A Month of Thankfulness

November 1, 2010

TODAY I AM THANKFUL…

…that Jesus Christ is my HEAD! 

Ephesians 1:21-22 – "Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church"

 

Colossians 2:9-10 – "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power"

No matter how high the waves may rise, He does not sink under them. 

"Remember when waves are over your head, they're under His feet." ~ the McKameys

Just the Two of Us

I spent the day with my hubby today.  He was manning a booth at an educational conference, and I was able to go along with him.

What a blessing to leave my house, very calm and not worried, knowing that Isaac would be cared for so well! 

I am so grateful for our caregiver!!!

It was fun to see what my hubby does when he attends these conferences, and to help him out (a little) at his booth.  I was also able to connect with a few old friends I had not seen in person for quite a while.  It's encouraging to see that they are still involved in Christian education, teaching children about the Lord!

Doug and I had a lovely lunch, although we will probably not choose to return to that particular chain restaurant.  We were just not impressed, even though they sent us out the door with free muffins because it was our first visit there!  We were, however, together, and that was the important focus of this day.

Our gorgeous fall weather has finally arrived – which means the temps are in the low-80s during the day; and I am looking forward to a good weekend.

Blessings to you,

Alesha

P.S. I am planning to have a big sale in my jewelry shop in the month of November…be sure to stay tuned for the details! 🙂

Less is More

I looked to see if I had any new pictures downloaded since my last post…and to this blogger's utter shame, I do not!

How embarrassing!

😉

So, with no pictures, I'll have to work really hard to make this interesting, won't I?

We are all doing well, but not great.  Doug is still fighting an eye infection, and Isaac and I are both still having sinus issues.  Isaac isn't sleeping well, either, so…well, you know…hyper, overstimulated boy and tired mama and daddy.

We have made some changes to his feeding schedule lately, and to our utter delight, it has gone really well.  We are feeding him fewer times during the day, with more formula at each feeding.  He seems to be more satisfied between feedings this way, and we are really pleased.

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I have an internet friend who is traveling halfway across the nation today to meet and adopt a little girl she has been praying about for many, many months.  That is so exciting!  This little one has many special needs, and I am so thrilled to see her find a forever home with an experienced former nurse and mom who already has two other special needs children besides.  What a joyful home this special one will be coming back too. 🙂

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On a sadder note, we have more friends who are facing very serious battles with cancer right now – people our own age, and also folks who have been mentors and friends to us over the years. 

I really want to just lay right down in the floor and throw a temper tantrum about it.  I know that is such an immature thing to want to do.  I trust in my sovereign God – I truly do.  But for ME, for my friends' families, I am so sad to lose more precious people to this disease.

I read the following quote this week and it helped me:

"Do not be afraid to suffer.  Do not be afraid to be overthrown.  It is by being cast down and not destroyed, it is by being shaken to pieces, and the pieces torn to shreds, that men become men of might…" ~Beecher

I don't think I'm there yet.  I am still quite afraid to suffer too much.  However, I do want to learn to trust my Saviour more.  I do want to learn more of His power, and to see it used in my life; and it seems the two work together:

Phillipians 3:[8] Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
[9] And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
[10] That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Yep – there seems to be a pattern there: 

  • less of me, more of Him;
  • less comfort, more knowledge of Him;
  • less of my control, more of His power.

I'm so grateful that He is willing to let me continue to "grow up" in Him.  I do feel like such a "brat" some days – and a spoiled rotten one, at that.  I thank God that He is a good and patient Father to me!

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Now, on a lighter note, Doug has been asked to help with our church's senior citizen's ministry.  He is extremely excited about that.  He will be working with an incredible saint of God who has just gone  – successfully, I might add – through his own battle with cancer.  Doug knows there is much to be learned from this seasoned pastor, and he is eager for the opportunity.

It makes me very happy to see my husband's gifts recognized and encouraged.

Yep…makes me proud and humbled all at the same time.

🙂

Our God is a good God (just in case you needed to be reminded.)

Thanks for reading,

Alesha

 

A Fun Day At The Ranch

We were able to visit a therapeutic riding facility yesterday here in our town.  We had heard about it before, but were just waiting on the right timing for us to try to begin Isaac's riding again.

Yesterday they sponsored a fundraiser and silent auction, and invited us to come out.  It was a beautiful day, and we all had a wonderful time. 

Isaac will start riding in September!!!

Enjoy the pics.

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This last picture was Isaac's response when we asked him if he had a good time riding the horse.  That smile speaks for itself!

Blessings on your upcoming week!

Alesha

A Little Post on a Rainy Afternoon

I've felt like it's Monday all day today. 

Doug was sick and didn't go into work or take Isaac to therapy, so today was his first day of the week.  I guess that's why I've been 2 days behind!  Poor Doug, though, his cold settled into an eye infection.  A trip to the optometrist and an antibiotic for him today, and prayerfully, he'll be feeling better soon.

Isaac is sick too.  You know, that little cough and a intermittent low-grade fever.  Just doesn't feel good, but isn't sick enough to sleep all day either.  Well, except for last Friday, when he did sleep all day.  I thought the Lord was just giving me a little break, but it turned out that Isaac was getting sick after all.

I have been in the midst of a major pain flare, which hasn't happened in a really long time.  So, it has had me out of commission for the past week or so.  I am feeling some better today, although my back is giving me a little trouble. 

Doug and his boss had a special time of prayer for me today at work.  I didn't know anything about it, but suddenly I knew I was feeling better.  I texted Doug to tell him, and he shared that he and the boss prayed for me today.  How's that for a fast answer?  I was so relieved and thankful and overwhelmed.

We have been having these fantastic electrical thunderstorms quite often lately.  I really love them.  We always turn off the computers and the air conditioner, and just enjoy the show.  It's even better when I am near my bedroom window which opens onto the front porch.  It has an aluminum room, and the rain just sounds phenomenal out there. 

Our church is having a special time of giving this summer.  You know, the dip in the economy doesn't affect the Lord, but it does sometimes affect his children and their charitable giving.  Some folks have lost their jobs, others have had increased living expenses, and some are just too fearful to continue giving during an economic downturn.

Whatever the reason, giving has been somewhat diminished this summer, just like it was last summer.  God showed off for us during last summer's special offering, bringing in far more that our goal.  We are praying that our church members will be sensitive to the Lord's leading again this summer, so that the needs can be met.

With that in mind, I'll tell you what I did – only by way of sharing with you how good the Lord is to me.  We really don't have anything extra to give.  We do well to pay our bills each month.  So I asked the Lord if He would sell some jewelry for me this week.  And guess what!  He did!!!  One of my sweet, repeat customers made a purchase yesterday!!!

So, now, I can give a little something extra, too.  Isn't God good? 

He gives to me so that I can give back to Him!!!  

(I'm asking Him to bless my customer, too, and to meet her needs – whether financial, spiritual or physical.  And because I know her personally, I can pray specifically.)

I'm singing with my brother at church tonight, so I guess I'd better start getting myself together.  It seems like it takes a little longer these days to "get ready"!  I don't know whether to blame that on old age, or diminished eye sight!!!  Either way, I've got work to do, friends! 🙂

Blessings to you,

Alesha

Continuing to Trust His Heart

The weekend has been incredibly busy for us, and it was not because we were celebrating the birthday of this great country of ours, unfortunately.

On Saturday, we realized that Isaac's shunt need to be re-adjusted.  He started trying to vomit after sitting upright in his chair for just a little while.  We made an appointment for him to be seen on Sunday at the children's hospital by the neurosurgeon.

They did x-rays and a CAT scan just to check everything out.  The shunt is fine, as is the tubing leading from it.  However, the shunt had been pulling so much fluid from his brain that his ventricles had completely collapsed!  His test, however, looked ok.

I've done some research this morning on over drainage, and it can apparently lead to a subdermal hematoma, so we are really grateful that did not happen.  

I asked him this morning if his head felt better, and he smiled for me.  That was really good to see!

Also, on Saturday, my mom gave us quite a scare.  She was fixing lunch, and suddenly felt the room going dark, and her jaws began to hurt.  She managed to call out to my dad, and sit on a stool in the kitchen.  He was able to hold her up there, but she was completely unresponsive for a little while.  He called us for Doug to come over, then they called 911.

By the time the EMTs got there, she had come to, but was obviously a little confused and very upset.  The EKG they did at the house showed no problems, but of course she went to the hospital.

They did every test known to man, I think.  Several EKGs, echocardiagram, CAT scan on brain, chest x-ray, ultrasound of neck, MRI of brain, tons of blood work and blood pressure checks – laying, sitting and standing.

They found nothing wrong.

Incredible, yes?

They "suspect" she had a TIA or mini-stroke, which they said was completely self-healing, which is why they feel they could find no evidence of it.  She will follow up with her doctor later, because, of course, he was out of town for the holidays.

So, I headed home last night, and she came home this afternoon.  She is feeling much better today, although she is still having problems with vertigo.  She has been having issues with that for several weeks, and had already been to her doctor where they had done extensive blood work the week before last.

Of course, this rattled us all pretty thoroughly – my dad especially.  Although she is feeling better, I know we are all wondering if everything is really ok.  We'll see what her doctor says.

Also on Saturday, Doug's mom had to call 911 for his grandma.  She was feeling very poorly. (Remember she just came home last Monday after having open heart surgery.)  They felt she was ok, and did not feel the need to take her to the hospital.  She was feeling better when Doug talked to her yesterday.

I am so thankful for those who were praying for us…I was able to get a status up on Facebook, but only had my phone, so could not manage to blog.  If the Lord lays our family on your heart, we would really appreciate continued prayer for her recovery, for Doug's grandma's complete recovery and that Isaac's shunt would do it's job properly so that he is feeling much better soon.

It's really been a time around here…maybe we can all get a little rest this afternoon.  I am SO SO thankful that Doug was home before all of this happened.  Even the timing of the "bad" things is in the hand of the Lord, and we continue to trust Him.

Blessings,

Alesha

A Momentous Occasion

Sunday morning, the most magnificent thing happened:

I sat next to Doug in church.

Hmmm…doesn't look too exciting when I just type it out like that, does it?

Let me tell you, though, it was truly momentous.

I'll give you the rundown of the past 7 years:

  • Doug pastored a church for 3 years.  He was always up at the pulpit, while I sat in the back or to the side, trying to keep Isaac occupied and quiet.
  • For the next year, we attended a church that met in a classroom.  No pews there – only odd little swivel seats that were attached to the tables.
  • For most of the next year, Isaac was too ill to go to church.  Doug cared for him daily at home, while I worked full time.  So I felt that on Sundays, Doug should get to go to church.
  • For the first year we lived here, we took turns going to church.  We were never there at the same time.
  • For the last year, Isaac periodically makes it to church.  If he does, Doug sits with him in junior church, or in another part of the building in case he is having a noisy day.  If he doesn't make it to church, Doug generally stays home with him so I can be involved in the music ministry.

During these years, we attended one wedding that my husband wasn't officiating and we sat next to each other in the pew. 

Other than that, this was the first regular church service that we have been able to sit side by side in church in nearly 7 years!

See?  I told you it was magnificent.

My sweet cousin, Joy, who works in Isaac's junior church, had worked out a volunteer to sit with Isaac during their service.  That freed up Doug on Sunday morning, just as the choir was coming down to take their seats during the last hymn, to meet me in the back of the auditorium, and sit with me during the preaching.

It was wonderful!!!

I will be honest and tell you that I did feel a little separation anxiety with both of us being away from Isaac.  For the most part, he is with one of us 24/7 all the time.  We make that choice on purpose.  God did give him to us to parent, and he is unable to speak for or defend himself.  So we take our responsibility very seriously.

However, we feel completely confident that he will be well cared while he is under the watchful eye of the sweet lady who has volunteered to minister to us by sitting with Isaac.  We are really grateful that the Lord has seen fit to work this out for us.

Now, I just want to admonish you – don't YOU ever take for granted sitting next to your spouse during a church service. 🙂

Blessings to you,

Alesha