Thursday, May 16, 2013

a positive perspective and a prayer lifted up

So I have found it incredibly difficult to blog lately. Not because I don't have time or any of those reasons, but you might call it blogger's block. I think, though, the main reason I have had difficulty blogging is because I have had a difficult time finding a perspective that I wanted to share and wanted to hopefully go viral. I have, though, over the last 2 or 3 days found a perspective that is worth sharing, worth blogging about, and I hope, you find worth sharing, too!

I have really had the opportunity to experience the grace and peace of the Lord that I have never experienced before. I have seen my dad in more pain than anyone I have known, and my dad has been able to handle it and 'bear through' with a peace that is just unable to describe. Through his strength, I have found a peace and strength that even I didn't know I had.

Also, this week, Tony gave me a Word-picture that I wanted to share with you all. We were talking about the conference that Tony had attended and he shared with me that in the middle of worship, the emcee of the event began talking about prayer. Tony started telling me that there are truly some people, that for multiple reasons, find themselves unable to pray for themselves. In Mark 2, the story is told about a man who was paralyzed and how he and his friends wanted to see Jesus badly, because they knew that Jesus would be able to heal him. But the crowd was so vast that they couldn't even get close enough to catch a glimpse of Jesus. So what did these friends do? They didn't say, "Well, we tried.... sorry." But instead they went above and beyond the call of friendship, hoisted their paralyzed friend that was laying on a mat onto the roof, DUG THROUGH THE ROOF (remember, this was a long time ago and the roof was dirt, mud, straw, etc) and then lowered their friend right in front of Jesus, himself!

Now, these friends did the unthinkable. They took their friend, went through the extremes to access the healer of all men, and "when Jesus saw their (this man's friends') faith he said, 'Son, your sins are forgiven'". Now, the teachers of the law were thinking negative and nasty thoughts, and then Jesus said, "Get up and walk!" This man was healed because of the faith of his friends!!!



There are times and people in our lives, that don't have the ability, for whatever reason, to place themselves at the feet of Jesus. There are people that can only utter and groan, and can only just lay where they are. And then there are those of us, who are able, beyond reason, to lift these people up - physically AND prayerfully - to the Healer of all Men! We are called to pray for those who can't pray for themselves and to do things for t

Who have you been given strength, physical and spiritual, for right now that you are to be lifting up? I am utterly amazed at the strength and opportunity that God has given me to experience his exceedingly abundant grace and peace in such a dark situation. But I am also incredibly honored and feel a responsibility to not only do what I need to do, but to pray as I am called to pray for my dad and mom in a way that they just can't right now!

We all can think of one person that we can pray for that 'just can't' for themselves right now! Stop now, lift them up, pray for them, and TELL THEM you are praying for them! What a glimmer of light in a dark place you will be for them!
 
And, because of OUR FAITH, sometimes the Lord heals these people.

Much love to you all!
<>< Becca

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Our God is Greater!

So we have been in Alabama for a week and what progress I have seen! What a difference a week makes! We have gotten a hospital bed in and we are now DILIGENTLY working to get him OUT of this hospital bed as soon as possible! Physical Therapy came in yesterday and did a LOT of work. They did exercises, stretches and can you believe DAD SAT ON THE SIDE OF THE BED!!! For almost 10 minutes! I was so proud of him and Chip said, "YAY Papa!" with the fist pump to go with it! It was great! He did 'pay' for it a little afterwards (lots of spasms and pain) but it was well worth it and  boy was I proud of him. I did take pictures of all these 'baby steps' because I know that we will all want to be able to look back and see just how far we have come. I won't post those out of respect for him and our family - but one day we will look back and just shake our heads!

I do know that quite a few people are following us and our journey here, and i'd like to give you a quick update, as well, on the status of all the appointments, etc. We were to have a doctors appointment in Birmingham two days ago (on Thursday the 2nd) and that got re-scheduled for May 24th in hopes that dad will be significantly better and more independant at that point. ALSO, i need to clarify that the actual surgery and DBS procedure has NOT been scheduled yet. The appointment on the 24th is to start that process and we will have more information for you on that, hopefully, by mid-June.

Now, I have taken lots of other pictures of a few joyous moments throughout this journey that we have experienced. As you can only imagine a 4-year old knows only how to love fully and play hard, and that brings lots of joy and laughter to all who get to experience it. So for now, enjoy these pictures, and I hope for new updates with new pictures soon.

OH, and remember, as Chris Tomlin has put it so well:
"Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome and power

Our God, Our God... 
Into the darkness you shining
Out of the ashes we Rise
There's no One like You
None like You."