A reflective few days

I have been waiting to post on here about how it is to be 1 year post op.  I wasn't sure how I was going to start this post because there are so many things that go through my mind and heart.  Some things bring laughter and others many tears.  I realized that there are so many things I never really realized a year ago that I look back on now and stand in amazement at.  So so many God things that have become apparent and have changed who we are as individuals and as a family.  Life looks different through the eyes of someone who has been to the depths and what someone does there can change your life.  What I mean by that and what I realize is that we are very different in our approach to life and faith and life.  You see in our family there is no separating the two.  We don't do our thing everyday separate from God.  Now we don't live perfectly in this, but we see things with a kingdom purpose.  For everything under heaven happens for a purpose, and God has ordained it all. 
One year ago Kasi was struggling to survive.  When talking to her today she remembers going to her dark happy place away from everything else that was going on.  Her body was fighting but Kasi was at peace.  Ex. 14:14  Be still and I will fight for you.  Of course she was at peace because everything in us wants to fix, but God says just trust me that is all I ask.  
There are many emotions that go along with that feeling of letting go.  I had to let go 15 years ago and it has been a process of letting go ever since.  We do what we can, but I have come to know that our children all of them are only lent to us to guide in the knowledge of our Lord.  Kasi has her own relationship with Him in which she gains her strength.  So, as we move together through the challenges of this world we rest in the fact that God is with us in the middle of all places.  He never leaves us!  His Holy Spirit guides, comforts, protects, sustains, and brings forth all Truth to give all that we need.  In the middle we have found to be praising God, and isn't that what God asks of us?  I am pretty sure Paul talks about praising God in the middle of suffering!  Not because of suffering but because that is what God is the closest to us.  We have felt the hand of God we have seen His glory, and have felt His joy as he used us in the middle.  Our attitudes were never of why, what or how, but of where, when, and who.  We wanted to be where He wanted us to be, when He wanted us to be there, and minister to whomever He wanted us to.  Once our minds and hearts acknowledged the fact that God calls us to all places in our lives we could live in the peace of God being in control and letting go.  Praise be to Him!! 
Our story is not over, nor is anyone of ours.  We have a purpose until either Jesus comes back or we are taken to Him.  Faith and life do not disconnect, but are always together as long as Jesus lives in you and is Lord of your life.  Only at that moment are we free from "stuff" of this world.  Maybe not physically, but the emotional binding that "stuff" tries to have on us.  Rest in Him, have peace in Him, and finally Live in Him.  When this happens, you too will not be silent about the GREAT things God is doing in your life. 
My story continues, in two little boys in which are both being watched or tested for Autism, in a young lady who God is using soccer to take her to places in which she has and does share Jesus (so proud she lives out loud) and in Kasi, whose life will continue to be one of going to doctors appointments and check ups.  I wonder, how many "new friends" will I meet in the waiting rooms.  Kasi always gives me a hard time about that in a good way.  If there is one place that people need to know the Love of Jesus it is in a waiting room of the major Dr.s Kasi goes to.  I pray we shine His light brightly and we know that the right people will be there at the right time :-) 
May God bless all of you with the ability to know Jesus and to LIVE OUT LOUD!! 
I am sure there is more to come......

Nov 3 2011

I know, what a title!  Well that is because the fact that I am sitting down and typing this out on Nov. 3, 2011 is an amazing thing to me right now.  Tomorrow more will come, but today marks one year since we took Kasi in to the hospital to have her surgery.  Nov. 4 2010 is the date that she had the surgery that changed our lives in so many ways.  Yes, she is the one who had the surgery, but at the same time God uses such events in our lives to change many many lives.  These things I will write about tomorrow as I am still processing everything of this past year. 
I am also in the process of re-reading what I posted last year on this date and then the dates after.  It is God's story and wow did He tell it.  I am humbled to be part of His big picture. 
I can't wait to see what He has for tomorrow! 
Blessings to you all....I will write really soon!
Jodi
PS...I am hoping to have Kasi write something as well!!