Do you ever wonder sometimes, just what God is trying to teach you? I do. Many times He teaches me through others and watching them deal with their struggles. I mentioned in an earlier post that my in-loves were going through some medical trials. My father-in-love has been in the hospital, rehab, or skilled care nursing facility since Sept. 17. Left his house that morning to come to the hospital to see his great-granddaughter Caroline who was born that morning and he has not been back home since. It has been a roller coaster of events since then. My mother-in-love, Judy has been back and forth everyday taking care of him and just being near him. She was basically wearing herself out. She has had a bothersome cough since the beginning of October and just chalked it up to being in the hospital where so many sick people were. It got progressively worse and the doctors thought she had pneumonia so they medicated her and told her to stay home and rest. It continued to get worse and my husband (who is a precious son) took her to the doctor where they too agreed it was worse and hospitalized her for the pneumonia. Readers Digest condensed version - Stage 4 cancer. We could not have been more unprepared.
Judy survived ovarian cancer 10 years ago, breast cancer 5 years ago and now this. A completely different kind of cancer all together. She jokes she is trying to get in the AMA journal. We had been focusing all our attention on father-in-love and all this time she was getting more sick. Things turned upside down quickly She did in fact have pneumonia behind the mass on her lung and had to stay in the hospital about two weeks for that to be handled. She has completed two weeks of radiation and has one more to go. Then Chemo starts. She is such an amazing woman. Her faith is such a testimony to us all. She and Gerald have shared the love of our Saviour with everyone they meet in hospital. One of her nurses was a pastor's wife and Judy was able to share so much advice and wisdom with her. Oh, the Providence of our gracious Lord. Astounds me daily. After a particularly difficult evening spent with Judy dealing with the news that the cancer had metastasized, I was getting ready to walk out the door to go to school and the phone rang. It was the hospital which alarmed us, but it was her asking to speak to me before I left. She said, "Michelle, thank you for being with me last night and I'm sorry I broke down. But, I am not going to die from cancer, I am going to LIVE with cancer. And I won't just survive, I am going to thrive. God is in control anyway. Now, you go to school and teach some kids. I love you." Well, I couldn't go to school until I re-applied all my make up from blubbering. Her strength is incredible. My baby girl said one day,"Momma, how much more can MawMaw and PawPaw take?" I had no answer for her except to say, "I don't know sweetheart but we would do well to learn from their example on how to live in the midst of trouble."
My in-laws have devoted their whole lives to serving Christ and sharing Him with others. They still are. Many people believe that Christians should be exempt from trouble. Quite the contrary. The Bible tells us there will be trouble in this life. That is why our Hope is not here.
My husband is such a devoted son. He has been spending his days carrying his mother to radiation and then getting her situated at home, then to sit with his dad to inform him of all that is going on. My sweet man doesn't like for people to tell him thank you for what he is doing. He told me the other day that it is his honor to care for his parents. A joy and privilege he would not forsake for anything in this world. (yes I do thank God for him every day) Through the grace of God my husband's sister is going to be able to come and stay with her parents and care for them. She is a nurse and we are so thankful her job allows her this time.
We don't know what the immediate road holds for us but I do know this. I am so thankful for this family that God brought to me and they are living every day teaching the rest of us how to persevere always and keep being faithful on this complicated road called life. Lord please let me learn from what I am being taught.
Blessings,
Michelle
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Prayer please
We just go from one issue to another it seems. Father-in-love went back to hospital from skilled care facility and my mother-in-love has had pneumonia. She ended up being admitted to hospital yesterday and we have both of them on the same floor. Rolled her over to see him today as they have been apart for ten days.
They have been married for 58 years. It was so sweet to see his face light up when she came in. I am certain he thinks not one nurse can take as good of care of him as his bride does. He doesn't like for company to leave so he keeps coming up with things to ask people to do for him. Sweet. I can't imagine how hard it would be to not see my husband - who by the way is such a remarkable son- for days at a time because we are both sick.
We are having some tough times right now, but are so reminded of God's grace over the last four months that we have been dealing with Gerald's illness. Now Judy is sick. It is so hard to think about your parent's aging and not being able to do what they could before. We have some tough days ahead but are trusting in God's provision. You won't waste a prayer on us, if you don't mind! I am so blessed to have married into such a precious family.
Their faith is a touchstone for all of us and I know that the Lord will bless them in their time of difficulty. He is good, faithful and strong.
Yay, tomorrow is Friday! Hope you have a great one.
Michelle
They have been married for 58 years. It was so sweet to see his face light up when she came in. I am certain he thinks not one nurse can take as good of care of him as his bride does. He doesn't like for company to leave so he keeps coming up with things to ask people to do for him. Sweet. I can't imagine how hard it would be to not see my husband - who by the way is such a remarkable son- for days at a time because we are both sick.
We are having some tough times right now, but are so reminded of God's grace over the last four months that we have been dealing with Gerald's illness. Now Judy is sick. It is so hard to think about your parent's aging and not being able to do what they could before. We have some tough days ahead but are trusting in God's provision. You won't waste a prayer on us, if you don't mind! I am so blessed to have married into such a precious family.
Their faith is a touchstone for all of us and I know that the Lord will bless them in their time of difficulty. He is good, faithful and strong.
Yay, tomorrow is Friday! Hope you have a great one.
Michelle
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
So far....
Two weeks in and Whew! What a year already. I hardly EVER get sick and I have been battling a head cold for ten days. Everyone in my house has had it, my sweet in-loves both have pneumonia and the flu is wild around these parts. The new school semester is in full swing and I am running hard to stay ahead of all my little scholars! I teach AP this semester and those kids keep me on my toes. It is hard to be on my toes when my head feels so bad. Our business is super busy right now (Thank you for answered prayer Lord) and I am working most nights when I get home.
Last week I accidentally washed baby girl's Iphone in the washing machine. Of course, it was not insured. She actually handled it pretty well. No weeping and gnashing of teeth and we found her another one fairly inexpensively.
I have two close friends who have lost immediate family members unexpectedly in the past week. It is a hard blow anytime of year, but especially right on the heels of the holidays when we usually experience great joy. In just these two short weeks of 2013 I am reminded how much we are Not in control of things. Life can throw some pretty hard curveballs our direction. All of this had the potential to get me pretty down. That is why I chose Phil 4:8 for my memory verse this time:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
If our eyes focus solely on the circumstances of our present situation we can get dejected rather quickly. I know, because God's word tells me, that I can take my thoughts captive and change my focus. If I can do this, then I know that great joy I experienced at the holidays can be mine every day. I want that. I pray for that. I yearn for that. And I know He will give it to me.
The Bible tells me so.
Michelle
Last week I accidentally washed baby girl's Iphone in the washing machine. Of course, it was not insured. She actually handled it pretty well. No weeping and gnashing of teeth and we found her another one fairly inexpensively.
I have two close friends who have lost immediate family members unexpectedly in the past week. It is a hard blow anytime of year, but especially right on the heels of the holidays when we usually experience great joy. In just these two short weeks of 2013 I am reminded how much we are Not in control of things. Life can throw some pretty hard curveballs our direction. All of this had the potential to get me pretty down. That is why I chose Phil 4:8 for my memory verse this time:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
If our eyes focus solely on the circumstances of our present situation we can get dejected rather quickly. I know, because God's word tells me, that I can take my thoughts captive and change my focus. If I can do this, then I know that great joy I experienced at the holidays can be mine every day. I want that. I pray for that. I yearn for that. And I know He will give it to me.
The Bible tells me so.
Michelle
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Hodge Podge
Well, vacation is coming to a close. For two days I have taken down Christmas decorations and packed them away. The house seems so empty and I can't remember where I put all the regular decorations to store. Surely they will resurface over the next couple of weeks.
I was working so hard to get done so I could do some things on my last few days off, however I think am getting sick. Baby girl has been sick the last few days and I am beginning to feel awful. Yuck! There are several movies out I want to go see before returning to school. Les Miserables, Parental Guidance, Anna Karenina. I have been reading though. I read The Paris Wife - loved it but a good reminder of the troubled lives of the Modern American writers. I am not a literary snob, I will read just about anything, which explains my being deep in the throes of the Duck Dynasty book. It is full of humor and wisdom. The Robertson's are a wonderful family and I am really enjoying it. I guess if I am stuck at home the next few days I will just keep reading.
I started my scripture memorization Jan.1 with the Siesta Scripture Memory Team. My baby girl and one of my daughters-in-love are doing it with me and I am really excited to see the Lord reveal His truth to us in this endeavor. The 1st and 15th of each month I will post my verse at the top right hand corner of the blog.
Nothing too excited to spellbind you with! Have a blessed weekend.
Michelle
I was working so hard to get done so I could do some things on my last few days off, however I think am getting sick. Baby girl has been sick the last few days and I am beginning to feel awful. Yuck! There are several movies out I want to go see before returning to school. Les Miserables, Parental Guidance, Anna Karenina. I have been reading though. I read The Paris Wife - loved it but a good reminder of the troubled lives of the Modern American writers. I am not a literary snob, I will read just about anything, which explains my being deep in the throes of the Duck Dynasty book. It is full of humor and wisdom. The Robertson's are a wonderful family and I am really enjoying it. I guess if I am stuck at home the next few days I will just keep reading.
I started my scripture memorization Jan.1 with the Siesta Scripture Memory Team. My baby girl and one of my daughters-in-love are doing it with me and I am really excited to see the Lord reveal His truth to us in this endeavor. The 1st and 15th of each month I will post my verse at the top right hand corner of the blog.
Nothing too excited to spellbind you with! Have a blessed weekend.
Michelle
Sunday, December 30, 2012
2013
Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Bro. Step Martin, a mighty man of God, was our guest at church this morning. He challenged us to read the Bible through in 2013. No, that is not some new challenge. We hear this every year, along with many other challenges, dieting, doing good, etc....... But Bro. Step shared the above scripture along with his challenge. God should be our focus everyday. I know I pray for Him to help me live that way. And oh, do we ever live in times that are so entangling us in sin. Easily entangling. But that doesn't have to be our story. Failure at our day. Failure at another botched resolution. Our story is written by the most creative Storyteller ever. Our Creator. And it is His story. And we know the end!
Let us dare to live the middle part, the unknown part, the part He is so anxious for us to give to Him, with pure abandonment. Let us who know how it ends, live with the knowledge of the joy set before us. I know of no better way to do this than to remind ourselves daily through pouring ourselves into His word. It is a magnificent story. With new things revealed to us. Even if you have already read it - Read it again.
There are so many wonderful apps for customizing a plan that best suits your daily needs. I have the YouVersion Bible app on my Ipad and Iphone. Many other daily devotions are offered on it as well. So I am taking the challenge, won't you join me?
Blessings,
Michelle
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Bro. Step Martin, a mighty man of God, was our guest at church this morning. He challenged us to read the Bible through in 2013. No, that is not some new challenge. We hear this every year, along with many other challenges, dieting, doing good, etc....... But Bro. Step shared the above scripture along with his challenge. God should be our focus everyday. I know I pray for Him to help me live that way. And oh, do we ever live in times that are so entangling us in sin. Easily entangling. But that doesn't have to be our story. Failure at our day. Failure at another botched resolution. Our story is written by the most creative Storyteller ever. Our Creator. And it is His story. And we know the end!
Let us dare to live the middle part, the unknown part, the part He is so anxious for us to give to Him, with pure abandonment. Let us who know how it ends, live with the knowledge of the joy set before us. I know of no better way to do this than to remind ourselves daily through pouring ourselves into His word. It is a magnificent story. With new things revealed to us. Even if you have already read it - Read it again.
There are so many wonderful apps for customizing a plan that best suits your daily needs. I have the YouVersion Bible app on my Ipad and Iphone. Many other daily devotions are offered on it as well. So I am taking the challenge, won't you join me?
Blessings,
Michelle
Friday, December 28, 2012
Quiet
It has been chaotic at my house for the last week. Good chaos. The kind that makes you thankful for the blessing of a large family. But today has been a blessing of another kind for me. The blessing of solitude. Baby girl is at work and sweet man is running around town with one of our boys. I have been alone with my coffee, a new novel I got for Christmas and no noise!!! I don't get moments like this often. But when I do I enjoy it so much and then I get to wishing for some action! My sweet Caroline is coming to spend the night with her GiGi and PawPaw for the first of what will be many fun nights. Her Momma and Daddy are having a belated Anniversary celebration. They surely need some quiet time.
Holidays are so hectic and many times we let the chance for solitude and reflection pass us by. I have been thinking much about the past year and the coming new year. What I want to do more of, less of, etc. I do know I want to enjoy the simple times more. To appreciate just being still. I am off to a good start today! What about you?
Blessings,
Michelle
Holidays are so hectic and many times we let the chance for solitude and reflection pass us by. I have been thinking much about the past year and the coming new year. What I want to do more of, less of, etc. I do know I want to enjoy the simple times more. To appreciate just being still. I am off to a good start today! What about you?
Blessings,
Michelle
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Christmas 2012
Christmas Eve in Athens:
Christmas Day
We had a wonderful time celebrating. Hope you all enjoyed lots of family fun and fellowship rejoicing in the birth of our Savior.
Blessings,
Michelle
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