Watch This!

When you get a chance, take a few minutes and watch this video. This family's faith is amazing! His message is one we all need to hear and apply to our lives.

When My Heart Is Overwhelmed


I can't say that I felt like he and his wife did when they were told their five year old daughter had cancer. I wish I had had faith like that. I did question why. I had nothing to say to God. I couldn't even pray for my sick child. I look back on those months and wish I had handled them differently, better. I wish my kids could have seen their mother be rock-solid strong instead of falling apart. But I also hope that this is all not in vain. Eric and I often say to each other that we hope to be changed for the better because of all of this. I want to know the Bible like he talks about in this video. I want to know and trust and love Jesus that much. I want to be able to say, "It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn Your decrees." (Psalm 119:71) Are we saturating our minds and hearts with the word of God so that His character and promises fill our hearts? So that when the storm comes we are able to trust Him and say, "You give and You take away. Blessed be the name of the Lord"? I looked around the congregation of our church this morning and my heart hurt because there are many in my church family going through very difficult things in their lives. The the only way to live in a world full of hurt and disappointments, sickness and cancer and death - is to know and love Him so much that we can trust Him, no matter what.

This sermon is also excellent. It is about suffering.

Struck Down but Not Destroyed


P.S.   After writing this post I was able to watch this sermon too. In part of it he talks about when he did ask why. It's really good. Take the time to watch these videos!

When Sparrows Fall

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANNAH!

February 26 is Hannah's birthday and she will turn four! She has been so excited about her birthday this year. This birthday has been extra meaningful for our family as we are overwhelmingly thankful to celebrate her being here with us. Birthdays truly are something to be celebrated (even as we adults get older and think we would rather not have any more). Life is such a precious gift - not to be taken for granted!

As a family we aren't big birthday party people. We usually just have immediate family over for cake and gifts. Since this year was special to us for Hannah's birthday, we decided to have a big party and invite all of her friends and family. The invitations were sent, food bought, house cleaned... and Hannah started running fever on Friday afternoon. It was a low-grade fever, but since it stuck around for several hours her doctor told us to go ahead to the ER. We had to cancel the party. Thankfully, her blood counts were high enough that we didn't have to go up to Atlanta to stay. They treated her with IV antibiotics and sent us home. We were all disappointed about the party. We snapped a few pictures of her enjoying her cake and pinata.

This is her "birthday dress" she chose.

Making a wish and blowing out the candles.

As soon as she laid eyes on this pinata in the store, she had very detailed instructions that she would NOT be blindfolded because she wanted to watch herself bust it and all the candy fall out.

February Appointment

Hannah had her February appointment on Friday.  She is handling her oral chemo well and her blood counts were where they should be. The oral chemo makes her stomach hurt some days and the doctors gave her a little extra medicine for that. Her doctors were pleased with how she is doing. It is good to have a normal, routine appointment with no complications!

This was about hour three on the drive up when she gets really bored and ready to get out of her car seat. (And you can also see how she kicks Eric's seat countless times during the rides!)

My creative, seasoned-veteran sister, Maria, told me about this idea -- to color on the paper of the exam table. It has always been a hit and keeps her occupied for a long time. 

Banquet

 A couple of weekends ago the Twilight Pageant hosted a Valentine's banquet to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House. There were queens from many other pageants there - I don't think I've ever seen so many beauty queens in one place. Lauren and Hannah were in awe! It was a great event for a wonderful cause!

The entertainment was an Elvis tribute artist. Hannah wasn't so sure about him at first...

...but she warmed up to him later.

Lauren and Hannah had a great time on the dance floor!