in God's time and not before...

As we sit by Courtney's bedside, waiting for God to bring her home, Jerry and I have been going through twenty-two years of photos, remembering the good, the great and the not so fabulous. This has been such a gift to us, this time to remember and celebrate our sweet girl, just the our little family.

We thought that she would go this morning around 2:30 a.m. She gave us every indication that the time had arrived so the three of us gathered around the Christmas tree, I held Courtney and we prayed the rosary together as a family. It was a beautiful moment that I will never forget. 

Miss Courtney decided that she needed to stay a bit longer and is still fighting as I type this. I have come to understand that this time of Advent, this time of waiting and preparation, is meant to teach this Mama quite a few lessons about God's timing in our lives. One day I will share them but for now, we watch and wait for our girl to let go and run into Jesus's arms. 

That moment will be a beautiful, horrible, majestic moment that I am still preparing for it. 

This daughter of ours is such a gift to us and so many others. She is working hard to finish the mission that she alone must complete this side of heaven. Until that is done, we patiently wait. 

Well maybe not so patiently.

Thank you for all the candles you have lit for our girl. Please keep sending us the photos. Thank you for the prayers sent our way and the love that just keeps coming from all directions We are humbled. We are astonished at the work God is doing through our daughter. 

She will be home with God soon. In His time and His alone.