Catching up

Wow everyone it's been one of those weeks, with sick kids and spring break I don't know where the time has gone, but it certainly hasn't been on here. I think I had just enough in me to check in once and awhile and make sure every one's okay. Glad to hear that so far everything is pretty good. I will thank God for that until I hear differently. There are some updates I'd like to give though. Nothing serious but if you have a passing moment and would like to lift these up for me I would be very appreciative. First the continued strength of my husband as he works to support his ever-growing family and as we are in the process of buying a house. Secondly, for the continued health and provision for my kids, my sister is pregnant as most of you probably know and has been having some cramping and contractions (she's only 22 weeks) so that's not a good thing. Her doctor did, however, take her off of work and put her on disability, but prayer for her rest and strength and the continued health and development of baby Katie would be awesome. My Dad is having some health issues, nothing serious, but I pray for him to make wise choices and take it easy when he can, to not let things get to him. He's a believer and I believe with all of our prayers that God will reveal to him what he needs to do. I appreciate so much all of your thoughts and prayers so much. I love doing this blog so much because I've heard from family and friends that I wouldn't necessarily talk to one of whom I spoke via email to last night. Her name his Debbie and for those of you who don't know, let me fill you in on their story. It's quite a testimony and I think will bless those who hear it, I know is did Chris and I. Anyway, Bill and Debbie were our neighbors when we rented our first house in the high desert back in 2001. They were the first people we met and we became very close friends, Chris and Bill especially. They had one daughter, Corrina, who my kids played with daily. You know, sleep overs and the like. Anyway, we were neighbors for years until they moved to Tennessee. We missed them so much but knew they were living their dream. They bought land and built a beautiful home on it, so our hearts were big for them. Well when we were living in Wyoming,we got an early morning phone call, you know the ones that wake you up and you know somethings not right. It was right after Christmas 2006. It was Debbie. She called to inform us that Corrina has passed away the day before. As you can imagine, I was stunned, just frozen. I do remember exchanging some words with Debbie and giving the phone to Chris. That was one of hardest things we've had to experience. I just couldn't believe that it was true and I never doubted God but this was one of things that I was like, why? How is this going to turn for out for good? Well, I'll tell you. About 6 months ago, Chris called Bill to check in. Now they talked every now and then since Corrinas death but it was never quite the same. But this time they were on the phone for hours. I just knew something magical was happening with Bill and Debbie. When Chris hung up the phone, through his tears told me of one of the most awesome testimonies I've heard. Bill and Debbie were grieving their daughter and could only find solace in God's word and in church (which is huge). And during their healing, they both began to think that maybe they should have another child, not telling each other though. Eventually, they speak to each other about it. Now I am leaving out so much detail because I would be typing forever but, they talk to each other and decide to try. Now Bill had been fixed for years, and they knew it would be a long shot. So they contact a specialist who said the waiting list was almost a year long. So they really didn't know what was going to happen. Bill was getting on a plane out to California so see his doctor for his back. (He was injured at work and suffered back problems because of it). When he was at the airport he got a call from the fertility specialist and they said they just had an opening if he could get on a plane they could see him that weekend. Well he got directions and the office "happened to be" a few doors down from his back doctor. So he had the procedure and went home. They tried invetro it didn't take. And they decided that if God opened all these doors for them that they were going to step aside and let him work. And they did and Debbie was pregnant right away. They ended up having a baby girl named Stephanie a few months ago. This story, shortened as I've had to make it paints a picture to me of how God can turn anything into something for His glory. Something as dark and scary and painful as losing a child, your only child, which He experienced, and using that to cultivate new growth in hearts and lives. Through Corrinas life she brought memories, laughter and beauty and is now in heaven doing the same thing. But her parents are saved now, living for God and receiving the bounty of His blessings and the strength of his Love and presence, and a gift of another daughter. Someone to share Corrinas life with and raise in the love and beauty of our Father. I think that God can turn ANYTHING into beauty and does everyday, we just have to choose to see it. I if we walk around with hardened hearts and blinders on our eyes we miss the gifts of His glory that He gives us everyday. Corrina's dying was a robbery to us here, but she lived her life and served her purpose and even wrote in a journal that she had found God, and I think that the Father knew when He took Corrina home it would hurt her parents deeply and take them to places of grief that are unimaginable but He knew the end result. I think the Father knew taking Corrina early in her life was a small price to pay to have her parents walking with Him and eventually their new baby. Corrina gave them a gift and give us all a gift, we just have to choose to see it. I thank God for His compassion, for His love for His kids and for is never-ending faithfulness to do what's best for us, even when it hurts. Blessings to you all! I love and miss you and you all in prayers!