The NorMel House

Today I made a little white Angel Baby Sack. Because there are all kinds of mothers. Good moms (like mine), bad moms, moms of moms, moms that have their arms full and moms that have emptyarms. This little white bedding is made in case a mom has to lay their little one to rest. Today I mourned the loss of so many more than my own little babies. I thought and prayed for the mother's who said good bye to their children before they were ready.  The little blue bed was for another little boy who was laid to rest this past week. We're never ready to lose our children. We're never ready to lose our moms either. I thought and prayed for those who lost their moms today too. But I don't know what that feels like. I do know what it feels like to bear a child, hold that child in your hands and then have to lay that child in the ground. And although I can't say or do anything to take away the incredible hurt that causes I can try provide something soft and beautiful to la...

This past week another little child went to heaven. A woman held her little boy after being pregnant for nearly 20 weeks. Her and her husband held him, named him, cried over him. His siblings drew him pictures and made presents to put in his tiny little casket. This little child will be buried but never forgotten. My heart breaks with them. And I will continue to pray for them. We live in a broken world and death is a sad and horrible result of sin. There's nothing we can say or do to make that heartache any easier. But knowing that we'll see them again is comforting knowledge. God has our little ones safely in His Hands. He will keep them safe and we will see them again

Every year I struggle with the darkness of winter. My body and mind crave the sunshine and a break from the achy dampness that seems to last forever. But every year I come back to this. Every year I have these faithful reminders. Faithful in their yearly return; faithfully reminding me of the one in whom I put my faith. They get all they need from the same amazing Creator that gives us all life. I see these beautiful and bright displays of color and life and I know. Darkness will not last forever. There is hope. I am a #ChildofGod #beautycomes #NoartistlikeTheArtist #Nofilter #nature #beautyinnature #beautyincreation #AwesomeGod #Godisgood #blessed #flowers #rain #sunshine #color #life #creation #SADs #wildgardens #flower #springreturns

Today is a day for celebration. A day to contemplate and reflect on one of the most gracious and amazing blessings we've been given. A day to remember. A day to be thankful. Death has no victory. Death could not hold our Savior. The Bible doesn't end at the cross or the tomb. And yet, despite knowing this amazing gift, despite knowing how grateful and joyful I should be I just can't. Don't get me wrong, I want to. I want to be happy, I want to smile and share this great gift with others, but today I just don't have it. I don't have the strength to rise above and do what I know I should. There's too much pain. SO MUCH PAIN I just can't. I'm overwhelmed by the twitches and spasms, the ceaseless screaming in my ears, the feeling that my limbs are being torn apart at the joints, and the way every part of me feels so very heavy. You would think by now I would be used to dealing with the constant pains and be able to rise above but it seems the weathe...

In the last 6 years this passage has gained so much more meaning to me. To give up your child for sinful and unworthy people! How great is our God, how deep and amazing is His love and grace. My mind cannot comprehend it. My heart doesn't understand it. I can only fall to my knees in humbled thankfulness. #howgreatisourGod #Ohsounworthy #amazinggrace #ChildofGod

Create in me a clean pure heart and renew a right spirit within me. Let my life be dedicated to You and put words of grace and love on my lips. Let my life be a light in the darkness that is our sinful world.  I go to church not because I'm a good person, but because I know I'm not. It's there I meet with other sinners who know their need for God's redeeming Grace. It's only through this Grace that I know I'm a Child of God. Church is not a place for pride or self-righteousness. It's the place for humility; for acknowledging sin and asking for the forgiveness we're so amazingly blessed with in Jesus Christ. Lord I pray, Grant Your Spirit this day Forgive me my sin,  time and again Through the blood of Your Son May Thy Will for my life be done. The Mel in the NorMel House 

Despite the fact that we are done with trying for children and I'd swear I'm ok with that somehow I still get a lump in my throat with most pregnancy announcements. I've cried the entire drive home from meeting/visiting my nephews and nieces for the first time at the hospital and I still find most baptisms incredibly hard to sit through without crying. I think the grief never completely goes away. Like the ocean it can come in waves that knock you down or it can glide in softly with the sunrise. I wish I had words to give you comfort, but the words are not my own The NorMel House to yours; I lift my eyes unto the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth!