“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” Jeremiah 17:7

On September 27, Byron and I became parents to the most beautiful little girl we've ever laid our eyes on. Dark hair, olive skin, and full set of loud and strong lungs. Prior to the moment she was delivered, I had jokingly asked my doctor would there be any silent and awkward moments like you see in Grey’s Anatomy. He laughed and said no. I had been prepped to have Sloan as a C-section. As I knew we should be getting close to having our baby girl in our arms, the moments grew silent and awkward. As the doctor lifted her up, I immediately noticed. She was screaming and waving her left arm proud. Her arm was different. It was missing the hand and fingers...

To be very honest, the first 24 hours of Sloan's life was just a total roller coaster for Byron and me. I laid in the hospital bed, and cried my heart out to Jesus for joy. All I wanted was joy. I reached out to a dear friend that had been through exactly what I was going through. She gave me some of the best advice, “Take one bite of the elephant at a time." I was focusing on Sloan's future of all the things I was afraid she wouldn't be able to do. Why focus on her future when God already has it planned out?

The next few weeks were filled with doctors appointments and driving over 9 hours from our hometown to go to Shriners Hospital. We also began to learn more about children with limb differences. Our next big God wink was when my sister in law came across a lady from Wisconsin that makes dolls for individuals that have physical differences. A Doll Like Me, by Amy Jandrisevits, has became a friend that is dear to our heart. Through her friendship, my two nephews decided they wanted to do something big for Sloan’s one year birthday party. With the help from their mom, Carly, and people from all over the world, they were able to raise $10,000 to go be donated to A Doll Like Me. The money was used to purchase dolls for other families to have a doll that looked like an individual that was dear their hearts. You can read the article here!

Not long after we brought Sloan home from the hospital. I was looking up the meaning of the name "Sloan" - "fighter" - how much more appropriate could it be?! Our family, friends, and the support group we have encountered has been amazing. You wouldn't believe at how many God winks we have received since Sloan has been born.

The verse at the beginning was my daily verse I received on the morning Sloan was born…see, God already knew.

To learn more about Sloan, follow along at @laurenmurrayhellums on Instagram!