Exactly a year ago today, we found out that Oliver had level 5 kidney reflux (you can read that post I wrote a year ago if you click  here).  This past year has been a constant flow of many emotional ups & downs, not just with Oliver, but with life.  I want you all to know that the purpose of my blog is to share what is going on in our lives & also to have some fun recipes/crafts/ideas along with it.  But, I want everyone to know that our lives are not perfect.  We have struggled in our marriage, I personally have struggled with my weight & we have also struggled just to figure out how to raise a child.  I don't write this for sympathy, because I know there are millions of people that have struggles.  I write this to show people how God can comfort us in those hard times, if we allow Him.

Psalm 73:26 says, "My flesh & my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

This verse spoke to me & opened my eyes to understand that if we allow God to take control, He gives us the strength we need to live our lives & also gives us guidance for the hard situations.  He is the God of comfort!  How many times have we just shut down in despair & wanted to be left alone in our misery?  For me, that happens quite often, but God wants us to come to Him!  His comfort is like nothing else.  He gives us hope when it feels like there is none, He gives us grace when we mess up & He loves us when we feel unlovable.  When we fail at life & are in such despair, He is always there & ready to give us comfort.  He shows us comfort in so many ways, whether in a friend, family member or even a complete stranger, it can also be in a bible verse we read or a sermon we listen to.  There is no limit to where the Lord shows us comfort.

Isaiah 66:13 says, "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you."

We all have struggles, whether small or large, they matter to us.  The Word tells us that God has promised to always be with us.  Isaiah 41:10 says, "I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.".  He is our comfort and strength.

With Oliver's appointment this month, there is fear with the unknown.  We have been praying that God would heal Him & that a special miracle would take place, but we also realize that if that is not what the Lord has planned, we want to be prepared for his surgery and recovery.  Oliver is in the Lord's hands & what a special place that is!  We have comfort in our Creator & know His ways are perfect, even when we sometimes do not know why things have to happen the way they do.  I know a lot of you guys have been praying for our little Oliver & we are beyond thankful for your prayers!  We will keep you all updated when his appointment is & what the final results will be.  Just remember, God is perfect in every way & His comfort is everlasting!

Below is a video from the other day of our silly little Oliver.  What a joy he is!