One Sweet Prom Night

While only in 10th grade, Zoe loved the idea of going to prom. She and her friend came up with a plan to attend the PAC prom since her friend used to be part of the group. The girls got ready at our house before heading out for the evening. We grabbed a quick photo with Dad, along with the usual instructions not to get a boyfriend at the dance.

Then we headed to the park to take pictures. 

Both girls looked absolutely gorgeous, and it was so fun getting to document this milestone in their lives.

The flowers, put together by Abby’s mother, were especially beautiful.

I just love this sweet, gorgeous girl of mine.

When there has been a mishap with a post....

When I make them smile one more time because the lighting is good.

I dropped them off at the dance, where they both ended up having a blast. I snapped one last photo from the car since they did not want me embarrassing them by getting out. 

I’m so thankful they had such a safe and fun experience together.  (She shared a couple of photos with me from the dance.)

I’m so thankful for the sweet friendships, safe memories, and milestones the Lord continues to give our girl.

When Life Suddenly Stops | A Health Update on Shiloh

What is it like when life just stops? Or at least feels like it does.

When you are simply moving through life, cheering along, pushing through the busy rhythms of everyday life, and then suddenly you can’t get up. You can’t function.

It is not life-threatening, so there is that consolation, but in many ways it feels like life as you knew it has come to a halt, without any clear end in sight.

As a mom, I want to fix it. I want to support Shiloh well. At the same time, other areas of life can begin to feel like they are unraveling too. (Thankfully, we do have some moments of joy and movement thrown in there as well.)

Shiloh does not like attention around things like this, and I completely understand and want to respect her privacy. But how do you suddenly disappear from everyday life and not offer some explanation? The truth is, we do not fully understand it ourselves yet. There seem to be many layers involved, including Lyme disease, lingering effects from mold-related illness and a severe bout of pneumonia years ago, neurodiversity, digestive struggles, and likely other factors as well.

What we do know is that we desperately need prayer and for the Lord to intervene, physically and emotionally. For several months, we have tried everything the doctors have suggested, and then some, and we continue searching for more answers and support.

Ultimately, we need the Lord to make a way, just as He has done countless times for our family before.

Would you join us in praying for our teenage girl? That God would meet Shiloh in all of the quiet that now fills her days as the pace of her life has drastically changed. She has not been able to attend school for months and will most likely not return this school year.

In less than a month, we are supposed to be leaving for her first mission trip to Ecuador, and right now that feels like a very big ask. But I know the Lord is able. Time and time again, He has made a way in some of our darkest moments, and our prayer is that He will do it again, especially in meeting her in the deep hardness of this season.