Reality

One text from Mark after almost two weeks of trying to pin down a date.  April 29th is confirmed.

And suddenly, what was just a far off something unknown is now a very real, very near present thing about to happen.

A week and a half.

A week and a half until we take another step in our NF journey.  Until we see what so many parents have had to face numerous times and sometimes way more scary.

A week and a half until of being reminded that this beautiful girl is not our own.  That we don't control her future or her present.

A week and a half and the reminder that only God knows what our daughter needs.  How long she will walk this earth.  That He is in control.  It's very present and real right now.

And though I can't control the shaking at times.  I can't tell my body that everything is going to be alright and I can relax and be calm.  I can rely on my God and know that He alone is in control and He is not only holding Emmie in His hands.  But me.  And our other children.  And my amazing rock of a husband, Mark.

When our kids are born, we give them a verse that is our prayer for their lives.  Emmie's verses were Matthew 26:6-13 when the woman poured perfume out on Jesus' feet.  Jesus spoke beautiful words about her saying "Truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done, will also be told in memory of her."  We want  Emmie to make an impact for Christ in the world and this was and still is truly our prayer.

However, as we've walked this first year with her and learned more about how God has made her unique, we felt the Lord leading us to a more fitting verse to pray over her.

Proverbs 31:25
She is clothed with strength and dignity,
      and she laughs without fear of the future.

If you know our Super Em, you'll know those verses fit her to a 't.'  Our prayer is that she continues to face the future without fear and that her beautiful silly laughter will help us also to face it the same.  Thank you for the prayer and understanding as we take time to spend with our family this next week and a half.