Big Dreams.

Oh, baby girl

how I love you already.
You are 27 weeks old today.
I heard your heart beating this week.

I feel you move constantly.
Which I would appreciate if it wasn't while I'm sleeping =)

I've dreamed about you. 

Your Daddy has dreamed about you. 

He isn't here right now, but I know you know his voice already.

He loves you so much.

You already have him wrapped around your finger.

You also know your big brother's voice too.

Hopefully when you arrive he won't wake you up from too many naps. 

He will be the man of the house until your Daddy comes back.

It's good to have a brother.
You will love him and fight with him many times.
You will also conspire with him and he will teach you things.
Some good, some not so good.

But the best thing about having a brother is:
 He will be your best friend & your confidant.

Even when you get older.
Especially since you two will be so close in age.
I can say this because I had the BEST brother.
He will always defend you.

We have given you a name, but it will be a surprise on your birth-day. 

Know that you are already loved so much.

The pinks and lavenders are filling the closet.
You bring sunshine into our lives.

You complete our family.
You are our 2nd dream come true.

Your Heavenly Father loves you.
Even more than we could ever possibly love you.
We will guide you and teach you His truth everyday.
You can always trust and count on Him, for He will never fail you.
He has a purpose for your life.
 We are excited to bare witness to His plan for you,
our dear daughter.

10 years later.

10 years ago my Mom began a journey that would change her life. She heard God calling her to go into ministry, through scripture and lots of nudging. She is my inspiration. Because you see, it takes a special and unique person to stop teaching (after you've taught for 20 plus years), after raising two children and after being 40 something (sorry to reveal your age 10 years ago, Mom =P) to suddenly change careers and feel lead to something you never thought or considered. To be honest, I couldn't do it. But she did.

My Mom, she's a woman of God and has experienced lots of joy-filled moments and lots of heartache during these 10 years of school. She began by getting her "feet wet" and taking a course every semester, while still teaching school. She was MOB (Mother of the Bride) when I married Charlie. She then began going to school full time. She got her 1st church as a Student Pastor in 2004 at Lakeside United Methodist Church-which was a big move from the town and house that she got married in and raised Andy and I. She had to physically leave all of her friends and everything that was familiar, to go to "foreign" land. She carried me through the most difficult moment in my life-the loss of my precious Charlie in 2005. As a mother would, she gave up her fall semester to be with me through those first few months. Her reply to the committee for this decision was, "God called me to be a mother first." She was/is selfless. She grew more in her knowledge of Christ through her studies and took more and more classes. She was MOB again, when I married Jeremiah in 2007. She became a grandmother for the first time in 2008, when Ethan was born. She was MOG (Mother of the Groom), when Andy married Shannon in 2008. Then it was those around her who carried her through the most difficult moment of her life, the loss of Andy, not even 6 months ago. Instead of giving up, because as many times as she wanted to and thought she couldn't do it, she persevered through, finishing her schooling and paperwork to graduate in May. Dad and I told her many times (and I think it helped!) that Andy would not want her to give up after coming so far because of his death. Andy was there, indeed, rejoicing with Charlie and God. Again, I couldn't do it. But she did.

I know the depth of what I just wrote doesn't seem like much on paper, I mean 10 years written in one paragraph doesn't do her journey justice, in the least. These words don't even come close to what I feel for my mom and how proud I am of her. I'm very blessed to have a mother like Rachel Hollingsworth. For she gave up all the comforts of familiar land to go and fulfill God's desire for her life in "foreign" land. I Love You, Mom!

Rev. Rachel Hollingsworth, Masters of Divinity

Asbury Theological Seminary

My Momma is so pretty =)

FAMILY

It truly was a wonderful & very bittersweet day. We missed two wonderful men who began this journey with Mom. But as Mom said, "They had the best seat in the house."

Congratulations, Mom!

I'm so proud of you!

Mother's Day.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned & let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31:30-31

Happy Mother's Day! I hope all you Mommies had a great day with your kiddos and hubby =)

This is my 2nd Mother's Day. I've had the privilege and honor of bringing a beautiful and precious baby boy in this world (as I type, my child is screaming because he wants to "help" Daddy and Daddy is finished needing his help =) I couldn't ask for anything better than being a Mom, except for one day (way down the road) to be a Grandma (did I mention, way down the road?!) I'm humbled that God has found favor in me to be a fitting Mom, even though at times I don't feel so fitting, able or even honorable as a Mom. But that's ok because every time I feel that I have failed, God still loves me anyways. I feel thankful to celebrate this day by talking to my mom several times =) and being with my husband and Ethan (and feeling baby move =)

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 John 4

Although I've enjoyed my Mother's Day, I'm reminded of those amazing women and moms that are hurting today and that Mother's Day isn't the best day for some. I'm reminded of the women who so want to be a mom, but can't. Of the women & moms who have lost their mom. Of the moms who have lost children through death or miscarriage. And of the moms whose husbands are not on this earth to celebrate this day with them. I honor you all today and feel blessed to know each of you. Because within the hurting heart of yours, lies strength that is very apparent to the outside world. Because even if you think that no one notices or cares, I do and I notice and so does God.

God's compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

~ ~ ~

A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.

John 16:21

My first homemade Mother's Day gift from Ethan! His finger prints are the ladybug and caterpillar~how creative and sweet! Way-to-go Nursery workers =)

Baby Kline and Mommy~ 19 weeks, 2 days

3 generations~Andy, Grandma Algren (my Mom's mom), Mom and Me

Andy and Grandma are together this Mother's Day.

You, LORD, created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb.

Psalm 139:13

Save a Place.

It's coming up on 5 months. It's always the days leading up to an 'anniversary' that get me. Here's to my brother, Andy. I love you, I miss you.....

Don't be mad if I cry

It just hurts so bad sometimes

'Cause everyday it's sinking in

And I have to say goodbye all over again

You know I bet it feels good to have the weight of this world off your shoulders now

I'm dreaming of the day when I'm finally there with you

Save a place for me

Save a place for me

I'll be there soon

I'll be there soon

Save a place for me

Save some grace for me

I'll be there soon

I'll be there soon

I have asked the question why

But I guess the answer's for another time

So instead I'll pray with every tear

And be thankful for the time I had you here

Save a place for me

Save a place for me

I'll be there soon

I'll be there soon

Save a place for me

Save some grace for me

I'll be there soon

I'll be there soon

And I wanna live my life just like you did

Make the most of my time just like you did

And I wanna make my home up in the sky

Just like you did

Oh, but until I get there

Until I get there

Save a place for me

Save a place for me

I'll be there soon

I'll be there soon

Save a place for me

Save some grace for me

I'll be there soon

I'll be there soon

Save a Place for Me

by

Matthew West

~MRK