Hope in the Impossible

by ObtainingMercy, posted in A Door of Hope

 

"If a man is admitted into the bullion vault of a bank, and told to help himself, and comes out with one cent, whose fault is it that he is poor? 

Whose fault is it that Christian people generally have such scanty portions of the free riches of God?" ~McLaren

 

"And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."

Matthew 17:20

So What’s Going On with Isaac?

by ObtainingMercy, posted in Blessings, Isaac Update, What's Happening

I know you all like to know how's he doing, so here's a nice, long update for you.

On the sleeping front – Isaac has slept several nights in a row.  We are ecstatic about that, as you can well imagine.

About three weeks ago, his neurologist increased one of his meds, and we have seen wonderful results.  He is sleeping at night.  His vision to his left has increased.  He is looking to the left and is noticing things in his peripheral vision on both sides.

~In our backyard, reaching for a potted plant~

Leftreach

There are also some results that are not so wonderful.  He has an opinion about everything.  He wants all of his needs/wants met NOW, and he doesn't like to be corrected.

~I call this his "I can't believe she just told me 'No!' face"!!!~

Noface

His manual dexterity has increased and his strength has seemingly tripled.  Both of those things lead to pinching others and grabbing his tubes and syringes during feeds.

So the seizures are under better control, but Ike is NOT!!!

I know — it's kinda funny and kinda not.  I'm glad his little brain is working better; but it's hard to figure out how to discipline and train a child who has no idea how strong he is, does not understand he is hurting other people, can't reason right or wrong, and has no concept of time.

We are using many of the same phrases we used when he was younger before the seizures started.  We figure those may at least sound familiar:

  • "No pinching!"
  • "Easy…"
  • "Be patient."
  • "No tubie!"
  • "No hands."
  • "First…then."
  • "Inside voice."

It seems like a lot of negative things, doesn't it?  But most of Isaac's interactions are very positive.  We rarely have cause to scold him, except when he's experiencing these new levels of mental clarity and he has to be reminded of things.  Honestly, he still doesn't fully understand some of the phrases we use, but we try to be consistent and firm and show him what we mean.

I would guess that is much like parenting a "normal" toddler, right? 🙂

On the nutritional front – Isaac weighed in at 68.3 pounds at his weigh-in last month.  We have had to accept a new formula for him, and we were not happy about that.  The only all-food based formula (Compleat) is no longer covered by his insurance company.  We did check into buying it ourselves, but it would be roughly $600 a month!

So we are giving him a formula that his insurance company will cover, but we are not pleased with the amount of sugar and synthetic additives in it.  We talked to the gastro doctor about that today.  He said there was no way to get the insurance to cover the other formula. :o(

Some things we can change.  Some things we can't.

On the vehicle front – we still do not have a wheelchair-accessible vehicle.  Doug is still carrying Isaac to the truck and quite precariously getting him into his carseat.  It is getting harder and harder, because Isaac is getting so heavy and so long.

We are doing research right now, and have heard about a company that may alter a mini van for him at no cost.  Now we just praying that the Lord will bring a van to us that we can afford…um, basically a free one would be really great! 🙂

On the mommy and daddy front – Doug is enjoying teaching SO much!  I am so grateful that the Lord has given him this opportunity.  I have been doing "ok."  My back has actually not been too painful lately.  I started taking a couple of supplements that seem to be helping.  I thought I was finally going to get back to church and singing this past week.  Unfortunately, I was sidelined with a horrible cold and sinus infection.  I am finally feeling better now.

Doug and I had a really nice morning today, as he had the day off.  We went out to a yummy (completely unhealthy) breakfast at Denny's.  Then we went to a couple of quaint stores in a nearby town.  One was an antique store, where I found some fabulous vintage buttons to use in my jewelry; and the other was full of all sorts of cutesy stuff and an entire wall of Vera Bradley!  It was ni-i-i-i-ice!  I was finally able to see the purses "in real life", instead of just pictures online.  I definitely found a style that I really liked and made sure Doug saw that one, too! 🙂

Afterwards, we took Ike to Orlando for the visit with the gastro doctor I mentioned above, and made one important stop on the way home:

~I've discovered I like Barnie's caramel macchiato and that we love Whole Foods hummus!~

Barnies

Well, I guess that's it for us…congrats to you, if you persevered to the end!

Thanks for reading,

Alesha

 

Hope When We Do Not See God’s Goodness

by ObtainingMercy, posted in A Door of Hope

 

"I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living."

~Psalm 27:13

David did not see God's goodness.

He only – by faith – believed that he would see it.  This belief is what kept him from fainting.

Our encouragement comes not so much from seeing God answer our prayer, but rather from our believing that He will. 

A Business Closed on Sunday?

by ObtainingMercy, posted in Customer Service STARS

Gasp!

Incredible! Unthinkable! Amazing!

How will their business ever florish???

Well, this Customer Service STAR business is doing just fine, thankyouverymuch!!!

I've mentioned here before that I found an online company who makes a mineral makeup that I really like.

This week I received an email newsletter from the company, and I knew I had to share part of the contents with you.

Here is the excerpt:

Email us at barb@smmcosmetics.com

 

 "Why be able to shop on the weekends, if you are not going to be able to help me?  Don't advertise 24/7 if you can't be here to help me.  I can only shop on Sundays and was going to make a significant purchase, but refuse to spend my money on a business that doesn't respect their customers enough to stay open."  Maggie 

 

 Hi Maggie. WOW. I am so bummed and pretty much taken aback by your email.  Unfortunately, I will not apologize for being closed on Sundays.  I can only say that if it wasn't for God, I wouldn't be open the other 6 days a week.  To be honest, I love and respect my customers and dedicate myself to each of them 5-6 days a week.  But I dedicate every day to God and if that means losing a customer because I close on Sunday, then so be it. I wish you the best in finding a makeup company who can accommodate your needs.  Be beautiful, Barb  

 

 ***I just want to clarify with everyone that when I say 24/7, I mean our website is always open 24/7 for your shopping convenience.  Our staff is here Mon-Fri 9-5, and I am here Mon-Fri (most Saturdays) from 9-til whenever!  I know alot of you get tickled because I am answering emails at midnight most nights!!  We do have live chat support Mon-Thurs 11am-4pm available on the site when you have questions too, and you can post on our fanpage at facebook.***  

 

If you have a question or comment for us, send an email to: barb@smmcosmetics.com  Your question or comment could be featured in our next newsletter!

 

Needless to say, I was impressed with Barb's response; and in my experience, the customer service that they practice the other six days of the week more than makes up for their taking Sundays off.

 

Here is their website:

 

Southern Magnolia Mineral Cosmetics

 

Here is the story of how she got started in the makeup business:

 

More about SMM

 

I have loved  every product that I have received from them.  They also sell refills, which I love!  AND I have gotten free samples with every order. :)  What's not to love about that, yeah???

 

I hope you will take a look at their website. 

 

I will also let you in on a little secret, too:

 

Barb has FABulous coupon codes and sales – all the time!!! 

 

If you "like" them on Facebook, you will be the first to catch those codes and sales, too.

 

~~~~~

 

I think I'm going to continue these stories about companies with fabulous customer service.  It seems to be a rarer and rarer thing these days to find a company that goes above and beyond the standard business practices to truly meet the unique needs of their customers.

Look for "Customer Service STARS" on the toolbar at the top of my blog.

 

Oh, and let me know if you order anything from SMM.  I'd love to hear what you think! 🙂

 

Alesha

 


Hope Preserved

by ObtainingMercy, posted in A Door of Hope

This morning, as I gargled, I thought of my pastor.

I know…weird, huh?

I've been gargling with salt water every morning.  It's a habit my mom started about a year ago; and she has not been sick since she started the process.  So, I've started the same routine, and every time I do it now, I will think of my pastor.

You see, he recently preached a sermon entitled "We are God's Salt Shaker."  🙂

Salt flavors our food, but it also helps in the healing process.  It preserves foods.  It cleanses wounds.

Salt burns when it gets into a cut.  Salt soothes when it is used as a rinse for a sore throat.  Salt flavors our food when added in careful amounts.

I am salt. 

There are times that I need to soothe a fellow Christian.  Sometimes I just add my personality nicely into the mixture of believers worshipping.  Other times, my very presence stings those around me – especially those with wounds that haven't healed.

I want to be carefully used, only by the leading of God's Holy Spirit. 

I never want to dump a handful of my opinion into a conversation – too much salt is disgusting.  However, if I say nothing when given a chance to speak for Christ, I give a bland, unsatisfying taste to those around me.

It's a fine balance.  I must follow the gentle nudges from within.  I must be always ready to represent Him.

And you know what?  I don't want to be the cheap, bleached, processed salt from the blue, round canister on the grocery shelf – so full of additives that is rendered dangerous, rather than helpful.

I want to be that fabulous Sea Salt!  It's so full of flavor, free from harmful chemicals, good for a healthy diet, and incredibly rich in minerals that are helpful.

Lord, help me be a pleasing savor – both to you and to others around me.

Luke 14:34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?
35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Hope in Agreement

by ObtainingMercy, posted in A Door of Hope

 

"We ought to have enough power with God to worry the world when we don't agree with them."

~Dr. Mickey Carter

"The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.
"Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.
"The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."  ~Nahum 1:5-7

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." ~Galatians 6:7

Will you be counted among those who agree with God,

    or will you suffer the fate of those who do not?

 

 

Hope When I Remember

by ObtainingMercy, posted in A Door of Hope

 

Do not criticize the intensity of my Christianity…

    I am just remembering.

 

If you only knew
All that I've been through
Then you would understand
Why I love Him so.
If you could only see
Just where He found me,
If you'd been there when He lifted me
Then you would know.
~Crabb family


Psalm 34:1, 6 – "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth…This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles."