Five Minute Friday & 31 Days: “VOICE” {Day 26}

VOICE

start . . . 

I do not know why, but as soon as I read Friday’s word, voice, the words from an older praise song, My Tribute, which is one of my very favorites,  popped into my mind:  

How can I say thanks
For the things you have done for me
Things so undeserved
Yet You gave to prove your love for me
The voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude
All that I am and ever hope to be
I owe it all to thee

To God be the glory,
to God be the glory
To God be the glory,
For the things He has done
With His blood He has saved me
With His power He has raised me
To God be the glory,
For the things He has done

With Thanksgiving coming, and the continued counting of gifts and blessings, isn’t this the perfect song?  I wish I’d hear it more!

And just picking out that word, voice – imagine, someday we will hear millions of voices, singing praises to God!  I do not think we can come anywhere near comprehending that glorious sound!  And yet, the voice that our souls all long to hear is His voice!  Oh to hear Jesus’ voice say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”  Yet, we can hear His voice, if we only, be still and and listen for that still small voice.  

So what might God be telling us?

 Be still.
Listen for My voice.
I have much to tell you.
Much to calm you with.

“Woman, Just Believe Me”

Combining two meme’s today –
31 Days for this month and
Joining Lisa-Jo and her Five Minute Friday.
” five minutes of free writing without worrying about getting it right “

31 Days: “Woman, Just Believe Me” ~ “I Delight in You!” {Day 17}

I

t was a good day – actually, a VERY good day!  God answered some personal prayers and quieted my heart with several things and it was very evident He did it in His way and His timing.  Are you ever surprised when God answers prayers, especially when it happens fast or hearts are softened and it’s just so evident it’s Him?  And when He quiets your own heart when it was so irritated  and He shows you how to let go and and see it in a different light and then you see others whose hearts have been softened too?  I am in awe of it today and am thankful for several who prayed.  It has no monetary value, but has eternal value, and that sure is worth it!

Then later I read Psalm 18.  These verses jumped out at me:

In my distress I called upon the Lord;
to my God I cried for help.
From His temple He heard my voice,
and my cry to Him reached His ears.
(verse 6)

He brought me out into a broad place;
He rescued me, because He delighted in me.
(verse 9)

This God—His way is perfect;
the word of the Lord proves true;
He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.
(verse 30)

So, what is does God you to believe?  

Cry out to Me.
I will listen.
I will rescue you.

I so delight in you!

I will shield
and protect you.

You need only to call on Me.

“Woman,
just believe Me.“

Our Son, Matthew ~ 7 years gone, yet, No Less Days to Sing God’s Praise

‎“If you know someone who has lost a child, 
and you’re afraid to mention them 
because you think you might make them sad 
by reminding them that they died–
you’re not reminding them. 
They didn’t forget they died. 
What you’re reminding them of is that 
you remembered that they lived, 
and that is a great gift.”

~Elizabeth Edwards~

Blessed with a 16 year loan on earth with him
Now missing him for 7 years
Yet, 7 years closer to heaven

Matthew has “no less days to sing God’s praise,
than when he first began”
and someday we will join him ~ it’s the waiting that is hard . . .
he in heaven and our home here – a temporary separation.
We so miss him – miss his smile, miss his voice,
miss the dreams we had, just plain miss . . .

yet, thankful for Jesus –
thankful for precious memories
thankful for a scrapbook packed full of pictures

thankful for more joy than tears

thankful for hope, grace and new mercies every morning

Please Father ~ give him a hug for me today and
tell him his Mumsie misses him and ooohhh, so loves him.

“We wouldn’t long for Heaven if earth had only joy.”
Amish proverb

“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Matthew 14:31
Jesus immediately reached out his hand
and took hold of him, saying to him,
“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

I

wonder how often Jesus would say this to me.  How often I am surprised at God’s timing and we are in wonder that it happened the way it did, and then I think, of course, God could and would do this!  Why didn’t I expect it? Like a gift of  red mushrooms that was so unexpected.  I’ve seen it often with my daughter, Jessica, who has had three open heart surgeries, one being a total unexpected surgery, when we “just happened” to be at the hospital when she went into heart failure.  I’ve worried and panicked often in my heart over what our children have gone through with the death of two of their siblings, one being so traumatic for them and how this could “ruin” them, and God says to me “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?“.   Instead He shows me how He has  bestowed on our children

. . .  a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
Isaiah 61:3 

I’ve seen our children have sensitive hearts towards hurting friends, and reaching out to them when others would have turned away or given up quickly.  I’ve been in awe of their burdens for others and doing more than many adults would.  It’s not been because of our parenting.  It’s been because of our Heavenly Father’s parenting.  It’s been God using the painful times for His glory.

Yes, my faith lacks often, but

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
His mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

Joining today with:

Next Tuesday’s In Other Words

P

lease join us next Tuesday by sharing on the quote shared below for our weekly, In Other Words. Each Friday a new quote is given here along with who will be hosting that week’s In Other Words. Next Tuesday will be hosted by Karen on her blog, In Love W.I.T.H. Jesus

Think and ponder on this quote and share about it on your blog on Tuesday. Then, visit Karen’s blog on Tuesday, leave the link to your blog there and visit the other gals who have also written on it.

Love needs to be based on character, if you know and love God you see He has a lot of character we are in love with. The best thing we can do for our spouse is to grow in character as listed in 1 Cor 13. It’s a love of choice. We choose to love God, He chooses to love us. Love of choice is the most powerful love, God calls that agape love, it’s a love that lasts, we should never settle for anything else between us and God and others. It’s a love that grows. Keep fervent in your love, allow it to stretch and strain as you watch it grow.
Wayne Corderio

In Other Words: Caution ~ Road Slippery When Wet

Several times on the way home Saturday night with our five youngest children in our van, my husband noted that something was wrong with the steering.  He thought maybe it was just the black icy roads, yet whenever we came to a curve or turn, the van just did not seem to handle well.  We did not think too much of it once we got home.  Maybe because we did not want to.  This is the slower time for my husband’s business and who wants to think of paying for car repair bills.  We did not go to church Sunday morning since we had sick little ones.  Sunday afternoon we had to pick up our older children from a winter retreat.  Not even thinking of the steering problems of the previous night, we left.  Our driveway has a slight incline, that can be hard to get out of on these long  wintery days, and as my husband turned to steering wheel at the end of the driveway,we stopped.   We weren’t going anywhere.

The tie rod at the front came loose.  One wheel was going one way, the other  turning the opposite direction.  We were so thankful this did not happen when we took our young children out the previous night.   It could have been very dangerous, even life threatening.  Instead, it happened at the end of our driveway.  I am so thankful for the way God protected our family and even others that could have been around us.

We ignored the warning signs.  We just did not want to think about repairing a car.  Sometimes when we do this ignoring, we hope it will just disappear.  Our Christian walk can be the same way.  I think of the little quote someone wrote in one of my Bibles inside the front cover:

Sin will keep you from this Book.
This Book will keep you from sin.

God gives us many warnings and guidelines throughout His Word.  We can become overwhelmed with life, with bills (and car repairs) and neglect going to Him.  The warning signs are there- we become unhappy, more irritable, worried about tomorrow.  We are missing God’s directions in His Word, giving us peace, reminding us He’s not forgetting us, giving us promises for that day for that time in our lives.

What cautions AND promises does God want to give you today?  Have you visited His Word?

This week, Amy is hosting “In ‘Other’ Words” on her blog, In Pursuit of
Proverbs 31. Be sure to visit her site and the links to the other women who have shared on this quote. Then come back here on Friday, for next Tuesday’s new quote for In ‘Other’ Words. Be blessed.

In Other Words: Tuesday’s New Quote

P

lease join us next Tuesday by sharing on the quote shared below for our weekly, In Other Words. Each Friday a new quote is given here along with who will be hosting that week’s In Other Words. Next Tuesday will be hosted by Amy on her blog, In Pursuit of
Prov 31

Think and ponder on this quote and share about it on your blog on Tuesday. Then, visit Amy’s blog on Tuesday, leave the link to your blog there and visit the other gals who have also written on it.

“CAUTION: Road Slippery When Wet”

Amy shares why she chose this quote, to help you write about it: It may seem strange but I want to focus on the fact that every action has a consequence and God gives us warning signs throughout the Bible so that we can live by them and avoid “accidents”.

In Other Words: First Step in Faith

I invite you to participate in the drawing
for a wonderful child’s book below.
~

I

t’s that first step with so many different parts of life, that is just so hard.  It starts early in the morning getting out of bed.  The snooze button is hit one too many times, until the kids start banging on the door wanting breakfast NOW!

I love watching my little ones take their first step.  They pretty much trust mom or dad, knowing we’d catch them if they fall.  But they test us – to make sure . . .  They wobble with hands out, barely taking that first step as they land in our arms.  Everyone is joyful and praises the child, who then again tries it, maybe a full step this time.

Isn’t our walk with God so often like this?  We stumble and fall on our way to Him.   We know He is there, but how much do we really trust Him with?  He proves Himself over and over again to us that He will never leave us, or forsake us, and yet, we try so often to do it on our own – and then maybe trust Him for a bit – and then take it back – because we think we can do it better – or God is not answering soon enough.

I love what Corrie ten Boom said about faith:

” Faith is like radar that sees through the fog. “

God sees through the fog even though we cannot see clearly what is happening in our lives.  He knows the outcome.  When that prompting is on our hearts to make a call to someone we need to reconcile with, to tell our children we are sorry for blowing up, for that test we need to take at the hospital or instead of throwing our hands up and totally giving up – put your hands out and give it to God.  Yes, easier said than done, but take that first small step in trusting Him – with giving yourself completely to Him and allowing Him to put the puzzle pieces of the rest of your life together.

This week, Denise is hosting “In ‘Other’ Words” on her blog, ShortyBear’s Place . Be sure to visit her site and the links to the other women who have shared on this quote. Then come back here on Friday, for next Tuesday’s new quote for In ‘Other’ Words. Be blessed.

Be sure to join my book drawing for a wonderful child’s book.

In Other Words: God is the Ruler yet

Verse 3 of the hymn, "This Is My Father’s World" by Maltbie D. Babcock

T

oday history is being made.   It  will be etched in our minds forever.  I remember clearly when  President Ronald Regan left office,  waving as he entered the plane, and then the plane circling around the White House, as if to say, good-bye.

There is a lot of fear, especially among Christians with the entering of our new President.    These are uncertain times, and there is indeed need to be on our knees praying for our country AND our president.  Obama’s choice to have a gay bishop (another article here) to pray before the inaugural address to the “God of our many understandings”, is so sad.  Does  the one and  only God weep over our nation today? Tomorrow I will be sharing more on FOCA, the Freedom of Choice Act, which President-Elect Obama wants to be on the top of his list to pass.  It’s scary.  It will affect our stand on abortion if it passes.

This picture hangs in the Capitol. May it be a reminder to pray.

Yet, despite all the uncertainties and fears, God is still in control.  He is sitting on the throne, and knows what our future holds.  If God can make the world, throw all the stars in the skies, have my daughter at the hospital just when she went into heart failure, keep a friend safe whose tire went flying off her car while driving on slippery roads, He can and is still in control of our country and our president.  It does not mean we not do anything.  We have battles to fight.  We need to let those in government positions know of our concerns.  We need to pray for God to heal our land. Jesus died on the cross for President Obama just as He did for you and me. He wants his soul as He wants ours.

Though the wrong may seem so strong,
aren’t you thankful
GOD
IS
the Ruler yet?

Today I am hosting In Other Words.  If you have written on the above quote on your blog, be sure to leave a link with Mr. Linky below to your blog and visit the others who have also joined.

In Other Words: Tuesdays New Quote

P

lease join us next Tuesday by sharing on the quote shared below for our weekly, In Other Words.  Each Friday a new quote is given here along with who will be hosting that week’s In Other Words. Next Tuesday will be hosted by Susan on her blog, Forever His.

Think and ponder on this quote and share about it on your blog on Tuesday. Then, visit Susan’s blog on Tuesday, leave the link to your blog there and visit the other gals who have also written on it.

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak,
but their echoes are truly endless.”

~ Mother Teresa

Jessica’s Tuesday Update

Jessica had another good day of moving forward.  Last night was frustrating with a  roommate  down and depressed about life, wanted to die, and moaned and cried a good portion of the night.  Jessica did not need to hear any of this. I talked to a couple of nurses, and finally one nurse heard her and the woman was moved to a private room.  We now have a newborn baby in the room and so far have not heard a peep from him (probably will at 3 a.m. if he’s a typical baby).

Late morning Jessica got the final two chest tubes out and pacemaker wires.  She still has a medicine port in her one shoulder area, but other than that she is not hooked up to anything.  In the afternoon she went downstairs for a echo and EKG.  I thought I’d hear the results by now, but haven’t.

One of the main things that will hold her up in leaving is her blood thinning levels.  It’s very important to have it at a certain level – not too thin to cause bleeding risks and not too thick to cause it to stick to her mitral valve.  Today it was still too low.   The potential bedsore is slightly worse – just breaking through so please, please pray for her – comfort that she can lay to one side and the strength to walk more.  We just do not want this to get serious.

Another big move is I spoke to the orthopedic surgeon today who came  in late tonight. She was able to look at the x-rays & her neck/spine is worse than we knew.  Besides a hemi-vertebrae in C-7, she has what is called Klippel-Feil Syndrome and for her it means vertebreas 2,3, and 4 grew  and are fused together.  Along with this syndrome it’s very typical to have heart defects. The doc is also ordering a viewing of her kidneys as it can be typical for a missing kidney or an odd-shaped one.  It may not be anything that could cause problems, but we should be aware of it.  I am so praying this is not another problem.  This would be discouraging at this point. We are hoping that they can get her in for an MRI and additional x-rays on her neck/spine tomorrow.  Please pray this can be done, as it would be so much better to have a diagnosis before everything is in the Christmas mode through the whole weekend – and we would not get anywhere.

Heather & Jessica doing a felt coloring project.

Several have asked what my daughter Heather is doing here.  She has been such a big help and does so good just with being with Jessica and doing things.  Being Jessica is not hooked up anything, she can take her for walks. There is a game room and they played WII and have done some crafts.  She has helped fix her hair and they go on the computer together.  The hospital provides computers for the kids right in their beds.

A neat thing happen today that again showed God’s divine planning.  When Jessica had to be taken emergently for the surgery, another child had to be bumped.  It was just a matter of minutes before surgery was to be starting on this child.  Today while Jessica was in the game area, a man walked in with a Cornerstone University hoodie on.  I mentioned to him that my husband and I met there and we have friends who work/teach there.  He graduated in the mid-80’s and is now the golf coach there.  His last name is Eric Campbell.  I asked him why he was there and he said he has a three month old baby that had surgery on Monday.  He was suppose to have the surgery on Friday, but had to be bumped because of an emergency.  I told him that child was my daughter, and here she was sitting up ALIVE and I told him I had thought & prayed several times for the family that had to be bumped because I am sure it was so hard when you’re all prepared for it.  He was very excited to meet us and Jessica said  and was thrilled to see who took his child’s place., and hopes to have his wife who was with the baby come meet me.  Eric’s baby had surgery on Monday and he told me he’s doing well.  Isn’t God amazing?

Jessica with gifts she been blessed with from friends & the hospital. THANK YOU!

So for my Cornerstone & WCSG friends, please be praying for the Campbell family and their baby’s recovery.

Well, Jessica is settling down for the night as Heather is doing all our laundry and we hope to get to sleep soon.  I am thankful I was able to get a nap this afternoon (and started to dose off  on the bed by Jessica as she was getting her echo done today!).

Thank you for your continued prayers for Jessica and our family.

Jessica is doing good

Talking to siblings less than 24 hours after surgery

It’s been a good day.  Jessica was extubated around 5 am and has done fine with breathing.  She is talking and as  the day has gone on it’s been a little louder – though she has always had  a soft voice.  She still has the nasal oxygen but very minimum.  Her sats have been at  90-95%. She has been drinking grape juice and water and had a yogurt today.

Coughing is the worst, but she has to do it.  It’s quite painful. She has her favorite Winnie-the-Pooh pillow she holds on to when she has to cough.  She is on morphine, so she is seeing somethings double.  She is asking a lot of questions, like “what if I have to pee” and we told her there’s a tube, and then wants to know where it goes – and we showed her the bag.  We teased her about taking a picture of her with it.  I got a scowl with that one!  She has told us she remembers being taken for surgery, them putting the hospital gown on her, and then she woke up and thought she had just been dreaming.  She wondered why she did not see her surgeon.  I told her he will come by here to see her.  She wanted to thank him (this all on her own).  He came by and I introduced her and she whispered a loud “thank you” to him.  He touched the top of her head and told her what a miracle she is.  It was pretty precious.

One of Jessica’s nurses from 11 years ago that mainly took care of her in the evenings was on last night and came to see her.  She remembered us – gave me a hug, cried and rejoiced with us.  She is going to be her nurse tonight.  Her daytime nurse also took care of her some too as a baby.  We’ve no complaints at all of the care both physically and emotionally.

As of now, it is less likely she will need a pacemaker.  There was a possibility that sometime next week they’d go put that back in, but the external pacemaker has been off all day.

Tomorrow they hope to take a line out that goes directly to her heart.  They were going to today, but with the bleeding potential with having been on coumadin, they are extra cautious.

The floor here is referring to her as the “Christmas Miracle“.

We think so too.

In Other Words ~ Come Join Us!

This post is going to stay second from the top
until the end of December.
Please read my recent posts below.

F

or the next two weeks, we are going to do something a little different, to give our hostesses a break, and yet still share some special quotes with you. I invite any of you who read the In Other Words memes and those who host, to share what your favorite quotes were or a specific post shared by a hostess that touched you, encouraged you, etc.

So, this gives all of you a chance to write on a quote you wish you would have, rewrite on a quote you wrote on but wish you shared it a different way, share about how another’s post blessed you, or anything you wish to write about. Just leave a little blurb on your blog, and then leave the link below in Mr. Linky. If you do not wish to write about it on your blog, but want to share something anyway, just leave a note in the comment section above.

Thank you!  

“A Pair of Shoes” ~ Remembering My Son

Just remembering & missing today . . . .

“A Pair of Shoes”

I am wearing a pair of shoes.
They are ugly shoes.
Uncomfortable shoes.
I hate my shoes.
Each day I wear them, and each day I wish I had another pair.
Some days my shoes hurt so bad that I do not think I can take another step.
Yet, I continue to wear them.
I get funny looks wearing these shoes.
They are looks of sympathy.
I can tell in others eyes that they are glad they are my shoes and not theirs.
They never talk about my shoes.
To learn how awful my shoes are, might make them uncomfortable.
To truly understand these shoes, you must walk in them.
But, once you put them on, you can never take them off.
I now realize that I am not the only one who wears these shoes.
There are many pairs in this world.
Some woman are like me and ache daily as they try and walk in them.
Some have learned how to walk in them so they don’t hurt quite as much.
Some have worn the shoes so long that days will go by before they think about how much they hurt.
No woman deserves to wear these shoes.
Yet, because of these shoes I am a stronger woman.
These shoes have given me the strength to face anything.
They have made me who I am.
I will forever walk in the shoes of a woman who has lost a child.

Author unknown
(if you know who the author is, please let me know so I can give proper credit)

Drawing by my daughter, ♥ Heather ♥

In Other Words: True Beauty

A

s I put this new quote up on Friday, just hours before attending the funeral of a 54 year old man whose struggle with Multiple Sclerosis had ended, I immediately thought of his dear wife in these words.  We’ve known Steve and Sue for over 12 years, attending church with them for a short time and Steve teaching our Sunday School class.  Their eldest daughter babysat our older children (and now have children of their own).  Our oldest three boys have worked for them.  Though I would not say we are close friends, our lives have intertwined through the years, and I’ve seen Sue possess this beauty of Jesus as she has remained faithful not only to God but to her husband and family.  

I’ve seen the weariness in her eyes and remember her spending holidays in the hospital when her husband had yet another infection or medical problem. I’ve only had a tiny glimpse of the affects of MS, but I can imagine the stresses on a family, a marriage, relationships, and the struggles of the unknown future that lingered with them for so long. Yet, despite this, there has been stability.  One of their daughters told me at the funeral, though it was rough, they knew their parents were dedicated to stay together, and that gave them such security.  She told me they never had to worry that they would have to take care of their dad alone – that their mom was in it until “death do you part”.  Not only did the exemplify this to their children, they did so to those around them.  

Sue would not want me putting her on a pedestal, giving her any glory.  As any normal person dealing with such life issues for so long, I am sure she felt like Job and wondered how much more they could endure. Yet, I’ve seen Jesus shine so clearly through her. I don’t know how many of us are “willing” to suffer, yet, as I’ve seen her  going through the fires, the beauty of God has shone through her.  Several years ago  I remember her saying so clearly “it stinks”.  Yes, life certainly can stink, but I saw in her, life may stink, but God is still God and God is still good.  Her dependance on God is still a priority.

Sue, if you read this, you are stunningly beautiful as you continue to radiate Jesus.  I am so sorry that you have had to have your heart enlarged by the suffering you went through for so many years, and will continue to, as you miss your husband and what could’ve been.  Thank you for staying committed to your husband and our Savior. Thank you for being a good example as you raise your children. Thank you for showing so many struggling women that “til death do us part” can be done.  Thank you for being an example of Jesus, a Godly wife, a Godly mother and grandmother, and a Godly friend. 

 

 

This week, Nina is hosting “In ‘Other’ Words” on her blog,  Mama’s Little Treasures. Be sure to visit her site and the links to the other women who have shared on this quote.  Then come back here on Friday, for next Tuesday’s new quote for In ‘Other’ Words.  Be blessed.