On July 23, 2000, the Barclays received a gift they never knew they needed. 

Bethany Anne is our sweet, mysterious treasure that came into this world on July 23rd 2000!  Curiously, she was born on her sister Kristin’s birthday from 17 years earlier, July 23rd, 1985.  For fifteen years, that date had been memorialized with bittersweet feelings because it marked another birthday that we didn’t get to celebrate with Kristin.

Kristin Faith died from retinal cancer when she was two and is living in heaven. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord!  (II Cor. 5:8 ) I know she is one of those witnesses that Hebrews 12 talks about that is a great cloud of witnesses that is cheering us on to finish our earthly race and meet them in heaven- never to be separated again!

 Sarah and Kristin Faith 1983

To make matters even stranger, Jeff’s father had died unexpectedly of a heart attack on that same exact date 6 years later. July 23rd, 1991

Even more increduously, my brother Doug and his wife Nena, were blessed with their first son, Jason Charles on the same date, the same year as we were blessed with our seventh and last child, Bethany!

July 23rd, 2000- what is up with that Calendar Date???

In Galesburg, Illinois, Bethany Anne was born and thirty minutes later in Phoenix, AZ, Jason Charles was born.  Twin Cousins! 🙂

July 23rd- how odd- but I know this- our God is in control whether we understand everything or not!

 Two weeks later, when we received the news that Bethany’s genetic testing had come back positive for Downs Syndrome, I became a treasure hunter- maybe not at that point- maybe I was like Indiana Jones- on a quest to figure out life’s quirky mysteries.  But I became someone driven to find the hidden riches of God’s grace and mysterious ways.

 I welcome you to take part in my journey- From finding treasure in my Cave of Confusion, to my struggle in the Black Forest, my rescue from the Quick Sand of self-pity, my struggle to accept the Falls of Surrender, my determination to Dive Deep, the beauty of resting in Green Pastures, hiking the majestic Mountains of Perspective, diving into clear blue Lakes of Laughter, and finally coming to an inspired perception of what it means to “Live Between the Trees” while walking with Jesus! The many treasures He has shown me have amazed and delighted me.  (the highlighted links will take you to other stories 🙂 )

 Blessings in His amazing grace,

Cindy