You can do anything!!

Almost 15 years ago,

I was blessed with a beautiful baby boy. 

This was not in my life plan,

but apparently God had something else in mind. 

I had been going to college up until

the summer before Caleb was born

& I was determined that I could continue this path on my own.

Totally caught up in finishing school,

I found an apartment near the college that I had been attending.

I had everything set-up to go back and finish my degree.

I had found a job for some extra cash &

a daycare on campus that was super convenient. 

The plan that I had for my life was seeming to work itself out,

 regardless of my supposed set-backs. 

The semester was starting in a few weeks

& I was beginning to move into our new house.

It was a cute old Victorian split into two apartments. 

One of which had been completely remodeled,

& one that they were still doing work on.

My big sister & I took a load of things

to the new house one evening,

excited to show her what a great life I was going to have.

We walked into the apartment to a tremendous stench,

that was definitely not there before.

What in the world could that possibly be? 

We both recognized the smell,

but we weren't sure how it was possible,

& then we saw her, crawling out of the bedroom,

wondering who was disturbing her sleep,

the actual resident of this house,  

a mangy feral cat.

No matter what we do in life,

& no matter what we think our life plan should be,

God has another one........

This house & plan were someone else's

& it never did become ours.

I did eventually finish school, but not on my terms. 

It was all God, leading me down the paths that I needed to go,

helping me to understand his plan.

As my son has grown up to be a handsome,

intelligent, kind, young man,

I think about all that we have been through,

& how excited that I am to be his mom.

He may not remember all of the trials that we have endured, 

but what a blessing they all were. 

Caleb, I can't wait to see what God has planned for your life. 

Just remember to keep an open mind,
focus on him & you can do anything.

Philippians 4:13 

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 

Caleb with his cousin Andrew @ his 8th grade graduation.