I read a quote yesterday on a Caring Bridge page for a 5 year old little boy who has been waging a lengthy battle against Leukemia. His amazing mother included a quote which read, “What screws us up most in life is the picture in our head of how it was supposed to be.” In our situation, and certainly with theirs, it is easy to let the thoughts of “what should have been” drag us down and ultimately consume us — if we let them. We have the choice to be miserable or to believe positively. It could be argued that positive thinking is much easier said than done, especially in the face of devastating circumstances. But it is through faith and surrender that we come to realize that we aren’t the ones in control. Our idea of “what was supposed to be” often doesn’t acquiesce with God’s grand plan for us. In our willingness to surrender and trust God we will someday discover that God had something better in store for us. It most likely will not be immediately apparent. It could take several many years, or maybe not even in this lifetime. Being privy to this knowledge enables us to stop torturing ourselves and instead enjoy the little moments of happiness in each day as it comes.
Here are some little moments of happiness from my day:
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him. (Psalm 28:7 NIV)
iwillcarryyou 
There is absolutely nothing imperfect about her. You.Are.So.Blessed! 🙂 She takes my breath away.
I HAD NOT READ THE BLOG YOU POSTED TODAY. IT MADE ME THINK A LOT THO, GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US. IT MADE ME MORE THANKFUL FOR ALL THE LOVE I HAVE IN MY LIFE. SOMETIMES AS HUMAN BEINGS IT TAKES SOMEONE LIKE YOU AND LITTLE NORA TO MAKE US SEE OUR MANY BLESSINGS. I TOO HAVE A VERY CLOSE FAMILY AND IT IS A BLESSING TO HAVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM IN MY LIFE. NOW I CAN TRULY SAY I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO HAVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN MY LIFE EVERY DAY. THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH. AS I LOOKED AT THE PICTURES OF BEAUTIFUL LITTLE NORA ROSE TODAY THE FIRST THING I THOUGHT WHEN I SAW THE ONE OF HER WITH HER LITTLE ARM RAISED IS “SHE IS PRAISING GOD FOR BEING BLESSED BY HAVING A FAMILY LIKE SHE HAS.” SHE HAS BEEN SO ALERT THE PAST FEW DAYS, AND I THANK GOD FOR THAT. I LOVE ALL THE PICTURES TODAY. I CAN’T WAIT TO WATCH THE VIDEO. MY SPEAKER FOR MY COMPUTER BROKE, AND MY HUBBY IS GOING TO REPLACE IT FOR ME JUST SO I CAN KEEP UP WITH THE VIDEOS YOU POST. I CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR NORA ROSE TALKING BABY TALK. I PRAY THAT YOU ALL GET A GOOD NIGHT’S REST, AND WAKE UP TO ANOTHER WONDERFUL DAY. TIME FOR BED, SO SINCE I GOT TO READ YOUR BLOG, I AM READY. GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS.
What precious moments of happiness you have to enjoy today!!!!! Thank you always for sharing.
Nora is so adorable! I continue to keep your family in my prayers. Your writings have made me feel closer to God. You are such a strong woman and an inspiration to so many!
Just a simple, Thank You.
Thank you for your thoughts today. Our family situation sometimes makes me think “they way it should be”, I will keep this forvever to remind me it IS the way it should be.
Bless Nora and your family
She is getting bigger! I love being able to watch the videos since I don’t get to see her sweet little face too often! Awesome devotional, and so meaningful coming from someone who can really attest! ❤
I love Nora’s sweet sounds, even her attempt to fuss then she is happy again. Your posts and pictures are such a gift to us all. Thank you for sharing your miracle and journey with us. I wish we all cherished life how you have chosen to do in each moment. God picked you and your family to teach us these many important lessons… i love how you find so many perfect scriptures to pair with each experience. You spread the Good News through your life. Thank you, thank you, thank you! we continue to pray for beautiful Nora Rose and those who surround her with love.
Gorgeous little freedom fighter you got there.
Thankyou so much for continuing to share your baby girl with us, your readers. It’s a real privilege.
Is she still succeeding in eating as much as she needs from the bottle?
The video with her cooing and then becoming a little more insistent was precious. I love to watch her little arms and legs move so quickly as she stretches. She is continually growing and growing. Love your blogs so much and look forward to them. Your insight into things are very uplifting. Thanks. Jackie
This post really got me thinking, and affirmed some things that God is (patiently) teaching me in this season. Thank you for sharing the things He is showing you through Nora’s ministry. 🙂
I remember one year ago while pregnant, I was quietly praying in church. My prayer began….God, please let my baby be healthy. I cannot explain how, but my prayer changed to: God, you know what is best for me, give me the baby you see fit for me to raise. I knew at that very moment that my baby would not be “perfect” in the world’s sense, but PERFECT for our family. God’s signs are amazing. Our son was born missing a leg bone and half of a femur (a small cross to bear). Blessings for your family, you are an inspiration!
I came across your blog on Pinterest several weeks ago and have been following since. I love watching little Nora grow and reading your uplifting and inspiring writings.Your strength and faith are something to be admired. She is absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
I love the quotes today, so true! Purple is definitely Nora’s color, she looks gorgeous!
She is so beautiful. We lost our little Ryan to trisomy 18 a little over 2 months ago. I am really enjoying looking at pictures of your sweet girl- I didn’t get to meet my Ryan face to face. Thank you for sharing! http://heplerfamily.blogspot.com/
I treasure every update you provide! You are so inspirational and the quotes, thoughts, scriptures you provide are exactly what I need at that particular time. Nora is the most precious angel! Thank you for opening up in the most vulnerable of ways to share the most intimate things. You are touching people in ways you could never imagine…all part of God’s plan! Jeremiah 29:11
IT IS ME AGAIN. MY HUSBAND FIXED MY SPEAKER (IT WAS TURNED OFF IN THE COMPUTER), SOOOOO I WENT BACK IN AND LISTENED TO ALL OF NORA’S VIDEOS. A BIG THANK YOU FOR THOSE. I SMILED AND LAUGHED OUT LOUD THROUGH ALL OF THEM. I LAUGHED AT THE ONE WHERE SHE WAS BABY TALKING AND THEN LET OUT A BIG CRY. SHE LETS YOU KNOW WHEN SHE WANTS ATTENTION, DOESN’T SHE. SHE IS A VERY BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIRL. SHE SOUNDED LIKE SHE WAS STRONGER IN EACH VIDEO. YOU SINGING “YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE” WAS VERY TOUCHING. YOU ARE A BEAUTIFUL SINGER. NORA REALLY ENJOYED IT TOO. THANK YOU AGAIN SOOOOOO MUCH FOR SHARING WITH ALL OF US EACH DAY. I KNOW I AM NOT SPEAKING FOR MYSELF, BUT WE ALL LOOK SO FORWARD TO READING YOUR BLOGS, NOW SEEING THE VIDEOS, EACH AND EVERY DAY. PRAISE GOD FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL BABY, SHE IS LOVED BY SO MANY PEOPLE. LOVE AND PRAYERS TO YOU AND ALL YOUR FAMILY.
The one picture looks as though she has her hands on her hips and is being sassy for the camera…I LOVE IT!!! She is just truely awesome and brings big aligator tears to my eyes! You are so blessed with Nora…and Nora’s big brother and sister too!!! Just as sweet as she can be!!!!
Love, love, love the 2nd picture…….girls got some attitude!!!
Thank you for allowing God to bless so many through your words. I have been and will continue to pray for you, precious Nora, and the rest of your family.
Thank you for this post. You are so right, that only when we surrender and put our faith and trust in the Lord, do we allow ourselves to find exactly what He has planned for us. And His plans are always so much greater, so much bigger, so much more amazing than any plan we could ever possibly dream. I had to let go of the dream of “what should have been” when my youngest was born with T21. Never in a million years would I have dreamt this for our family, but God’s hand has been on all of us, thru all of this. And I just have to believe that He will get us thru whatever comes our way.
Nora is gorgeous and I enjoy following your blog. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you, Aleisa, for being a clear voice these last few months–in so many ways I look to your words when I feel like I’ve lost mine for a moment. I read today’s entry this morning as we wait in Clinic to find out about the leukemia numbers, and it was God-timing to be reminded if its Truth. Nora’s life, and your strength, is such a light for me! Blessings as your little prophet continues her mission–once again God has blown me away!