A new normal

I am so excited to be sharing the space over here at Embrace Your Life with some lovely ladies!
I decided to write today about a major turning-point in my life.I shared a little of this in a blog post I wrote on my own blog on February 5 of this year.When my daughter Peyton was born, I should have begun embracing life with incredible fierceness, instead of being saddened, broken-hearted, and walking a lonely road into the unknown.I wish I could go back to that point with the faith that I have now.Oh, how things might be different.
But that wasn't the plan for me.I am where I am today because of the challenges God placed in my life.Almost 6 years ago, at her birth, I began an incredible journey of faith,even though I scarcely realized it at the time.
We were in a study of the book of Galatians at church.  The series was called "The New Normal".  In reading Chapter 1, verse 15 really struck me at the time.
"But God had special plans for me and set me apart for His work even before I was born..."
The photo above is of Peyton taken on May 17, 2006.  She was two days old.  This was also Ron's birthday.  On this day, we were reeling from the news that our precious baby had multiple brain malformations, had cataracts, had a heart murmur, and had hip dysplasia.  We hadn't yet found out that she was going to be diagnosed with moderate to severe hearing loss.  That would come within a few days.  This was the start of trying to figure out what our family's "new normal" was going to be.  Almost six years later, it's still a work in progress.  Many new issues have come up with Peyton and our "normal" continues to evolve.
We had no idea what was in store for our family before Peyton was born.  But God knew.  I have often said that Peyton has taught us more than we could ever possibly teach her.  I know there is something very special about this precious child of God.  I know that He is using her for His purpose.
What is "normal" in our family is probably so far beyond what may be "normal" in yours.  Or maybe you have a similar story and know where I'm coming from.What it means to "embrace life" for us may be completely different from your definition -and that is o.k.To live a full, rewarding life with each other and for the Lord means making a lot of unique accommodations for our special needs child.  Doing things as a family is very challenging, if not impossible.But I want to move forward in this life doing these things with joy, with love, for for Christ.