Monday, August 31, 2009

It's a Zoo


We took Zach to the zoo this weekend. He loved it! He took everything in in his usual observant way.

Pappy trying to get a lorikeet on his hat

I have no idea why this is underlining. ; ) 

G-Daddy, Z, and Gran
Pappy, Z, and Bunny

Jason with Z on the merry-go-round

This week we are back on our own after family and friends being with us for almost three weeks. Everyone has been amazing. I'm anticipating how it will be with the three of us without Reese, but I know GOD is still (and always will be) with us. I pray He fills every room with His presence.

Thank you thank you for your continued prayers, emails, and comments. It amazes and blesses me how you obey GOD's promptings to pray for us and encourage us through what He is telling you. It's always just what we need to hear!

I'm reading and clinging to every word of each family member, friend, and "blog friend." GOD uses you to bring me life. ; ) 

52 comments:

Melissa said...

Katie,
Precious pictures, I love the one of your dad trying to get the bird on his hat...Zach looks like he is thinking, "what in the world are you doing Pappy?".

Still praying for your sweet family!

KK said...

So glad you could get out and have some fun. Still prayin' !

OUR WILD ZOO! said...

Still praying and thanking God for covering you in His comfort, strength, and peace that surpasses our understanding. You are strong and have an amazing testimony that there is nothing too great for our heavenly father to carry you through.

Summer said...

It is good so see you was able to get out and go to the zoo and enjoy your little family!!!! The pictures are toooo cute of Zach :0)! We are still prayin for ya and your family!

Casi said...

Katie,

I'm so glad y'all were able to enjoy the zoo this weekend. The pictures are absolutely fabulous - and can I just say you look amazing just a few weeks after a c-section?

How I pray your home will be filled with the peace that passes all understanding. My prayer for you the past week has been that you would FEEL His loving arms around you and your family. I know - as you do - that He is always there but I pray His presence will be palpable. And comforting.

Casi

Jill said...

So good to see you out with your family, enjoying your precious baby boy. :)

You're always in my thoughts and prayers.

Hillary said...

It looks like Zach had a fun time at the zoo. :)

I'm still praying for your family everyday.

Minnesota Girl said...

Glad you were able to be out and about. I'm still praying for you and your family. May the love of God enfold each of you during your journey through grief.
~Katie

Mary said...

I am praying...
Psalm 138: 8
Psalm 126: 4-6
Romans 8: 28
Psalm 33 (this is the passage I wrote on the bulletin handed out at my son's memorial (he passed away nearly halfway through my pregnancy) I treasured this passage because it proclaims God's sovereignty - His perfect,unchanging good character and His faithful plans, which are accomplishing far more than we can see or understand until we reach heaven. Hope. Trust.
God bless you!
-Mary

Kelly said...

Glad y'all got out and it's so good to see you smile. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers every day!

Rebekah said...

I love the picture of Zach with the football! I am so glad you guys could do something fun. I am still praying for joy for you and Jason. I will also be praying that you will feel the Lord in every room in your house, your car, everywhere you go, whether you are in a group or alone. I know it is hard once everyone leaves, but God promises to NEVER leave us or forsake us!!! I wish I could give you a hug. But know that you are continually in my thoughts and prayers! HUGS!

Madison Sanders said...

I'm glad you got to get out and go to the zoo. It looks like a blast!

Blaty said...

Awesome that you and your family were able to get out and enjoy the sunshine! I was at the zoo on Saturday as well. Zach looks like he was having a ball! I came from Kelly's Korner and you've been in my thoughts and prayers as well in these past few weeks. Thank you for the amazing strength that your showing to all of us in the blog world. Peace, Love and Happiness.

Kelley said...

Dear Katie,
What a blessing to see you LIVING the life God has laid right before you instead of hiding behind the despair of what you don't have right now. What an encouragement you continue to be to me and countless others. I know Reese is never far from your thoughts. I'm still praying for you continuously. May our Father's peace and joy fill every facet of your life and every room of your home.
Kelley

Crystal said...

Praying for you! Your strength amazes me! Praying for your sweet sweet family!

Thomas and Jamie said...

Katie - can I just say you're looking great? Would that be the wrong thing to say? I hope not. I hope you know the intent of why I'm saying that - you really do look great!

And, we are praying that behind the beautiful smiles in the wonderful pictures are souls filled with peace, albeit hurting souls, but souls wrapped in God's love!

Praying here in Canyon, TX!

Anonymous said...

I am grateful to see your family smiling. Although I am sure your heart is still hurting. I pray God will fulfill your needs as only he can (Phil. 4:13)

I have been praying for you and your family.

Blessings from North Carolina, Ginger

Julee said...

Glad you had a good weekend at home in LR. It was a great weekend for the zoo. Cute pics of Zach! I will be thinking about you and praying for you this week!!

ashley said...

It is SO GOOD to see your smile - and to see the small baby steps of God's comfort,provision, and steadfast love. I will be praying hard this week for you and Jason knowing you're facing it without any family around - may the Lord hold you up and may Zach bring you lots of laughter and joy! Love you!

MLP said...

Praying for you. You are beautiful on the outside as well as the inside. It's so obvious!

Laura Ann said...

So glad to see you all trying to move forward with daily life for you and for Zach. Hopefully this trip to the zoo gave you some joy back. Still praying for you daily. God Bless!

Daily laying it at the Master's feet!
Laura Ann

Becky said...

Fun. There is not too much more fun than the zoo! I am glad you got to simply enjoy! Whenever I go to the zoo and see all the different animals, I know God must love colors. He must love beauty.

As I think about you and your loosing Reese, I think about my daughter and the baby she lost. At the time I told her that perhaps God would allow her to minister to others because of her loss. He has. But only after her making some choices that took her down a path that no one ever dreamed could happen and that resulted in the most sorrowful time of my life. After you had more time to process your loss, perhaps He will allow you a new ministry that you never dreamed of. Your faithfulness to Him is a testimony, Katie.

Still praying.......

angie said...

I am still praying for your family and for His continued peace and presence in your every minute.
Your family is beautiful and it makes me happy to see that you look like you are enjoying yourselves.
God is so good. All the time.
Angie in AZ

Leslie said...

I'm sure it was hard to do, but so nice to see a smile on your face. You look amazing Katie. Be proud of yourself for making the effort to get up and get ready and try to do something fun. I will be praying for you this week as I'm sure it will be really hard. Every day must be so very hard for you.

Alison said...

It looks like you guys had a good time. We usually have to go to the zoo to ride the train. HA!

Nicole Bolinger said...

Katie Girl, looking at all these comments I know you are truly a loved and blessed woman! I have thought about you everyday and am praying for you! I hope my last email wasn't too overwhelming or offending in any way. I just felt overwhelmed with things I wanted to say to you and prayed that I would write the right things. Hope that was ok...

~Mrs. Guru~ said...

Looks like you guys had fun! Continuing to pray.

Mrs. Chapman's 2nd Grade Class said...

I've been reading your blog and wanted to take the time to comment. I should have before. We have been praying for your sweet family and will continue to. I pray that you will be filled with peace this week and you will feel God's presence. I am truly sorry that you are going through this, but want you to know how much I look up to you for trusting in God and praising Him even in this time of great sadness. You are an example to so many of us.

Leigh Ann said...

My kids call my dad "Pappy" too! I just love that! I bet Zach LOVED the zoo! Still thinking of you often through the day and praying for you, Katie!

Shelly said...

Still praying for you and your sweet family.

Unknown said...

Katie, what sweet pictures! You are beautiful, even in the midst of your sorrow. How blessed you are with families and friends who love you so much. May your heart always overflow with gratitude more and more.

"Before the throne of God above,
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great High Priest whose name is love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on his hands,
My name is written on his heart.
I know that while in heaven he stands,
No tongue can bid me thence depart,
No tongue can bid me thence depart."

much love,
Miss B.

Jennifer said...

You look great! I hope you are feeling the love and prayers from everyone. You have brought so many people closer to God with your response to Reese. Your strength continues to amaze me! I would curl up in a ball in my bed and not be a nice person. You might want to do that but you are still working and teaching Zach which is tough but rewarding! I get teary even writing to you. You are a rolemodel to us all!

 The Morris Family said...

Hi Katie,
Just wanted to let you know I am praying for you!!!

Cindy

Lindy said...

Katie,
You don't know me but I have found so much encouragement in your blog. As a mother of a three year old and expecting our second child, I cannot imagine the pain that a mother goes through when she loses her child but, I do know that God understands. I am so thankful that I have found your blog and want you to know that you are truly a faithful child of God. You have set such an example of trust and faith, I know it is pleasing to the Lord. I pray that you and your family continue to find the blessings in your pain. Please know that I will continue to pray for you.
Sincerely,
Lindy (Birmingham, Alabama)

Kelli said...

Sweet, sweet photos!! You guys are so beautiful...inside and out! Our prayers are with you as you continue to heal your wounded heart! Hugs:))

Michelle said...

What an inspiring previous post. Glad to see you enjoyed some time at the zoo. You are in my thoughts and prayers daily.

Laurie said...

I am praying for you Katie! Zach looks so cute looking at that bird on your Dad's head.

amy said...

What a sweet family you all are! Prayed for your strength today!

Laura said...

So proud of you for getting out...I remember how painful it was to go do something normal. I needed to to do it for the other kids! You are the picture of God's grace and his amazing strength. Be patient and gentle with yourself. One step at a time...

Sending love,
laura

jess said...

Katie,
What a blessing to get some fun time in together! Precious pictures of your sweet family! Still thinking of and praying for you guys!!
-jess :)

Lauren said...

Your little boy is so adorable :) Still praying for you and your sweet family.

Jennjilla said...

What a nice day! I hope you guys had some fun! Still praying for your family every day!

Fabiola said...

What wonderful pictures.
You are looking great.

Zach is so handsome!!!

Fabiola

Zoe said...

Dear Katie,
I found your blog through Kelly's Korner when Reese was born... I am so amazed to see God's magnificent grace displayed so greatly in you. You are such a testimony to a watching world of what it is to truly trust God in the midst of a terrible time of grief. Thank you for sharing your life on your blog. I am encouraged.
Ps 91:4 says God's faithfulness is a shield and bulwark... may you feel His loving arms ever around you, and see evidences of His faithfulness every day, protecting you from the darkness of despair.

By the way, I love the name Reese. A beautiful name for a beautiful girl!

Zoe

Lauren said...

What a sweet time at the zoo. Loved the pics. And thinking of you in the weeks ahead, my friend!!

Taylor said...

I'm so glad you guys got a 'break' and to have a little fun with Zach!! He's such a precious little boy and so lucky to have such great parents!!

Still praying for you guys!

Whitney said...

Love the zoo! So fun!

Lauren said...

Hi love! The Lord brought this scripture to me this morning during my quiet time and I wanted to share it with you...
"And since we are His children, we will share His treasures-for everything God give to his Son, Christ, is ours too. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will give us later." Romans 8:17-18

That spoke to me and I just wanted to pass it your way! I loved the zoo pics, Zach looks like he had so much fun, cute little guy! :) I pray every morning for you guys and I like how detailed you are in your blog, it helps me know how to pray! Love you!

Unknown said...

lots of thoughts & prayers from louisville kentucky ~ i found your blog through kelly's korner and have been following for awhile now.
http://lynchfamily5.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Still praying!!

hi-d said...

Great pictures! I am still thinking and praying for you guys. Katie - You are absolutely beautiful (inside and out). Keep the faith!

In church last week, there were a couple of verses that were in our sermon notes and I put your name by them. I thought I should share them with you...

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV)

"See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory." (NLT)

hi-d said...

oops...I forgot to write down the chapter/verse for that last one:
-----------------------------------
"See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory." Isaiah 12:2 (NLT)

 
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