours of sleep.) He gave me this verse today as I sat in Brock's room.

(2Cor. 12:9) You say to me, Lord, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness". Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Your power may rest on me." (from Praying God's Word)

In the room, I thought about that this Christmas being over would move me further away from the Christmas I last spent with him. The Christmas where he was so excited and so proud of himself for "getting" Christmas. Sitting in Santa's lap, no big deal he crawled right in the middle and then, taking the lead from his big brothers, told Santa just what he wanted. I remember when we got to my parents in Cordele for Christmas. He had just been there for Thanksgiving. He remembered where his bed was and his chair for the table. After he made sure I was putting up his bed, he carried his fold up chair all by himself to the kitchen. He had come to be fully involved and fully enjoy himself.

Every morning Drew and I would wake to a thud (he was still in the same room with us). He would climb out of the pack n' play bed and bump down on the floor. Then we would hear the door turn and then a precious little voice say, "Mema? Daddy Curt?" He would then climb in the bed with them in the next room. Oh sweet memories!

Oh...if I had known.

No...better I had not known.
I had just come out of Brock's room when the package arrived. I know now the mix up was the Lord's doing. The Swans a swimming was clever, awesome and loved, but I needed the Geese a Laying. In the cute container that that silly singing Goose (or rather penguin) is sitting on were green eggs with each of our names on them. There was even one with Brock's name on it. It was so precious to see his name written by someone else.

Inside each egg was scripture for each of us.

Mason opened his first. He began reading.

"God, you are the chief warrior fighting for your people. Set Mason apart to be your warrior for your Kingdom. As Gideon led people to fulfill plans beyond his ability, lead Mason to conquer giants in his life that would only be conquered through you being his mighty warrior.

Judges 6:12 When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior."

Mason looked up with a big smile on his face. He yelled, "Barrett come see what your egg has to say." I read mine and stood there and cried. It was perfect for me in that moment. Barrett came and I read his, he just lit up with the light of Christ after hearing the scripture read over him.

"Psalm 126:2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nation, "The Lord has done great things for them." Lord, may Barrett shine forth with joy that he would proclaim to the nations your greatness. Use his life to draw many to the Savior that they too would be filled with laughter and songs of joy. May he radiate your goodness and your life."

Isn't that perfect for Barrett!?!

I hesitantly reached for the egg labeled Brock. I was afraid it might be empty.

Through my tears I read....

" Thank you Lord that you hold Brock in the palm of your hand and you have fulfilled the plans for his life. Remind us gentle Savior that your plans for Brock are fulfilled and your plans for us are filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Oh my, God, your word is so powerful. It fell fresh on us this afternoon. It is living and so relevant to my life. I love your word Lord. Thank you for inspiring these friends to use this gift this afternoon in such a special way.

Oh, by the way, when I went to get the eggs to type this post, I noticed that inside the egg with the scripture were Hersey's kisses. Remember how I call reminders of the Lord's love for us a kiss or a hug. Yes, those geese a laying eggs were kisses from the Lord. Thank you friend (whoever you are) for being an instrument for God to use in a mighty way today.

Also, I can't stop telling you about this. There was a box wrapped with one of those beautiful Willow Tree DEMADCO figures. This one as you can see in the lower left corner of the Goose picture is a red haired angel holding the arms of the little boy as he is learning to walk. "Guardian Angel" was the name on the card inside the box. It reminded me of Brock not walking until he was 16 months old. All of us had walked him around with his arms just like this figure. When he finally did take his first steps, he did so with his arms straight up. He was walking on his own, but with his arms like we were holding him. Or maybe, there was an angel there walking him then!?! Oh, here come the tears again. I better go.

Anybody know what the 8th day of Christmas is?