"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." ~ I John 3:18
This is the verse for the day at the site where I read the Bible. It is right along with what I have been feeling. It echoes the words of James 2:14-17, "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." I have been thinking back to the time not so long ago when I was miserable and having a hard time coping with Jule's constant crying. I ended up on valium because the situation was too much for me to handle. What REALLY stuck out to me were the people that put their actions into deeds. Those who lived close enough and physically came and helped me. To me, that was what I needed. I needed someone to physically take Jule from my arms and take over so I could spend time with Noly. The people that came know who they are, and I am forever grateful for that.
I strive to be that type of person for Whitney. Yes, I am praying...fervently. But I want to be there for her...physically. I want to be God's physical hands and feet when she needs it. In the coming weeks and months ahead, I want to do all that I am capable of doing to lighten her load. God, give me words and knowledge of witty inventions to help my friend. Please continue to have Your hand on each one of the Bradburns and their family members. I pray for peace, strength and health for little Forester and that his side effects would be very minimal. In Jesus' name.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Lot to Think About...
There has been so much to think about...and pray about. Little Forester ended up having a brain tumor. They removed the tumor yesterday, and he will need chemo and radiation in the upcoming months to prevent it from coming back. My heart has felt such a sadness for the Bradburns. Yes, I feel hope...that our God is in control, that He has him in His hand, that Forester will likely live a cancer-free life, etc. I also feel such heartache that Forester has to go through all of this, and that Whitney and Pete are now faced with a world very different than what they knew on Monday. I don't want any of them to have to suffer.
As I was praying about this last night, Isaiah 53:4 came to mind, "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows..." I sat there and wondered what God was feeling. I want to note that I'm not wondering if God cares, but I wonder what He feels since He knows so much more than we do. I know that He is God. He knows all before it even happens. He knows the end result of everything and is not surprised by anything. Yet, He made us with feelings, so surely He must feel something when He sees His children suffer. Maybe those feelings were manifested in Jesus' suffering? I thought about all of the pain and suffering Jesus went through on His way to the cross...the beating and the scourging, the feeling of so many people being against Him. He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows with Him. Jesus, the embodiment of all of our pain, all of our suffering. I am so thankful that even little Forester knows Jesus, the One Who will be his constant companion and ever-present Friend.
Psalm 118:17
"I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD."
I woke Noly up a little early this morning to make a card for Forester. I expected her to protest because it was so early in the morning. Her response was to joyfully color him a beautiful picture to help him feel better. She was so sweet and so happy to make him a card...it really blessed me to watch her. I want to teach her how important it is to give of herself to others when it's in her power to do so. I want to teach her to care about other people, and this early in life, it seems to come natural to her.
God, I pray a covering of blessing over Forester. I pray for health, life and peace and minimal side effects from any meds he has to take. I pray that this whole situation will become a testimony to the healing power of Your name. Amen.
As I was praying about this last night, Isaiah 53:4 came to mind, "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows..." I sat there and wondered what God was feeling. I want to note that I'm not wondering if God cares, but I wonder what He feels since He knows so much more than we do. I know that He is God. He knows all before it even happens. He knows the end result of everything and is not surprised by anything. Yet, He made us with feelings, so surely He must feel something when He sees His children suffer. Maybe those feelings were manifested in Jesus' suffering? I thought about all of the pain and suffering Jesus went through on His way to the cross...the beating and the scourging, the feeling of so many people being against Him. He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows with Him. Jesus, the embodiment of all of our pain, all of our suffering. I am so thankful that even little Forester knows Jesus, the One Who will be his constant companion and ever-present Friend.
Psalm 118:17
"I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD."
I woke Noly up a little early this morning to make a card for Forester. I expected her to protest because it was so early in the morning. Her response was to joyfully color him a beautiful picture to help him feel better. She was so sweet and so happy to make him a card...it really blessed me to watch her. I want to teach her how important it is to give of herself to others when it's in her power to do so. I want to teach her to care about other people, and this early in life, it seems to come natural to her.
God, I pray a covering of blessing over Forester. I pray for health, life and peace and minimal side effects from any meds he has to take. I pray that this whole situation will become a testimony to the healing power of Your name. Amen.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Long Time, No Post
I have been so busy lately that I haven't posted in a long time. So much has gone on since my last post. Jule got tubes in his ears, and it has helped him so much! The babysitter noticed a big difference right away. We noticed that he is sleeping better (when he's not teething). Noly has a double ear infection, which is her third since September, so we found out yesterday that Dr. H will do a second set of tubes...yay! They helped her immensely, and that will give us a year without ear problems in either child (I hope)!
I noticed last night that life is getting back to a more normal place. Having both kids in the evening is not nearly as stressful because Jule is not so high-needs. We have been sick a lot this winter, but I think that is to be expected with two preemies in their early years. When he's feeling good, Jule is such a character. He smiles and laughs WAY easier than Noly did at that age. She was and is so serious. He seems much more happy-go-lucky and is madly in love with both Kevin and I. He's almost 8 months and is probably approaching 25 lbs if he's not there already.
Noly is changing so fast and becoming so grown up. She can go all day with just one pull-up sometimes...if you motivate her enough with gummy Princesses. She loves to be a Princess. Last night, I took a pic of her with her toy camera, and it said, "You are a beautiful Princess." She looked at me and said, "I'm not a beautiful Princess yet." I said, "Why not." She said, "I need my purple dress." So, apparently one has to wear a Princess dress to be a beautiful Princess? Her hair is so long that it's getting close to her butt. I want to keep it long but not too long. She knows she is three and will be four on her birthday, and she loves singing. I think her favorite song right now is the song we sing to pray over our food..."God, our Father."
Jule's greatest joy is Noly, and he laughs the most when she laughs and says, "ouch!" I'm not sure whether that's a good or bad thing...already laughing at others' calamity...LOL. Seeing them interact more and more is so exciting because I know that they will be able to play together before too long. I can't wait to see their relationship develop. Noly is a little mother to him sometimes, and I wonder what he will think of that when he gets older. He gets seriously mad when we clean his face after a meal or when we dress him. He prefers to be dirty and naked...all boy!
Today, I am praying for Whitney's family. Little Forester is having surgery to remove a brain tumor. It pains my heart to think of what they must be feeling right now, and all I can do is pray. I love them all very much.
I noticed last night that life is getting back to a more normal place. Having both kids in the evening is not nearly as stressful because Jule is not so high-needs. We have been sick a lot this winter, but I think that is to be expected with two preemies in their early years. When he's feeling good, Jule is such a character. He smiles and laughs WAY easier than Noly did at that age. She was and is so serious. He seems much more happy-go-lucky and is madly in love with both Kevin and I. He's almost 8 months and is probably approaching 25 lbs if he's not there already.
Noly is changing so fast and becoming so grown up. She can go all day with just one pull-up sometimes...if you motivate her enough with gummy Princesses. She loves to be a Princess. Last night, I took a pic of her with her toy camera, and it said, "You are a beautiful Princess." She looked at me and said, "I'm not a beautiful Princess yet." I said, "Why not." She said, "I need my purple dress." So, apparently one has to wear a Princess dress to be a beautiful Princess? Her hair is so long that it's getting close to her butt. I want to keep it long but not too long. She knows she is three and will be four on her birthday, and she loves singing. I think her favorite song right now is the song we sing to pray over our food..."God, our Father."
Jule's greatest joy is Noly, and he laughs the most when she laughs and says, "ouch!" I'm not sure whether that's a good or bad thing...already laughing at others' calamity...LOL. Seeing them interact more and more is so exciting because I know that they will be able to play together before too long. I can't wait to see their relationship develop. Noly is a little mother to him sometimes, and I wonder what he will think of that when he gets older. He gets seriously mad when we clean his face after a meal or when we dress him. He prefers to be dirty and naked...all boy!
Today, I am praying for Whitney's family. Little Forester is having surgery to remove a brain tumor. It pains my heart to think of what they must be feeling right now, and all I can do is pray. I love them all very much.
Monday, February 9, 2009
We've Been Chosen
A couple of weeks ago, Kevin's parents took Noly to Walmart to pick out her first bike. Her favorite color is pink, so we expected her to choose the first pink bike she saw. To our surprise, she looked through all of the little bikes at Walmart and didn't want a single one of them. As they were leaving, she saw a picture of a little purple bike and said, "I want THAT one!" So, being the good grandparents that they are, they immediately ordered it online.
I was talking to Kevin and was worried that she wouldn't like it once she saw it up close because it wasn't pink. This is the child who wailed in Walmart because Kevin couldn't find me a PINK broom and dustpan. I figured we would have to tell her that she chose that bike, so that is the one she had to keep and be thankful for.
Saturday night, I got home from church and pulled into the garage and saw her new little bike partially assembled. It took no more than a quick glance for me to see EXACTLY why she chose it. Her little purple bike was plastered with Disney Princesses and pink and blue flowers. Even the wheel spokes sport little plastic flowers that make it ever-so-girly. The bike practically screams out her name! In her eyes, it is the most beautiful bike on the planet, and her little face lights up when she rides it.
I started thinking about the sermon I had just heard. God chose us...just like Noly chose this bike. Other children may not see the beauty in this bike, but to Noly, it is the most magnificent bike that ever graced our planet. And that is how God thinks of us. He sees beauty in us, and He chose us to be His children. We bring a certain twinkle to His eye because He loves us and delights in us. We don't ever have to worry because we aren't "pink" because He didn't make every single person to be "pink." Some of us are blue, purple, red, yellow...doesn't matter. May we look at others in a way that uncovers the beauty that God sees in them, and may each one of us know that we are chosen by the God of the Universe to be His very own.
I was talking to Kevin and was worried that she wouldn't like it once she saw it up close because it wasn't pink. This is the child who wailed in Walmart because Kevin couldn't find me a PINK broom and dustpan. I figured we would have to tell her that she chose that bike, so that is the one she had to keep and be thankful for.
Saturday night, I got home from church and pulled into the garage and saw her new little bike partially assembled. It took no more than a quick glance for me to see EXACTLY why she chose it. Her little purple bike was plastered with Disney Princesses and pink and blue flowers. Even the wheel spokes sport little plastic flowers that make it ever-so-girly. The bike practically screams out her name! In her eyes, it is the most beautiful bike on the planet, and her little face lights up when she rides it.
I started thinking about the sermon I had just heard. God chose us...just like Noly chose this bike. Other children may not see the beauty in this bike, but to Noly, it is the most magnificent bike that ever graced our planet. And that is how God thinks of us. He sees beauty in us, and He chose us to be His children. We bring a certain twinkle to His eye because He loves us and delights in us. We don't ever have to worry because we aren't "pink" because He didn't make every single person to be "pink." Some of us are blue, purple, red, yellow...doesn't matter. May we look at others in a way that uncovers the beauty that God sees in them, and may each one of us know that we are chosen by the God of the Universe to be His very own.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Tagged by Elissa
44 ODD Things about me.....
This was sent to me by several of my friends....enjoy!
.1. Do you like blue cheese? Never could bring myself to taste it
2. Have you ever been drunk? Not sure
3. Do you own a gun? Yes
4. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite? Strawberry
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Sometimes
6. What do you think of hot dogs? Eat them regularly on the grill
7. Favorite Christmas movie? Don't know
8.Mom's name? Vickie
9. Can you do push ups? Probably
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? Wedding band and engagement ring
11. Favorite hobby? music & sleeping
12 Do you have A.D.D.? Maybe
13.What's your weight? Don't know
14.Middle name? Dawn
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? Hope we stay healthy this week, Jersey Mike's sure hits the spot, I need to work
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Pepsi, water, gatorade
17. Current worry? that Jule will cry all evening from the antibiotic
18. Current hate right now? slow drivers
19. Favorite place to be? at a 4 Him concert in Disney World
20. Ever been in a car accident? Yes
21. Where would you like to go? Disney World
22. Name three people who will complete this? Danette, Carla
23. Do you own slippers? no
24.What color shirt are you wearing right now? pink
25. Do you like sleeping on Satin sheets? Nope, can't stand silky-feeling things
26.Can you whistle? yes
27. Favorite color? red or black
28. Would you be a pirate? sure
29.What songs do you sing in the shower? None
30. Favorite Girl's Name? Nolynn
31. Favorite boy's name? Noah
32. What's in your pocket right now? Nothing
33. Last thing that made you laugh? Jule trying to jump while I rocked him to sleep
34. Best bed sheets as a child? Strawberry Shortcake
35.Do you love where you live? Yes
36. Worst injury you've ever had as a child? needed stitches in my chin from a swing hitting it
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 2
38. Who is your loudest friend? many of them
39. How many dogs do you have? none
40. Does someone have a crush on you? yep, Kevin & the weird guy at Jersey Mike's who smiles at me
41. What is your favorite book? Waking the Dead
42.Diet? No way!
43. Favorite sports team? none
44. Favorite song to be played at your funeral? It Is Well With My Soul
I tag Danette & Carla
This was sent to me by several of my friends....enjoy!
.1. Do you like blue cheese? Never could bring myself to taste it
2. Have you ever been drunk? Not sure
3. Do you own a gun? Yes
4. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite? Strawberry
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Sometimes
6. What do you think of hot dogs? Eat them regularly on the grill
7. Favorite Christmas movie? Don't know
8.Mom's name? Vickie
9. Can you do push ups? Probably
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? Wedding band and engagement ring
11. Favorite hobby? music & sleeping
12 Do you have A.D.D.? Maybe
13.What's your weight? Don't know
14.Middle name? Dawn
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? Hope we stay healthy this week, Jersey Mike's sure hits the spot, I need to work
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Pepsi, water, gatorade
17. Current worry? that Jule will cry all evening from the antibiotic
18. Current hate right now? slow drivers
19. Favorite place to be? at a 4 Him concert in Disney World
20. Ever been in a car accident? Yes
21. Where would you like to go? Disney World
22. Name three people who will complete this? Danette, Carla
23. Do you own slippers? no
24.What color shirt are you wearing right now? pink
25. Do you like sleeping on Satin sheets? Nope, can't stand silky-feeling things
26.Can you whistle? yes
27. Favorite color? red or black
28. Would you be a pirate? sure
29.What songs do you sing in the shower? None
30. Favorite Girl's Name? Nolynn
31. Favorite boy's name? Noah
32. What's in your pocket right now? Nothing
33. Last thing that made you laugh? Jule trying to jump while I rocked him to sleep
34. Best bed sheets as a child? Strawberry Shortcake
35.Do you love where you live? Yes
36. Worst injury you've ever had as a child? needed stitches in my chin from a swing hitting it
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 2
38. Who is your loudest friend? many of them
39. How many dogs do you have? none
40. Does someone have a crush on you? yep, Kevin & the weird guy at Jersey Mike's who smiles at me
41. What is your favorite book? Waking the Dead
42.Diet? No way!
43. Favorite sports team? none
44. Favorite song to be played at your funeral? It Is Well With My Soul
I tag Danette & Carla
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)