Small Packages.

They always tell you that "the best things come in small packages." I've discovered this to be true...especially when last Friday arrived. Because when last Friday arrived, so did my bumble bee.

My cousin, Abby, has always been more like a sister to me than a cousin. She was the one that really got me started in dance. We were always close growing up. I absolutely adore her and, for a long time growing up, wanted to be her. Still do.

Three years ago, her first little munchkin arrived. He's a darling, sweet little boy that just loves to love you. And I've loved him since day one. He isn't a big fan of me yet, but it's not my fault they live in North Carolina and I can't love on him enough!

On Christmas day, we were surprised with a sweet joy. As we were Skyping with them (our family was in Oregon, theirs was in North Carolina), we saw B zoom by on his new balance bike and my mom quickly noticed his shirt, which said "Big Bro." Abby was pregnant!

After a wild pregnancy and a "scary" delivery, one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen joined this world...a baby girl. No one knew gender until the baby arrived, and so when I heard it was a girl, I fell in love.

She's perfect, healthy, and a whole week old now. I've only seen pictures, but I will (hopefully) be Skyping with them soon so that I can "meet" my bumble bee.

So friends, it continues to be true...the best things come in the smallest packages. Especially when they have kissable, chunk cheeks, brown curly hair, and the prettiest mama you'll know.

Have a Little Faith.

That's something I've been thinking a lot about lately...in a lot of different ways.

Here's the first thing. I'm a planner. If you know me well, that shouldn't come as a shock. I don't like surprises, and I love the little details to be perfectly ironed out. I also like things my way. Again, that's not something new. I'm not psycho about it (at least I hope not), but I can be stubborn. Anyways...on to the point. When I went to Haiti in March, I felt this overwhelming desire to stay. I knew that wasn't possible, so the overwhelming desire became one of coming back. But that was my answer, that was the Lord's. At least, it wasn't yet. So I prayed...a ton. I waited for an answer from Him. While doing that, I started to plan. I spoke with a Pastor that's in Haiti long term. I got the application and all of the information I would need about my stay in Haiti. But even after all that, I still wasn't getting anything from the Lord. I was starting to get frustrated. God created me to be a planner, so why wasn't He helping me out? Then it just became one of those moments of "Hey Shannon, remember? God never hurries, but He's always on time." So I continued to wait, and pray...wait, and pray. Finally, I was talking to God a couple weeks ago. I was praying for Daniel, when God just interrupted me. And finally, it became clear. And here was His answer: "Your time in Haiti isn't done. You're going back. After you graduate. But plan on it being a longer trip this time."

The moral to this story? I had to have faith. Faith that the Lord would lead me where I was supposed to be when His timing was perfect. Faith that, despite all my planning efforts, that His plan will always be greater than mine. And so, with faith in the Lord on my side, I begin my part of the planning. Now, the real faith begins. Time to pray for the financial aspect, for the spiritual aspect, and for the support aspect.

Here's my other point about having faith. I don't really feel like people have a lot of it with me. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's true of all people. I'm just saying that I can sometimes see a trend. But anyways...I've noticed it quite a bit more recently, and it has a tendency of frustrating me. So I've started to speak up about it. And you know what's awesome? I've been proving people wrong. I hope to continue this trend.

So friends, have a little faith in me.