BUT GOD!!!

Yesterday we got news from the neurosurgeon that no parent wants to hear. Our sweet girl has done some growing and that has made a difference in where her brain surgery was done. To make a long story short, she is going to need another brain surgery. This was shocking and heartbreaking for us all.

Two simple words have brought hope and have helped me to regain perspective...BUT GOD... The doctors and the tests don't say what we want to hear, and life is crazy, BUT GOD ~ loves my baby girl, can work miracles, is Healer, is in total control, is worthy of my trust, and so many others.

I'm so thankful for a new perspective, and for a God who works miracles!

Hope

Exactly one week from today we will be starting treatment with National Jewish Hospital in Denver for our sweet little girl! I have so much hope that we will be finding answers and have a better treatment plan to help our precious little girl!

I had a friend last night tell me that I really need to pray and be willing to ask God for BIG things, and KNOW that He is the kind of God that loves us and desires to heal and provide us with our needs and also the desires of our hearts. So, we are praying for a miracle! We are praying for answers to WHY she has been so sick. We are praying that we can significantly cut the number of medicines she has to take on a regular basis! We are believing that God will use this trip in a big way!

We appreciate your prayers as we go on this trip! Prayers for safety as I drive the long distance with her and prayers for the doctors to know exactly how to best help her! Prayers for provision, and that there would be an opening at the Ronald McDonald house so we have a place to stay would also be appreciated! I will try to post updates regularly while we are there!

Tragedy

When tragedy strikes sometimes it is easy to point fingers or think the worst. I don't believe that this is what I'm called to do. No matter who it is we should extend mercy and grace to those who are suffering. As the Bible says we weep with those who weep.

The horrible tragedy in Indiana is heartbreaking and our thoughts and prayers go out to the Phelps and Weindorf families right now. We are praying that God will be close to and comfort the people of Colonial Hills Baptist Church as they grieve during this time.

Higher and Deeper

We sang a song in church this past Sunday that really struck a chord with me. I have listened to it over and over in the last couple of days. It has so much truth in the words, I feel like it tells my life. I could choose to stay where it is "safe" and not struggle through the trials, but He has called me higher. If I hold on to who I am and am not willing to grow and change I will not be the person that God has called me to be.

I'm so thankful for the trials that I have been through (yes, you did just read that!). As painful as much of my life has been it has made me who I am. It also has given me a glimpse of God and His mercy and grace that I would not have known otherwise. I wouldn't trade the journey, because without the journey I wouldn't know God the way that I do and therefore wouldn't be the same person.

Thank you God for calling me higher and deeper and for using my trials in life to change me into a better person!

Understanding

I have so many people who I care about that are going through so much trauma right now. Our own family has tons of stuff going on. Sometimes I feel like I don't know what to say to my friends, or even to myself for that matter. I would love to say that I understand what each person I love is struggling with, but the truth is that I probably don't. I can show grace and compassion even when I don't fully understand what exactly it is they are walking through.

Far greater than me...GOD knows and His Word says He understands! This verse was brought to my mind today and it was a great comfort to me, and I hope it will comfort you as well! Psalm 147:5 says Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. How wonderful to have the assurance that God understands what we are walking through, AND that He has the power to help us!

Update on our precious little one.

I know it has been quite a while since I have posted because things have been super crazy at our house. I thought I'd take a minute to give a quick update.

Our youngest daughter has been struggling badly. We (and her doctors) are kind of at a loss as to how to best help her. So, it was advised, and we agreed that the best course of action was to take her to National Jewish Lung hospital in Denver. They have been the #1 respiratory hospital in the nation for the last 15 years, so we are quite hopeful about this course of action. We will be headed there in August for at least 2 weeks. She will miss school for that entire time since school starts on July 31st for her.

We are praying for answers, safety for travelling (I will drive about 1000 miles each way with just her), for a room to be available at the Ronald McDonald House in Denver when we get there, and for strength for me and our precious girl! We would appreciate your prayers as well!

Don't Give Up!

Right now it seems as though so many of the people I know are struggling with some really big stuff. So many people seem to be losing hope. I just feel so compelled to share that there really is hope! God promises to give us hope and a future. Even when things are darkest and you don't feel it remember YOU are loved! 

Those of you who have shared your struggles know that I'm praying for you and I'm here for you! 

Josh Groban really says it well in this song! Don't give up because you are loved!