Well, we just passed the 3 month mark on the 2nd...in 3 days Noah will be 5 months old and will have spent more of his life in the hospital than not...Jason and I are tired but are NO WHERE NEAR going to give up on our little guy. Noah continues to draw our hearts deeper with God and deeper for each other. We are humbled by this experience and are grateful to know we are not alone on this journey. We know that God's presence is constant as we are reminded of it through His Word and through You. Thank you for your encouragement to us in more ways than we can begin to realize or acknowledge. The reality in the physical realm is that Noah is on life support...he is really weak and tired. The reality in the spiritual realm is miles deeper, we have only begun to unearth it. So, we'll continue to press on and trust God. And to those of you who in your hearts are testing God and saying, "Will they praise Him if Noah dies?" TO YOU WE SAY, WE WILL! GOD GETS THE GLORY EITHER WAY! It’s so obvious He gets it either way!!!
This reminds me to share my 2 cents regarding recent developments within the Body of Christ...the only difference between me and you and Pastor Haggard is you and I aren't in the public eye, but we sin and our sins are the same. Instead of pointing fingers or forming opinions, realize that God is sifting His Church, preparing the Bride of Christ. If people actually fall away because of what has happened, their intimacy with Christ wasn't their own and it didn't run deep. Jesus wasn't blowing sunshine at us when He said not to judge and to worry about the plank in our own eye. He knew stuff like this would happen and He knew how people would react. There is a great sifting going on...
wow... well-spoken...
ReplyDeletewith you we pray that Pastor Haggard finds complete restoration and that all affected run deeper into Father's mercy and find His heart of forgiveness - and are healed.
To Heidi Jo I say "Amen Sister!!!"
ReplyDeleteI have a physically challenged special needs child and I often find myself explaining to people that the only difference in her disability and mine is that hers shows. My sin, my defect, my depravity is hidden within a "Normal" body. Adrienne, thank you for blessing me through these months. Your "trial" has touched my heart and reached into the depths of my soul. We continue to pray for precious Noah.
You are so correct in your statements about our sin just not being public. Unfortunately those that are in the public eye are put under a microscope by the media. Just because our sins are not on TV..people are watching us to see how we act. It is hard work...but our help comes from the creator.
ReplyDeleteContinuing to uphold Noah and all of you in my prayers. God is a wonderful and gracious God.
I'm so glad you brought up the point of Noah's situation going "either way." I lost a child through miscarriage and while the grief was real and difficult I kept reminding myself that my goal as a parent is to have my children walk with the Lord. I know I have a child who has now been able to spend the last 5 Christmas' with Jesus himself and what more could I want?? Our children are only on loan to us so cherish what we have and rejoice in believing!
ReplyDeleteGod's Blessings to you and your family in whatever form they may be!
Thanks for that, Ade!
ReplyDeleteYour family's faith amazes me and its so inspiring! I am still praying for Noah and your family. I pray that God continues to give you joy and peace in the midst of this situation. Blessings my friends!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Tammy
You're so awesome! Thank the Lord Noah has parents like you two. Lots of love and blessings.
ReplyDeleteKeeping you and your family in our hearts! Our prayers are with you. It was wonderful to be with you over the weekend celebrating Mr. & Mrs. Douglas wedding! What a dear friend you are to Molly! A 'treasured' friendship! My family loves you and your family. You are the most remarkable woman I have ever met. What an encouragement you are to so many. May our precious Lord be with your family this day. Love you!
ReplyDeleteYou are such an amazing example of Christ's love and grace. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers always.
ReplyDeleteA young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
ReplyDeleteHer mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed
ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the
carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl.
Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that;they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same
adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting
through the boiling water, its inside became hardened The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bit ter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things
are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.
When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes their way. The brightest
future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past.
When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.
You, my friend, are definitely a coffee bean and I admire your resolve :)
Love you,
Stace
So glad you said that about Pastor Haggard. I was thinking the same - 'there but for the grace of God...'
ReplyDeleteIt's also interesting how the enemy attacks those in ministry just to try to stick it to us believers. Once again, the enemy will see that he only brings us closer to our Savior when such things happen (9/11, Oklahoma, Amish murders, etc.)
God bless us all, especially Noah Steven.
P.S. You are STUNNING in those wedding pictures!! I miss seeing your sweet face :(
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