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Being Real in Life!

I flew to Little Rock this past weekend to speak in Little Rock at That Church. Yes, That Church’s name is That Church! Not a name you soon forget! Nor the people you encounter there. What terrific place.

I had dinner with the women’s team facilitators on Friday night after we flew in. They were so full of energy and love and joy – though some I talked to one-on-one, were carrying heavy, personal burdens. They had leaned the secret to the abundant life! They were also a hoot! Lots of laughter and you could tell they are truly all friends. I appreciated that they just took Krista and me in like we belonged. It was relaxing. Krista and I enjoyed ourselves.

When you travel like I do, you never really know what you’ll find on the other end. These are folks I communicate with by email or phone until I meet them at the gate. They are usually strangers to me but it doesn’t take long to figure out if they are “stiff and formal” or fun-loving and relaxed. I like both kinds of groups, actually. I have a reserved, formal side and people are always surprised to find I have a keen sense of the ridiculous. I don’t take myself too seriously.

If I am quiet and boring it is usually because I am exhausted!

Anyway, on Saturday I spoke to their women’s ministry “Real Women”. And they are. No pretense. No masks on. It was a joy to be amongst them. I gave my testimony and it was exciting for the first time to include the fact that my 7-year-old grandson was finally able to have the trach removed! He’s had it since birth. He was born with multiple issues – had an Apgar of 1. He has endured multiple surgeries, we almost lost him a number of times. But God is writing his story and it will be exciting – it already has been.

He spent his first few weeks and months of life at The DuPont Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, DE. What a great place! Then  spent many days at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Again, a great place. I am so grateful for the dedicated staff at both places. he has esophageal etrasia and bronchial mylasia. (I am sure I have spelled them incorrectly.) His case is quite rare; caused by a thyroid medication my daughter took before she knew she was pregnant. His case is written up in medical text books.

Through this long ordeal my daughter and her husband have been remarkable. So often having special-needs child destroys a marriage. In this case it didn’t. Yes, there were really rough days but they weathered the storms – not that it is ever smooth sailing.    Overtime they came to visit me they had to basically set up a hospital room: machines, ventilators, suctions, IV pole…  I was always amazed. My son when he saw al the equipment they had to bring at Thanksgiving said to me, “Mom, I didn’t realize.” They never complained. My daughter became his advocate and pity the poor doctor or nurse who got in her way. She is like a mother bear with her cubs. She is fierce!

Anyway, we are rejoicing that his trach is out – he no longer has a tether. (He still has his G-tube.) I am sharing a video of him taking it out himself, trowing it away and thanking people for praying. We are more than thankful for the way God has worked, is working, will continue to work. Rejoice with us!

 

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God Hope

Last week I had the joy of speaking with my daughter, Windsor. We were the guest speakers for The Women’s Resource Center in Mobile, a pro-life organization that is doing a great job being a beacon of hope, love and truth right across the street from Planned Parenthood.

For years I have spoken for such groups because of Windsor’s and my story – she chose life 3 times. Two were unplanned pregnancies when she was in her teens – her baby girl she released for adoption and her baby boy she chose to parent. Her third child was born with significant challenges five years ago.

As you can imagine those were not easy times in our family but God has been so faithful to us. As I watched her stand before 1000 strangers to tell her story I thought back on our journey…the struggle, the anger, the tears… And she stood there looking lovely, poised, confident…all she wasn’t those many years ago.with Windsor in Mobile

We have just started to speak together – it is fun to have her along plus she tells the story from the birth mother’s perspective. We all applaud adoption and are so happy for the adoptive couple. But so often people forget that in the shadows stands a young mother with a broken heart. A woman who made a very courageous decision. Like Windsor did.

Windsor was articulate as she told of the ups and downs in her life with her cute self-deprecating humor. I am so proud of who she has become and the little family she has made. When all of it was happening I could never have imagine all God would do in both of our lives – the healing that has taken place!

It was a rough road. But we both know God in a way we wouldn’t have any other way. We grew in grace and understanding of each others and even strangers. God promises to make the crooked straight and the rough places smooth…He has kept those promises.

We’d like to encourage you – if you are in the thick of a difficulty – hold on, don’t give up. God is at work even if you cannot see Him. He has a plan and it is a good one. He will reveal it in time. Claim His promises. He always does what He promises. We get disappointed because He doesn’t meet our expectations. Our expectations fit our thinking not His. We have to align ourselves with His Word.

It isn’t easy but it is real. There is hope. A good hope – which is not wishful thinking. It is a hope based on the unchanging character of God.

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Christmas Miracle in China

Christmas at my house, when I was growing up always seemed magical.

My grandmother had set the example for my mother who then made it that way for me and I, in turn did for my children. And they now do for my grandchildren. Traditions held and hold a lot of weight in my home.

My grandmother worked diligently to give her family a wonder-filled Christmas even though they were far from home serving as missionaries in China. At that time China was infested with war-lords, bandits and paganism. It did not foster a “Merry Christmas”. There were no stores or shopping malls. No Musak playing “Jingle Bell Rock” or Salvation Army bell ringers. However, that did not hinder her! She knew local folks who were good at crafting the things her imagination could invent.

One year my mother wanted baby doll eyeglasses. My mother’s heart was set on getting the baby doll eyeglasses from Santa. My grandmother was dismayed – that was something she could not have made in China (in those days!) My mother began to pray for those eyeglasses – so did my grandmother. She did not want my mother to be disappointed but this seemed like an impossible request. As Christmas drew nearer, my grandmother began to worry. My mother had her heart set on those baby doll eyeglasses.

Now in the scheme of things considering the work they were doing in China as medical missionaries, the needs they encountered on a daily basis, the crises that erupted weekly….this was not a “big” deal. You could say it was a “materialistic want” of a little girl on the backside of China. But my mother and grandmother did not see it that way. They continued to pray.

My grandparents believed that nothing was too small – or too big to bring before the Lord. They simply told God their need and trusted him to handle it His way. That’s the way they handled kidnappings, financial needs, health issues – everything. They prayed. Those missionary prayer meetings were powerful! As a child I can remember every Wednesday morning at my grandparents’ home the now-retired, missionaries would gather for prayer – on their knees – for what seemed like a long time to a young girl.

Back to my story, months earlier, my grandfather had sent a letter to the States requesting supplies for the hospital. A few days before Christmas a “drum” arrived from the States. Now a drum was just that – a very large barrel made out of metal – much like an oil drum. It was a convenient, cheap and safe way to ship things to China by boat that could take weeks, if not months. It was always a big occasion when one arrived. They never knew what it might contain but eagerly anticipated the much needed supplies.

As they opened the drum, they saw the necessities that had been requested. But on top, wrapped very carefully was a pair of baby doll eyeglasses!

God cares for us in the sweetest of ways and the smallest of details.

Have a wonder-filled Christmas!

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News and Photos!

I have heard from many of you that you were praying for my daughter, Windsor. Thank you. Thank you. We have a merciful and gracious God.

Thursday, Windsor went to the cardiologist at the University of Pennsylvania hospital. By the time she got there she had worked herself up into quite a state – to the point of being ill. She was so afraid she wouldn’t see her children grow up.

The doctor was very reassuring. He told her not to worry – he wouldn’t even call it an aneurism but rather an enlarged aorta. (Let’s hear if for second opinions!) He said he would watch it each year with an echocardiogram but that she could go on and live her life fully – taking good care of herself. He said as she approached menopause, he’d be more attentive but for now she was good to go!

Oh what a relief that was to all of us but especially her. She had really worked herself up to the point of being ill.

God was gracious to us. And I know there are those of you for whom God has not answered a prayer of yours – your loved one is still ill, or foreclosure is looming, or your spouse has left… I don’t have answers…My daughter’s situation could have been very different. But I have learned that regardless of the circumstances, God is still loving, wise, compassionate, gracious, trust worthy… He does not change and we can fully rely on Him.

On a different note…all of my siblings and I gathered at my father’s home on Thursday for lunch. It was the first time we had all been together since my Mother’s death 6 years ago. It was terrific to all be together and I believe my Father was pleased. There was a lot of conversation, laughter, stories, good food. (When we get together our personalities show up: Gigi cooks up a plan; Anne tells us what to do; Franklin tells us why we cannot do it; Ned intellectualizes it and, I go just along!)

My Father was funny…he wears dark glasses in the house and sat half way through the meal with them on chattering away with Franklin and Anne. Then he took them off and said something to the effect, “Oh, I wondered who I was having lunch with!” He is not only struggling with dimming eyes but also his hearing. His sense of humor is still in tact and he is as dear as dear can be. I thought you’d like to see a photo:

My Father with all five cchildren