"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (Romans 12:12).

Originally I had started another post and got sidetracked before I got to finish it. Then yesterday I was driving in the car and felt like God wanted me to see things differently and take this another direction. I heard the song,"Blessings," by Laura Story. I've heard it before, but it resonated differently with me yesterday. It opened my eyes to so many of the blessings that have come from so much struggle, so many trials, and such deep heartache over the last few years. So instead of just telling you the craziness of our life with planning an out of state move, major surgery for Gracie, selling our home and new jobs...from MY eyes....I'm going to try and share it from Gods perspective. (Or at least my small understanding of His perspective). 

So here goes...

Being sad over a move is a blessing because it means I made connections here, and that my family was blessed here. 

Being happy to go home is a blessing because it means we get to be closer to our church, AZ family, friends and doctors who know our circumstances. 

Being sad about our house selling is a blessing because it means we had a home, that was ours. It also means we don't have to carry down a mortgage from another state. It was a blessing to us and can now be a blessing to someone else.

Being sad that we can't buy right now because our finances have been overwhelmed by our life this last 3 years, is a blessing, because it means we understand the joys of owning a home, of providing for a medically complex child, and providing for our amazing boy. It means we can focus on our finances a bit more right now. 

Being emotional and struggling to say good bye to co-workers, families, and kids at work is a blessing because it means I cared for people. I bonded with these kids and I was blessed to be at a school where prayer was expected, not avoided. It also means both of our children were blessed to be in that same environment. 

Being overwhelmed with Gracie's surgery is a blessing for so many reasons. It means we have a living child to love and care and worry for. We can hold her and cuddle and discipline and teach. She's healthy and that's a blessing. It means we have enough provision to have the needed surgery, and it means we are able to go to the most amazing surgical team for her care. 

Being sad that Gracie will spend her 3rd summer in a cast is a blessing because it means we're making progress on her leg. 

Being consumed with fear and worry that we are ruining her, is a blessing because it forces me to focus on God and allow Him to take control. It helps me to realize how spirited, energetic and mostly un-phased she is by all of this. It is a blessing because it makes me see her strength above everything else, and it's a precious little window into the woman God has created her to be. It means I'm a mom, and that's one of the biggest blessings EVER!

So today, with all my fear, worry, sadness, concern, happiness, and joy.....I WILL choose to, "be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (Romans 12:12). I will also choose to see my blessings, and not my fear and worry. I will choose to focus on how amazing my life really is, not how sad, scared or overwhelmed I am. I will choose God over my circumstances. 

I'm writing a blog post on the most amazing little girl, while hiding from my incredible 6 year old at a birthday party he wanted me to drop him off at, with my wonderful husband at home with Gracie playing.  My tummy is full and so is my heart. Choosing to feel blessed isn't always as hard as we make it!  

Praying you choose the blessings in your life today as well. Give God the rest, His shoulders are big enough to carry that load for you! 

Here is a link to the song I was talking about earlier. http://youtu.be/WvgzjNb_X3Q

(Gracie's surgery is coming up in about a week. We leave for Baltimore on June 7th and get back the 13th.  This is a big one so please be praying it goes smoothly, she stays healthy, wisdom for her surgeon, no complications and as easy of a recovery as possible. As always please check in on See Gracie Run on Facebook for current updates during surgery).

Thank you!

God Bless~The Peterson's

Mother's Day

Looking at herself in the mirror-she loves the mirror. :)