As I drove Brad to the airport this morning to attend his grandfather's funeral, there was a blanket of thick fog on the ground. The fog was thick, making it difficult to see too far down the road. It was odd to me how strange things looked in the fog, and how unfamiliar things looked that are very familiar.
As we made our way through the fog, it struck me how very much like this fog was like the storms we pass through in life. We are so overwhelmed by our circumstances that we can't see the forest through the trees. All we can really deal with are the things that are right in front of us, because in the difficult times, even the most familiar can seem strange and uncomfortable. We wonder why we can't see farther down the road, and it's uncomfortable to think that we can't see what's coming up ahead.
1 Corinthians 4:12 tells us "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." We have to trust that even though we don't understand in the storm why things are happening, that God has a plan for us, and that He will give us the tools to cope when we need them most.
So the Mistletoe Market this weekend proved to be much less fruitful than we hoped. I'm trusting that God has another plan and that I won't let this cloud of disappointment ruin what the road ahead might bring. The plan is now to put everything(baby bumble items and bottle art) on clearance. You can look up items on clearance at: www.bottleartbykodi@blogspot.com and www.babybumbleboutique.blogspot.com) This process demonstrated just how scattered my creativity can take me, and it's allowed me to reorganize myself and focus on the things that will produce the most results. The sewing and the bottle art was therapeutic for me in ways, but probably not a long-term venture. The motivational magnets I think have long term legs, although surprisingly didn't do awesome at the show - but I think a lot of that had to do with my "eclectic" mix of items on the table. They don't take too much time like the others and will let me flex my creativity in other ways.
I want to thank EVERYONE who came by the booth and supported us at the show - we love you and we thank you for helping support Braden's medical fund. Each of you who has reached out in ANY way to participate and support one of our fundraisers is very important to us. We feel God loving us through our friends - and we are SO BLESSED with wonderful friends here in Baton Rouge who demonstrate their love and support. Our faith is tested constantly by raising a terminally ill child, and we wouldn't be as strong without your supporting arms wrapped around us.
I've recently been asked to write for a Special Parents magazine, and hope to use my voice there to advocate for change for special needs families through the media! Also Brad and I are getting more involved with the local Epilepsy Foundation of Louisiana and our contacts and skills can be put to use there to help a practically entirely volunteer organization get a little more organized in the marketing and event areas.
So I guess I'm busy doing Spring Cleaning in November, but it does feel good. It will let me focus on things that might be opportunities to REALLY make a difference. I'm thankful for the creative outlets I've explored for the last year, and thankful that I have NEW avenues to explore that better fit my talents. I'm sure Brad will be thankful that the "clutter" will be lightened up some, and I hope Braden will appreciate the extra snuggle time. I'm glad God gave me an outlet for everything and has now lead me down a new path for my creativity... I'm trying to let Him lead me down a path that I can't quite see the whole picture for, but I'm hoping the fog will eventually clear, and I can appreciate where things are going. For now, I will try to appreciate the things I can see that are right in front of me.
Prayers and blessings to our family who will bury Grandpa James this week without Braden and I - a short trip is just too risky for him. We hope they know how much we want to be there and know we are loving them from afar. Travel safe Daddy... we will see you soon.
Braden, Kodi (& Brad)
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