Luke 1:37

Matt & I attended North Seattle Church of the Nazarene this morning and were blessed by the prayers and support of that family once again. We had a wonderful visit from my parents, sister, and our son, Isaac, this afternoon. It's been a good day. And I can honestly say I'm glad we're not checking into the hospital right now as originally planned. I would've been fine with it, but right now I'm happy to be relaxing in our room, savoring the memories we just made with family, and praising God for His peace that I can actually feel around me like a thick blanket. 


My mother-in-law has been staying at our house with Isaac, and she has been decorating it for Christmas. This warms my heart so much, as I love Christmas time and was thinking Isaac would miss out on such things this year. Nope! Louise even got a real tree set up in our living room with the help of Matt's brother, Pete. This photo of Louise and Pete's family makes me so thankful. (Isaac was sad for some reason.) Everyone is being so sweet and thoughtful, and we truly appreciate every bit of it.

Pete, Heidi, Madison, Isaac, Louise, & Griffin at our house.

At our home church in Tumwater, WA, there was a prayer vigil held for us and Anna Joy Saturday night. I didn't even know this was happening! I heard about it afterwards, and I can't tell you how overwhelmed I feel by it. My friend, Jessica Adams, put it together, and I want to thank all of you who attended, prayed for us, and wrote us a note or gave monetarily. Matt & I got to open all of your notes this afternoon, and we are speechless. What an outpouring of love we have experienced through God's family! I don't know how people get through trials without the Lord and His people. He certainly is teaching us to accept love and help - something we haven't been good at in the past. I only wish I could've witnessed the prayer vigil myself. I imagine it was absolutely beautiful. The words written in these notecards are priceless. Messages of hope and encouragement we will treasure forever.

Opening the notes & gifts from the prayer vigil.

Here are more photos from this afternoon. 

I love time with my boy.

My parents, Cathy & Randy. Love them so much!

We enjoyed the lights at U Village.

My sister, Katie. Such a help! Love her so...

Got to read a bedtime story with Isaac before they left.

This morning at church Pastor Dave Ness spoke on Luke chapter 1. He shared about how Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary were given experiences that seemed impossible (namely, bearing children either in old age and barrenness, or as a virgin). The odds screamed that it wasn't possible for them to conceive, yet it happened - all for God's glory and eternal purposes.


The whole story of Jesus and why He came is laced with impossibilities to our human minds. God becoming man (Christ) to reach His beloved creation, being born of a virgin, living a perfect life, performing miracles, dying to reconcile us to God, rising to life again, and now living in us to be His light and love until He returns again... all impossible, right? The odds say it's impossible. No! Not with God. He doesn't do odds... just miracles. He comes to us - each of us - knowing our name and says, "Remember, Alissa, nothing is impossible with me." (Luke 1:37)


This song I've included, "Glorious Impossible", goes through the story I've just summarized. The story of Jesus. He is The Glorious Impossible. 

This basically summarizes what I heard from Pastor Dave's message this morning; it was encouraging to me. A great reminder that God is a big God. He is infinitely more powerful than I will ever comprehend. He "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine." (Ephesians 3:20) He is able to heal my baby girl. He is able to sustain us through whatever happens this week. He is able to use our story for His glory, and will enable us to help others who may need encouragement in the future.


"Praise the wisdom of the Father
Who has spoken through His Son
Speaking still, He calls us to
The Glorious Impossible

Praise, O praise Him, praise the glory
of this lavish grace so full
Lift your souls now and receive
The Glorious Impossible
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Glorious Impossible"


Whatever you are facing, God knows. He longs for you to open your heart and let him step into your life - bringing hope, peace, comfort & joy. He CAN bring those things to you, to your circumstance. He's brought them to me. He has brought his very presence & friendship into my life. He walks with me, step by step. He doesn't always tell me why things go the way they do, but he holds my hand. He gives me reason to trust him. He is good. He is real. He lives!


"Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living
just because He lives"