What a nice lazy Sunday with the Bun. Except for the time I spent cleaning up the basement. =)

It was so cold today (high of 10 degrees!) which is why we were all content to stay inside.

We started out watching a little Micky Mouse Clubhouse which included some good cuddle time with my girl. There was also a nice virtual family gathering when my mom I video chatted via Skype. Ella’s Great Grandparents were at my moms at the time, so they got a chance to see Ella in action. I wish that we could make the trek to Cali so we could see everyone in person, but we’ll take what we can get for now. Hopefully next year when Ella is (hopefully) off oxygen and her immune system is stronger we’ll be able to go.

Can I be honest with you…I have moments where I wish Ella was just a normal 16 month old. She’d be running around the house, talking, eating, not retching, playing with her toys, and getting into things she shouldn’t. We could take trips, go to public places, and see our friends that have other kids instead of being confined to our home. I could show my kid off at work, and take her to the zoo, and eat ice cream together with her.

These thoughts especially flood through my mind when I’m out and about and see a “normal” 16 month old. It reminds me just how far behind my precious child is. And that’s hard to see.

But…

When I receive an email from a family who just found out that their daughter was diagnosed with CDH, I remember the hope my daughter brings.

When a friend tells me how (trying not to cry here) the first thing she does every day, before anything else, is to pray for Ella, I remember how God has used our sweet child to draw people close to Him.

When an 11 year old girl comments on the blog to let us know that she’s praying for Ella, I see the Kingdom of God being impacted now, and in the future.

When I think back and ponder the events of the last 508+ days, I am overwhelmed by what we’ve gone through, and would be in denial if there wasn’t documented proof of the events. But I’ve also experienced the overwhelming presence of God in ways that I had never previously encountered.

If Ella wasn’t who she was, perfectly formed by God, you would not be reading these words right now. This would be just some other blog with pictures of our kid and comments about how cute she is. But instead, you have traveled with us through the heaviest times of our lives, and prayed us through it, cried along with us, and comforted us with your words and presence.

Ella was no accident, and when I consider all that our Heavenly Father Has done by her, I rejoice in the blessing that she is.

For these reasons, I will be content with where my sweet child is, knowing full well that God is in control and he has her right where he wants her.

Thank you Jesus for blessing us with this incredible girl. Praise you for allowing us the privilege of being her parents. We trust in your plan Lord, and surrender our lives to you. May Ella continue to have an impact for your Kingdom each and every day. In your Holy Name. Amen.

P.S. Happy Birthday (Dec 15th) to Bun’s Mommy! God knew what he was doing when he chose you to be Ella’s mom.