Suffering...

The past week was a challenging week both emotionally & spiritually. As JC began to work on our taxes, he came across a section asking about dependents... and we were told that even if Maggie had passed away we still might be able to claim her. So he starting making phone calls to people he needed to talk to, after a few days of getting frustrated and getting the run around we found out that Maggie was considered a stillborn. Now these may not seem like a big deal to you, but it was and still is to us. Because she was considered a stillborn is why we didn't receive any paperwork on her (birth & death certificate) We were told by our doctors at the time I was still in the hospital that she was said to be alive when she was delivered. So to find out a little over a year later that was not alive when she was delivered just brought tears, heartache & pain to both JC and I. It's like living that horrible day all over again. We were just mostly frustrated that we were not told any of this information until we made the effort to find out over a year later.

As I read through my devotional last week one of the scriptures that struck home for me was this one...

But if we are to share his Glory, we must also share his sufferings. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the Glory he will give us later. Romans 8:18

You will see your suffering as a severe mercy that keeps you from falling more deeply in love with the comforts, securities, and pleasures of this world so you can anticipate more fully a rich and rewarding inheritance in the next. 
~Nancy Guthrie

I don't know about you but that sure is comforting to me! To know that my suffering here on earth is not done in vein but to further God's kingdom & to be rewarded in Heaven is a great comfort to me! Just some words for thought! I'm getting ready to head out for my second week of cake decorating class soon & looking forward to that!! Here are a few pics from this last week! I hope you are having a blessed week so far!! 

XOXO Bee

The beautiful sunset on Sunday night! 

Zoey standing by my side as I worked out... such a good pup! 

My handiwork from my first cake decorating class! 

Zeke being a yoga dog! 

No, it's not a tornado... this is what it looks like when
they burn sugar cane in Belle Glade! 

Zoey being pathetic because she was kept out of the
living room while I worked out! 

How I felt pretty much all last week! 

Some more encouraging words in my devo about storing
our treasures in Heaven not on earth! 

My sweet boys! I just love them!! 

My cheery nail color for this week!