Tomorrow is the Big Day!!!

I love this happy baby girl EXACTLY the way she is, but I am thrilled that tomorrow she will be able to hear! I have so many emotions but mainly I am filled with thanksgiving. A year ago yesterday, we learned that Marlee had hearing loss (I still plan to blog about that day!). This year has been a roller coaster of ups and downs. Our hearts have broken over the fact that our precious baby, created perfect in every way, will have such an obstacle to overcome. We have both cried more tears than we ever imagined possible while also rejoicing over the little girl that God gave just to us.

My heart is so full thinking of His faithfulness over the past year. When bad news just kept coming, during every doctor's appointment and every hearing test, through so many scary unknowns, the Lord did not leave us. As tears streamed down my face when I held Marlee during her first hearing test, He gently reminded me that He loves Marlee more than I do. That simple truth has given me courage to trust Him. He loves my girl and has a good plan for her. This is His BEST plan for Marlee. I am just thankful He is allowing me to be a part of that plan. What a privilege to be Marlee's mom.

As I would stand and rock Marlee back and forth and back and forth....and back and forth (as you do with a colicky baby), I would always sing to her. From the first time I rocked her, before I knew anything was wrong, my favorite song to sing was "Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart." After the hardest year of my life, the words to that song are even more meaningful.

"Give thanks with a grateful heart. Give thanks to the Holy one. Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ His Son. And now let the weak say I am strong. Let the poor say I am rich because of what the Lord has done for us. Give thanks."

I am grateful for all the Lord has done for us this year. He surrounded us with family and friends who have loved us and prayed constantly. He has given Marlee wonderful doctors and therapists who we love and who love Marlee. He has provided just what we need when we needed it. He has been to us, who He promises to be.

My prayer is that Marlee will always be thankful for the miracle the Lord has worked in her life. Life does not get easier after tomorrow. Marlee will have to work hard to learn to listen...but she will. One day soon, just as the song says, Marlee will be able to say that she is strong. Not by relying on her own strength, but because of what the Lord has done for her. We will give thanks!