**UPDATED**

The simple things. Like knowing your family is there, like knowing you are happy and knowing that you have very little worry. Embracing those moments of each day that are the most precious of gifts and having the assurance that there will be another opportunity to do the same again tomorrow.

When they are taken from you, how do you assess the damage?  With grace and courage and love…yes, most profoundly, love.

Elijah Rainbow, may your spirit remain a constant presence in your mum’s life and in the lives of your earthly sisters, and may your smile be seen in the beauty that surrounds them each day. You are loved, dear one and are missed beyond comprehension.

This IS love, written from a grieving mommy’s heart:

“Now I will learn how to comfort those who have lost a child, I will learn how to love those who have family in jail, I will learn how to be a single parent and I will learn how to love the people around me who are well-meaning but not comfortable with our lifestyle.

These are huge areas in which I will be stretched and growing in grace and love, and I embrace the opportunity to grow in Christlikeness, however painful it may seem at this time.

Know this: God is good. All the time. Of this, I am convinced.”

I love you, dear sister.

To receive updates on the family without the hype of the media, like Lauren’s page on facebook.

If you can donate financially to the family, they are in great need of support.

To keep up with ways to help support the family, like the facebook page, Sparkling Elijah Rainbow.

Most of all, pray. And rejoice with and love those that are closest to you. Let nothing stand in the way of facing each day, with love.

“Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds ;
    rejoice before him—his name is the Lord. 
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, 
    is God in his holy dwelling.” Psalm 68:4-5

**UPDATED**

I am selling  some bracelets that I designed for $10 plus shipping and will be giving all the proceeds back to Lauren and her family. If you would like to view the bracelets, go read my post on The Jewel Vine. I have my Etsy store linked to that post and you can purchase the bracelet from there. Please consider giving in some way, whether it is through buying an item in remembrance of Elijah’s life or directly to the cause of helping Lauren financially (follow the links above). They are in great need of our help, encouragement and love. Thank you.

Well…at least in my daughter’s world! She loves this show…and wants to watch it over and again, until her next interest comes around:

Which came in the form of a little lalaloopsy doll named Jewel….

Here I am again, rethinking who I am and who I want to be….and what I want to do. Living life in simplicity means allowing yourself to rest in the knowing that all is well, that the relationship with family and with Christ is really the only thing that matters in this life. Paying attention to the little gifts that are given in each day. Time alone to talk with my husband, sunshine, listening to my daughter sleep, hearing the sound of my son playing his guitar and basking in the gifts that are given in the moment. I love my life and the people in it….and I trust that the next step will be guided by Him and it will be just where I need to be…in this moment.