There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven... Ecclesiastes 3:1
This past Fourth of July we had our annual Keyser Family Reunion. It was so much fun and we all had a wonderful time catching up and making memories. We played hard, laughed a lot and ate way too much food (but man was it good)! We have been doing this family reunion for as long as I can remember and it is always one of the highlights of my year. This year was extra special because we got to celebrate my cousin Katherine's first baby! (She is currently 5 months pregnant with Caroline Elise!) Anyway, all of the women of the family got together for some fabulous punch and cupcakes and celebrated Caroline in true Keyser style. Katherine got some great gifts and some good advice as well! After opening all her gifts, we had a time of prayer for Katherine and baby Caroline. All of my aunts and girl cousins (and my grandmother) gathered around and laid hands on Katherine. We asked for God to bless their family and keep Katherine and Caroline safe throughout the process. After that, something else happened that touched my heart in an enormous way- they prayed for me. For those of you who don't know, my sweet husband, Tommy, and I have been on the journey of infertility for the past 18 months. It has been one of the most difficult seasons I have ever walked through and I look forward to the day that it is a season of the past. Anyways, on that day, my mom, my grandmother, my aunts and cousins gathered around me and began to pray again. They prayed for comfort and peace, strength and health, and they asked God to give life where it has yet to be given. It was such a sweet and powerful moment and I believe with all my heart that we will get to see God answer our prayers very soon. What a blessing it is to have a family that will stand by you and pray for you when things are good and when they are bad! I can't write about this moment without also taking the time to mention the generosity of my sweet cousin Katherine. My loving cousin graciously shared with me a time that was intended specifically for her and in doing so, she allowed me a precious gift. Thanks Katherine for being such a wonderful cousin and friend throughout the years- I can't wait for the many years to come! Oh and one more thing, do you know what Caroline means? It means "song of happiness and JOY"...before she is even born, this little baby is bringing a song of happiness and joy into the lives of others!! Thank you God for the many blessings you have given to our family - and thank you for your never ending faithfulness! We wouldn't stand a chance without you.
