When the followers and disciples realized that Jesus had been raised from the dead...when they suddenly understood the magnitude and incredible ramifications of a Risen Messiah...when they were equipped with the filling of the Holy Spirit...the world as they knew it was forever changed.
They had a "testimony". Something had happening in their lives and they shared it with others. It was so amazing that they couldn't help but share it. They HAD to tell it. They were compelled beyond their fears and weaknesses. They faced indifference, apathy and mockery by those who thought they were just drunk or crazy or both. (I am sure they wondered at times if they were, in fact, crazy!) They faced humiliation and disgrace from their family and friends. They faced physical "mistreatment" to the point of horrific deaths.
So why keep telling this story? Because these men and women were fueled by what they knew to be true. They set out to tell the world about a man who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, worked miracles beyond belief and was then crucified. And just to make it even less "believeable" - This man rose from the dead on the third day, stayed around for 40 more days doing more miracles, and then acsended into heaven promising to return again one day to take us to a place He was going to prepare for us.
And they had seen it all with their own eyes. They weren't making it up! It was absolute truth. They kept telling and retelling their story because they knew it would change the lives of others, just as it had changed their lives. And in doing so, they spread the Gospel out into a waiting world that was desperate for some Good News.
It might help to remember that this isn't just a story about what happened 2000 years ago in a country far, far away. It is a story about what happens every day in the lives of believers everywhere. Jesus is alive and active in the lives of all those who claim Him as Lord. His Spirit is, at this very moment, searching for those who do not know Him as Lord yet, so that He can be Their Good News Story.
In Gods story the Good News is this: The dead rise. The lame walk. The blind see. People can change. Failure doesn't disqualify you. Sin nor Satan have the final word in your life. Being lost just means Jesus is out looking for you. You have a place to call Home. Nothing can separate you from the Love of Christ. You can call God Daddy. And when you die, your story doesn't end there.
All this and so much more. There is so much more to tell. So many ways to tell it. If you are one who's life has been changed by the Good News, get out there and share it...and someone who needs a little Good News? Their world may be changed as well.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
A letter from Andrew
Greetings to you all.
You’ve been on my mind for quite some time. Please accept my apology for not send a correspondence sooner.
I would like to begin with a heartfelt thank-you for your kindness, generosity, compassion…compassion…compassion. Did I mention compassion? There are so many of you. At the risk of appearing lazy, I send this note of update ‘en-mass’.
A few updates…
Sarah (our 15 year old). Approximately 5-6 days after my collision she checked-in to the hospital with a ruptured appendix. After 29 days of intensive medical care in Red Deer and Calgary due to the event and numerous complications she has nearly recovered in full – a bit more strength recovery still occurring. I was ‘sheltered’ from the severity of her event for a while and did not see her while I was at Foothills Medical Centre (FMC). However, I was able to see her hospital – Alberta Children’s Hospital – from our lunch room on Floor 58 at the FMC. Tried to wave but could not see her… .
A couple of miracles I am very thankful for:
1. On a selfish note…when I left FMC I did not have to go to a graveyard. Oh, how kind our God is. It would have been too much…I am so thankful that I did not have to find out how hard….
2. Sarah was extensively blessed with compassion from many and the medical professionals. So much so, that it has confirmed to her a desire to enter the medical field. As she put it, “Dad, after being desperate and receiving compassion, I want to do share compassion for the desperate.” The ‘seed’ was planted in November 2009 after she went with a group into the slums of India. It was ‘watered’ through this experience. She’s amazing…
3. In the first week of November, I was given two airline tickets to Toronto. Sarah and I went together for 4 days. Enroute, I looked over at her and thought, one or both of these seats should be empty… then thanked God…again. A couple of highlights:
• Getting a latte on Young Street.
• CN tower.
• Going to Niagara Falls.
• Lunch at the Hard Rock Café.
• Dad/Daughter time… precious.
Me (Andrew). A lot has happened. Immense amounts of good. As you are aware, the original prognosis after my ‘unexplained’ survival was not positive. Here is a summary of some key events:
1. I came out of the coma and had no memory for about 21 days. So thankful that there are no memories of the event of May 29th.
2. Had to learn to walk, think, write and a multitude of other things. Sometime we should have a coffee and I can share some of the miracles…things that I might have taken for granted…that are much bigger than one would think…like being able to formulate or remember a thought. Or, go to the bathroom without assistance, drink regular fluids, dress one self, not wear a diaper, write one’s name, eat with a fork, speak without foul language, control my emotions…and be thankful for breath, life and the events contributing to the new daily realities. I turned from a ‘man of faith’ to one of ‘those’, you know, ‘religious freaks’ .
3. A couple of miracles…
a. Technically, I am supposed to still be a resident of FMC.
i. August 11, I was discharged and walked out – with a cane. The medical people stopped to watch me leave.
ii. The prognosis after ‘intubation’ at the accident scene was not good. There existed a possibility of becoming mute or having severe vocal restrictions; I could only whisper. The left half of the larynx was ‘shredded’. I now have complete vocal healing. The medical people – including the doctor that did the original diagnosis - were speechless.
iii. At the end of July I progressed in one week, as follows:
1. moving on my elbows in bed, being lifted by 4 nurses and placed in a wheel chair and pushed,
2. getting in the wheel chair by my elbows and a small board,
3. propelling myself forward in the chair with one foot,
4. to using my hands on the wheels to propel forward in the chair,
5. Using a walker,
6. Walking with a cane.
The medical staff passed me in the halls when I was walking and did not recognize me. When they passed I greeted them; they said hello, walked passed and stopped, turned around and said ‘Is that you, Andrew??’. Then, they smiled in amazement.
4. On October 4, I met with my Orthopedic Surgeon. As he examined me with his two interns, he then spoke - assertively. ‘Andrew, I don’t want to ever see you again. Go play rugby. ’. Then he looked over at his interns and said, ‘This is why we do what we do.’ I asked if I could give him a hug of thanks; he said ‘yes’. As I hugged him I thanked him and whispered, ‘bless you’. When I let go, both his eyes and mine where filled with tears.
a. Deborah was told 6-9 months. It was 0 + 127 days…
5. On November 21st , I was discharged from Occupational and Physical Therapies as an outpatient at Red Deer Regional Hospital.
6. December 1st . I passed a medical to drive.
7. December 2nd. I drove home from Red Deer to Penhold. It took 20 minutes. I cried for about half of the distance…they were tears of ‘thanksgiving’.
8. December 1-now. Started back working. Ramping up…fast.
A lot has occurred. Deborah and the children have been though immense challenges. As a family, we are all still going to counseling to make sure that we have a safe place to communicate and understand the past six months.
I guess, as the saying goes, ‘if it doesn’t kill you, it will make you stronger’, right??? Well, there is some merit to that saying…within the power of the ‘Almighty’.
I would like to finish something that many of you have already heard from me...
A miracle is bigger than a lotto 6-49 win, a hot date or great job. Our God is in the miracle business. As a dead man walking, mute man speaking, simple man thinking, I attest to HIS miraculous hand. When you have no hope and you need a miracle, turn to HIM – HE’s in the business.
With love, thanks and humble heart,
The Carpenter Family. (Andrew, Deborah, Rebekkah (17), Sarah (15), Joshua (13), Caleb (8) and Grace (7))
You’ve been on my mind for quite some time. Please accept my apology for not send a correspondence sooner.
I would like to begin with a heartfelt thank-you for your kindness, generosity, compassion…compassion…compassion. Did I mention compassion? There are so many of you. At the risk of appearing lazy, I send this note of update ‘en-mass’.
A few updates…
Sarah (our 15 year old). Approximately 5-6 days after my collision she checked-in to the hospital with a ruptured appendix. After 29 days of intensive medical care in Red Deer and Calgary due to the event and numerous complications she has nearly recovered in full – a bit more strength recovery still occurring. I was ‘sheltered’ from the severity of her event for a while and did not see her while I was at Foothills Medical Centre (FMC). However, I was able to see her hospital – Alberta Children’s Hospital – from our lunch room on Floor 58 at the FMC. Tried to wave but could not see her… .
A couple of miracles I am very thankful for:
1. On a selfish note…when I left FMC I did not have to go to a graveyard. Oh, how kind our God is. It would have been too much…I am so thankful that I did not have to find out how hard….
2. Sarah was extensively blessed with compassion from many and the medical professionals. So much so, that it has confirmed to her a desire to enter the medical field. As she put it, “Dad, after being desperate and receiving compassion, I want to do share compassion for the desperate.” The ‘seed’ was planted in November 2009 after she went with a group into the slums of India. It was ‘watered’ through this experience. She’s amazing…
3. In the first week of November, I was given two airline tickets to Toronto. Sarah and I went together for 4 days. Enroute, I looked over at her and thought, one or both of these seats should be empty… then thanked God…again. A couple of highlights:
• Getting a latte on Young Street.
• CN tower.
• Going to Niagara Falls.
• Lunch at the Hard Rock Café.
• Dad/Daughter time… precious.
Me (Andrew). A lot has happened. Immense amounts of good. As you are aware, the original prognosis after my ‘unexplained’ survival was not positive. Here is a summary of some key events:
1. I came out of the coma and had no memory for about 21 days. So thankful that there are no memories of the event of May 29th.
2. Had to learn to walk, think, write and a multitude of other things. Sometime we should have a coffee and I can share some of the miracles…things that I might have taken for granted…that are much bigger than one would think…like being able to formulate or remember a thought. Or, go to the bathroom without assistance, drink regular fluids, dress one self, not wear a diaper, write one’s name, eat with a fork, speak without foul language, control my emotions…and be thankful for breath, life and the events contributing to the new daily realities. I turned from a ‘man of faith’ to one of ‘those’, you know, ‘religious freaks’ .
3. A couple of miracles…
a. Technically, I am supposed to still be a resident of FMC.
i. August 11, I was discharged and walked out – with a cane. The medical people stopped to watch me leave.
ii. The prognosis after ‘intubation’ at the accident scene was not good. There existed a possibility of becoming mute or having severe vocal restrictions; I could only whisper. The left half of the larynx was ‘shredded’. I now have complete vocal healing. The medical people – including the doctor that did the original diagnosis - were speechless.
iii. At the end of July I progressed in one week, as follows:
1. moving on my elbows in bed, being lifted by 4 nurses and placed in a wheel chair and pushed,
2. getting in the wheel chair by my elbows and a small board,
3. propelling myself forward in the chair with one foot,
4. to using my hands on the wheels to propel forward in the chair,
5. Using a walker,
6. Walking with a cane.
The medical staff passed me in the halls when I was walking and did not recognize me. When they passed I greeted them; they said hello, walked passed and stopped, turned around and said ‘Is that you, Andrew??’. Then, they smiled in amazement.
4. On October 4, I met with my Orthopedic Surgeon. As he examined me with his two interns, he then spoke - assertively. ‘Andrew, I don’t want to ever see you again. Go play rugby. ’. Then he looked over at his interns and said, ‘This is why we do what we do.’ I asked if I could give him a hug of thanks; he said ‘yes’. As I hugged him I thanked him and whispered, ‘bless you’. When I let go, both his eyes and mine where filled with tears.
a. Deborah was told 6-9 months. It was 0 + 127 days…
5. On November 21st , I was discharged from Occupational and Physical Therapies as an outpatient at Red Deer Regional Hospital.
6. December 1st . I passed a medical to drive.
7. December 2nd. I drove home from Red Deer to Penhold. It took 20 minutes. I cried for about half of the distance…they were tears of ‘thanksgiving’.
8. December 1-now. Started back working. Ramping up…fast.
A lot has occurred. Deborah and the children have been though immense challenges. As a family, we are all still going to counseling to make sure that we have a safe place to communicate and understand the past six months.
I guess, as the saying goes, ‘if it doesn’t kill you, it will make you stronger’, right??? Well, there is some merit to that saying…within the power of the ‘Almighty’.
I would like to finish something that many of you have already heard from me...
A miracle is bigger than a lotto 6-49 win, a hot date or great job. Our God is in the miracle business. As a dead man walking, mute man speaking, simple man thinking, I attest to HIS miraculous hand. When you have no hope and you need a miracle, turn to HIM – HE’s in the business.
With love, thanks and humble heart,
The Carpenter Family. (Andrew, Deborah, Rebekkah (17), Sarah (15), Joshua (13), Caleb (8) and Grace (7))
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
A New Beginning
Over the past 6 months I have been walking a road that I would not have chosen if it had been mine to choose. The consequences of the events on May 29 and the following weeks are far reaching and less than perfect. I am thankful to be able to say that the Lord has upheld me in ways that only a loving heavenly Father could do. I still question the reasons why all these things have transpired and what ultimate good that might come from them, but at least I am at peace with my new reality.
Andrew has recovered enough from the accident to finally be returning to work. This is something that could not have been predicted in the weeks following the accident and I praise God for His mercy to us and our family in this area.
I worked for 2 and a half months at my "dream job" - reception and administrative support at CrossRoads Church. When it became evident that my family needed me to be at home full time I left that job and I have been rewarded in ways that I could not have imagined. My new "dream job" is working along side my husband as he returns to his pursuing his passion - and have discovered it is mine as well. Funny how God works...
Endings are hard - and so are beginnings. But beginnings are filled with anticipation and promise. They are full of potential and of what can be. They reassure us that all is not lost. There is more to come. And that is a good thing.
So here is to my new beginning. I look forward to seeing how it all works out.
Andrew has recovered enough from the accident to finally be returning to work. This is something that could not have been predicted in the weeks following the accident and I praise God for His mercy to us and our family in this area.
I worked for 2 and a half months at my "dream job" - reception and administrative support at CrossRoads Church. When it became evident that my family needed me to be at home full time I left that job and I have been rewarded in ways that I could not have imagined. My new "dream job" is working along side my husband as he returns to his pursuing his passion - and have discovered it is mine as well. Funny how God works...
Endings are hard - and so are beginnings. But beginnings are filled with anticipation and promise. They are full of potential and of what can be. They reassure us that all is not lost. There is more to come. And that is a good thing.
So here is to my new beginning. I look forward to seeing how it all works out.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
July 18, 2010
It has been just over 7 weeks since my husband's accident. I am glad to say that he is doing quite well but still has a way to go. We had many desperate moments as we have navigated the realities of a brain injury and so many broken bones. He developed numerous blood clots, but thanks to modern medicine (and a gracious Father), they have been dealt with. Good news about the damage to his larynx from being intabated at the scene of the accident; he will make a full recovery without any medical intervention!! At this time, he cannot raise his voice...(oh well)!
Andrew is still in Calgary hospital and is working very hard on his rehab. They plan to keep him for awhile yet as our home town hospital does not have the expertise to deal with his injuries. This is ok, but I would really like him home. Baby steps, I guess.
Sarah has made a full recovery from her ruptured appendix. Her total hospital stay was 4 weeks exactly. I am very thankful for all the prayers that went up on her behalf. They made all the difference.
Through all of this, I am assured that God is very kind. And He is good. Not because He has healed my daughter and is continuing to heal my husband. He is good because it is His Nature. He was good when He allowed the truck to hit Andrew. He was good as the infection raged through Sarah's body. He was good as I walked through the deep valley of depression, anger and frustration.
His Goodness is not dependant on my perception of "goodness". I tend to view things a little different than an Almighty Sovereign God. To say He is Good in my present situation requires me to submit to His Plan and Purpose. Easy? Not so much. I prefer protection FROM hardship not His Presence THROUGH it. Thankfully, He knows what I need better than I do. I may not like it, but I have never been alone. Not one day.
In it all, He is Sovereign over all. In a culture that demands a God who serves them, this circumstance has reminded me that it is He whom WE serve. We would do well to fall on our knees and worship a God that is Good. Because He says He is Good. And we must trust Him. He deserves nothing less.
Andrew is still in Calgary hospital and is working very hard on his rehab. They plan to keep him for awhile yet as our home town hospital does not have the expertise to deal with his injuries. This is ok, but I would really like him home. Baby steps, I guess.
Sarah has made a full recovery from her ruptured appendix. Her total hospital stay was 4 weeks exactly. I am very thankful for all the prayers that went up on her behalf. They made all the difference.
Through all of this, I am assured that God is very kind. And He is good. Not because He has healed my daughter and is continuing to heal my husband. He is good because it is His Nature. He was good when He allowed the truck to hit Andrew. He was good as the infection raged through Sarah's body. He was good as I walked through the deep valley of depression, anger and frustration.
His Goodness is not dependant on my perception of "goodness". I tend to view things a little different than an Almighty Sovereign God. To say He is Good in my present situation requires me to submit to His Plan and Purpose. Easy? Not so much. I prefer protection FROM hardship not His Presence THROUGH it. Thankfully, He knows what I need better than I do. I may not like it, but I have never been alone. Not one day.
In it all, He is Sovereign over all. In a culture that demands a God who serves them, this circumstance has reminded me that it is He whom WE serve. We would do well to fall on our knees and worship a God that is Good. Because He says He is Good. And we must trust Him. He deserves nothing less.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Day 23
I have tried 3 times to write this blog post. What can I say? Andrew has come a long way since his original diagnosis but has a very very long way to go. He is on day 23of his marathon back to wholeness. I am navigating a new way of relating to him as we figure out the nature of his brain injury.
Sarah is still experiencing complications from the appendicitis and is still in the hospital. She is on day 15. They have changed the antibiotic again as they have found e-coli that is resistant to the previous one. She was supposed to be home today but that has been put off. Her lungs are still an issue as well as her body is becoming malnourished due to her inability to eat properly.
I am not sure one moment to the next if I will be able to keep moving forward but so far I have found the strength to do so. Some moments, I am filled with gratitude and others, I am frustrated beyond comprehension. I am not sure where I thought I would be at this point in the journey so I can't really be disappointed in the progress. Still, I would rather not be on this road at all.
I can't say I am any closer to the Lord...but I am not farther away, either. I do think, however, He is closer to me. Does that even make sense? But that's how it feels. I haven't made any attempts to figure out His Purpose or His Plan. I know He must have one but it doesn't matter to me right now. If He chooses to let me in on it, I will be grateful but I don't have the energy or emotional fortitude to go there any time soon.
This post didn't turn out the way I thought it would. I had hoped that by the end of it I would have come to some "happy" conclusion. Instead, it turned out to be a little more honest than I had intended.
If you have stuck with me this far, thank you. Things will get cheerier, I promise.
Sarah is still experiencing complications from the appendicitis and is still in the hospital. She is on day 15. They have changed the antibiotic again as they have found e-coli that is resistant to the previous one. She was supposed to be home today but that has been put off. Her lungs are still an issue as well as her body is becoming malnourished due to her inability to eat properly.
I am not sure one moment to the next if I will be able to keep moving forward but so far I have found the strength to do so. Some moments, I am filled with gratitude and others, I am frustrated beyond comprehension. I am not sure where I thought I would be at this point in the journey so I can't really be disappointed in the progress. Still, I would rather not be on this road at all.
I can't say I am any closer to the Lord...but I am not farther away, either. I do think, however, He is closer to me. Does that even make sense? But that's how it feels. I haven't made any attempts to figure out His Purpose or His Plan. I know He must have one but it doesn't matter to me right now. If He chooses to let me in on it, I will be grateful but I don't have the energy or emotional fortitude to go there any time soon.
This post didn't turn out the way I thought it would. I had hoped that by the end of it I would have come to some "happy" conclusion. Instead, it turned out to be a little more honest than I had intended.
If you have stuck with me this far, thank you. Things will get cheerier, I promise.
Monday, June 14, 2010
On the morning of May 29th, My husband kissed me good-bye and headed out to an early morning fund raiser for a local charity in Red Deer. The weather was snowy and wet, not uncommon in Central Alberta as winter, spring and summer clash daily trying to claim as many days for their season that year. Alberta's winter is never a gracious looser to Summer, while Spring is the classic middle child - often overlooked and perhaps either too insecure about her place in the world or too uninterested to join the fight.
On this day however, my husband became the victim of the battle of the seasons. An oncoming truck lost control on the slushy roads and hit my husband's truck. My husband just happened to be talking to his brother(on his hands-free cell)so my brother-in-law heard him cry out. Jim immediately called me to tell me something was wrong. I jumped in my vehicle to find the accident. In my mind I expected to find Andrew exchanging information with another driver or maybe talking with police about what had happened.
Instead, I found him still inside his mangled 1 tonne Dodge Diesel while firemen were trying to cut him out. I tried to get to Andrew but a VERY big fireman stopped me. He said he didn't know anything about his "condition" but I should wait in my truck. I obeyed. I sat in my vehicle and watched as they cut the door off and then covered Andrew with a silver emergency blanket. They then began the process of using hydrolic hooks to pull the cab apart.
Finally a police officer came and told me that Andrew was alive and that I should go to the hospital and wait...
I obeyed...
I got to see Andrew briefly at the Red Deer hospital. They were getting ready to send him to Calgary. STARS Air Ambulance was not an option as the weather was too bad. But not to worry...a ground ambulance driving with lights and sirens would have the same turn around time...
His injuries were extensive. Both arms and both legs where broken and would require a 5 hour surgery to repair with rods, pins and plates. He had a skull fracture and 2 bleeds in his brain. Neurology in Calgary would be best able to deal with him. He had lost conscienceness and had been intibated.
5 days later, on June 3rd, I sat in the ICU family room and heard the doctor tell me and my family that my precious husband had a Moderate Traumatic Brian Injury. Diffuse Axonal injuries from the "rapid deceleration" of his brain on impact, as well as Fatty Embolisms from the bone breaks. (You can google those...)
This would have been enough to deal with...except on June 5th, my 15 year old daughter was rushed into emergency surgery with a ruptured appendix. I left my husband's side in Calgary to be with Sarah in Red Deer.
She already had 3 abcesses. In the following week, she has developed pneumonia and several more abcesses and she is still in the hospital in Red Deer. She is having her lung drained today in an attempt to reinflate a portion that has collapsed.
--------------------------------------
I haven't processed much yet in a meanful way. I want desperately for this not to be my life. I have absolutely no idea what tomorrow holds. I want to scream and yell and punch and kick - or just lay down and not get up again. Of course, these are not options for a "victorious woman of God". Whatever THAT means...
But I do know one thing. Beyond a shadow of a doubt...no matter what I think He is trying to "accomplish" in my life and how I feel about it...
I have a God who sees me.
And for now? That is enough.
On this day however, my husband became the victim of the battle of the seasons. An oncoming truck lost control on the slushy roads and hit my husband's truck. My husband just happened to be talking to his brother(on his hands-free cell)so my brother-in-law heard him cry out. Jim immediately called me to tell me something was wrong. I jumped in my vehicle to find the accident. In my mind I expected to find Andrew exchanging information with another driver or maybe talking with police about what had happened.
Instead, I found him still inside his mangled 1 tonne Dodge Diesel while firemen were trying to cut him out. I tried to get to Andrew but a VERY big fireman stopped me. He said he didn't know anything about his "condition" but I should wait in my truck. I obeyed. I sat in my vehicle and watched as they cut the door off and then covered Andrew with a silver emergency blanket. They then began the process of using hydrolic hooks to pull the cab apart.
Finally a police officer came and told me that Andrew was alive and that I should go to the hospital and wait...
I obeyed...
I got to see Andrew briefly at the Red Deer hospital. They were getting ready to send him to Calgary. STARS Air Ambulance was not an option as the weather was too bad. But not to worry...a ground ambulance driving with lights and sirens would have the same turn around time...
His injuries were extensive. Both arms and both legs where broken and would require a 5 hour surgery to repair with rods, pins and plates. He had a skull fracture and 2 bleeds in his brain. Neurology in Calgary would be best able to deal with him. He had lost conscienceness and had been intibated.
5 days later, on June 3rd, I sat in the ICU family room and heard the doctor tell me and my family that my precious husband had a Moderate Traumatic Brian Injury. Diffuse Axonal injuries from the "rapid deceleration" of his brain on impact, as well as Fatty Embolisms from the bone breaks. (You can google those...)
This would have been enough to deal with...except on June 5th, my 15 year old daughter was rushed into emergency surgery with a ruptured appendix. I left my husband's side in Calgary to be with Sarah in Red Deer.
She already had 3 abcesses. In the following week, she has developed pneumonia and several more abcesses and she is still in the hospital in Red Deer. She is having her lung drained today in an attempt to reinflate a portion that has collapsed.
--------------------------------------
I haven't processed much yet in a meanful way. I want desperately for this not to be my life. I have absolutely no idea what tomorrow holds. I want to scream and yell and punch and kick - or just lay down and not get up again. Of course, these are not options for a "victorious woman of God". Whatever THAT means...
But I do know one thing. Beyond a shadow of a doubt...no matter what I think He is trying to "accomplish" in my life and how I feel about it...
I have a God who sees me.
And for now? That is enough.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Family Time
My mommy and daddy are here visiting!!!!!! We are having so much fun! My kids are having a blast hanging out with gramma and grampa. It warms my heart to see my youngest daughter, Grace, sitting on gramma's lap with her arms wrapped around gramma's neck. A few short years ago, Grace was not very friendly. Now she can't get enough! Josh and Caleb got to play catch with my dad. Rebekkah, Sarah and I got to shop with my mom. We didn't buy anything but it was a wonderful girl-bonding time!
My husband is able to show them a video of his trip to Bangledesh and India. It was almost 2 years ago now (which tells you a little about how often my parents and I get together) and Andrew is excited about sharing it with them finally.
The relationship with my mom and dad hasn't always been that great. A little while ago, a visit like this would not have been possible. But because of a work of the Holy Spirit, it is now possible. I praise the Lord for how He has "restored the years the locust have eaten".
I can testify to the amazing restoritive power of the Holy Spirit in relationships that seem like lost causes. For anyone in a difficult situations with loved ones? God can change things!! He will change things! And he loves getting the credit for it!!!!!
So thank you, my God and Father for your mercy and grace in this situation. My you receive all the glory and honor for giving me back my mom and dad...
My husband is able to show them a video of his trip to Bangledesh and India. It was almost 2 years ago now (which tells you a little about how often my parents and I get together) and Andrew is excited about sharing it with them finally.
The relationship with my mom and dad hasn't always been that great. A little while ago, a visit like this would not have been possible. But because of a work of the Holy Spirit, it is now possible. I praise the Lord for how He has "restored the years the locust have eaten".
I can testify to the amazing restoritive power of the Holy Spirit in relationships that seem like lost causes. For anyone in a difficult situations with loved ones? God can change things!! He will change things! And he loves getting the credit for it!!!!!
So thank you, my God and Father for your mercy and grace in this situation. My you receive all the glory and honor for giving me back my mom and dad...
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