Thursday, March 19

Carry you through

I realize it has been quite a while since we really blogged. Thank you for your patience and continued prayer and encouragement as we find our direction...again. For several months, we made our lives so very public and open. I felt as if I really just needed some time to "deal" in private. I never really intended to stop blogging, or taking such a long break. Every time I thought of closing the blog, I felt as if God was telling me something different. So, the story continues...



God has blessed my family so much, and in ways I've never imagined. I have learned so many lessons over the past few months; about myself, Dustin and life in general. One of which is to find the blessings even in our trials. Dustin always tells me that God never promises to remove us from trying times, but He does promise to carry us through them.



James 1:2-3

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.



As the numbness slowly fades away, I am starting to realize what our "new normal" will feel like. It has become a bit slower, less comfortable, and even a bit vulnerable at times. But, as I adjust to that "new normal", I see that is where God wants us anyway. He wants us just outside our comfort zone, at a point where we are in complete brokenness and humility. Where we have no choice but to cry out for Him. So He can pick us up, dust us off and put the pieces back together, and more or less mold us into the person He wanted us to be from the beginning.



We all have that place, where we no longer have the strength to continue, where we have become so weak that the only thing moving us forward is the strength we gain from knowing Christ.




Blessings & endurance,


Jerri

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Jerri, for sharing your self with us all. I can't begin to imagine what it most feel like but I've seen you and Dustin continuing on with God helping you. And to see Kadenn and Kylei happy but also knowing that they miss Baby Todd, it tells me that Mommy and Daddy are helping them to remember who isn't here on a daily basis. I continue to pray for you. We love you all, Mary Ellen

posebyselena said...

Thinking of you guys often...

Ermis Party of 5 said...

....My husband and I have been praying for you and your family and I just wanted to let you know that your testimony is a great encouragement. May God continue to be glorified through your lives! :)

I'm

Salt said...

Thanks so much!! As much as it is obvious that you cannot keep blogging every day and, honestly, people will slowly be less faithful to check it and read it, so glad you took time to just share some honest thoughts. Keep pressing in to Jesus and on in the new life He has given you!
Blessings!
Kelly

Anonymous said...

Amen!!!
Thanks for sharing such an intimate part of your lives, it is a major encouragement to me and as I read oters too.
May God continue to bless your family...He knew what he was doing when he chose your family to be blessed with beautiful baby Todd.
Keep the faith.
Love Vi

Anonymous said...

Jerri, I'm glad you took time to deal with your own emotions, hurts and feelings. You so selflessly tended to your families needs first and God will reward you. Keep trusting in Him for the uncertanties of life because He's still in control! Praise the Lord we serve a God who is alive and knows all our needs! We still think about you often and pray for God's sustaining grace & love. Rhonda Hunsecker

Anonymous said...

Jerri,
Your life is a testimony to many, many people. Know that we care & are still walking with you. Thank you for the encouragement to keep going on, letting God 'dust us off' and keep shaping us into the people He wants. May you know His the fullness of His grace and mercy today.
Love,
Rosanne