A Tribute to Azalea

This blog is not intended to make anyone sad, but to share the glory and the blessings that God has extended to our family. He is a great God, and He is in control. "All things work together for the good of those who love Him."

For the interest of those who may not know, I just want to share a bit about my little girl. She didn't have a long time on this earth, but she sure made an impact with the little time that she had. I just praise the Lord that she is now in Heaven with our other loved ones; and she will be there waiting for us. Heaven is just going to be that much more awesome. :)

Azalea was born on September 19th, International "Talk like a pirate day." Definately my daughter. I'm so proud of her.

She loved prayer. During any prayer meeting that I attended, I could feel Azalea squirming around and getting all excited.

Even though she may not have been aware of it, Azalea did a lot of things that some people never get to in their entire lifetimes. She's been to Colorado. She's been hot air ballooning. She's been to the Portland Zoo. She saw the vineyards of Dundee, Oregon. She's been to the Emergency room a number of times this year (not really prized moments, but she can chock those up to experience).

Azalea was so beautifully, and wonderfully formed. The doctors warned me that because she was so early, she probably wouldn't have any hair. Boy, were they ever mistaken. She had a full head of hair. It was like a fur pelt! She had eyebrows and beautiful eyelashes. She was so lovely. I was pleased to see that she had my mouth and Rick's nose and chin. Yes, she did have those chubby Native cheeks. She had such long, slender piano fingers; and every single digit had a fingernail. She had such long feet. I refer to them as "swimmer feet" and she used them to kick me quite a bit. I loved every moment of it (she wasn't big enough to really hurt yet).

Rick has commented that maybe it's a good thing the Lord is taking care of her now, because he would have been in trouble. He was hers as soon as he saw her. Isn't that usually the way with little girls? They have that magic power to wrap Daddy around her little finger.

I miss my Azalea, and I always will. However, I am so blessed with a peace that can only come from the Lord. Everything progressed so quickly and there was no way to even know what was going to happen. But the Lord is faithful, and I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that He has a plan. We're just part of a bigger picture. Therefore, I praise the Lord and thank Him for giving me my little girl. My heart rejoices, for I'm now a mother. Rick is a father. My parents are now grandparents. And Rick's parents are grandparents again. Azalea's name means, "Reserved by God." We didn't know that at the time, but now it serves as a confirmation that God has a plan. Praise be to the Father who prepares us and equips us for all the challenges we receive. I am so blessed for the peace that I have, and the awesome daughter that God has given us.

Thank you all for your prayers.