Christian...

Here is a picture of Christian's beautiful and precious hands... what a darling little boy he was! As you can see, he is wearing a heart necklace on his neck... so sweet! 

Christian Covenant Kruse

Yesterday at about 2:45 we went to the hospital because my mom had started having some contraction. She had a very beautiful labor. Sometimes, I can't believe how amazing my mother is. I've heard by so many people, that labor is a painful and agonizing thing to go through. But, when I watch my mom.. she makes it look like nothing. She simply praises and worships God, the whole way through! It's amazing!

It was about 6:15 when she had the baby. It was a little boy. He was so adorable! We named him "Christian Covenant Kruse".

All five of us older kids were there, at the hospital. So we were able to all hold him. What a precious little boy he was... he had the cutest little nose! And his mouth was so adorable... his hands and feet were so perfect... he was just the most beautiful little boy! As I looked into his small fragile face, I began to understand why God wanted to use little Christian, to advance His kingdom. By using such a small child, He showed how great and mighty He really is. 

Christian weighed about 5 pounds.. but, since there was a knot in the cord, he might not have been nourished, so he could have weighed  more. Also, my mom wasn't really due till a couple more weeks.

We got out of the hospital at about 11:45 pm; got home at about 12:30 am; and I got to bed at about 1:15am. It was a long day... but, I wouldn't have wanted to miss a minute from it!

God bless,

-Destiny

[note: We are planning on having Christians funeral on Saturday. Please email me, or leave a comment, if you would want to come, and I shall try and get back with you.]

A Precious Child- Used by God

As many of you may have heard, we found out yesterday that my Mom had lost her baby. She was only 3 weeks away from giving birth. We don't know the reason why she/he died. But we do know that God used it's death to bring glory to Himself! 

We (meaning all those in my family who competed, and our cousins) were informed at the Clarion Tournament, on the last day of competition, that the baby had passed away. 

My first reaction was, "Why! How could God do this!" I was angry... and I was confused both at the same time! I knew God was sovereign, but I couldn't understand why He would do such a thing! My mind was spinning so fast, and I had tears rolling down my cheeks... in that moment, I just wanted to give up! 

....

At church today, our pastor (my Uncle Kenny) ended up not even giving a sermon. We all had a time of sharing, mourning, and crying. Through it all, I realized why God did what He did. Even though the baby that my mom is carrying, will not be born alive... it still touched the lives of so many! And God used it in such a powerful way! It united our Church body and brought us all so much closer! The same goes for the entire group at the Tournament and our Clarion club! 

After we had found out about the baby, it wasn't like we were alone. We had so many people comforting us, and joining in our grief! It was such a joy to see how everyone was pulling together, and how we were brought closer to each other and to the Lord! All the competition and tension was released, no one cared anymore what place they would received, or if they would break or not! It really opened my eyes up to how precious life is, and how insignificant medals and placings really are!

....

I'm so glad that we have the assurance that we will see the baby in the Kingdom of Heaven! What a joy it is to think, that this baby is dancing and leaping with our Lord! Even though my heart feels like it's been broken... I still am so happy that I will see this baby and be able to spend all of eternity with it! 

Yes, I am sad that I will not have the chance to cradle it in my arms... or watch it take it's first step... or see it smile, hear it's voice! But, I am so very thankful for the blessing God gave me in the short time I did have with it!

....

As I said earlier, Church today was a huge blessing! Since I had spend the night with my cousins, I hadn't seen or talked to my mom since yesterday morning. When she walked into the church building, I completely fell apart! 

She still had the baby inside her, but it wasn't kicking or moving... it was in peace, with Jesus! I thought of how she will have to deliver the baby, but this time we would not be able to look forward to the joy of seeing it open it's eyes.. or take it's first breath. This time, it will be different... it will be hard! But it will also be a blessing, because we know that it has already been given to our Heavenly Father, and won't have to go through the trials and pains of this world!

....

Through all the tears... I think I finally understand why God did what He did! As much as I would have loved to have met this baby, I know God used it in a very powerful way! My Mom's dream and hope was always to have as many kids as she could, so that they would advanced God's kingdom! She was telling us today, that even though this baby passed away, it still touched the lives of so many, and is a great testimony to God's goodness and love! 

I Praise God so much for everything, and thank Him for his enduring promises!

In Christ,

-Destiny

[note: I will be posting results and pictures of the tournament soon.]

Clarion Tournament

As many of you know, the Clarion Tournament is this week. It's hard to believe that it's already been an entire year since the last one.  Time sure does fly by so very fast! 

I'm really excited about the tournament! But... I'm also kinda nervous! 

As you have seen on some of my last posts, I'm doing an expository on Drawing. And, well... lets just say... the speech isn't memorized yet! I know... I know... the tournament is tomorrow... but, I got busy! Anyhow, I bet you guys can all guess what I'll be working on the entire day! 

I'm also going to be competing in a DI, OI and Duo. Four things in all... yup.. that's it! Same number as last year! Maybe if we go to another tournament, I'll add another speech... but, at the moment, that idea doesn't sound all that great! :-)

Okay... I'm getting kinda boring, and I don't know if you all know, but it's like 1 am. right now... so, I think I should probably be getting to bed! That way I can catch a few hours of sleep, and get right back up and practice more! Yup, practice, practice, and practice! (I'm really starting to get sick of that word!) My eye's are burning, and my mind is spinning! 

Anyways, it'll be a great tournament no matter what! As long as I focus on glorifying God and doing it all for His purpose, I shall be alright!

God bless y'all,

-Destiny

Quote: for speech people-

"If you're not feeling humiliated, you're not doing it right." ~Christina Emmons

Photo: Drawing: Mercy

Okay... so this might look kinda weird, but what I did was combine one of the drawings I did of Mercy with the actual picture... so, that's what it is. It's actually kinda cool... what do you think?

K, it's getting late... I should be getting to bed! 

Hope you like it!

-Destiny

[btw, if you were wondering, I didn't completely finish the drawing part... so, yeah... I'm a little lazy! lol:D]

Expository-

I don't know if you all have heard, but I'm doing an Expository on "Drawing". Today I've been very busy working on my props and I finally have finished writing the speech! Yay:D 

Here is a picture of my very messy desk with all of the drawings on it. Each one represents one of the "8 Steps" that I'm going to go through in the speech. I can't wait till I'm all they way finished!

Tell me what you think of it so far, and if you have any suggestions, please say them!

-Destiny

Short Story-

Once upon a time, there lived a little girl. Her name was Destiny! :D 

She didn't quite understand how God could receive so many prayers at one time!

So, she made up in her mind, that He must have a whole bunch of Answering Machines. 

She thought God would have to sit at His desk up in the sky all day and listen to His messages.

The End.

[this is really what I used to think when I was little! :P]

So, what do you think? Pretty good story huh? haha:P

-Destiny

Quote- Augustine

"What, therefore, is my God? What, I ask, but the Lord God? "For who is Lord but the Lord himself, or who is God besides our God?" Most high, most excellent, most potent, most omnipotent; most merciful and most just; most secret and most truly present; most beautiful and most strong; stable, yet not supported; unchangeable, yet changing all things; never new, never old; making all things new, yet bringing old age upon the proud, and they know it not; always working, ever at rest; gathering, yet needing nothing; sustaining, pervading, and protecting; creating, nourishing, and developing; seeking, and yet possessing all things. Thou dost love, but without passion; art jealous, yet free from care; dost repent without remorse; art angry, yet remainest serene. Thou changest thy ways, leaving thy plans unchanged thou recoverest what thou hast never really lost. Thou art never in need but still thou dost rejoice at thy gains; art never greedy, yet demandest dividends. Men pay more than is required so that thou dost become a debtor; yet who can possess anything at all which is not already thine? Thou owest men nothing, yet payest out to them as if in debt to thy creature, and when thou dost cancel debts thou losest nothing thereby. Yet, O my God, my life, my holy Joy, what is this that I have said? What can any man say when he speaks of thee?" 

-St. Augustine

Pictures: New Year-

Most of the Grand kids with Grandpa Ken (we celebrated his birthday last night as well!)

Jonathan and Abigail

Ellie and I

Noah... trying to sing... haha, so cute! :D

I just love this picture... two cousins, Jonathan and Katrina!
Ellie, Esther and I

Abigail

Murren, Emma and Katrina

Uncle Steve and Anna

Grandpa Ken and Kaila

Esther and Mercy

All of us girls singing the song "Grandpa" 

Well, here are just *some* of the pictures that were taken last night and early today. We all had a very fun time, and I  hope you all did as well!

God bless,

-Destiny

[note: to see more pictures click here]

2009!

I wish all of you a Happy New Year!!!!! 

Oh, and for all those who know what this means, White Rabbit!!!! yup... I'm posting this at exactly 12.am... so, I got you first! :D

Your faithful blogger,

-Destiny :o)