Thursday, November 20, 2008
What I am Thankful for/What is Important to Me in 2008
My salvation, God's Word, Steve, Kristin, Korie, my home, my parents, Steve and Tom, music, Denbigh Baptist, the ocean, Bebe and Jim, the stars at night, Ohio State Sports, email, my dishwasher, my morning bible study group, Debbie, Autumn colors, forgiveness, choir practice, Rebecca, Diet Coke, Brookyn Tabernacle, FFF, Ladies Auxiliary, Korie's laugh, Washington DC, cell phones, my nieces and nephews, grace, birthdays, Glad Tidings Circle, New York City, when my whole family in Ohio is together, Steve's grilled chicken, Highest Praise, Spring, my memories of Kristin playing sports, Don, Victory Junction, foot rubs, lighthouses, sunny days, navy jets, sunsets, Grand Illumination, talks with Kristin, geneaology research, that I knew my grandmothers and great grandmothers, Joann, sitting around a fire, sleeping in, Sunday mornings, the Outer Banks, Lila, Camp Open Arms, ferry rides, Mexican food, taking pictures, trees, chocolate chip cookies, Carol, praising Him with music, Liberty U, Casting Crowns, Facebook, Chinese food, Lilacs, nights out with Steve, Gene, Amish country, Cincinnati, concerts, the sound of waves, reading a good book, singing harmony, Korie's hugs, the sounds of the city, our Christmas ornaments, Beth Moore, English history, the libraries, Christmas eve, singing, family day at our church, and the evenings all four of us are together.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Tough Days
I have been struggling the past few days with several things...one has to do with the election and understanding why some people voted for someone like Obama but I know God is on the throne and there is no "Plan B" with Him...this is His will for us for whatever reasons...and I will eventually figure that out.
The other thing I am struggling with came about after our wonderful weekend at Victory Junction. Our family loves it there because Korie can participate in everything and we are a "normal family" there...which in this world, we are not normal and life is hard. I can deal with that...especially after this last weekend at VJ.I will try to explain...before, when attending VJ, we always went during Spina Bifida Weekend and it was a blessing as the families were like us and we could relate so perfectly with them. This past weekend, since Korie is older now, we went during Young Adult Neurological Weekend. The age was 16-24 and covered a variety of medical problems. WOW! Compared to what we saw there...we feel so blessed.
We met families whose children weren't able to communicate with them or show love, kids that were out of control and there was nothing the families could do...some were getting ready to institutionalize their children..a few because their lives would be easier and a few because they were almost beyond the point of being able to take care of their own children.During "Parent Chat", two families stuck out to me and broke my heart. As we shared about our own families, medical problems, etc, one grandmother, there with her 22 year old grandson, cried as she looked at the group of parents. She was amazed at the love shown for our children because, her son in law had left the familiy when her grandson was born...he couldn't take the stress of his son's problems...and this lady's own daughter had left the boy just a few years ago and went to California. This boy was alone in the world....his IQ wasn't low enough to get much government help and he was living in an "rest home" with older people because that was the only place she could get to take him. She was older...what would happen to this young man when she was gone...the only person in the world who cared anything about him? I can't stop thinking about them.
The other hit closer to home. This was a mom and step dad who dearly loved their daughter. Because of his job, they move all the time...they had no close family and very few friends. They could hardly get the words out...but their fear was..."who would take care of her when they were gone?" They were devestated thinking about it. They were heartbroken over the future.
It was hard for me to hear these things....Satan started his old tricks on me...making me wonder about God's goodness and the "fairness" to these children to be in their condition and how hard life can be sometimes. Oh, the battle my mind can go through, as some of these fears are my own at times. I have prayed and struggled to stay above ground the past few days and remember the trust and faith I have in God....knowing He is there and He has a plan.I had to go to Rite Aid tonight to get Korie's medicine...after a long day and a frustrating day, I wasn't too happy about it and those old thoughts starting haunting me again. I go EVERYWHERE with KLove on and God gave me a song that comforted my heart. I had never heard it before or if I had, hadn't paid attention to the words...they were like God was answering my questions...here they are.
I try to hold on to this world with everything I have
But I feel the weight of what it brings,
and the hurt that tries to grab
The many trials that seem to never end,
His word declares this truth,
that we will enter in this rest with wonders anew
But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering
There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more,
we’ll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we’ll hold on to You always
I know the journey seems so long
You feel your walking on your own
But there has never been a step
Where you’ve walked out all alone
Troubled soul don’t lose your heart
Cause joy and peace He brings
And the beauty that’s in store
Outweighs the hurt of life’s sting
I can’t wait until that day
where the very One I’ve lived for always
will wipe away the sorrow that I’ve faced
To touch the scars that rescued me from a life of shame and misery
this is why this is why I sing….
There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more,
we’ll see Jesus face to face
There will be a day, He’ll wipe away the tears,
He’ll wipe away the tears,
He’ll wipe away the tears…..there will be a day
Me again...I am sure I will have days I struggle again...but the truths of His word, can give all of us strength to keep going...even when things seem so difficult. I can't wait until all these trials are over and Jesus makes EVERYTHING right.
The other thing I am struggling with came about after our wonderful weekend at Victory Junction. Our family loves it there because Korie can participate in everything and we are a "normal family" there...which in this world, we are not normal and life is hard. I can deal with that...especially after this last weekend at VJ.I will try to explain...before, when attending VJ, we always went during Spina Bifida Weekend and it was a blessing as the families were like us and we could relate so perfectly with them. This past weekend, since Korie is older now, we went during Young Adult Neurological Weekend. The age was 16-24 and covered a variety of medical problems. WOW! Compared to what we saw there...we feel so blessed.
We met families whose children weren't able to communicate with them or show love, kids that were out of control and there was nothing the families could do...some were getting ready to institutionalize their children..a few because their lives would be easier and a few because they were almost beyond the point of being able to take care of their own children.During "Parent Chat", two families stuck out to me and broke my heart. As we shared about our own families, medical problems, etc, one grandmother, there with her 22 year old grandson, cried as she looked at the group of parents. She was amazed at the love shown for our children because, her son in law had left the familiy when her grandson was born...he couldn't take the stress of his son's problems...and this lady's own daughter had left the boy just a few years ago and went to California. This boy was alone in the world....his IQ wasn't low enough to get much government help and he was living in an "rest home" with older people because that was the only place she could get to take him. She was older...what would happen to this young man when she was gone...the only person in the world who cared anything about him? I can't stop thinking about them.
The other hit closer to home. This was a mom and step dad who dearly loved their daughter. Because of his job, they move all the time...they had no close family and very few friends. They could hardly get the words out...but their fear was..."who would take care of her when they were gone?" They were devestated thinking about it. They were heartbroken over the future.
It was hard for me to hear these things....Satan started his old tricks on me...making me wonder about God's goodness and the "fairness" to these children to be in their condition and how hard life can be sometimes. Oh, the battle my mind can go through, as some of these fears are my own at times. I have prayed and struggled to stay above ground the past few days and remember the trust and faith I have in God....knowing He is there and He has a plan.I had to go to Rite Aid tonight to get Korie's medicine...after a long day and a frustrating day, I wasn't too happy about it and those old thoughts starting haunting me again. I go EVERYWHERE with KLove on and God gave me a song that comforted my heart. I had never heard it before or if I had, hadn't paid attention to the words...they were like God was answering my questions...here they are.
I try to hold on to this world with everything I have
But I feel the weight of what it brings,
and the hurt that tries to grab
The many trials that seem to never end,
His word declares this truth,
that we will enter in this rest with wonders anew
But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering
There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more,
we’ll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we’ll hold on to You always
I know the journey seems so long
You feel your walking on your own
But there has never been a step
Where you’ve walked out all alone
Troubled soul don’t lose your heart
Cause joy and peace He brings
And the beauty that’s in store
Outweighs the hurt of life’s sting
I can’t wait until that day
where the very One I’ve lived for always
will wipe away the sorrow that I’ve faced
To touch the scars that rescued me from a life of shame and misery
this is why this is why I sing….
There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more,
we’ll see Jesus face to face
There will be a day, He’ll wipe away the tears,
He’ll wipe away the tears,
He’ll wipe away the tears…..there will be a day
Me again...I am sure I will have days I struggle again...but the truths of His word, can give all of us strength to keep going...even when things seem so difficult. I can't wait until all these trials are over and Jesus makes EVERYTHING right.
Friday, November 07, 2008
Learning from Your Daughter
Well, a precious young lady at my church informed me that I need to write on my blog more...so in honor of her, I write this story...one that I need to tell anyway.
Korie had seen her Neurologist and bloodwork was ordered. Having your blood drawn isn't fun for anyone, but especially Korie. Her veins are so tiny that it is almost impossible to "stick" her successfully. Every technician always thinks they are the ONE person who can do it and we usually have quite a traumatic experience before someone in the office is successful.
This visit was no different. We gave the first lady two tries and she called in another woman for help. Korie had been very patient and brave. Three vials of blood were suppose to be drawn and so far, not even one was halfway filled after the second try. While the new technician was sticking Korie in a very tender place near her wrist, I heard Korie "saying" something to herself under her breath. I leaned down and asked her what she was saying. She answered, " I am singing 'Number 8' on my favorite CD."
I smiled because she always refers to songs by their number on the cds. I helped her remember a little of the chorus but I wasn't sure exactly what all the words were. So, when I got home, I looked them up. I was amazed....here is the chorus:
I know You're there, I know You see me
You're the air I breathe
You are the ground beneath me
I know You're there, I know You hear me
I can find you anywhere
I know You're there
I know You're there, You're there.
WOW! All I could think was that when I go through difficult times, one of my first thoughts is "Why me? Why did God allow this to happen?" From my daughter, I learned my first thought should be "God, I know You're there!" TRUST! Simple trust. I am blessed.
Korie had seen her Neurologist and bloodwork was ordered. Having your blood drawn isn't fun for anyone, but especially Korie. Her veins are so tiny that it is almost impossible to "stick" her successfully. Every technician always thinks they are the ONE person who can do it and we usually have quite a traumatic experience before someone in the office is successful.
This visit was no different. We gave the first lady two tries and she called in another woman for help. Korie had been very patient and brave. Three vials of blood were suppose to be drawn and so far, not even one was halfway filled after the second try. While the new technician was sticking Korie in a very tender place near her wrist, I heard Korie "saying" something to herself under her breath. I leaned down and asked her what she was saying. She answered, " I am singing 'Number 8' on my favorite CD."
I smiled because she always refers to songs by their number on the cds. I helped her remember a little of the chorus but I wasn't sure exactly what all the words were. So, when I got home, I looked them up. I was amazed....here is the chorus:
I know You're there, I know You see me
You're the air I breathe
You are the ground beneath me
I know You're there, I know You hear me
I can find you anywhere
I know You're there
I know You're there, You're there.
WOW! All I could think was that when I go through difficult times, one of my first thoughts is "Why me? Why did God allow this to happen?" From my daughter, I learned my first thought should be "God, I know You're there!" TRUST! Simple trust. I am blessed.
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