Outer Turmoil. Likely, you feel it now too, whether it's within your family, or with the terror, madness and immense loss which has surrounded us as a Country. It's impossible for us to escape it - be it the death around us as a result of racial hatred or the death of a personal dream. Precious friends of ours are mourning the deaths of their husbands, mourning deadly blows to their marriages, marking the anniversaries of children lost to disease and sickness . . . so.much.heartache and turmoil inside, outside and everywhere in-between.

Turmoil (as defined by Merriam Webster):

"a state or condition of extreme confusion, agitation, or commotion".

Inner Peace. I feel it - the Holy Spirit bringing complete peace to my own heart as I continually run to him during these uncertain times. Peace is also in the hearts of my friends going through unthinkable heartaches. It may come and go, but it is there because God promises it for us as Believers. Everything, and I mean everything, seems to be shaken-up and uncertain yet, somehow His peace is there, often times waiting in the silence.

Peace (as defined by Merriam Webster):

a state of tranquility or quiet; freedom from civil disturbance; a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom

freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

harmony in personal relations

a state or period of mutual concord between governments; a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity

used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm as a greeting or farewell

Here's the thing - Merriam Webster can't define the peace that comes from God. It's a peace that doesn't make sense who those who don't know Jesus as their Savior. We can still be concerned with every.single.thing around us - every threat to our family physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, and yet we can have a "peace that passes all understanding". I KNOW that God can, is and WILL use ALL things to work together for MY good and for HIS glory, and the same is true for all of those who know Christ. The world may fall around us, but we have a faithful God who is on our side, fighting for us. There is PEACE in knowing those things, and you can have that peace too!

Jesus tells us that we WILL have trouble in this world. This world does NOT offer peace to us, or rather the peace that it DOES offer is quite fleeting.

John 16:33(ESV), "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 14:27 (NLT), "I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid".

Philippians 4:7 (MSG), "Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."

Since Ellie Kate's death in December 2012, our family has faced many trials and much turmoil. I don't like to think back on it too much, because it truly can be overwhelming. My Grandmother passed away tragically and unexpectedly. Both of Mike's grandmothers have died. My Aunt unexpectedly passed away and other loved ones have had serious accidents and hospital stays. Three of our family dogs have died. We've dealt with unexplainable heartache with Henry and have had his diagnosis of both PANDAS AND epilepsy. We've added counseling, extra therapy and other doctor appointments to our already busy schedule.

I've held babies who've just taken their last breath and held the hands of some dear friends as they kiss their babies for the final time, watching the funeral home coming to take away the earthly body of their precious children. I've attended around 15 funerals since Ellie Kate's - of my own friends and of friends whose babies and even husbands, have left this world. Mike and I had the unspeakable honor of having our lives intertwined with several of those who lost children in the 2013 Tornado here in Moore, OK. I received my Interstitial Cystitis diagnosis, and it has rocked our world as a family - more doctors, more surgeries, more pain, more therapies. Mike had his accident where he hurt his ankle so badly in December that he is still recovering - more surgeries, more therapies, more doctors.

More recently, we've watched my Mother on life support not once but TWICE, due to medical neglect, not knowing if she would wake and come back to be the momma that we know. I've held her hand as she's navigated her new "normal", where her body and mind won't allow her to do what they once did.

SO many ups and many downs, My Friends. So many losses - too many to mention, really. BUT, GOD. GOD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL AND TRUE. He has been faithful in our earthly losses. He has been faithful in the diagnoses. He has been faithful in the hospitalizations. He has continued to provide, above and beyond our most basic needs.

GOD NEVER CHANGES. Everything, EVERYTHING around us in this world changes, but not Our Savior. Because of Jesus, our sweet times outweigh the heartache - truly, that is ONLY because of Jesus.

We are not the only family to face heartache and hardships; we are not the only ones who taste the effects of death, of sickness, of loss, of depression, of silence. Everyone faces these things, and maybe YOU are facing these things now. The only hope; OUR only hope . . . YOUR only hope . . . is Jesus Christ. He is the lover of all Souls - red, yellow, black, and white. He fights for ALL of us because He died for every.living.soul. None is better than the other; all are equally precious in His sight.

If you are facing heartache today, know that Jesus loves you. It's not just a phrase to make you feel better. It's the truth. He made you. He loves you. He fights for you. We must love each other and fight for each other just as He did, My Friends. Knowing His love is the ONLY way to know peace.

**************************************************************************************

Personal Peek . . . Very recently, we were able to head down to San Antonio to spend time with my brother and his family before they move overseas. My beautiful sister-in-law is an Infectious Disease doctor in the military and is being stationed in Germany, while my brother has just been accepted into Oxford University (yes, my brother AND my sister are both working on their P.H.D's - I'm the slacker here). We had a very sweet time full of rest, love and laughter. It was an incredible gift to be able to spend time together before their big move, and I'm so grateful we were able to make the trip as an entire family! I hope you enjoy some of the photos of our time away together . . .