Heaven's Gain, An Earthly Loss and A Great Reminder!!

One month ago today Heaven gained a little angel. Her name is Azlynn Cretzman. I am sure that many of you have heard the story. Azlynn and her family were on the deputation trail. They had been at a meeting in North Carolina and were headed out on the morning of February 20, 2012. As they headed out the frosty morning they traveled down the highway and over a bridge. The van they were in spun out of control and slammed into a highway sign post. Azlynn's mom, Lana, was injured. Azlynn's little sister, Maddie, and her dad, Matt were ok with just bumps and bruises but the force of the impact was right were Azlynn was sitting in the van. She went to heaven at the scene in the arms of her father. I do not know this family personally. I do know friends of theirs and Azlynn's great grandfather and great grandmother.

You see, Azlynn had just turned 3 years old in December. Lindsey is 3 and 3/4's. She will be four years old in June. As I heard the news of this acident on that morning my mind went right to Lindsey and Lauren. You see, we were headed out on that same frosty morning to attend the President's Day Tournament that our Christian School plays in. I had to take a deep breath and trust the Lord that even though we don't understand what He is doing that He is good all of the time and that His ways are better than our ways. These truths were impressed upon my heart as I began to follow the Cretzman Family and see the beginning of their journey that they never thought would be part of their lives. As we began to learn about dear little Azlynn, Jake and I were struck with the similarities between Azlynn and Lindsey. Just a few were their love for being a princess, animals, and that the last verse they were teaching Azlynn was Psalm 23:1. Lindsey's Sunday School class just started a curriculum based on Psalm 23 and we have been working on these verses. Even more I have been learning to trust the Lord with the details of life that I cannot control. Maybe that's because control is my issue and trusting the Lord tends to be a hard thing for me.

I am posting a few verses and the video of Celebration of Azlynn's Life in honor of Azlynn and her family and the wonderful testimony that they have had. To find out more about the Cretzman family and there ministry go to http://www.cretzmantocuba.com/. Please continue to pray for them even though you may not know them. They need it even more now and every day!!!!

Isaiah 55:9 - "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Psalm 23 - "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."

Azlynn's Video:

Lauren Is Walking!!!

Just thought I would share this video of Lauren walking. She is holding on with one hand in this video but later this evening she walked about 5 steps with out holding on. This is the most I have seen her take. Anyway, today we officially have a toddler. She is growing so fast. Thanks for stopping by!!! Have a wonderful day!!!

Lindsey's 3rd Birthday!!!!

Here are just a few pictures from Lindsey's Birthday. We had a great night. We had lots of fun with family and friends. I can't believe how grown up Lindsey is getting. Today she had her 3 year check up and the doctor said she is doing just great. We are thankful for the little girl God gave us three years ago.

Cherish The Moments!!!!!

Pictures with our cousins is one of our favorite activities. The Lamphere's had to come into town to pick up the campers that went to camp with our church. So they came a little early and we all met at Tot Shots, our favorite photo studio. For all my local friends, this is the best photo studio in Spokane with the best prices. The website is www.totshotsphoto.com. Lindsey and Lauren
Lindsey - 3 years old

Lauren -5 months

All the Boyle Grands

It was so much fun spending time with family and making memories. More than ever this weekend I was reminded to "Cherish The Moments" that we have with our family. We have a lady in our church who spent many years with her family in Alaska. While there she made many lifetime friends. One family in particular became very close to her and they have remained friends to this very day. These are friends who have helped each other through the worst of times and rejoiced in the best of times. Well, this last weekend was one of the worst of times. While traveling on a highway in Alaska, Grandmother, mother and 2 grand babies (one 4 years old and one 5 months old) were involved in a horrific traffic accident with a semi-truck. Grandmother broke her pelvis and Mom had several broken bones. Both babies were killed in the accident. As we were given the news our hearts broke. They broke for our friend, her friends and the church there in Alaska. Then came the moment of truth for me. A picture was posted on the Internet of the two birth announcements asking for special prayer. Of course we were praying even as we didn't know how to pray. The birth announcement for the 5 month old said that she (yes, a girl) was born on Feb 11, 2011. This is Lauren birthday also. I had to quickly click the picture off the screen. Why did this happen? What is God's plan? I was reminded of the verses in Isaiah 55:6-9.

"Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your way my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your way, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

I was reminded that at all times I need to seek the Lord. I need to seek him for wisdom and strength. I can not do all that I need to do without the wisdom and strength of the Lord. I was reminded to call upon the Lord. In everything God wants us to call upon him. He wants to hear our every need, want and fear. I don't know how many times in recent days Jake and I have looked at each other and said,"There are just so many hurting hearts right now." God wants us to bring those burdens of our own and those of others and give them to him. I was remind to forsake my own thoughts. I may have an opinion about things in my life or circumstances of others lives but really my thoughts are so far below the thoughts of the Lord. I need to try to have the mind of Christ. Think in ways that are biblical and not fleshly or earthly. I was reminded that God loves this family more than they love themselves or each other. He loves them more than there closest friends and family. He loves them more then there church family. He knows what is best and although we don't understand, we can trust that God would never do anything that was not for our best. I thought, what if that had been me and my mom? What if those had been my children? Would I be able to trust God the way that I need to? To be honest, I just don't know. I am trying to use this lesson to seek God more, trust him more and think his thoughts and not my own thoughts. I have to remember that God loves me and my family more than I do and give them all to the Lord. This is the only way to have peace. Resting in the goodness and faithfulness of God. This dear family needs more prayer now than they have ever needed. They have just begun this journey of healing and trusting. I am praying for them. Will you pray with me? Pray that the Devil will stay out of this family and that they will trust and rest in the almighty arms of our all wise God. Because it is only Him that can heal their hearts.

I hope this has been a blessing!!!!! Thanks for stopping by to see us. Have a wonderful day!!!!!!

Best Friends Forever...Hopefully!!!!!!

My friend, Belinda Howes, and I were expecting babies at the same time. Belinda's baby's name is Sophie. She was born just two weeks before Lauren. Sophie's sister, Sarah, and Lauren's sister, Lindsey, are best of friends. They are about seven months apart and have the best of time together in the nursery. On Easter Sunday, Sarah came to church with her new dress on. My mom had also bought Lindsey that same dress. Although Lindsey and Lauren had different Easter dresses. So we ran to get Lauren the matching dress to Sophie's and then planned a photo shoot. The story of the day was that the big girls did great and the little girls had a rough time. When one was happy the other cried. Neither of them could sit up and the big girls got nervous when they tried to do all four of them together. Anyway, we had a great time and made many fun memories. Enjoy the pictures. Sophie and Lauren!!!!!!!
Probably the best of the little girls!!!!!!!!

Sarah, Lindsey, Sophie and Lauren!!!!!!!

Double Trouble!!!!!!!

"We're the best of friends, having so much fun together."

Lauren Ryleigh Burkholder

Lauren Ryleigh Burkholder was born on February 11, 2011. We had a scheduled c-section. We got to the hospital at 6:00am and the surgery was scheduled at 8:00am. This was different from Lindsey's c-section as it was planned and Lindsey's was not. This time I had a spinal and it did not take very well. As I am about to explain this was just the beginning of the drama. Jake waited in the waiting room as the spinal was being done which should have just been 15 minutes and turned into about 30 minutes. After the second spinal everything was ready to begin. They brought Jake in and began the surgery. About half way through Jake began to feel weak and started to pass out. I was holding his hand and could see his face. One of the three doctors broke scrub to help him and the male nurse and the doctor were able to get him safely to the floor and as soon as he hit the floor his woke up. All at the same time the doctor nicked a uterin artery and I was loosing blood. I started to feel pain and was anxious about Jake so they had to give me a sedetive in my IV. Well, all that to say Lauren was born very healthy and had no problems. Her parents not so much. :) The recovery processe went very well and we all went home three days later. Lauren has brought so much joy to our home. She is a very happy baby and has a great smile and has been laughing from the very beginning. I hope that you enjoy her new born pictures.

Sisters

On February 11, 2011 Lindsey became a big sister to Lauren Ryleigh Burkholder. Lindsey was very excited. Lindsey has been busy helping with a new baby sister, turning Three and learning many new things. Here are a few pictures of Lindsey and Lauren together. Hope you enjoy!!!!