Category Archives: Faith & Hope

We Can All Do Something

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Today was an amazing whirlwind. My little girl had her first dance recital & she did awesome! She was the cutest one on that stage! Okay, I’m obviously biased..

I say it was a whirlwind, because I volunteered as a class mom. So basically from 11 am (dress rehearsal) until 5 pm (finale) my life was… well…chaotic. Me and one other mom took care of 3 different costume/make up/hair changes for 16, 4-5 year old girls. We took them on and off stage 4 times (counting finale) and don’t forget we had to distribute snacks and take them potty as needed.

I say all that not because I want a huge pat on the back (okay, maybe a back rub from the hubs), but because there were several other moms there doing just as much, if not more. And because of that, several little girls (boys) had a precious & successful recital. It made me think of this quote I heard several years ago-  We can’t do everything, but we can all do something. 

Looking back on 2013, I often tell Kevin- I can’t believe we made it through. There were so many unknowns, so many devastating blows… but as I think back, I distinctly remember God using others to meet our needs in the exact moments when we needed them. Like the time I prayed, God just let me sleep! That next day I got a call from a friend who asked if she could come over so I could take a nap. Or the time Kevin said, “I don’t know how we’re going to pay for all this.” Not long after, a teacher approached him about a fundraiser.  Or even the times I thought, God I just don’t want to cook. It seemed like people came out of nowhere with gift cards and freezer meals! By the grace of God and the love of others, our needs have yet to go unmet.

Whether it’s a recital or benefit or just a family struggling, any time a few people choose to do something, so much will get done and so many needs will be met. So I want to encourage you to join me in looking for ways to bless those around you. Maybe you can help someone with a financial gift. Maybe you know someone who could really use a home cooked meal. Chances are many people could benefit greatly by the most precious gift of your time.

Everyone has a need. We cannot meet all the needs of everyone. But we can all do something to help someone.

Don’t know where to start? Here’s some options:

1) A  very sweet couple is selling shirts to help cover the cost of adopting a baby. They’re two days away from their deadline and need to sell about 40 more shirts. Can you buy one or two to help?

2) I know a sweet mom who is working and going to school. She has to write a paper, but she needs people to take a short SURVEY for the research part. Can you spare 20 minutes?

3) There’s lots of new parents out there who would LOVE a date night. Could you baby sit for them? (And don’t charge them!!)

4) Who do you know that could use some prayer? No excuses on this one…everybody could use a friend interceding on their behalf! Can you commit to praying for someone for the next month?

Thanks to my readers for loving us. I’m praying for you tonight, that you will seek opportunities to continue loving those around you, just as you have loved us.

We can all do something.

 

 

Gideon’s Graduation

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With all the recent graduation festivities, I thought this news couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time.

Some of you may know that Gideon was placed on hospice care after his diagnosis back in August 2013. Because of this, we’ve been blessed to have four Hospice employees visit us at varying times each month-a caseworker, a Chaplin, a nurse, & a house cleaner.

Yesterday we got our final visit from Gideon’s case worker and Chaplin; and today we sign paper work with his nurse dismissing us from the hospice program. And even though today is officially his graduation, they’ve been so gracious to let our amazing house cleaner come one last time this Friday!!

So what does this mean (other than my house will now be a wreck)?

Despite his terminal diagnosis, Gideon is not considered “sick enough” to require hospice care at this time- which is great news!! However when his disease begins to progress (hopefully not for many years), hospice will return to continue services for our little warrior.

Thanks for all your prayers and support throughout our journey. It’s been a roller coaster and I imagine it will continue to be that way for as long as God has loaned sweet Gideon to us.

 

Happy Father’s Day

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Being a father is the most important and toughest job in the world. Father’s are called to show unconditional love and discipline. They’re called to be patient and forgiving. They’re called to provide and protect. They’re called to be moral and compassionate. And because they’re called to be selfless, they must die to themselves daily.

I’ve watched the two most important men in my life answer the call to display these qualities- my father and my husband. Sometimes I laugh at just how much they have in common. With the exception of height and bell peppers, I pretty much married my father. But there’s one commonality they share, that makes them stand out from the majority of fathers- they’re both dads to a child with a disability.

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For the past 17 years, I’ve watched my father come alongside my mother to take care of my sister’s most personal needs. He has never been hesitant to help her dress or go to the bathroom. When most men bail on their families because the disability is too much, my dad chose to stay. While most retired men are playing golf and traveling, my dad is laying hard wood floors in my sister’s house.

I do not take for granted how lucky I am to have a fiercely loyal dad, because I know they are few and far between these days. And I rejoice daily because God has blessed me with a husband who is just as loyal to meet the needs of his family.

When Gideon was diagnosed, Kevin (and I) grieved the death of a dream. He was not going to have the typical father-son relationship he planned. But that hasn’t stopped him from being the best dad he can be for Gideon and for Laynie.

Kevin starts his day and ends his day helping me with the children. I never have to ask him to help or play with kids. Five minutes after walking in from work, Laynie already has bows in his hair and a doll in his lap. I’m confident that Gideon spends more time in his father’s arms than he does mine… and I’m at home with him all day! Kevin has always been a present, hands on dad; and to say I’m grateful would be an understatement.

So to my dad and to my husband, I want to say Happy Father’s Day. I celebrate you, not just today, but every day. Thank you for unconditionally loving & disciplining your kids. Thank you for your patience and your forgiveness. Thank you for all the ways you provide and protect. Thank you for being compassionate men with good morals. Thank you for being selfless.

It’s all these qualities that you’ve displayed that help show your kids the heart of THE Father.

John 15:12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.