Don’t Stop Praying

I am thankful…

~ for Bear. He’s such a great dog. He’s been a relatively easy puppy, very smart and learning quickly. My favorite is how he and Tatum K love each other. They greet each other each morning with enthusiastic kisses, and just roll all over the floor together. I’m blown away that Bear clearly recognizes and respects the difference between Tatum and the other children…he is so much more gentle and tender with her, and puts up with her squeezing him and over-loving him. I can tell they are going to be best friends. Love to have him riding along in the bus to and from school. He MAY be just the SLIGHTEST bit spoiled.

~ for my latest favorite salad recipe: crunchy chickpeas, juicy tomatoes, and creamy avocados tossed with green onions, cilantro, lime, and olive oil! It is so tasty!

~ for a fun, albeit chilly first baseball game of the season for Cooper. He had a great game, and was stealing bases left and right! Great start to the season!

~ for a great tournament for Carson Grace’s softball team. They traveled to Frisco and won 2 out of 3 games. We couldn’t make it to watch, but I was super thankful for the ability to follow the game live via an app on my phone!

~ for my awesome rockstar husband, who was a pacer with Uncle Caleb for the Fresh 15K yesterday morning. The kids and I loaded up the bus to cheer for him, and after an hour of driving in circles and backtracking around the blocked off streets along the race route, we FINALLY found a place to park and walked A MILE IN THE RAIN, arriving at the Finish Line: 5 minutes before they crossed!!!!! So proud of Josh, who nailed his goal pace, and persevered through the challenging course despite back and knee injuries.

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~ for another rockstar: our friend Mason who kicked leukemia’s butt and took his very last dose of chemo last week. Mason is a brave boy who overcame trial after trial and side effect after side effect. And his family never lost heart or let go of their faith. Such a joy to celebrate these milestones.

~ for Sawyer’s tender heart during worship. Today at church, unprompted, he began to raise his hands. He sang along, and swayed back and forth with his hands in the air. Then, he abruptly got down on his knees in the aisle of the church, bowing his face to the floor of until worship was over. It was priceless. Maybe he was pretending, or copying what he sees others do. Who knows. It doesn’t matter. I know the Lord sees his innocent little heart inclined to Him and is pleased. I asked Sawyer afterward, and he said simply, “I wanted to make God happy.”

~ I WAS super excited to share a project that I have been painstakingly working on all week, stripping a unique old end table we’ve had for years. It had an outdated dark stain that I stripped, planed, sanded, and then bleached to get to a far lighter, almost driftwood look. Turned out great. Unfortunately, I guess all the motion and commotion didn’t agree with it, because the day after I moved the completed table into the house and got it all staged cute, all of a sudden, the beautiful glass base of the table shattered! SO SAD! But times like these make me extra thankful for my junker’s heart, because we always have random table bases tucked away somewhere, and Josh got it all fixed up. I sure was bummed about that awesome glass base though.

~ and I’m so excited for Carson Grace on her latest adventure. She is currently in Washington DC with her senior class for the week. I dropped her at the school at 2am, they flew out of Dallas at 7, and hit the ground running in DC taking in the sites. Praying for the students to have a safe and phenomenal trip, one of the last events they’ll go through together before graduation. Man, I miss that girl.

My heart has been heavy this week. So many people I love are hurting, weighted down by some tremendous burdens. And I can’t do one thing. There’s no answer, no fix, no remedy. I mean, of course, Jesus is the remedy. If we know Him, we know that. But when the people we love hurt, we hurt. There’s just no way to take that away. But we can do the only thing we can do…we pray. We reach out. We remember. And don’t stop praying, and reaching out, and remembering. We don’t have to have perfect poetic words of encouragement that no one has ever said before. Or come up with THE ONE SCRIPTURE that is going to enlighten the situation and give a fresh perspective and change everything. That’s God’s department. He’s the One in the miracle department. Keep praying for your friends, friends. He listens. Prayer changes things, and it changes us. Don’t lose heart. I know you have been praying for Baby Lucas – don’t stop! My pastor friend received his heavenly healing…he is with Jesus now, right where he wanted to be. But please keep praying for his family and his church. And please add another this week. Brian is my friend’s husband, and his family is eagerly waiting for him to wake up from emergency heart surgery several weeks ago. You can keep up with the updates here www.caringbridge.org/visit/brianwilhoite

Keep praying and looking for the blessings around you, and let’s lift one another day by day a step closer to the Throne. Maybe I’ll be strong for you today, and then you’ll be strong for me tomorrow. And God is always working, even when we cannot see. And be kinder than you think you have to be. You never know what someone is walking through. Thanks for giving thanks with me.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

The Plague

I am thankful…

~ for such a SWEET start to the week: No School + International Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day! The kids were thrilled to devour a delicious treat for breakfast, and Sawyer prayed the most sincere prayer for all his friends who have or are battling cancer around the world. I had the best time compiling the photos I received from all over, from so many of you who played along. Even though this year Gold Network didn’t hold a physical event, I was thrilled with the participation and the awareness raised. Thank you so much to all the schools, businesses, and families who honored childhood cancer heroes on Monday.

Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day…the calm before the storm. (I just noticed the Lysol in the background…a menacing foreshadowing…)

OUR WEEK WENT DOWNHILL AFTER BREAKFAST.

9am: First Tatum K refused her ice cream. Highly unusual, as all forms of dessert are heralded by her as a form of “PIE!” But I quickly understood as my poor little muffin started vomiting in my lap. She was weak and puny, and I spent the day with her in my arms. The rest of the Tribe helped clean house, we sanitized, Lysoled, etc.

4:55pm: Anonymous Child #2 says, “My tummy hurts.” I ask if they need to throw up? “No.” Use the restroom? “Already did.” So I advise Child #2 to go lay down and rest. But to take a bowl with them in case a different stomach ailment should arise.

4:57pm: Anonymous Child #2 gets bowl from kitchen and promptly throws up into it.

4:58pm: Aggressive Lysol patrol and hand re-washing begins.

Tuesday 7am: Symptom check, everyone seems fine. Kids head to school, minus Child #2.

7:30am: Mom doesn’t feel so good.

7:45am: Yup. Mom is MOST DEFINITELY sick.

Moms don’t get sick. Moms CAN’T GET SICK. The sick kids still need tending, nurturing, doctoring. And the well kids are still… well, kids! Laundry and homework still has to get done and food still has to be prepared. I don’t remember much about Tuesday. Mostly that it was bad. I do have a dim recollection of driving to school with a bowl in my lap, praying I would not have to use it. On a positive note, no new ones appeared sick, and Tatum K seemed to be feeling FABULOUS. Anonymous Child #2 felt great all day, only to throw up again at 4pm, thereby earning another 24 hours home from school.

Wednesday: so the thing about Wednesday….it was my birthday. My family was so sweet. They got me a beautiful new hammock I’d been wanting, and they had all written precious handwritten notes. I got lots of thoughtful calls, texts, and emails, even a gift left on my doorstep! Josh brought home lunch, and Colton popped in with a gift of Golden Grahams cereal and hazelnut coffee creamer (isn’t it funny the random details kids notice/remember about what we like?). It would’ve been a great day if I hadn’t felt like a wrung-out dishrag. And Tatum was suddenly puny again, refusing to eat anything, and presented with gastrointestinal symptoms that had now migrated from the “north” to the “south.”

Thursday: Everyone seems to be feeling GOOD! Even Tatum K, although she’s still having some “symptoms” and no appetite. We do another round of disinfection, and count our blessings that we’ve made it through the bug, virtually unscathed.

Friday, I was finally feeling ALMOST back to normal, and crammed all my grocery shopping in before the torrential rain began at noon (no small feat, as I shop 3 different stores for 2 weeks’ worth of menus…most notably the 10 gallons of milk and as many loaves of bread.) Friday was a big night: Cooper and his 8th grade choir class have been preparing their musical production, “The Big Bad Musical,” for weeks, and Cooper was one of the lead roles (Title Character, Big “B” Wolf, in fact!). We were all thankful to be well and able to attend. And let me say, completely unbiased of course: the show was TERRIFIC!!!! The cast played their parts perfectly, the script and their interpretations were hilarious, and Cooper was amazing! He had two solo songs, and we were all so proud! It was such a fun night! Unfortunately, Dad started feeling sick that evening (no symptoms) and Anonymous Child#3 threw up in the middle of the night. Sigh.

Saturday: Purchased more Lysol. Cleaned house from top to bottom. Dad and Child #3 feel like garbage. I attend Cooper’s final matinée performance of “The Big Bad Musical,” and it was even better the second time! So proud of him!!! And SOOOOO THANKFUL that he didn’t get sick! (I was secretly so worried about that and prayed over it CONSTANTLY. THANK YOU JESUS!) AND (so far, PLEASE-JESUS-PLEASE) neither did Sawyer! That has literally never happened! Sawyer has caught absolutely every bug he has been exposed to by his siblings (or classmates) for the last 2 years, UNTIL NOW! Glory to the Lord, his immune system is finally rebuilding! And Tatum K is FINALLY back to normal in all capacities. Last night, we had a quiet evening at home, staring into nothingness, completely ZAPPED.

I’m so thankful for the grace that God gives me for everyday living. Even when I whine and complain. Grace for teenage mood swings and not-always-charming life lessons, grace for puppy training and vomit bowls, breath by breath grace for the lifelong journey we have in front of us with our Tribe. And grace to enjoy the bright spots in the midst of the mayhem! Sure, we had the stomach bug over and over, but people were kind on my birthday, Cooper’s musical was a resounding success, and I had lots of warm moments with my kids. We went on walks, read our bedtime book, and tonight Dad is cooking a feast for us on the grill. There is always, always, ALWAYS something to be thankful for.

I have friends in need of prayer, and I know I can come to you to lift them up. A dear pastor friend who has been battling cancer and doing AMAZING has taken a sudden and dramatic turn for the worse. Please pray for him, for his loving wife, and for his congregation who love them both so dearly, for God’s glory and purpose to shine forth in the midst of pain. And then today I received news of a newly diagnosed baby with cancer. Of course this is always devastating news, but this one hurts on a uniquely grievous level: this dear child’s Mama is one of our incredible oncology nurses at Children’s. For years, Kelly has unflinchingly stared childhood cancer in the face. She has been strong for us, and lovingly cared for our children, and has seen some of the darkest moments that no one should ever have to see. But all that time she never dreamed she would walk through OUR UNTHINKABLE HELL with her own baby. Will you please pray for Baby Lucas and his family? You can follow their updates here. https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/hookemforlucas or here https://helpinghandsawo.org/projects/hook-em-for-lucas/

I’m so very thankful for this community of friends: most of you I know, some I’ve never even met. But you are my people. Thank you for reading, thank you for caring, thank you for praying. And thank you for giving thanks with me.

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“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV

Sweet

I am thankful for a full week of fun…

~ for a great week for Tatum K. She likes all these birthdays and parties and holidays for one important reason: CAKE! If you’ve seen my Instagram, you have seen her insistent chanting: “Cake! Cake! Cake! Pie! Pie! Pie!” There is no denying her love of sweets, and she was one happy girl to get to indulge this week!

~ for Gavin’s 2nd grade class chapel program, celebrating that the Bible is God’s Valentine to His children. Such a sweet message, and the kids did such a great job.

~ for a dear friend’s good news that made my heart sing.

~ for excitement for Cooper – thrilled that he made the A team for Jr High baseball! He started practice last week, and games will commence soon. Carson Grace is enjoying playing on the Varsity Softball team. Come on SPRING!!!

~ for new signs completed for Giddyup and Whoa. Bear and Tatum K both got to be sign models.

~ for two special back-to-back birthdays. Kora turned 10 on the 13th and Gavin turned 9 on the 14th (Gaventime’s Day!). Yep. 366 days apart! These two are used to sharing birthday celebrations, and Gavin knows his birthday is going to be red and pink every year until eternity. They are great sports about it, and we do our best to make their individual days special for each of them. We feasted on box macaroni and cheese and pizza and pink and blue cupcakes.

~ Miss Kora had no reservations about what she wanted for her birthday: pierced ears! She marched right in and hopped up in the chair! She made some pretty intense, horrified faces during the piercing, but she was super-duper brave! So pretty!

~ for surviving the epic amounts of sugar consumed by my household this week: from “special birthday breakfasts” to class birthday treats, birthday cupcakes, ON TOP OF class Valentine’s Day parties. It was a high-fructose corn syrup and Red 40 flavored week. We may be doing a cleanse these next few days!

~ for the single-most highly anticipated evening of the year: the Father-Daughter Banquet/Dance at Tyler Christian Fellowship. There is nothing that thrills my girls more than to hear the doorbell ring and open it to find their beloved Daddy with roses in his hand to offer to each one of his beautiful girls. They all dressed in their finest, and they dined, they danced their little tails off, and each one of them soaked up how much they are loved by their Daddy. Even Carson Grace cherishes this time. I love that this is a memory they will always treasure. This year I had a really great time with Tatum K (too young to attend) and my boys. We cooked some tasty nachos and watched a movie. But the highlight of the evening was playing Pie in the Face! We all got “pied,” even mom, much to the boys’ delight. Lord, help me to relax and have fun with my kids. They really are so easy to please….all they want is time and some good laughs. And sometimes it really is as simple as a fistful of whipped cream smeared on my face.

~ for a special time of fellowship and sharing after church. Leadership hosted a lunch for new visitors, with a tasty meal and encouraging testimonies from people in the Body. Love the opportunity to get to meet, welcome, and encourage new families.

It’s been a good, full week. Plenty of hard, but also plenty of sweet moments. I think that’s just where we are in life. I think it’s always going to be some flavor of hard. Large family life is uniquely challenging. Adoptive family dynamics are complicated. Life after cancer is ugly hard. But God is just so faithful. His Word reminds me of His new mercies. His Spirit comforts mine and reminds me that no matter what I feel like, I’m never ever alone. And Jesus meets me: in my brokenness, in my joy, in the moments when I feel like an utter failure, and in those fleeting moments when I breathe a sigh of relief that I finally got something right. We serve a God of second chances! Hallelujah! He never gives up on us, and I’m so thankful. And while my loving Father never ceases to extend grace to me, I also need to DO MY PART! It’s my responsibility to get into the Word and seek Him. My flesh is never going to feel like praising Him. But I have to do it anyway. And I know that He will meet me.

Tomorrow is a very special day that you may not know about…February 18 is International Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day! It’s a special day set aside to support children who are fighting or who have fought cancer. Gold Network of East Texas is encouraging people to eat ice cream for breakfast and post pictures on social media, with a caption in support of kids with cancer. You can participate by posting a picture on Facebook or Instagram, tag @goldnetworkofeasttx and @eaticecreamforbreakfastday, and tell us who you are eating for. If social media isn’t your thing, just dish up a sweet treat and say a prayer for the kids. You can even email me a picture at info@goldnetworkoet.com. Our family will be eating ice cream for Sawyer. And Eric. And Olivia. And Sophie, Brock, Jase, Liam, Michael, Izzy, Bristell, Hudson, Addie Leigh, Anna Luisa, Kaitlyn, Abigail, David, Ceely, Parker, Emerson, and all the other children whom we have met in person or online, and kids around the world. No child should ever have to fight cancer. But for now, we can eat ice cream. And we pray.

Thanks for giving thanks with me.

“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.”” Jeremiah 29:12-14

Overwhelmed

I am thankful…

~ for our 13th and 14th viewing of the beloved GCS 1st grade production of Little Bo Peep. It is the sweetest play featuring Little Bo Peep and Little Boy Blue on a quest to find the lost sheep, enlisting the help of all our favorite nursery rhymes. Our Zoe gave a compelling performance as Little Polly Flinders. Such a fun tradition, and the moral of the story – that Jesus always helps us when we go astray – gets me every time.

~ for the most loving and godly teachers who pour into our children, and encourage mom and dad when we desperately need it.

~ for some of the most stunning, electric sunsets I have ever seen! God’s handiwork on display never ceases to amaze me!

~ for getting to see Carson Grace speak encouragement to incoming GCS freshmen about being a part of the High School Praise Band. Proud of the poised, talented, and God-seeking young woman she has become.

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~ for a super-fun quadruple birthday party! We just celebrated Samantha last month, and both Gavin and Kora are coming up this week…Zoe isn’t until August, but it’s just easier on Mama’s brain to ding-it-done all in one big shebang! The kids got to try out the new hit attraction, Urban Air, an indoor trampoline park with more extras than you can count: zip lines, ninja obstacle course, rock walls, ropes course…there are so many exciting activities for all ages. Each birthday honoree got to invite a couple of friends and choose their favorite cupcake: chocolate with pink buttercream, chocolate with blue buttercream, chocolate with chocolate buttercream, and funfetti with rainbows! They all had a wonderful time! (And I didn’t have to clean up afterwards! WIN-WIN!)

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~ for a sweet (albeit far too short) visit for Kora, Gavin, and Zoe with their biological big sister, Grace. Grace was adopted by dear friends of ours, but they moved to College Station this summer, so we don’t get to see her as often as we’d like. The four of them stick together like glue when they have the chance. Grace is growing into such a remarkable and beautiful young lady, and it is so special to see her. I’m thankful for the opportunity for the kids to stay connected and make new, healthy, and happy memories to replace the more difficult memories from their early childhood. What a Healer is our God!

~ for a special evening at Gold Network CONNECT, our quarterly childhood cancer caregiver support group. Our group was smaller than usual, with many families out with sickness (can you BELIEVE all the flu around here??!!), but we know that it is truly an anointed time for the appointed ones who come. We enjoyed the most delicious fajitas from Abuelos and decadent tuxedo cake and key lime pie for dessert. And we shared our stories and our lives with one another. Laughter and tears and encouraging words remind each other that none of us are alone on this long, lonely walk. I’m so thankful for the great privilege to come alongside other families and share hope, even though our stories are all so different. Also so very thankful to have been approved for a generous grant to cover the funding for this important program!

~ for Gavin getting some great one-on-one time with Dad, building signs for Giddyup and Whoa. He learned a lot: helped cut, assemble, and stain several signs. Didn’t even mind the chilly temps!

Oh, I’ve been in such a slump. Nothing terrible is going on. We are dealing with colds, not cancer. It’s just been hard to get motivated…to get into the Word, to paint, to stay positive. Maybe it’s the weather? It’s been dreary and cold. Anyone else relate? So anyway, on Wednesday, I dragged my weary, unmotivated self to midweek service at church. House was a mess, kids a wreck…but we got there. Only to find out that instead of the praise and prayer time we have been doing, that this week was going to be a time of sharing testimonies. GREAT! Because I was SO IN THE MOOD to testify. (insert HEAVY SARCASM) Worship began, and I struggled to refocus my heart and enter in. The words made perfect sense to what I was dealing with, but I still felt like I was going through the motions, “I delight myself in You/in the glory of Your presence/I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You)”. Until one of my Littles whispered to me, “Mama, what does ‘overwhelmed’ mean?” And as the song continued, I tried to explain, “It’s like when there’s all this STUFF around you. All the things you have to get done. And you realize how small you are. That’s ‘overwhelmed.’” Because for about as long as I can remember, I have lived in a constant state of being overwhelmed, in one way or another. Then God began to minister to my heart as I continued to explain to my child, “But then you look at creation, and look at all He has done. And you realize how small you are, compared to how big God is and how good He is and how much He has done for you. And THEN, ‘overwhelmed’ is a GOOD THING.” As my Father’s kindness soaked into the parched ground of my heart, I knew He had given me something to testify about. The definition of “overwhelmed” is “to bury or drown beneath a huge mass,” or “defeat completely”. I had (we ALL have) a choice: to live drowned and defeated by the circumstances our eyes see: this messed up world, sickness, evil, fear, STUFF, a million responsibilities…or we can let ourselves be OVERWHELMED by the love of the Father.

I wish I could say I am full of fresh new perspective and that all my weariness has been transformed to purposeful strength…but the truth is that the slump persists. I’m still overwhelmed. But I do have renewed hope. I know that God is not watching my progress with a clipboard and checklist, marking off what I do wrong or right. I know that He is not asking me to be successful or even improving. He’s asking me to be faithful whether I feel like it or not. He’s asking me to keep moving and not quit. He’s got my kids. He’s got my marriage. He’s got my to-do list and my worries and my anxieties and my health. He’s got ME! I am thankful for the God Who Sees Me, and for the knowledge that His grace will always be sufficient.

Thanks for giving thanks with me. Let’s love one another well this week.

“These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:4-5 NIV

Special shirt from our friends the Mayers

January 20, 2019

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~ Thankful for a much-needed, long-overdue evening out with my Love. We started with a stop at Lowes, (doesn’t everyone?) and then a delicious meal at FD’s. Finishing the tile floor nearly killed us both, so it was the perfect way to end his week of vacation.

~ for the warmth and comfort from a crackling fire. I love cozy mornings snuggled up in the dark with my Bible, or painting beside it in the afternoon.

~ for impromptu hugs from my little people, and “I love you Mama” for no reason at all.

~ for a fun night for Carson Grace at Winter Formal. Thankful for sweet friends.

~ for a wonderful refreshing at our newly reinstated mid-week church service. Intimate worship, spirit-led prayer…it was such a blessed way to refuel our hearts with our church body. And I loved experiencing it together as a family. On Sundays, we worship together and then the Littles head off to their classes. In this service, we were all together (all but 2 youngest). No electronics, no coloring pages, no “you-keep-busy-so-mom-and-dad-can-listen.” At ages 7-17, they are all old enough to take in the Word of God for themselves. And pray with adults. Who knows how much they actually listen or understand, but I just truly believe seeds are being planted. I’m excited to see them grow into who God has made them each to be.

~ for Sawyer’s wonderful Clinic visit on Thursday! CANCER-FREE!!! Glory to the LORD! Josh and I are always freshly amazed that Sawyer is doing so well. And it is such a blessing to see others see him as a miracle, too. The doctors scarcely know what to think. It’s my favorite to see Dr. Winick’s eyes shine as she listens to him tell her stories about his family or about school, and be genuinely thrilled with a picture he has made for her. I’ve recently heard of so many of Sawyer’s “friends” specifically those that I’ve met through the online Infant Leukemia community: kids who have dramatic speech delays due to underdeveloped mouth and facial muscles from being fed through a tube for years instead of learning to eat by mouth. Kids with social anxiety from being kept on isolation and never learning to interact with other kids. Cancer in an infant can cause so many issues, with the disease and treatment occurring during the most formative months and years of brain development. BUT GOD! Sawyer has faced so many traumas, yet the Lord has chosen to show healing mercies here on earth. I will never understand why Sawyer is doing so well, when things could be so very different. And have turned out so very different for people who I love. But we just have to choose every day to trust that Our Good Good Father knows what He is doing, and that His plan supersedes our instincts on every level. And keep praying and praising.

~ for good laughs. Near the end of his appointment, Sawyer said to Dr. Winick, giggling, “I know what comes next… you’re going to check my business.” (Each visit includes inspecting his testicles – “business” – for any irregularities. Infant leukemia has a high rate of relapse in boys as testicular cancer.) Then he looked over at Gina, and said dryly, “you might not want to yook at this Aunt Gina. That would be inappropriate.“

After we returned safely home on Thursday, I was astonished to realize it was EXACTLY TWO YEARS since Sawyer’s treatment ended (thankful to have all my Caringbridge entries to look back on!). We didn’t have the long-awaited celebration marking his very last chemo. Instead, he was riddled with multiple infections and unexplained fevers, even requiring blood transfusions. He was getting weaker instead of better. So on January 17, 2017, the oncology team abruptly discontinued his chemo at his Clinic appointment. Very anticlimactic. And unnerving. That day, just 3 hours after returning home from Dallas that afternoon, he spiked a fever and we were right back to be admitted to the hospital. It was such a terrifying time, to see him so sick when we were supposed to be celebrating. BUT GOD! I never could have imagined him two years later: an active, vibrant, healthy, and THRIVING 5-year-old! A living, breathing picture of HOPE! Glory to the Lord!!!

Thankful for a good week. Thank you for giving thanks with me!

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” Psalms 27:13-14

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Carson Grace and her friend, Kellen, at GCS Winter Formal