Sometimes I think about this blog and the fact that I haven't posted for a long time. I also remember the times that I was posting in it daily. It was kind of a release, a way to process, and share my thoughts and feelings. The story is always going on though, it is always progressing, and changing, growing.
Today Kasi moved back home after her first year of college. I can hardly believe the first years of life, extending into school, and then college. There were so many times throughout her life that we didn't know she would make it this far. And now, she is done with her first year, looking forward to 3 more and then living her dream of helping kiddos in the hospital.
It is amazing to see how real life issues shape us and make us who we are. We have walked a hard road, full of heart break and things that seems so unfair. Through it all we know our God is faithful, He is consistent, He is all knowing, all loving......the list can go on and on. We have so much to our story that I look back on see God's hand in it all. From cash in our mailbox, just the right amount of course, to miraculous healing, amazing provision through a fundraiser for our family, and the biggest of all.....God's grace to us all. Watching these kiddos grow in Him, seeing them love God, because He first loved us.
Watching Kasi over the last year was a blessing to me. She has helped friends walk down rough roads, she has encouraged some in their faith, she has started a bible study too. All of this selflessly, all the while dealing with her own "stuff". Yes, Kasi has her own stuff, it is some of the same stuff she has had before. Her aorta, once again, not perfect, re narrowed, and keeping her from normal life. What is normal for her though. Is it running? Is it doing sports? Is her life filled with the busyness of doing rather than being? One thing Kasi is really good at, being. She is....she doesn't have to be anything to anyone because she is secure in who God created her to be. Without the stuff of this life, who would she be? Would she be able to come along side others like she does? Would she be such a blessing to those who know her? God's hand is above all and in all, and for that we praise Him.
Then watching our family. Watching Aubree grow, the boys too, but Aubree because she is growing into a young woman that is seeking God's heart in all she does. Watching her over the last year and seeing her heart and God working and doing some awesome things in her life. Seeing prayers answered, watching her lean on Him, stand up for Him, and live for Him. I wonder, what would she be like if not surrounded by the hard stuff of life. Watching her sister, suffer, almost leave this world, and also be healed, recover, and depend totally on God. While Kasi's mission field is in Dr.'s offices and hospitals, Aubree's is the soccer field. It's in the gym, it's helping people be better through the stuff that Kasi can't do. Aubree has lived this out in many ways through the years through giving verses, bibles, and being a testimony to those around her. God has used it by also calling her to CMU, to play soccer, and the one of the biggest blessing is that her coaches see something different in her. That something is Jesus.....
Today, I sat with a dear friend during a lunch. I feel honored that she sat, and felt like she could tell me things of her heart. I cried, she cried, and I just listened. (ok, I wasn't completely quiet) I walked away thinking, what an honor to be there, to just be. Again, I wonder, what would my heart be like if it weren't for my struggles, our challenges, my brokenness. God has used the broken to come alongside so many people. God's glory has been seen and continues to be seen through people that walk through the valley.
The story goes on.....Does our story ever end? I wonder do we ever stop talking about God's love, goodness, faithfulness? Do we stop talking about the miracles, the challenges, the brokenness, and healing? The answer is of course, NO!! This year, starting Jan., has been extremely hard for me and for our family. I have cried so hard, begged God to change hearts, for people to change, to grow in Him, to understand and not judge, and God choose to move me, to move us. Looking back I see that once again, letting go was the best thing we could do. That this too is a growing point for our whole family. Sometimes, physical pain is hard, but emotional pain is harder. We have been blessed by true friends, true prayer warriors, and mostly by the Truth. God's word has ministered to our hearts, and we have dug deep to learn full dependence on Him, and not on others. So, our story, continues. We will continue to show grace, as much grace as was given us by Jesus himself. It is not dependent on what others do for us, but on what God already has done through Jesus himself. Our story, makes us who we are. Our story is God's story through us. The great I AM was yesterday, is today, and will be forever. In Him is where our story begins and continues.
Keep looking up!!
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Celebrating and starting a new journey
It is hard to believe that prom is this week Friday. Along with prom, it is also Kasi's 17th birthday. I can hardly believe that she has made it this far in her life. I never thought at the begining of her life she would be going to prom, nor did I ever even think about it. It was such a day by day, moment by moment life. Now as I look back I see all of the goodness to us and the provision and can celebrate with her as I send her off in her beautiful dress on her 17th birthday.
April 12, 1996 at 7:58pm a little bundle of strong willed joy entered our life. Her will so strong it helped her survive. In her 17 years she has had 1 tummy surgery, 1 back surgery, 3 heart surgeries, 2 heart caths, 3 angiograms, a large hemotoma that could have taken her life it was so large, 1 MRI (which she can't have anymore because of the rods in her back) at least 5 to 7 CAT scans, countless X-rays and many many months spent in the hospital. Each surgery different and having it's own risks. Each moment saying good-bye from my arms as a little baby to being wheeled away on a bed far to big for her, and at the last as a young woman knowing with such an assurance that whether in life or death God's will would be done and having peace that was beyond our understanding. Only with a tear flowing down her cheek as she watched us all try hold it together with each giving a kiss on her forehead as she went to the OR. That was a life time ago and at the same time only a little more than 2 years.
From PICU to the floor we have met many people along the way too that have impacted our life and hopefully we have made a little mark on theirs. I can't believe all of what we have been through and it seems so overwhelming and yet, the goodness in the middle of it all. If I could only put into words the feeling I get over each and every birthday of this young daughter of the King. And that is just what she is, a daughter of the King!! As much as I want to take credit for being her mom and helping her through life I can only say that it is only because of God's spirit in me, His love extended through my arms, and His grace that is wider, deeper, and bigger than we can wrap our brains around. At the point of her birth I was only familiar with a God that was "in control" but in the first months of Kasi's life He started to impact my heart in ways that would change me forever. Am I a crazy for the King, absolutely!! I have seen my King at work around us and through us. Would I change anything of the past 17years? Not if it means changing anything about who we are as a family. Does it mean we are perfect? No, it just means we are real, growing, and moving for the Kingdom and sometimes that means that what we face from day to day is a little harder, more challenging, or bringing us to a new place where we can see God is His awesomeness, moving, working, and being glorified. Even if it is new chapter or even a new book, which is what it seems to be with our family.
On April 16 Kasi will go in and see her cardiologist. We are expecting a good report although there are some questions, but when are there not questions? It's Kasi!!
Then on April 25 a first chapter in a new book starts. Although that is not all totally true because Ben has been brought to us in a way that only have been orchestrated by God Himself, but that my friends is a different book altogether! This new adventure we are facing with our Most High is about the brain and all it complexity. Only our creator knows our brain in ways that can be totally healed so that is what we always pray for, and as we are moving we pursue openings and discover ways to help our little man out to the best of our ability. With this comes an appointment at UofM on the 25th of April. He does have epilepsy and with the choices his birth mom made while he was in the womb he is a complicated case. We love this little guy and he is ours. We never look back as say because her bla bla bla, we just don't go there. She had/has her issues and this is not about her. God has placed him here as well as his brother because they were meant to be here. They are our own children and nothing can change that. And with that we move forward as we did and do with Kasi into this new part of learning and growing knowledge I never wanted or needed to know. We move forward because we know we can with the strength of Him who gives all strength. Ben is a child of God who asked Jesus into his heart while making cookies with me one day right by the counter in our kitchen. He loves Jesus and I know that Jesus will hold his hand as He did Kasi's. And I must say, Kasi is a blessing to him as well.
We are growing, and learning once again. So welcome to the next journey in faith with the DeRoo's. We still are on one with Kasi, just adding to it and not stopping God's story through us.
This is a fallen world that we live in, but...BUT we are citizens of the King's Kingdom!! Resting in the assurance of our eternal home and spreading seeds where ever He calls us.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.......we see only one step at a time by God's design
Looking Up!
Jodi
April 12, 1996 at 7:58pm a little bundle of strong willed joy entered our life. Her will so strong it helped her survive. In her 17 years she has had 1 tummy surgery, 1 back surgery, 3 heart surgeries, 2 heart caths, 3 angiograms, a large hemotoma that could have taken her life it was so large, 1 MRI (which she can't have anymore because of the rods in her back) at least 5 to 7 CAT scans, countless X-rays and many many months spent in the hospital. Each surgery different and having it's own risks. Each moment saying good-bye from my arms as a little baby to being wheeled away on a bed far to big for her, and at the last as a young woman knowing with such an assurance that whether in life or death God's will would be done and having peace that was beyond our understanding. Only with a tear flowing down her cheek as she watched us all try hold it together with each giving a kiss on her forehead as she went to the OR. That was a life time ago and at the same time only a little more than 2 years.
From PICU to the floor we have met many people along the way too that have impacted our life and hopefully we have made a little mark on theirs. I can't believe all of what we have been through and it seems so overwhelming and yet, the goodness in the middle of it all. If I could only put into words the feeling I get over each and every birthday of this young daughter of the King. And that is just what she is, a daughter of the King!! As much as I want to take credit for being her mom and helping her through life I can only say that it is only because of God's spirit in me, His love extended through my arms, and His grace that is wider, deeper, and bigger than we can wrap our brains around. At the point of her birth I was only familiar with a God that was "in control" but in the first months of Kasi's life He started to impact my heart in ways that would change me forever. Am I a crazy for the King, absolutely!! I have seen my King at work around us and through us. Would I change anything of the past 17years? Not if it means changing anything about who we are as a family. Does it mean we are perfect? No, it just means we are real, growing, and moving for the Kingdom and sometimes that means that what we face from day to day is a little harder, more challenging, or bringing us to a new place where we can see God is His awesomeness, moving, working, and being glorified. Even if it is new chapter or even a new book, which is what it seems to be with our family.
On April 16 Kasi will go in and see her cardiologist. We are expecting a good report although there are some questions, but when are there not questions? It's Kasi!!
Then on April 25 a first chapter in a new book starts. Although that is not all totally true because Ben has been brought to us in a way that only have been orchestrated by God Himself, but that my friends is a different book altogether! This new adventure we are facing with our Most High is about the brain and all it complexity. Only our creator knows our brain in ways that can be totally healed so that is what we always pray for, and as we are moving we pursue openings and discover ways to help our little man out to the best of our ability. With this comes an appointment at UofM on the 25th of April. He does have epilepsy and with the choices his birth mom made while he was in the womb he is a complicated case. We love this little guy and he is ours. We never look back as say because her bla bla bla, we just don't go there. She had/has her issues and this is not about her. God has placed him here as well as his brother because they were meant to be here. They are our own children and nothing can change that. And with that we move forward as we did and do with Kasi into this new part of learning and growing knowledge I never wanted or needed to know. We move forward because we know we can with the strength of Him who gives all strength. Ben is a child of God who asked Jesus into his heart while making cookies with me one day right by the counter in our kitchen. He loves Jesus and I know that Jesus will hold his hand as He did Kasi's. And I must say, Kasi is a blessing to him as well.
We are growing, and learning once again. So welcome to the next journey in faith with the DeRoo's. We still are on one with Kasi, just adding to it and not stopping God's story through us.
This is a fallen world that we live in, but...BUT we are citizens of the King's Kingdom!! Resting in the assurance of our eternal home and spreading seeds where ever He calls us.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.......we see only one step at a time by God's design
Looking Up!
Jodi
Thursday, December 20, 2012
December 21 two years later
Tomorrow we will be going in for a routine check-up for our Kasi girl. It is hard to believe it has been two years since her surgery, and at the same time it seems like it has been forever. So many things we remember like yesterday and at the same time things that we have forgotten. For all the things remembered it is all the good things, the smiles shared, relationships built, and the best of all, the praise we saw God get for every good thing. It was the lives that have been changed, and the people who now know Jesus and the strength He gives. These are the things remembered each day, until, the day before an appointment.
The day before we head over to UofM so many emotions go through my head. I am not anxious or scared, but revisiting all of the "stuff" of testing and waiting and going over results. The doctor conversations, the keeping my head into every word so I know the right questions to ask so when we leave I am fully aware of Kasi's health for another year. It seems like we should be at the point where these things shouldn't be of concern and just a normal checkup. For those of you who have been on this journey with us for a long period of time know that nothing is really of the norm with Kasi's body. And of course this past year is no exception. She has had costacondritis which she needed a CT scan for and she has had pain in her leg, swelling in her feet, and of course he feet getting a little funny with color at times, among other things which make us go hmmm. No we don't call on these things because we simply are done with all the doctor visits and really try and enjoy life together without thinking about such things. I am sure though, that this is different for Kasi who actually has these things going on.
Kasi for the most part doesn't tell me about issues anymore, and really why would she? She is completely desiring to lead a normal teenage life. What does that look like for her? I see her and see how mature she is in her thinking and in her relationships. Part of me wants her to be free, run, jump, and be crazy!! She is free and she can sure be crazy, but at times I feel like she is held into this adult mode of thinking because she has come face to face with the reality of whether or not she might see tomorrow. I remember how strong she was looking forward to and anticipating this past surgery. It was amazing the strength she had. I remember having the hard talk with Aubree about what this could look like, and how, no matter what the outcome, we knew God's love for Kasi was so much greater than our own that His will would be perfect. Kasi now says to me that her strength was in the form of peace. She was at peace the days and months before her surgery. God given peace, and peace I desire to live in daily. I remember God's hand on her, physically and spiritually. I also recall her face as she was wheeled away from us that morning. A single tear from each eye rolling down her cheeks, her at peace, but seeing my pain as I longed to go with her, hold her, and tell her it's okay.
So tomorrow we go down these same halls, to the same Dr.s, and the same people who saw us for who we really are, vulnerably on our knees before our Father, trusting. We are trusting, in Him to hold us like we have been held, go before us and prepare those who need to hear of Him, and to share our celebration of Kasi being held and healed by the Almighty.
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the PEACE of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of PEACE.
The day before we head over to UofM so many emotions go through my head. I am not anxious or scared, but revisiting all of the "stuff" of testing and waiting and going over results. The doctor conversations, the keeping my head into every word so I know the right questions to ask so when we leave I am fully aware of Kasi's health for another year. It seems like we should be at the point where these things shouldn't be of concern and just a normal checkup. For those of you who have been on this journey with us for a long period of time know that nothing is really of the norm with Kasi's body. And of course this past year is no exception. She has had costacondritis which she needed a CT scan for and she has had pain in her leg, swelling in her feet, and of course he feet getting a little funny with color at times, among other things which make us go hmmm. No we don't call on these things because we simply are done with all the doctor visits and really try and enjoy life together without thinking about such things. I am sure though, that this is different for Kasi who actually has these things going on.
Kasi for the most part doesn't tell me about issues anymore, and really why would she? She is completely desiring to lead a normal teenage life. What does that look like for her? I see her and see how mature she is in her thinking and in her relationships. Part of me wants her to be free, run, jump, and be crazy!! She is free and she can sure be crazy, but at times I feel like she is held into this adult mode of thinking because she has come face to face with the reality of whether or not she might see tomorrow. I remember how strong she was looking forward to and anticipating this past surgery. It was amazing the strength she had. I remember having the hard talk with Aubree about what this could look like, and how, no matter what the outcome, we knew God's love for Kasi was so much greater than our own that His will would be perfect. Kasi now says to me that her strength was in the form of peace. She was at peace the days and months before her surgery. God given peace, and peace I desire to live in daily. I remember God's hand on her, physically and spiritually. I also recall her face as she was wheeled away from us that morning. A single tear from each eye rolling down her cheeks, her at peace, but seeing my pain as I longed to go with her, hold her, and tell her it's okay.
So tomorrow we go down these same halls, to the same Dr.s, and the same people who saw us for who we really are, vulnerably on our knees before our Father, trusting. We are trusting, in Him to hold us like we have been held, go before us and prepare those who need to hear of Him, and to share our celebration of Kasi being held and healed by the Almighty.
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the PEACE of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of PEACE.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Thankfulness
Thanksgiving is right around the corner and this year I keep thinking about two years ago and all of the roads we have been down since. It is as if our journey in life was with Kasi alone, but that is not the case. This journey of life is always moving and is fluid just as God is. God is always moving, flooding, pulling back, making trenches, changing scenery, in the very depths of our souls. This doesn't happen with one major moment in life, as a major surgery, cancer, illness, or accident, these are just tools along the way to shape and mold us to see Him more clearly, and even more importantly make us more like Him. When we have no other choice but to reach up because there is nothing more under us holding us, God's amazing arms swoop down and pick us up and carry us.
This thanksgiving I am thankful for knowing Jesus in such a way that He carries me. Not just through life with Kasi, which is major, but through life with the boys as they are special needs and born with more obstacles then most people face ever in their life. Also, with Aubree as she shares her faith on and off the soccer field filled with life experience, not being swayed by those who choose to talk about her and shoot her down in school and life. All these things as a mom make my "plate" full, and sometimes I refer to it as a meat platter, but, BUT, I know that through all of life as we know it, God's love is bigger, greater, and continual. He is fluid, filling all the creases of life that need filling, changing, and cleansing. I rest in this, today, and always.
Have a very blessed Thanksgiving, being thankful for Him, the true One in control of all.
This thanksgiving I am thankful for knowing Jesus in such a way that He carries me. Not just through life with Kasi, which is major, but through life with the boys as they are special needs and born with more obstacles then most people face ever in their life. Also, with Aubree as she shares her faith on and off the soccer field filled with life experience, not being swayed by those who choose to talk about her and shoot her down in school and life. All these things as a mom make my "plate" full, and sometimes I refer to it as a meat platter, but, BUT, I know that through all of life as we know it, God's love is bigger, greater, and continual. He is fluid, filling all the creases of life that need filling, changing, and cleansing. I rest in this, today, and always.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Happy 16th
Wow Kasi I never knew you would make it to this day! Actually every year on this day is a time that I have my moments of being filled with tears of awe. Most mom's reflect I am sure on each of their children's birthday's, but yours is different. And maybe just different from my perspective. I look at the past 16 years of not only your life, but everyone who's life has been impacted by you, which includes mine. Having a baby can be an event that is overlooked as a "normal" part of life by most people, but you my sweet girl, have been anything but normal. (which you know because we tell you all the time...hehehe) I still chuckle at the fact that I was overwhelmed with tears the day we were going to take you home because you were a little jaundice and they weren't sure if you would have to stay an extra day. At that I now say "HA"! I also remember the ride home in which a semi would pass us and I would freak out a little bit. Then there is taking you to our home and walking you around the rooms, saying "here is your crib, here is your rocking chair, here is our table" and crying so much over that. Can you say post-pardem blues??? Wow, it was crazy! Then there was taking you back into the hospital to have your billirueben (sp?) checked and Grandma having to come along because I couldn't even bare to think of you getting poked in your foot! You would scream and I would sob. At one point you were in the back with Grandma and I heard you crying and I started crying in the waiting room, a older man came over to me, put his arm around me and said "I understand, my daughter just had a baby too, it's okay". I think on these little moments, and then look at what was to come about over the next weeks and how God stepped and intervened in my heart to give me strength. Who knew at the time I was weeping over a foot poke that in 5 weeks we would be sobbing over the side of your crib as the nurses breathed breath back into your body. Who knew that after what was supposed to be a "simple" tummy surgery that we would get the most devastating news we could ever hear. Who knew that not only would we hear about your heart being broke, that ours would have to break over and over and yet over again. Who knew that each time we gave you over to surgery after surgery we would be giving you straight into the hands of our Father to do His work inside your little and not so little body. Who knew that as your heart, being absolutely the very first case of it's kind, would be the very thing that changes my heart and makes our hearts so in love with the Father who not only holds our physically broken hearts and heals them but also our Spiritually broken heart and heals and holds it. Who knew that 16 years later we would be able to give so many testimonies of healing, holding, and uplifting, and mostly, lives changed all for His Glory! God knew.
I sit here and reflect on the 16 years of your life, I am thankful for each day. I know that life in your future isn't going to be "easy", but then I think, if it were easy for the past 16 years where would we be? How much love would we actually have for the One who holds us? Would we recognize all His goodness for what it is? Would we be like the "norm"? I don't want to be like the "norm" and I don't want that for you my sweet baby girl! I don't want the "norm" to be part of our vocabulary ever, not for you, Aubree, Ben, or Nathan. I desire to stay radical for the One who is the healer! The awesome in power! The mighty One!
May we always be on edge of what God is going to do next and may we always ride the wave of His Spirit in our lives. I pray that the song in your heart remains strong. I pray that others may share with you, how God has worked among them and in them because of God's work in you. Think about Dr. Eilison coming into your room and letting you know that he never realized the depth of the song "I will Praise You in the Storm" until he heard it one morning on the way to U of M and God revealed to him it looks like you! That is a God moment because of your life. I praise God for the unusual, the not norm, for those moments. How many times when going to an appointment you would come out of the Xray and say, so mom, how many new friends do you have? Thank you Lord for calling us out of ourselves, and into seeing you around us. Each face is one that is created in the image of God and may you always be faithful in reflecting God back to each face you meet. May your heart always remain sensitive and loving! And Kasi, I have to tell you, you have an amazing story that God has given you! You were given a word from God by many, and were even told you have a gift to compose, I believe God is sorting that out in you right now. Pray over it, through it, and into it. He will reveal the how and when. May you also know that a vision was told to me that a friend had while you were in U of M and it is a vision that will never leave me. That is a vision of you standing before our Father in His Glory casting your crowns filled with jewels at His feet.
Keep living your out of the box, not "normal", sold out, bold life!!! God has and will continue to do GREAT and AMAZING things!
I love you! But God loves you more!!
Mom
I can't wait to hear you sing your new "life song" soon. I am attaching it :-)
I sit here and reflect on the 16 years of your life, I am thankful for each day. I know that life in your future isn't going to be "easy", but then I think, if it were easy for the past 16 years where would we be? How much love would we actually have for the One who holds us? Would we recognize all His goodness for what it is? Would we be like the "norm"? I don't want to be like the "norm" and I don't want that for you my sweet baby girl! I don't want the "norm" to be part of our vocabulary ever, not for you, Aubree, Ben, or Nathan. I desire to stay radical for the One who is the healer! The awesome in power! The mighty One!
May we always be on edge of what God is going to do next and may we always ride the wave of His Spirit in our lives. I pray that the song in your heart remains strong. I pray that others may share with you, how God has worked among them and in them because of God's work in you. Think about Dr. Eilison coming into your room and letting you know that he never realized the depth of the song "I will Praise You in the Storm" until he heard it one morning on the way to U of M and God revealed to him it looks like you! That is a God moment because of your life. I praise God for the unusual, the not norm, for those moments. How many times when going to an appointment you would come out of the Xray and say, so mom, how many new friends do you have? Thank you Lord for calling us out of ourselves, and into seeing you around us. Each face is one that is created in the image of God and may you always be faithful in reflecting God back to each face you meet. May your heart always remain sensitive and loving! And Kasi, I have to tell you, you have an amazing story that God has given you! You were given a word from God by many, and were even told you have a gift to compose, I believe God is sorting that out in you right now. Pray over it, through it, and into it. He will reveal the how and when. May you also know that a vision was told to me that a friend had while you were in U of M and it is a vision that will never leave me. That is a vision of you standing before our Father in His Glory casting your crowns filled with jewels at His feet.
Keep living your out of the box, not "normal", sold out, bold life!!! God has and will continue to do GREAT and AMAZING things!
I love you! But God loves you more!!
Mom
I can't wait to hear you sing your new "life song" soon. I am attaching it :-)
Sunday, November 6, 2011
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......
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......
Thursday, November 3, 2011
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!!
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!!
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