Christmas Time 2015

Christmas time, are you listening? Thanks for stopping by, maybe you're a regular follower or here for the first time? If you're here because of our Christmas card, welcome. If you didn't get a Christmas card and would like one, comment below...

Realization: It's impossible to describe our last year in a short paragraph, this is just a short summary.

Feel free to check out the rest of our blog for past vacations, events, life, and opinions...we have a list of posts yet to make, hopefully coming soon :)

Jeremy

Still working at Milan Center Feed & Grain, I guess the theme of this year is change, although this is starting to look like a reality to our small business. The Agriculture industry is still exciting with a constant flow of new challenges but most importantly, new opportunities! 

Maria

She has just finished up a 2 year stint with Christian Community Healthcare and we cannot say enough how much this mission blessed our family. Providing free health care to the community has opened our eyes to the local need. Also a plug, this clinic is being run by a selfless board and operated by Dr.'s and nurses volunteering their time. If you're looking for an avenue to support a real cause, check them out. They can always use your time, financial support, and most of all prayers. She'll be starting at Dupont Hospital here in town this January.

Jones

This dude has probably been the most consuming and drastic change to our lives the last year. It's been an amazing experience to watch him develop, think, grow, crawl, walk, yell, and learn through his 1st year of life. We thank God constantly for a healthy, strong boy and for the opportunity to raise him for His purpose. 

Baby due April '15

Change number two...a shock that will most likely impact Jonesy boy. Maria is feeling "as expected" and so far all Dr. visits have showed good growth and a healthy baby. We don't know yet boy or girl and for now are planning on being surprised. We'll see if mama's patience holds out.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Jeremy, Maria, jones (14mo), and baby (Apr. '15)

A decade seems like a long time..

Again this blog is probably more for the writer than the reader.. feel free to journey through Maria's emotions today  :)
Not a December 5th or December 11th goes by without me remembering 2004's December. It's different now that it's 2014.. 10 years since a sweet and precious soul entered life this side of heaven, for a brief but purposeful stay. I doubt that birthdays are very important in eternity.. but since I'm still bound by this thing called time- I found myself reflecting on Clint Lucas's little life today.. what would have been his 10th birthday.

19 years old, an EKG tech as a sophomore in college- I worked all night while my body was unexpectedly preparing to give birth to a little boy.. I had no idea that I was in labor until my trip home in the morning when I realized my stomach "hurt" every 2 minutes. That day was a blur- back to the hospital, shipped emergently to Akron Summa hospital (Akron Children's was a mile away)- after barely making it there, I delivered a sweet baby boy- in my mind he was going to be dead on arrival- I remember being shocked to hear a tiny voice- one little cry.. he was alive! They were able to intubate him and "stabilize" him enough to transfer him to Children's. "Name?" someone asked- "Clint Lucas" I said- still somewhat in shock that this was all happening. 12 inches long and 1 lb 7oz are not great measurements for a new life. For some reason I thought they'd just whisk him away.. but they got me in a chair and let me see him before the transport. (For some mom's that would be the last time their child was alive to be seen- so many things that can go wrong) It was one of the most precious moments of that whole week to come- A mother seeing her baby for the first time- so thankful he was alive.. I remember that moment very vividly, everything else went away and I was in love. So thankful to even have a moment to touch this sweet baby.. still numb to the reality of the situation, I knew I'd been given a gift.. moments with a soul who had been created in my womb by a God I was desperate to know better.

Clint was shipped to Children's then and I had to stay at the hospital I was at until later the next day. That night once everyone else left so I could sleep I remember weeping for what seemed like a long time. The exhaustion and reality of what was happening kind of found me that night. The emptiness in my life from not having Christ in my heart was probably more evident that day than any other time. I remember pleading with God for this little boy's life... my own heart full of questions and wanting peace that only the Holy Spirit can give.
Today, as I held my 13 month old, 25+ pound sweet Jones Theodore as he slept (I honestly cannot remember the last time he slept on mamma- but today was a really sweet day for that to happen) My heart was so full of thankfulness. Mostly for the PEACE in my life now- no longer an empty soul in need of redemption- I am evidence and living proof of the power of God. If He can redeem my life, he can redeem anything. It's good for me to remember what God has brought me through. I do not live in the past anymore- but at the same time our past has some things to remind us- for me this means remembering to be SO thankful for the grace and mercy I've been shown. I'm still desperately in need of Jesus on a moment to moment basis.. the difference is that he now has taken up residence in my soul. And Clint.. you can find him on the streets of heaven... I'd never wish him back.