Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The Path to Healing
My brother still seems to be improving a little bit day by day. He is having blood drawn about 3 times/day now to keep an eye on the infection. He is still in a lot of pain, and is having a hard time with one of the pain meds. After consulting the doctor on that one, hopefully, this will be rectified. His swelling continues to improve. We are still praying that this course of antibiotics will continue to be effective and that his pain and swelling will continue to subside. I am praying ever constantly for his salvation. Thanks again, too, for all your prayers.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Prayers needed
It has been a little hectic around here lately (as usual). We have been dealing with one crisis on top of another, but have seen God's miraculous hand in all things, which is awesome.
A little over 2 weeks ago, a friend of the family was cleaning the gutters on his elderly neighbor's roof when he fell and broke his neck, back and shattered his ankle. He received a miracle on 2 accounts...#1 he is alive and #2 he is not paralyzed. The doctor could only say that he was a miracle.
Just a couple of days after that happened, by brother in law was hurt at work. He was involved in an accident with a crane. A 3/8" bolt went through his arm...which ended up looking like an exit wound from a gun. He also experienced injury from steel that had fallen. In this situation, he, too received his miracle. The doctor told him there was no explanation why he was still alive. The bolt should have severed the artery in his arm. My brother in law is expected to regain full use of his arm with no lasting damage. Our God is great...
That brings us to Monday...my brother became very ill Monday evening. He was vomiting and running super high fevers. Thinking it would pass, he waited it out until Wednesday morning where my brother in law found him weak and feverish and in a lot of pain. Within moments, he passed out. My brother found himself in the hospital with a horrible systemic infection. The doctor said that had he waited much longer to seek medical attention, he would not have made it. He received his miracle. God worked out the circumstances to have my brother in law check in on him at just the right time...Thank you Lord for working out those details.
So today, I ask for your prayers...both those of thanksgiving for the miracles he has already performed and for the healing that is to come. My brother is still not well, and at this point, there is still no assurance from the doctors that he is "out of the woods." The doctors are still trying to figure out what bacteria is invading his body. We are praying that there will be a combination of meds he can take that will destroy this highly adaptable and resistant bacteria. We are praying that the swelling and pain would subside and that most of all, he would be drawn into a relationship with the Lord.
**Update**
As of last night (late afternoon) the doctors feel that they have figured out what bacteria is causing all of the problems. Unfortunately, this bacteria is very tricky to get rid of as it is highy adapatble and tends to quickly develop resistance to antibiotics. The doctors are hitting my brother with a combination of antibiotics in hopes that they can wipe out the bacteria. His fever has subsided. He went most of the day with no fever (Thank you God!) His pain is still pretty intense at times and is still requiring meds for that. The swelling is also subsiding. I am so thankful for my praying friends and family. I, personally, have received so much comfort from the prayers and have a real sense of peace. I am praying that my brother will come to know the one who was instrumental in his healing and that today would be an even better day than yesterday. Thanks again to the Lord for his provision and for my faithful friends who are praying and will continue to pray through this situation. Thanks again!
A little over 2 weeks ago, a friend of the family was cleaning the gutters on his elderly neighbor's roof when he fell and broke his neck, back and shattered his ankle. He received a miracle on 2 accounts...#1 he is alive and #2 he is not paralyzed. The doctor could only say that he was a miracle.
Just a couple of days after that happened, by brother in law was hurt at work. He was involved in an accident with a crane. A 3/8" bolt went through his arm...which ended up looking like an exit wound from a gun. He also experienced injury from steel that had fallen. In this situation, he, too received his miracle. The doctor told him there was no explanation why he was still alive. The bolt should have severed the artery in his arm. My brother in law is expected to regain full use of his arm with no lasting damage. Our God is great...
That brings us to Monday...my brother became very ill Monday evening. He was vomiting and running super high fevers. Thinking it would pass, he waited it out until Wednesday morning where my brother in law found him weak and feverish and in a lot of pain. Within moments, he passed out. My brother found himself in the hospital with a horrible systemic infection. The doctor said that had he waited much longer to seek medical attention, he would not have made it. He received his miracle. God worked out the circumstances to have my brother in law check in on him at just the right time...Thank you Lord for working out those details.
So today, I ask for your prayers...both those of thanksgiving for the miracles he has already performed and for the healing that is to come. My brother is still not well, and at this point, there is still no assurance from the doctors that he is "out of the woods." The doctors are still trying to figure out what bacteria is invading his body. We are praying that there will be a combination of meds he can take that will destroy this highly adaptable and resistant bacteria. We are praying that the swelling and pain would subside and that most of all, he would be drawn into a relationship with the Lord.
**Update**
As of last night (late afternoon) the doctors feel that they have figured out what bacteria is causing all of the problems. Unfortunately, this bacteria is very tricky to get rid of as it is highy adapatble and tends to quickly develop resistance to antibiotics. The doctors are hitting my brother with a combination of antibiotics in hopes that they can wipe out the bacteria. His fever has subsided. He went most of the day with no fever (Thank you God!) His pain is still pretty intense at times and is still requiring meds for that. The swelling is also subsiding. I am so thankful for my praying friends and family. I, personally, have received so much comfort from the prayers and have a real sense of peace. I am praying that my brother will come to know the one who was instrumental in his healing and that today would be an even better day than yesterday. Thanks again to the Lord for his provision and for my faithful friends who are praying and will continue to pray through this situation. Thanks again!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The Latest Boogie-ism
I was in the bathroom this morning just getting out of the shower when Boogie stumbled in half-asleep...
Me: "Goodmorning baby...did you sleep good?"
Boogie: "I don't feel so good today. I don't think I'll be goin to princess school. I have Croak-its in my froat."
Me: "You have what in your throat?"
Boogie: "Croak-its...they're in my froat."
Me: ***smile***
For those of you who don't know my little Boogie well, she is a princess in training and goes to princess school everyday in a land far away named Monia. She drives a little convertible and picks up her friends every day. They all wear back packs and go barefooting because there are no rocks in Monia. While she is in Monia, she is cared for by her black mom named Agey (pronounced age*e). Agey lets her eat chocolate and teaches her how to be a good princess.
Next time you see her, let her know you've prayed for Agey...she has had the flu.
Me: "Goodmorning baby...did you sleep good?"
Boogie: "I don't feel so good today. I don't think I'll be goin to princess school. I have Croak-its in my froat."
Me: "You have what in your throat?"
Boogie: "Croak-its...they're in my froat."
Me: ***smile***
For those of you who don't know my little Boogie well, she is a princess in training and goes to princess school everyday in a land far away named Monia. She drives a little convertible and picks up her friends every day. They all wear back packs and go barefooting because there are no rocks in Monia. While she is in Monia, she is cared for by her black mom named Agey (pronounced age*e). Agey lets her eat chocolate and teaches her how to be a good princess.
Next time you see her, let her know you've prayed for Agey...she has had the flu.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The Man God Chose...
It is interesting sometimes to sit back and reflect on the days passed and to see how God has worked the pieces of the puzzle we call life.
I would have never guessed 18 years ago that the man I met that summer would be the man that I would eventually marry and that he would be the person who would take me to church and share his God with me.
I never dreamed that I would eventually be able to place my trust in God to meet my needs or direct me in a path of righteousness when all the other people I trusted in my life had let me down and failed me.
I certainly never thought I'd experience an unconditional love from my heavenly father or the love that I have felt from my husband, when most of the boys in my life before them wanted more than I could ever give.
If someone would have told me that my husband would be my best friend, I would have never believed it. I had seen my parents struggle and there was no friendship there in the end.
I never thought that God would chose a man for me that would love me, cherish me and honor me the way my husband has. I am thankful for the 14 years of marriage that I am celebrating today. I am thankful for the husband God has given me and they way he continues to bless me. I am thankful that God makes the difficult choices in our lives, and though we experience pain, God takes those pains and turns them into something great. I am thankful that our past failures shape who we are and mold us into the person God wants us to be and that those failures don't define who we are. I am thankful that God did not give up on family, marriage and mankind in the garden, that his love for us is immeasurable. Today, I am very thankful. Thank you Lord for 14 years of marriage to my best friend.
***Pictures to be added later...as per the usual, I'm having troubles uploading.
I would have never guessed 18 years ago that the man I met that summer would be the man that I would eventually marry and that he would be the person who would take me to church and share his God with me.
I never dreamed that I would eventually be able to place my trust in God to meet my needs or direct me in a path of righteousness when all the other people I trusted in my life had let me down and failed me.
I certainly never thought I'd experience an unconditional love from my heavenly father or the love that I have felt from my husband, when most of the boys in my life before them wanted more than I could ever give.
If someone would have told me that my husband would be my best friend, I would have never believed it. I had seen my parents struggle and there was no friendship there in the end.
I never thought that God would chose a man for me that would love me, cherish me and honor me the way my husband has. I am thankful for the 14 years of marriage that I am celebrating today. I am thankful for the husband God has given me and they way he continues to bless me. I am thankful that God makes the difficult choices in our lives, and though we experience pain, God takes those pains and turns them into something great. I am thankful that our past failures shape who we are and mold us into the person God wants us to be and that those failures don't define who we are. I am thankful that God did not give up on family, marriage and mankind in the garden, that his love for us is immeasurable. Today, I am very thankful. Thank you Lord for 14 years of marriage to my best friend.
***Pictures to be added later...as per the usual, I'm having troubles uploading.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Stress Management 101
Today I was pondering some things with a friend. We were talking about stress. UGH! Such a nasty ugly thing. There are many verses in the Bible that speak to stress and worry, but internalizing those verses is so hard to do at times. I've blogged before about work and how slow it is...also about God's provision over the past year. I wish I could say that I have a handle on stress and worry, but I don't. There are many nights where my eyes just pop open and crazy thoughts run through my head. I try to focus on praying, experience some relief, only to have to get up and face the day, tired, because I woke myself up stressing. Then I'm stressed from stressing.
I do have to admit that I am getting better. I wake up and decide that I am not going to let things worry me and get me down. I copy scripture and leave it next to my computer, in my purse, in my car...wherever I am, so that I can pray the scripture back to the Lord. It really does help. The part that I can't figure out and the part that my friend and I were pondering...
When we take up the burdens of others or are presented with a stressful situation, how to we immediately go from stressful thought to prayer without internalizing the stress and feeling the effects? I have such a hard time making that transition in my mind. How do you cope?
I do have to admit that I am getting better. I wake up and decide that I am not going to let things worry me and get me down. I copy scripture and leave it next to my computer, in my purse, in my car...wherever I am, so that I can pray the scripture back to the Lord. It really does help. The part that I can't figure out and the part that my friend and I were pondering...
When we take up the burdens of others or are presented with a stressful situation, how to we immediately go from stressful thought to prayer without internalizing the stress and feeling the effects? I have such a hard time making that transition in my mind. How do you cope?
- I have to make the choice daily and minute by minute to not succumb to stress
- I have to seek the Lord earnestly in prayer
- I have to hide God's word in my heart and arm myself with the word
What are your stress coping mechanisms?
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Baby Jacob Fahmer
Baby Jacob was born with Trisomy-18. This amazing little man lived for about 138 days before Jesus called him home. On his blog, it said that he passed away at about 5:30 today. Please lift his family in prayer.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Sponberg Family
This morning while driving home from dropping the kids at school I was listening to our local Family Life Radio station. The morning crew was asking for prayers for Nicol and Greg Sponberg. For those of you who don't know, Nicol Sponberg was in the Christian music group Selah. Her and her husband had just welcomed their second son into the world in March. When she went into his room to check on him, she found that he was not breathing and was not able to be revived. All this comes about 7 weeks following the passing of Todd and Angie Smith's baby Audrey Caroline. Todd, also a founding member of Selah, is Nicol's brother. Please remember this family in prayer. You can find further information and updates on Angie's blog. Angie has posted a list of specific prayer requests.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Still Praisin'!
This morning I was having one of those little break downs that I have every now and again. Work is still slow, but God is still providing day by day. We've spent countless hours submitting bids, but so far nothing has really come of it. Our prices are in line, but there is just so much competition for work. I submitted a bid on a project the other day to 15 different general contractors.
I just had a little conversation with God telling him that I was getting tired. Are we doing what we are supposed to be doing? Are we supposed to continue on with this business or look at something different? Walking in faith sometimes gets so tiresome. Of course Satan is there poking you in the ribs telling you that things are worse than what they are. I try so hard to stay strong and be an encourager to my husband. He carries the stress, too.
Anyway, in the midst of my little breakdown, I went outside to get the mail...which, consequently can add to the stress or sometimes take it away. Today it was an okay mail day. No bills! No money either...still praying that God would continue to ease the burdens we are carrying. While I was outside, a Focus on the Family representative called and left a very sweet message. She just called to care for us...if we needed anything, she was there to pray or minister in any way we needed. I broke down in tears right then. God cares so intimately about the little things in our lives and truly does hear every word we say to him. His timing is always perfect. He sent me a stranger in Colorado to tell me I am cared for.
A few minutes later, the phone rang. It was my father-in-law telling me that a customer we have not dealt with in about 1 1/2 years was looking for an electrician. It dawned on me that the people that have called lately for work are all believers in varying circumstances. Some called on for work at their homes, others for their businesses...but they are all believers. God has used them to minister to me. These people have no idea how God has used them. It is just overwhelming to me to have a God that cares so much.
With so much uncertainty, God is certain. Have a blessed day today.
I just had a little conversation with God telling him that I was getting tired. Are we doing what we are supposed to be doing? Are we supposed to continue on with this business or look at something different? Walking in faith sometimes gets so tiresome. Of course Satan is there poking you in the ribs telling you that things are worse than what they are. I try so hard to stay strong and be an encourager to my husband. He carries the stress, too.
Anyway, in the midst of my little breakdown, I went outside to get the mail...which, consequently can add to the stress or sometimes take it away. Today it was an okay mail day. No bills! No money either...still praying that God would continue to ease the burdens we are carrying. While I was outside, a Focus on the Family representative called and left a very sweet message. She just called to care for us...if we needed anything, she was there to pray or minister in any way we needed. I broke down in tears right then. God cares so intimately about the little things in our lives and truly does hear every word we say to him. His timing is always perfect. He sent me a stranger in Colorado to tell me I am cared for.
A few minutes later, the phone rang. It was my father-in-law telling me that a customer we have not dealt with in about 1 1/2 years was looking for an electrician. It dawned on me that the people that have called lately for work are all believers in varying circumstances. Some called on for work at their homes, others for their businesses...but they are all believers. God has used them to minister to me. These people have no idea how God has used them. It is just overwhelming to me to have a God that cares so much.
With so much uncertainty, God is certain. Have a blessed day today.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Tricia's Getting Her Lungs!
If you have not visited Nate's blog, his wife Tricia is currently in surgery for her new lungs. Please keep her, the family, the doctors, and the donor family in your prayers. From what it sounds like, it has been a very long night for them.
UPDATE: THE SURGERY WAS A SUCCESS! Tricia is now in ICU recovering from her surgery. Continue to pray for her recovery!
UPDATE: THE SURGERY WAS A SUCCESS! Tricia is now in ICU recovering from her surgery. Continue to pray for her recovery!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Laura's Been Set Free...
In this post, I asked for prayer for a couple at our church who were battling cancer. Monday around 1 am, Laura was set free from the pain she was in and entered into heaven with her savior. As I understand it, her brave knight was by her side as he was through the entire battle. I, again, ask you to lift her husband and children in prayer as they begin life without her. I just pray that in the time she was here that they were able to make the memories that last a life time for them, and that when they think of her, they will know she is at peace in heaven. I pray also that the children will know that they, too, can see her again if they accept the gift of salvation.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Husbands Love Your Wives...
When you read the passage in Ephesians that states, "25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her..." what comes to mind? What does it mean? Have you ever seen anyone demonstrate that kind of love for his spouse?
There is no doubt in my mind that my husband loves me dearly, this is not meant to be an attack on him or anything to imply that he does not measure up to God's standards, so please don't read this and think that I want my husband to be any different than who he is.
There is a couple in our church that are facing a lot of trials right now. Laura and her husband have been married for about 8 years, have 2 small children and are facing the end of Laura's life. She has been battling cancer for about a year now.
Her husband has demonstrated an unfailing love and devotion to her, which, to me, is what the verse in Ephesians talks about. You can read their story that was in the Oakland Press by clicking on the link below. It is a tear-jerker, but very worth the read.
When you are finished, please pray for this family. I have had the privilege of caring for their 2 year old son in the nursery for the past year and love the little guy dearly. Pray that God would continue to be their comfort and strength during this trial.
http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/032008/loc_20080320355.shtml
There is no doubt in my mind that my husband loves me dearly, this is not meant to be an attack on him or anything to imply that he does not measure up to God's standards, so please don't read this and think that I want my husband to be any different than who he is.
There is a couple in our church that are facing a lot of trials right now. Laura and her husband have been married for about 8 years, have 2 small children and are facing the end of Laura's life. She has been battling cancer for about a year now.
Her husband has demonstrated an unfailing love and devotion to her, which, to me, is what the verse in Ephesians talks about. You can read their story that was in the Oakland Press by clicking on the link below. It is a tear-jerker, but very worth the read.
When you are finished, please pray for this family. I have had the privilege of caring for their 2 year old son in the nursery for the past year and love the little guy dearly. Pray that God would continue to be their comfort and strength during this trial.
http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/032008/loc_20080320355.shtml
Friday, March 14, 2008
Another Prayer Request
I have another prayer request...on my links, you will see a link for a baby named Joshua. He has an encephalocele that burst and he is slowly dying. From what his mom posted, his body is slowly starting to shut down, but seems to be in no pain. Lift this family in prayer...
As an update to my personal request, the situation is still not completely resolved, still kind of waiting for the other shoe to drop. Still praying that God will work out the situation for the best for those involved.
Thank you for being my praying friends!
As an update to my personal request, the situation is still not completely resolved, still kind of waiting for the other shoe to drop. Still praying that God will work out the situation for the best for those involved.
Thank you for being my praying friends!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Please Pray
Please be in prayer for little Gwenyth. Nate updated this morning that she has had a small set back and is back on the vent. It may be that she is just tired from breathing so well on her own...or it may be the start of infection. He also posted a request for her eyes...ROP may be developing. You may read about them at his blog.
I, too, have a personal request that I am not really at liberty to discuss. Please pray that God would provide wisdom and discernment for those involved, that the right thing would also be done for the parties involved. This is something very heavy on my heart today. I know God knows the situation. Also pray for salvation for the people involved. Unrighteous living is at the root of the problem.
I, too, have a personal request that I am not really at liberty to discuss. Please pray that God would provide wisdom and discernment for those involved, that the right thing would also be done for the parties involved. This is something very heavy on my heart today. I know God knows the situation. Also pray for salvation for the people involved. Unrighteous living is at the root of the problem.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
What I love about being a Mom
Someone had a great idea of a way to encourage Tricia. They listed the things that are great about being a mom, the things that they couldn't wait for Tricia to experience. My list is a little different, as my babies are really no longer babies. Here are some of the things I love about being a mom...
- Standing back and watching your child give one of his Awana trophies to someone who didn't earn it just because he didn't need 2
- Having your little one wrap her arms around your neck, smothering your face in kisses telling you that she "loves you way waaay waaaay more"
- The smell of a baby fresh out of the tub all slathered in lotion
- A big brother as he picks up and comforts his little sister after she falls
- Overhearing little conversations while your two little girls are in the shower
- Conversations with imaginary friends
- Hearing your own words of comfort and kindness in your children when they are playing with their own babies
- Watching your child conquering one of his or her fears
- Seeing your child(ren) as they wobble along on their bicycle for the first time without training wheels
- That look on Christmas morning
- Praying your daughter through her first piano recital
- Watching your children in their school plays
- Having your child comfort you as you are walking him or her to the door of the Kindergarten classroom (I totally cried)
- Seeing them at the end of the day waving goodbye to all of their friends at school
- The healing power of your kisses when your child gets an owie
- Hearing from those that work with your children that they are kind, caring and respectful
- Being there when your child trusts Christ for the first time and watching them being baptized
- The little noises, smiles and sighs a baby makes while sleeping
- The look of love in the eyes of a baby when he or she spots mom from across the room
- Hearing your children's prayers
- The first rollercoaster ride
- A walk in the woods becomes part of an action adventure movie
- Catching his or her first fish
Thursday, February 28, 2008
My God is Amazing!
I have no cute stories to post today, just a little side note on how awesome my God is. For those of you not too up close and personal with me and my family, we took over our family business back in July. The past year has been a struggle with the company, as work has really dried up in our little corner of Michigan. Contractors we have worked with for some time have literally just rolled up the carpet and split town. Thankfully, over the past 30+ years my father-in-law has operated his business with a level of integrity that has given us some very loyal customers. They have been what has been keeping us afloat this past year. We have been praying on direction for our family and for our business. The slow economic times here in MI have us questioning whether we, too, should look into other opportunities. After months of praying, we had been feeling as confused as ever with no real answers as to what our future would entail. The one steady and constant force, however was prayer. We prayed continually for work to come in and for our needs to be met.
There would be days that we would have absolutely nothing lined up for work the next day. We would pray that the Lord would bring something, then the phone would ring and the next day would fill in. That has been the course of action since about November/December.
This past week was no different. We had nothing on the books for after Tuesday of this week. As I walked on the treadmill, I began to pray that God would fill our week and continue to meet our needs. I prayed that God would bring something in a large job that would keep us busy for a while so we would know what we were doing for a few months. I also prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for what He has done and continues to do for us. I prayed back scriptures relating to His promises for those that love Him. Within 15 minutes, my husband called me and told me of an appointment for a job to bid for Wed. am. A few minutes later he called with a job for Thursday morning. When I finished my walk on the treadmill, I answered a call for a job for Friday morning. When I was on my way home from picking up the kids from school, I got a call for another job that would carry us through Mon & Tue of the following week. Once I got home, I received an invitation to bid a large job a little north of here and Steve received a call yesterday to bid a new church going up about 45 min. away. There are no guarantees that we will get any of the work, but it solidifies in my mind how much God loves us. There is nothing in us that is worthy of the blessings he showers upon us...only Christ within us makes us acceptable to Him. I have to tell you, I was doing a little dance, sobbing and praising God. My kids totally thought that I had lost my mind.
What I found to be kind of comical was one of the general contractors for a job we are bidding has the last name of Pastor! Tell me God doesn't communicate to His people! Again, God has given us the opportunity to bid this work, but there is no guarantee we will get the job. Please join us in prayer that Steven would be given wisdom and discernment in preparing our bid. Also pray for the General contractors on these jobs, as they themselves are in the bidding process. Pray also that we would remain faithful despite the outcomes. Pray especially that my husband would stay encouraged. He tends to carry his stress around in his back.
It is so awesome to really see God at work. I begged God for his blessings this week. I don't want to be rich as far as anything material. I just want to appreciate the things I have been blessed with and given the opportunity to bless others. God has answered that prayer in so many ways this week.
I pray that I would be able to rejoice in the Lord always...no matter the circumstances.
There would be days that we would have absolutely nothing lined up for work the next day. We would pray that the Lord would bring something, then the phone would ring and the next day would fill in. That has been the course of action since about November/December.
This past week was no different. We had nothing on the books for after Tuesday of this week. As I walked on the treadmill, I began to pray that God would fill our week and continue to meet our needs. I prayed that God would bring something in a large job that would keep us busy for a while so we would know what we were doing for a few months. I also prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for what He has done and continues to do for us. I prayed back scriptures relating to His promises for those that love Him. Within 15 minutes, my husband called me and told me of an appointment for a job to bid for Wed. am. A few minutes later he called with a job for Thursday morning. When I finished my walk on the treadmill, I answered a call for a job for Friday morning. When I was on my way home from picking up the kids from school, I got a call for another job that would carry us through Mon & Tue of the following week. Once I got home, I received an invitation to bid a large job a little north of here and Steve received a call yesterday to bid a new church going up about 45 min. away. There are no guarantees that we will get any of the work, but it solidifies in my mind how much God loves us. There is nothing in us that is worthy of the blessings he showers upon us...only Christ within us makes us acceptable to Him. I have to tell you, I was doing a little dance, sobbing and praising God. My kids totally thought that I had lost my mind.
What I found to be kind of comical was one of the general contractors for a job we are bidding has the last name of Pastor! Tell me God doesn't communicate to His people! Again, God has given us the opportunity to bid this work, but there is no guarantee we will get the job. Please join us in prayer that Steven would be given wisdom and discernment in preparing our bid. Also pray for the General contractors on these jobs, as they themselves are in the bidding process. Pray also that we would remain faithful despite the outcomes. Pray especially that my husband would stay encouraged. He tends to carry his stress around in his back.
It is so awesome to really see God at work. I begged God for his blessings this week. I don't want to be rich as far as anything material. I just want to appreciate the things I have been blessed with and given the opportunity to bless others. God has answered that prayer in so many ways this week.
I pray that I would be able to rejoice in the Lord always...no matter the circumstances.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Birth Story 2
My second pregnancy was pretty uneventful. I had the usual morning sickness, aches, pains, etc. The only difference was the fact that I had a choice to make. In consulting with my doctor, he indicated that a repeat c-section was advisable considering the circumstances of my first birth. He said that I had a very small pelvic region and if my 2nd baby was as big as the first, my labor would be in vain, but it was my choice. If I wanted to try a vbac he would let me do it. Not being one who likes to prolong the agony or labor for hours on end only to have a c-section anyway, I decided to schedule a 2nd surgery. The spinal went much better this time around. Bob was there for this surgery, too...I even remembered not to wear my bra! I still got sick during the entire surgery, but ended up fine in the end. I can remember sitting up in the recovery room asking for biscuits and gravy. I was starving!
Flash forward a few years...I found myself pregnant again with number 3. It was one of those kind of surprises. Something planned, but not planned. My husband and I were content with the 2 that we had. To show God that I was serious about being content, I sold all of my baby stuff thinking that He would understand that we were okay with a family of 4.
The funny part of this story involved the my 2 older children. I was driving up I-75. I was dropping them off at a friend's house. I was getting ready to attend a funeral. The kids were talking in the back asking questions about the funeral, the deceased, God, the sky...you know, typical kid stuff. All of a sudden they hit me with the "We want a brother or a sister." I politely told them that babies are a special gift from God and that if they want a baby, they would have to pray for one, thinking that they would just drop it and move on. Right then and there, both children offered up a special prayer right in the back seat of my truck. Big brother prayed for a little brother and sissy prayed for twin girls to help her clean her room.
Up until this point I had no real reason to suspect that I was pregnant. I was a little bit late, but with me, that was not uncommon. I never really worked like clockwork. The day after this little prayer from my children, I woke up feeling very sick to my stomach and "the girls" were very sensitive. I kept thinking to myself, "Nah, I can't be..."
On a whim, I bought a pregnancy test and sure enough, I was pregnant! We decided early on to not find out what we were having. After all, I was going to have another c-section. If I knew what I was having I could have the birth announcements pretty much made a month ahead of time! We figured we would just be surprised.
Sissy and Big Brother argued for most of the 9 months about the baby. Sissy was very adamant that the baby was going to be a girl, because that is what she prayed for. She would not entertain for a second the thought that it could be a boy. Around my 8th month in a moment of weakness, I asked my OB nurse if we were having a girl or a boy because regardless of whether I find out or not, it is in my chart. My husband and I decided that we would find out so that if Sissy was wrong, we could gently prepare her for a boy in the few weeks remaining. The nurse mouthed the word boy to me from the door.
I only shared that knowledge with my husband. We didn't do any special preparations, like buying boy clothes or putting out boy clothes in the dresser. We did talk to Sissy and tell her that although she prayed for a girl that it was always a possibility that this could be a brother, after all, Big Brother prayed too.
The time finally came for the c-section. I ended up in a different hospital this time. No crazy anesthesiologist named Bob to give me my spinal. No bra flinging...no hysteria. I ended up having a team of 2 (one was completing her schooling) anesthesiologists that came for a consult before the operation. I expressed my concerns over how sick I get during my surgeries. I also expressed concern for my husband, who up until this point had never gone in on a c-section. My mom had always gone. He is one of those people who faints at the sight of a needle and the smell of a hospital. With a plan in hand for all my concerns we prepped for surgery...
My 2 anesthesiologists were awesome. They installed an air curtain that blew either warm or cold air on me. They both stood at my head and talked to both my husband and me. At the very second I started to feel nauseous they administered medicine. We laughed and joked for a while. My husband was doing great! At some point we asked when they were going to start. Little did we know that the surgery was almost over! Finally the baby was born. The nurse gently placed the baby over the curtain, then took her to the nursery without really saying whether it was a boy or a girl. She must have thought that we already knew. Steve and I looked at each other and asked the anesthesiologists what we had. They replied that they saw girl parts. We were stunned. "Really? Are you sure? Girl parts?" We were prepared for a boy, settled on our boy name. The one drug doctor went and found out and returned...Yep, it's a girl. At this time, I am still on the table getting stitched up. Steve suddenly began to not feel so well. I told him it was okay to go and see the baby. When he stood up from his stool he began to feel queasy. The 2 drug administering doctors told him to sit back down and that they would wheel him out on his stool. They did not want to chance him passing out and hurting himself. He sat back down, a little embarrassed and went to meet his new daughter. She ended up being the smallest of the three weighing a 7 lbs and 1/2 oz...
Moral of the story: Never dismiss the prayers of small children.
Flash forward a few years...I found myself pregnant again with number 3. It was one of those kind of surprises. Something planned, but not planned. My husband and I were content with the 2 that we had. To show God that I was serious about being content, I sold all of my baby stuff thinking that He would understand that we were okay with a family of 4.
The funny part of this story involved the my 2 older children. I was driving up I-75. I was dropping them off at a friend's house. I was getting ready to attend a funeral. The kids were talking in the back asking questions about the funeral, the deceased, God, the sky...you know, typical kid stuff. All of a sudden they hit me with the "We want a brother or a sister." I politely told them that babies are a special gift from God and that if they want a baby, they would have to pray for one, thinking that they would just drop it and move on. Right then and there, both children offered up a special prayer right in the back seat of my truck. Big brother prayed for a little brother and sissy prayed for twin girls to help her clean her room.
Up until this point I had no real reason to suspect that I was pregnant. I was a little bit late, but with me, that was not uncommon. I never really worked like clockwork. The day after this little prayer from my children, I woke up feeling very sick to my stomach and "the girls" were very sensitive. I kept thinking to myself, "Nah, I can't be..."
On a whim, I bought a pregnancy test and sure enough, I was pregnant! We decided early on to not find out what we were having. After all, I was going to have another c-section. If I knew what I was having I could have the birth announcements pretty much made a month ahead of time! We figured we would just be surprised.
Sissy and Big Brother argued for most of the 9 months about the baby. Sissy was very adamant that the baby was going to be a girl, because that is what she prayed for. She would not entertain for a second the thought that it could be a boy. Around my 8th month in a moment of weakness, I asked my OB nurse if we were having a girl or a boy because regardless of whether I find out or not, it is in my chart. My husband and I decided that we would find out so that if Sissy was wrong, we could gently prepare her for a boy in the few weeks remaining. The nurse mouthed the word boy to me from the door.
I only shared that knowledge with my husband. We didn't do any special preparations, like buying boy clothes or putting out boy clothes in the dresser. We did talk to Sissy and tell her that although she prayed for a girl that it was always a possibility that this could be a brother, after all, Big Brother prayed too.
The time finally came for the c-section. I ended up in a different hospital this time. No crazy anesthesiologist named Bob to give me my spinal. No bra flinging...no hysteria. I ended up having a team of 2 (one was completing her schooling) anesthesiologists that came for a consult before the operation. I expressed my concerns over how sick I get during my surgeries. I also expressed concern for my husband, who up until this point had never gone in on a c-section. My mom had always gone. He is one of those people who faints at the sight of a needle and the smell of a hospital. With a plan in hand for all my concerns we prepped for surgery...
My 2 anesthesiologists were awesome. They installed an air curtain that blew either warm or cold air on me. They both stood at my head and talked to both my husband and me. At the very second I started to feel nauseous they administered medicine. We laughed and joked for a while. My husband was doing great! At some point we asked when they were going to start. Little did we know that the surgery was almost over! Finally the baby was born. The nurse gently placed the baby over the curtain, then took her to the nursery without really saying whether it was a boy or a girl. She must have thought that we already knew. Steve and I looked at each other and asked the anesthesiologists what we had. They replied that they saw girl parts. We were stunned. "Really? Are you sure? Girl parts?" We were prepared for a boy, settled on our boy name. The one drug doctor went and found out and returned...Yep, it's a girl. At this time, I am still on the table getting stitched up. Steve suddenly began to not feel so well. I told him it was okay to go and see the baby. When he stood up from his stool he began to feel queasy. The 2 drug administering doctors told him to sit back down and that they would wheel him out on his stool. They did not want to chance him passing out and hurting himself. He sat back down, a little embarrassed and went to meet his new daughter. She ended up being the smallest of the three weighing a 7 lbs and 1/2 oz...
Moral of the story: Never dismiss the prayers of small children.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
My Birth Story...
Evidently there is some sort of contest having to do with sharing your birth story.
Here's the rules:
Post your birth/adoption stories on YOUR blog, and post a link to Michelle's blog. If you do not have your own blog, but would still like to participate, you may post your birth story in the comments section of Michelle's blog here. Don't forget to post a link in the comments on Michelle's blog, or else she won't know you posted a story...Michelle will pick ONE story each day to be "showcased" the next day on her blog. At the end of the contest (which runs until 2/26). On 2/27, we will get to vote on the showcased stories, and on 2/28, Michelle will announce the winner on her Gabbin' Mama blog.
Just because I am a follower and pretty much do what I am told to do without a lot of fussing, I am posting my birth story.
Steven and I had bathed this pregnancy in prayer. Each morning I would pray that I would have a boy, that he would have blond hair and blue eyes, that he would be healthy and that I would have a natural delivery. At the time, we had insurance, but it did not cover pregnancy. I had made arrangements with my OBGYN to pay cash for his services at a discounted rate and had paid for the special delivery at McLaren. For a mere $1100.00 you got an overnite stay in a luxurious birthing suite, meals, meds care for yourself and the baby. What a deal!
I was fast approaching my due date. I had about 8 days to go. Steven was playing basketball one Monday night with some of the youth from church. I am not sure what funky move it was that he made, but he heard a pop and was immediately on the floor not really able to walk or stand straight. For those of you who know my husband, he has not been blessed with a good back. This particular night he threw his back out. I remember my father-in-law and another friend coming into the house one on each side of Steven helping him walk through the door. I was mortified. Here I am...big as a house, feeling like I was ready to pop, and here is my husband who can't stand up straight or take off his shoes, dress himself...you get the picture. I spent that night on the livingroom floor with him. You have to remember I was in my mid-20's. Pregnancy and flexiblity were much easier then. I could sleep anywhere! The next day I remember driving him to the doctor, helping him to get dressed...the whole 9 yards. By Wednesday, he had started to feel a little better...especially with the help of pain meds. He could walk better and could even dress himself.
Wednesday evening we were laying on the floor talking. My chocolate lab Emmi was at my side all night long. She would not leave my side. If I got up to get a drink...she got up to get a drink. If I went to the bathroom, she was right there beside me. I thought it very odd, as she was usually my husband's dog. She liked me, but LOVED Steven. She would not leave me alone that night. I didn't think too much about it...
...Until about 11:30 that night. I woke up having to go to the bathroom very bad, you know, the first trip of many through the night spaced at 2-2 1/2 hour intervals. I sat down to pee and got back up when I was finished only to find that I started going again. I was pretty groggy at the time and really didn't know what was going on. I just thought to myself, "Great, another joy of pregnancy they don't tell you about...you lose all bladder control at the end." So I sat back down. The "peeing" stopped. I stood back up again...the "peeing" started again. I probably stood up and sat down about 6 times before it finally dawned on me that my water had broke. After an eternity in the bathroom, I finally waddled across the hall to find some pads to help with my little leakage problem. Being the big procrastinator I am (I still had a week left) I set about trying to pack a bag for myself and for the baby.
I waddled down the hall to our bedroom in the perfect picture of calmness and pulled the blankets over Steven's head so as not to wake him up when I turned on the light (what was I thinking?). For whatever reason he woke up anyway and asked me what on earth I was doing. I told him that I thought that my water had broke and I was just getting some stuff ready to go to the hospital. I can't say that he jumped out of bed, as he was still nursing a bad back, but he sprang to life and started playing the part of the nervous dad.
At some point, I called up to the hospital so that they could get my room ready. I can remember her asking me what symptoms I was having. At the time I didn't really have any contractions. I had just told her I thought my water had broke because when I sat down to pee, I never stopped. She told me I could take my time, shower and meander up to the hospital at my leisure, my room would be ready and waiting.
In our birthing classes, we learned about all these preparations you should make when you go to deliver...to pack activities, cards, magazines, cd's, candy, chapstick, you know...settle in for the long hall. I began to panic. I had bought a Kenny G cd specifically for mood music during labor, but didn't have a cd player. We ended up stopping at Meijer on the way to the hospital so Steve could pick up a cd player while I sat in the car on my towel.
At about 1:30 am we made it to the hospital. The nurses did their checking and confirmed that I had not peed myself. The strapped me to the monitors and checked the downstairs business only to find that I had not effaced or dilated one iota. They told me to relax and get some sleep...sure!
At 1:30 in the morning there was a woman in the next room delivering with a midwife who was encouraging her to yell, scream, grunt or whatever means of self expression she could muster and deliver her baby. Even Kenny G in all his saxaphone smoothness could not cover the screams of this lady. After about an hour (but felt like 24), her screams died down and the tiny wail of a baby could be heard. At that point, we finally relaxed enough to start trying to sleep. Of course you know how short lived sleep is when you are in a hospital. There is always someone prodding and poking at you!
After a resident or 2, a handful of nurses, the entire Detroit Lions football team and any other interested on-looker had a peek, they decided to try a few different things to get the ball rolling, as I was not effaced or having contractions.
By morning Steve's family had received their phone calls and were waiting with us in the room. My contractions were very mild at this point. My doctor had visited and noticed that the baby was experiencing decelerations in his hear rate with my contractions and had ordered an internal scalp monitor. It was at this point that I pretty much had to stay in bed. By mid afternoon, they decided to give me pitocin to get the contractions rolling.
It was at this point we were experiencing a changing of the guard. In-laws were coming and going and my mom had shown up. Steven actually had walked some family down to the parking lot and was not in the room. It was just me and my mom. For whatever reason the nurse had my iv going very fast. I ended up having a contraction that lasted for about 7 minutes. It was in my back and would not let up. Of course, being hooked up to the monitor, you can hear everything. The baby's heartrate dropped from a steady 140 beats per minute down to about 40 beats per minute. I immediately went into panic hysterical mode. My mom was desperately trying to calm me down. A swarm of nurses came flying into my room and decended upon me like a flock of hungry vultures. It was at this time that Steven was rounding the corner ready to head back to the room
They had me on my side, hands and knees and in a variety of positions to bring up the baby's heart rate. One nurse injected me with something that stopped the contractions. I was still very hysterical and inconsolable at this point. The nurse called the doctor and told him what was going on and he ended up instructing her to give me her phone. Wouldn't you know that he dropped everything that he was doing, hopped in his car and flew to the hospital. He talked to me the entire way on his cell phone. I was prepped for surgery and pretty much ready to roll by the time he got there.
Back in the OR, I was getting ready to get my spinal block for the c-section. I had this crazy anesthesiologist (sp?) named Bob. Try as he might, he was having a heck of a time getting the right spot and had jokingly said that by the time it was all said and done he would have his name tatooed in my back. I can still feel the sensation of that needle being poked in my back!
Partway through the process Bob had noticed that I still had my bra on. If you know me, you know that I am pretty modest. I was not about to sit around with all those people in my room without a bra. He told me that it had to go...no bras in surgery. He instructed the nurse to get it off me. After a small wrestling match she handed him my bra, which he took and flung on my iv pole. Now remember I am a crying, sobbing, hysterical mess who is surviving on little sleep and was thinking my baby was dying. I ended up yelling at him..."That is NOT some toy to just be flung around." The people in the OR got quite a chuckle out of that one. I guess it was then that I regained some composure and got some of my sense of humor back.
Within a few minutes my mom joined me for the surgery. I can't say that it was a very pleasant experience. My spinal was way too high. I could not feel anything below my neck. My hands were not only strapped down, but they were feeling pretty numb. As soon as the incision was made, I vomited...again and again and again. Pretty much until the surgery was done. What a joy though...my baby was perfect...
I can remember the family congregated in the recovery room waiting to meet our son for the first time. I can also remember being immensely afraid to hold him because of not being able to fully feel my hands! I can remember that instant feeling of falling in love all over again and the heart of thanksgiving we felt for the Lord protecting us as he did. As it turns out, the insurance company ended up covering the c-section because of the emergency nature of it. My prayers were answered, just not in the way I thought they would be!
I went on later to have 2 more children, and 2 more c-sections. All births just as special as the first, but with a whole lot less drama! Thank you Lord!
Here's the rules:
Post your birth/adoption stories on YOUR blog, and post a link to Michelle's blog. If you do not have your own blog, but would still like to participate, you may post your birth story in the comments section of Michelle's blog here. Don't forget to post a link in the comments on Michelle's blog, or else she won't know you posted a story...Michelle will pick ONE story each day to be "showcased" the next day on her blog. At the end of the contest (which runs until 2/26). On 2/27, we will get to vote on the showcased stories, and on 2/28, Michelle will announce the winner on her Gabbin' Mama blog.
Just because I am a follower and pretty much do what I am told to do without a lot of fussing, I am posting my birth story.
Steven and I had bathed this pregnancy in prayer. Each morning I would pray that I would have a boy, that he would have blond hair and blue eyes, that he would be healthy and that I would have a natural delivery. At the time, we had insurance, but it did not cover pregnancy. I had made arrangements with my OBGYN to pay cash for his services at a discounted rate and had paid for the special delivery at McLaren. For a mere $1100.00 you got an overnite stay in a luxurious birthing suite, meals, meds care for yourself and the baby. What a deal!
I was fast approaching my due date. I had about 8 days to go. Steven was playing basketball one Monday night with some of the youth from church. I am not sure what funky move it was that he made, but he heard a pop and was immediately on the floor not really able to walk or stand straight. For those of you who know my husband, he has not been blessed with a good back. This particular night he threw his back out. I remember my father-in-law and another friend coming into the house one on each side of Steven helping him walk through the door. I was mortified. Here I am...big as a house, feeling like I was ready to pop, and here is my husband who can't stand up straight or take off his shoes, dress himself...you get the picture. I spent that night on the livingroom floor with him. You have to remember I was in my mid-20's. Pregnancy and flexiblity were much easier then. I could sleep anywhere! The next day I remember driving him to the doctor, helping him to get dressed...the whole 9 yards. By Wednesday, he had started to feel a little better...especially with the help of pain meds. He could walk better and could even dress himself.
Wednesday evening we were laying on the floor talking. My chocolate lab Emmi was at my side all night long. She would not leave my side. If I got up to get a drink...she got up to get a drink. If I went to the bathroom, she was right there beside me. I thought it very odd, as she was usually my husband's dog. She liked me, but LOVED Steven. She would not leave me alone that night. I didn't think too much about it...
...Until about 11:30 that night. I woke up having to go to the bathroom very bad, you know, the first trip of many through the night spaced at 2-2 1/2 hour intervals. I sat down to pee and got back up when I was finished only to find that I started going again. I was pretty groggy at the time and really didn't know what was going on. I just thought to myself, "Great, another joy of pregnancy they don't tell you about...you lose all bladder control at the end." So I sat back down. The "peeing" stopped. I stood back up again...the "peeing" started again. I probably stood up and sat down about 6 times before it finally dawned on me that my water had broke. After an eternity in the bathroom, I finally waddled across the hall to find some pads to help with my little leakage problem. Being the big procrastinator I am (I still had a week left) I set about trying to pack a bag for myself and for the baby.
I waddled down the hall to our bedroom in the perfect picture of calmness and pulled the blankets over Steven's head so as not to wake him up when I turned on the light (what was I thinking?). For whatever reason he woke up anyway and asked me what on earth I was doing. I told him that I thought that my water had broke and I was just getting some stuff ready to go to the hospital. I can't say that he jumped out of bed, as he was still nursing a bad back, but he sprang to life and started playing the part of the nervous dad.
At some point, I called up to the hospital so that they could get my room ready. I can remember her asking me what symptoms I was having. At the time I didn't really have any contractions. I had just told her I thought my water had broke because when I sat down to pee, I never stopped. She told me I could take my time, shower and meander up to the hospital at my leisure, my room would be ready and waiting.
In our birthing classes, we learned about all these preparations you should make when you go to deliver...to pack activities, cards, magazines, cd's, candy, chapstick, you know...settle in for the long hall. I began to panic. I had bought a Kenny G cd specifically for mood music during labor, but didn't have a cd player. We ended up stopping at Meijer on the way to the hospital so Steve could pick up a cd player while I sat in the car on my towel.
At about 1:30 am we made it to the hospital. The nurses did their checking and confirmed that I had not peed myself. The strapped me to the monitors and checked the downstairs business only to find that I had not effaced or dilated one iota. They told me to relax and get some sleep...sure!
At 1:30 in the morning there was a woman in the next room delivering with a midwife who was encouraging her to yell, scream, grunt or whatever means of self expression she could muster and deliver her baby. Even Kenny G in all his saxaphone smoothness could not cover the screams of this lady. After about an hour (but felt like 24), her screams died down and the tiny wail of a baby could be heard. At that point, we finally relaxed enough to start trying to sleep. Of course you know how short lived sleep is when you are in a hospital. There is always someone prodding and poking at you!
After a resident or 2, a handful of nurses, the entire Detroit Lions football team and any other interested on-looker had a peek, they decided to try a few different things to get the ball rolling, as I was not effaced or having contractions.
By morning Steve's family had received their phone calls and were waiting with us in the room. My contractions were very mild at this point. My doctor had visited and noticed that the baby was experiencing decelerations in his hear rate with my contractions and had ordered an internal scalp monitor. It was at this point that I pretty much had to stay in bed. By mid afternoon, they decided to give me pitocin to get the contractions rolling.
It was at this point we were experiencing a changing of the guard. In-laws were coming and going and my mom had shown up. Steven actually had walked some family down to the parking lot and was not in the room. It was just me and my mom. For whatever reason the nurse had my iv going very fast. I ended up having a contraction that lasted for about 7 minutes. It was in my back and would not let up. Of course, being hooked up to the monitor, you can hear everything. The baby's heartrate dropped from a steady 140 beats per minute down to about 40 beats per minute. I immediately went into panic hysterical mode. My mom was desperately trying to calm me down. A swarm of nurses came flying into my room and decended upon me like a flock of hungry vultures. It was at this time that Steven was rounding the corner ready to head back to the room
They had me on my side, hands and knees and in a variety of positions to bring up the baby's heart rate. One nurse injected me with something that stopped the contractions. I was still very hysterical and inconsolable at this point. The nurse called the doctor and told him what was going on and he ended up instructing her to give me her phone. Wouldn't you know that he dropped everything that he was doing, hopped in his car and flew to the hospital. He talked to me the entire way on his cell phone. I was prepped for surgery and pretty much ready to roll by the time he got there.
Back in the OR, I was getting ready to get my spinal block for the c-section. I had this crazy anesthesiologist (sp?) named Bob. Try as he might, he was having a heck of a time getting the right spot and had jokingly said that by the time it was all said and done he would have his name tatooed in my back. I can still feel the sensation of that needle being poked in my back!
Partway through the process Bob had noticed that I still had my bra on. If you know me, you know that I am pretty modest. I was not about to sit around with all those people in my room without a bra. He told me that it had to go...no bras in surgery. He instructed the nurse to get it off me. After a small wrestling match she handed him my bra, which he took and flung on my iv pole. Now remember I am a crying, sobbing, hysterical mess who is surviving on little sleep and was thinking my baby was dying. I ended up yelling at him..."That is NOT some toy to just be flung around." The people in the OR got quite a chuckle out of that one. I guess it was then that I regained some composure and got some of my sense of humor back.
Within a few minutes my mom joined me for the surgery. I can't say that it was a very pleasant experience. My spinal was way too high. I could not feel anything below my neck. My hands were not only strapped down, but they were feeling pretty numb. As soon as the incision was made, I vomited...again and again and again. Pretty much until the surgery was done. What a joy though...my baby was perfect...
I can remember the family congregated in the recovery room waiting to meet our son for the first time. I can also remember being immensely afraid to hold him because of not being able to fully feel my hands! I can remember that instant feeling of falling in love all over again and the heart of thanksgiving we felt for the Lord protecting us as he did. As it turns out, the insurance company ended up covering the c-section because of the emergency nature of it. My prayers were answered, just not in the way I thought they would be!
I went on later to have 2 more children, and 2 more c-sections. All births just as special as the first, but with a whole lot less drama! Thank you Lord!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Child-isms
In following Cindy's lead, I thought I would write about one of my middle daughter's funny quotes. I thank Cindy for the Colson-isms as I forget to write that stuff down. It is so priceless!
One day heading home from school, I swung into the GW Boutique on Center Road. I was looking for some old jeans for a sewing project. It was quite slippery outside, so as we were getting out of the van I told the kids to be careful.
Sissy says, "Don't worry about me mom, I'll be okay, I have fractions on my boots."
Not to be left out, a big brother story (or 2)...
My mom...er...Santa faithfully every year put the largest apple or orange in the bottom of our stockings every year. I thought that was great! We didn't always have the luxury of having fresh fruit in the house all of the time, so when Christmas rolled around I always looked forward to the huge piece of fruit! When we ate our fruit on Christmas morning, that counted as breakfast, which allowed us to then start in on the candy. Later on I found out Santa did that just to take up space.
Having such fond memories of my Christmas fruit, I thought I would start that tradition with my children. I can remember a few years back, about the time that Big Brother really had a grasp of what went on Christmas morning and could really express himself, he was tearing into his stocking. He was oohing and aahing and "Oh Cool"-ing over his hot wheels and other trinkets in his stocking. When he got to the very bottom, he worked and worked and dug that huge apple (or was it an organge? I am pretty sure it was an apple..who can remember anymore? That's why I have to write this stuff down. What ever it was it was BIG. Let's just say it was an apple) from the bottom of his stocking. He looked at it for a minute not really knowing what to think and yells..."Hey... It's a big stinkin apple! Santa gave me a big stinkin apple in my stocking!
Another funny one of Big Brother's moments occurred when he was about 4 years old.
We were sitting at the dinner table one night discussing life. Big Brother starts asking questions about teachers. "Is is right for teachers to say that they are God? My teacher told me I had to be quiet because she is God." Steve and I thought about it for a second, not really sure what to say. Was this teacher threatening our child? We assumed this was his preschool teacher making these comments.
We told him that no teacher is God, we have one God...etc., etc., etc., if there is a teacher out there proclaiming to be God, by golly, we will have a talk with him or her. About 1 week passed after this conversation and we really didn't think much about it until I got a phone call. It was from the Children's Supervisor at BSF...
I was going to BSF (Bible Study Fellowship). They had a preschool program that Big Brother had been going to since the age of 2. Part of the schedule included a 10 minute quiet period. It was during this time that the children were instructed to "Be Still and Know that I am God." The leaders were using the Bible verse to instruct the children on the importance of quieting your heart and taking time not only to pray, but also to listen to hear God's words...
The supervisor was giggling when she called and when she finally collected her thoughts said that she had a little situation that needed to be brought to my attention. It seems that my son took his first stand as a Christian and expressed his displeasure at the teacher referring to herself as God and he was going to have his mom and dad talk to her about it.
In all her many years involved in BSF had never had a 4 year old put so much thought into what that verse was saying...she told me that she was proud of him for "calling them out" so to speak and said that from then on they would include a little bit more explanation of the verse.
It was then that we realized that we were in trouble!
One day heading home from school, I swung into the GW Boutique on Center Road. I was looking for some old jeans for a sewing project. It was quite slippery outside, so as we were getting out of the van I told the kids to be careful.
Sissy says, "Don't worry about me mom, I'll be okay, I have fractions on my boots."
Not to be left out, a big brother story (or 2)...
My mom...er...Santa faithfully every year put the largest apple or orange in the bottom of our stockings every year. I thought that was great! We didn't always have the luxury of having fresh fruit in the house all of the time, so when Christmas rolled around I always looked forward to the huge piece of fruit! When we ate our fruit on Christmas morning, that counted as breakfast, which allowed us to then start in on the candy. Later on I found out Santa did that just to take up space.
Having such fond memories of my Christmas fruit, I thought I would start that tradition with my children. I can remember a few years back, about the time that Big Brother really had a grasp of what went on Christmas morning and could really express himself, he was tearing into his stocking. He was oohing and aahing and "Oh Cool"-ing over his hot wheels and other trinkets in his stocking. When he got to the very bottom, he worked and worked and dug that huge apple (or was it an organge? I am pretty sure it was an apple..who can remember anymore? That's why I have to write this stuff down. What ever it was it was BIG. Let's just say it was an apple) from the bottom of his stocking. He looked at it for a minute not really knowing what to think and yells..."Hey... It's a big stinkin apple! Santa gave me a big stinkin apple in my stocking!
Another funny one of Big Brother's moments occurred when he was about 4 years old.
We were sitting at the dinner table one night discussing life. Big Brother starts asking questions about teachers. "Is is right for teachers to say that they are God? My teacher told me I had to be quiet because she is God." Steve and I thought about it for a second, not really sure what to say. Was this teacher threatening our child? We assumed this was his preschool teacher making these comments.
We told him that no teacher is God, we have one God...etc., etc., etc., if there is a teacher out there proclaiming to be God, by golly, we will have a talk with him or her. About 1 week passed after this conversation and we really didn't think much about it until I got a phone call. It was from the Children's Supervisor at BSF...
I was going to BSF (Bible Study Fellowship). They had a preschool program that Big Brother had been going to since the age of 2. Part of the schedule included a 10 minute quiet period. It was during this time that the children were instructed to "Be Still and Know that I am God." The leaders were using the Bible verse to instruct the children on the importance of quieting your heart and taking time not only to pray, but also to listen to hear God's words...
The supervisor was giggling when she called and when she finally collected her thoughts said that she had a little situation that needed to be brought to my attention. It seems that my son took his first stand as a Christian and expressed his displeasure at the teacher referring to herself as God and he was going to have his mom and dad talk to her about it.
In all her many years involved in BSF had never had a 4 year old put so much thought into what that verse was saying...she told me that she was proud of him for "calling them out" so to speak and said that from then on they would include a little bit more explanation of the verse.
It was then that we realized that we were in trouble!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Pray
For those not familiar with Nate and his family, you can follow the link by clicking on his name or in the side bar where it says praying for Nate and catch up with his story. His baby is continuing to flourish and his wife is getting stronger. Neither are out of the woods yet. Please continue to lift them in prayer. The Doctors have found MRSA on the baby's nose, but say that she is not yet infected. Pray that she won't be!
There are so many stories of people in need of the encouragement and prayers of God's people. A person could spend many days following the links of thousands of blogs...all personal testimonies of how they are suffering and struggling, but also rejoicing and praying. I've joined the prayer line at our church and receive weekly e-mails on some of the needs of our people at church. I don't say this to gain any kind of recognition of any good deed or to be holier than thou or to claim my prayer life is all that it should be. I am far from being a true prayer warrior. To be perfectly honest, there are times when I feel completely overwhelmed by the constant needs of our people. When I shower, I think over these requests in my mind, usually sobbing and crying out to the Lord. I try to put myself in that person's or family's shoes. How would I react? Would I draw nearer or farther from God? My heart breaks constantly for the tradgedy that occurs daily for my Christian brothers and sisters and for those that are apart from God.
It is then that I realize that I make this all a "me" thing, when it should not be me at all. I get all caught up in the pain and the sorrow and tend to miss out on the good that God is doing in the situation.
Then my heart focuses on God...to think our God hears all of our prayers, the spoken and the unspoken. He does so without being overwhelmed. He knows all of our successes, our failures, our joys and our pains. He knows our name and has claimed us as his children. He knows the beginning of the story and the end and gives us specific answers to our prayers and meets our needs ever so faithfully. Not only that, but when we are dealing with these things, He also promises restoration and peace.
I am praying for that hedge of protection, comfort, strength, encouragement, and healing, not only physical, but also spiritual and emotional, for all of us in need--myself included!
There are so many stories of people in need of the encouragement and prayers of God's people. A person could spend many days following the links of thousands of blogs...all personal testimonies of how they are suffering and struggling, but also rejoicing and praying. I've joined the prayer line at our church and receive weekly e-mails on some of the needs of our people at church. I don't say this to gain any kind of recognition of any good deed or to be holier than thou or to claim my prayer life is all that it should be. I am far from being a true prayer warrior. To be perfectly honest, there are times when I feel completely overwhelmed by the constant needs of our people. When I shower, I think over these requests in my mind, usually sobbing and crying out to the Lord. I try to put myself in that person's or family's shoes. How would I react? Would I draw nearer or farther from God? My heart breaks constantly for the tradgedy that occurs daily for my Christian brothers and sisters and for those that are apart from God.
It is then that I realize that I make this all a "me" thing, when it should not be me at all. I get all caught up in the pain and the sorrow and tend to miss out on the good that God is doing in the situation.
Then my heart focuses on God...to think our God hears all of our prayers, the spoken and the unspoken. He does so without being overwhelmed. He knows all of our successes, our failures, our joys and our pains. He knows our name and has claimed us as his children. He knows the beginning of the story and the end and gives us specific answers to our prayers and meets our needs ever so faithfully. Not only that, but when we are dealing with these things, He also promises restoration and peace.
I am praying for that hedge of protection, comfort, strength, encouragement, and healing, not only physical, but also spiritual and emotional, for all of us in need--myself included!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Happy 10th Birthday!
This is a little bit late in coming. I had intended on posting on Big Brother's birthday, but Steve and I actually had the opportunity to sneak away for a couple of days. We used the gift certificate that my in-laws bought us for Christmas. We ended up going to Cadillac Monday through Wednesday. I will post more on that later. Today I wanted to focus on my first-born and honor him on his birthday, even though it is a little late. Please forgive the first few pictures. Iwas having a hard time with the scanning and formatting. They are a little on the small side, too.
This is our son on his Birthday. I can still remember the very first time I looked at him and how he caputred my heart instantly. I was afraid to hold him because I had a c-section. the doctors had my spinal too high and I couldn't feel my hands. I didn't know if I had a grip on him or not! I remember the look on Steven's face when he held him for the first time. He was and still is a very proud daddy.
Here he is when he was just a little tyke! He was a very good baby...especially after he hit the 3 month mark. He had a little problem with colic. He was the type of baby you could take anywhere...
This is our son on his Birthday. I can still remember the very first time I looked at him and how he caputred my heart instantly. I was afraid to hold him because I had a c-section. the doctors had my spinal too high and I couldn't feel my hands. I didn't know if I had a grip on him or not! I remember the look on Steven's face when he held him for the first time. He was and still is a very proud daddy.
Here he is when he was just a little tyke! He was a very good baby...especially after he hit the 3 month mark. He had a little problem with colic. He was the type of baby you could take anywhere...
He loved to wear this hat. He actually didn't mind sunglasses either...
He was and continues to be a smiley guy. He is a people person. You don't see him down very often.
We had the opportunity to fly to Colorado a few years back. As you can see, he still likes the sunglasses!
This is the serious, more determined side of Big Brother...
...And his wild and crazy side...
This year he opted for a birthday pie...Happy Birthday to you Big Brother!
He was and continues to be a smiley guy. He is a people person. You don't see him down very often.
We had the opportunity to fly to Colorado a few years back. As you can see, he still likes the sunglasses!
This is the serious, more determined side of Big Brother...
...And his wild and crazy side...
This year he opted for a birthday pie...Happy Birthday to you Big Brother! We are so proud of him and the young man he has become. When he was 5 he accepted the Lord as his Saviour. I can remember that birthday just as clearly as I rember the day of his physical birth. He has a passion for the Lord and His word. In May of 2007 we were able to watch him make his public profession of faith in the ritual of Baptism. It is our prayer that he would be blessed in 2008 and that he would continue to grow in the Lord. I am so blessed to be his mother.
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