Our Big News

I'm pregnant again!  We had our eight week ultrasound yesterday, and since Baby looks good with a heart rate of 174, I can't help sharing.  Primarily because we want lots of prayer -- for Baby's health, and that I can navigate this pregnancy after a loss with faith, hope, and peace.  I feel very nervous sharing this big news so early, but I want whoever wants to pray to be praying, so that is why I'm sharing the news so early.

And really, I want to celebrate.  No matter what happens, this baby is alive now.  He (yes, I think it's a boy!) is not a thing, not a fetus, but a human being.  This baby is a gift from God.  This is life.  And I want to celebrate that gift, that life.  Even though our first baby died.  Especially because our first baby died. 

Will you pray and celebrate with us?  I'd be honored to share this journey with you, dear blog friends.

"At that time, people will say, 'Look at what's happened! This is our God! We waited for him and he showed up and saved us! This God, the one we waited for! Let's celebrate, sing the joys of his salvation. God's hand rests on this mountain!'"

~ Isaiah 25:9-10

New in the Shop -- "Grief" Blank Card

Just a little shop update -- my original mixed media creation, "Grief," is now available for the first time as a blank card.   As with all of my cards, it comes with complimentary free shipping.  You can find it in the shop here. 

Caught

 

My blogging has been slowing down these past few weeks. Writing has become very difficult. I just don't want to do it. I suppose that part of it is that I just don't feel like I have anything worth saying at the moment. I feel like I am caught between hope and fear. It is a difficult place to live. 

But since Eve died, something interesting has happened within me. In the past, I would try to flee this challenging place, immersing myself in escapism. Now, however, I want to stay present. I am determined that God use everything for good. The grief, the confusion, the anxiety, the anger, the terror, the tenuous hope -- everything. 

Even though this place is uncomfortable, I know that there are lessons to be learned here. Important ones. Perhaps even the most important ones. 

So, even though I have not been blogging, I have been pressing in. Pressing into God. Trying to trust when everything around and within me screams that trust is useless. This is the best thing that I can do, and so I try. 

"Peter replied, 'Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life. We've already committed ourselves, confident that you are the Holy One of God.'"

~ John 6:68-69

Beauty From Ashes

These past few weeks have been so challenging.  Up and down and down and down . . . that's what it's felt like, emotionally.  The grief has been hard.  I feel physically beaten and so very exhausted.  I've written about a bit of it on my other blog, but even blogging has been difficult.

But last weekend I did manage to create some art, and I'm very proud of it.  The title of the above piece is "Beauty From Ashes," and that is my strongest hope for my life right now -- that God will take the horror and pain of losing a child and turn it into something lovely.  I can already see that He's been doing just that, but over the past few weeks I feel like I have become blind and deaf to Him.

But I still believe.  It's all that I can do.

"Beauty From Ashes" is available for purchase as a print here.  It is listed as a 4" x 6" fine art print, but is available in larger sizes.  

Massive Giveaway at Small Bird Studios

 

Today I'm part of a massive giveaway hosted by Fran at Small Bird Studios. I highly encourage you to check it out -- not only because there are lots of amazing goodies to win, including a card featuring my mixed media piece pictured above, but because Fran is absolutely amazing. I found her blog soon after Eve died, and I can't tell you how helpful and supportive she and her words have been. What a gift.

I think that the giveaway is just for today (Thursday), so definitely get your entries in ASAP. If you're already a follower of this blog or my general life blog, you've got plenty of entries already! Leave your entries in the comments on this post.

Happy Thursday, dear blog friends.

Benefit Auction For the Rexrodes

A print of my mixed media original, Grief, is currently in an online benefit auction.  The proceeds of this auction will support the family of Sheryl Rexrode.  Sheryl was a babylost mama who died unexpectedly in her sleep about a week ago.  She left behind her husband and eight children.  I can't imagine what that family is feeling right now.

Actually, I can imagine it.  In part, at least.  And it's awful.  That's why I donated a print to this auction in this family's benefit.

Here is the official announcement of Sheryl's death and explanation of the auction:

There is another, empty place here on earth, but a new and beautiful light shines brightly in the heavens. Our 'sister' through Baby Loss, Sheryl Rexrode, was called home, this February 7, 2012. She was and is a beautiful mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, granddaughter, cousin and friend. We would like to honor her by showing our support for her family who are left missing her. Please pray for them; and especially her husband, Tim and eight children on earth. Sheryl is now in the company of her three littlest angels in eternal peace. We invite you to join our community in remembering Sheryl and supporting her family by contributing to the auction, bidding or a private donation.

To check out the items up for auction, click here.  The auction ends Friday, February 17.

Have you ever donated your art for a cause?  If so, what was it and are you glad that you did?

Giveaway Winner + Shop Discount

It's time to announce who won a fabulous print of their choice!  The winner of the giveaway is . . .

Rachel Awes!!

Congratulations, Rachel!   Email me at epiphanyartstudio@zoho.com with your address the name of the piece that you like best from my shop, and I will send your 8.5" x 11" print speeding on its way to you! 

Thank all so much for participating.  This has definitely been the most fun giveaway that I've ever done!  As a way to show my thanks, please enjoy a special discount in my Etsy shop by entering the code FEB1012 at checkout.  The coupon code will be good until Friday, February 17. 

Many thanks and much love to you all!