Three BIG words ....

TWO THUMBS UP!


Ethan had his MRI and follow up appointment Monday and the surgeon says everything looks good! The fragment (the size of a marble) is not moving, growing, or doing anything weird at this time. He said Ethan looks great and is speaking better!

We will have to continue the MRIs every three months for another year, but hey that is small potatoes compared to living with daily seizures!!!!

My God, our God is simply amazing!

Follow Up

We have celebrated 9 months since Ethan's surgery and healing! Praise God! He has been doing well and is doing better every day. He has NOT had any seizures, but has minor headaches from time to time.

We will check in at the hospital Monday to have an MRI and a meeting with the surgeon to find what the fragments that were left behind are doing anything.

This season has taught me to TRUST GOD! No matter what I feel, no matter what I see, no matter what they say, TRUST GOD! He knows and He IS in my corner!

Did you know that He IS everything I (you) need? He is all I will ever need!

In Genesis, He's the breath of life
In Exodus, He is the Passover Lamb
In Leviticus, He's our high priest
In Numbers, the fire by night
Deuteronomy, He's Israel’s Guide
Joshua, He’s salvation's choice
Judges, He’s Israel’s Guard
In Ruth, the kinsmen's redeemer
1st and 2nd Samuel, our trusted prophet
In Kings and Chronicles He is Sovereign
In Ezra, He’s the true and faithful scribe
In Nehemiah, the re-builder of broken walls and lives
In Esther, He’s Mordecai's courage
In Job, the timeless redeemer
In Psalms He is our morning song
In Proverbs, He is our wisdom
Ecclesiastes, He's the time and season
In Song of Solomon, He is the lover's dream
In Isaiah He is Prince of Peace
In Jeremiah, the weeping prophet
Lamentations, the cry for Israel
Ezekiel, the call from sin
Daniel, the stranger in the fire
Hosea, the forever faithful
Joel, the spirit’s power
Amos, the strong-arms that carry
Obadiah, the Lord our Savior
Jonah, the great missionary
Micah, the promise of peace
Nahum, our strength and shield
In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's brings revival
In Haggai He restores that which was lost
IN Zachariah, He’s our fountain
And in Malachi, He's the son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings

AND THAT’S JUST THE OLD TESTAMENT

In Matthew Mark Luke and John, He is God and Messiah
In the spirit filled book of Acts, He is the reigning fire from Heaven
In Romans, He is the grace of God
Corinthians, the power of love
Galatians, freedom from the curse of sin
Ephesians, our glorious treasure
Philippians, the servant's heart
Colossians, He’s God and the trinity Thessalonians, our calling King
In Timothy, Titus and Philemon, He's our mediator and our faithful pastor
In Hebrews, the everlasting courage
In James, the one who heals the sick
In 1st and 2nd Peter, our faithful shepherd
In John and Jude, He's the lover coming for His bride
AND in the Revelation, in the very end, when it’s all over, said and done, when time is NO MORE. He is and will always be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, son of Man, Lamb of God, The Great I am, Alpha and Omega, God and Savior
He is Jesus Christ the Lord

HE IS EVERYTHING I (YOU) NEED!

Lordy, Lordy, look whose .....

Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday dear Jai .......

Happy Birthday to me!

Hubby did an excellent job of surprising me! He threw a big bash this weekend just for me. I cannot believe he pulled it off. He has been sneaking behind my back sending emails and making phone calls to my friends and family.

I was so excited! One of my very best friends came and I was so excited because I had not seen her for a long time .. but she made every effort to get here.

I have a VERY blessed life, a wonderful husband, great children and a beautiful extended family as well.

Thank you Lord for all you have done for me!!!!

Total Praise - Richard Smallwood

Lord, I will lift, mine eyes to the hills
Knowing my help is coming from You
Your peace, You give me in time of the storm
You are the source of my strength
You are the strength of my life
I lift my hands in total praise to You

Amen, Amen
Amen, Amen
Amen, Amen
Amen, Amen

Fear and Faith

Fear and faith CANNOT reside in the same space.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and discipline.

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Did anyone else wait til the last minute?

So, you know where I will be for the next couple of days ... Yeah, I've got people ... ME!

See ya Wednesday!

BigMama is hosting Fashion Fiesta this weekend and ooooh, what timing for me! A few months back I posted a question on the Mom's Friendship Circle I belong to and I said ..

"Ok ladies. Imagine my surprise when I had to attend a meeting yesterday and
spent an hour and half trying to find the "right" thing to wear. I need some
help! I have my "standard" church attire (so easy to do in the winter, skirt,
top and jacket , but help me when it gets warm) and I was pregnant from 2003
until 2006 ... so you know what that means .... maternity outfits, nursing
outfits, maternity outfits, nursing outfits ... and now ... sweats. I cannot
remember the last time I had more than 1 outfit that was "in style". Shopping
.. well that hadn't happened since Clinton was in office ... Ok early eldest Bush ...

I need some ideas for cute and casual, but acceptable when I have to meet with
Ethan's teachers, meet you guys at Starbucks, go out on a date with my
husband in the "light".

What IS the look right now? I keep seeing BIG belts again, chunky jewelry,
wedges, wide leg pants, but I do not know how to put a good look together right
now .. oh and did I mention I am a little overweight and chunky myself?

HELP!"

I am not sure what happened, because before I became a SAHM, I always looked like this. Although I didn't always stand quite like that. Just when I had to make a presentation.

So from this email, I was blessed with some time with this wonderful lady! I was blessed with a gift which included personal shopping and MANY consultations. Did you hear me? Personal shopping! More on that in a minute.

Since I have come home most days look like this with a pair of sweats or jeans if I have to get out of the car. You must admit, it is soo easy. In the summer, it is capris, capris, capris with more of these.

I always try to look presentable, but what happens when D wants to go out? I got nothing. So when Avis called and told me what blessing had been bestowed upon me, I was scared AND thrilled at the same time.

I sent her an email with my height, weight, likes and dislikes and she went shopping and came up with this, this and this. Things I would have NEVER picked for myself, things I have seen on the internet, but would keep on clicking and things that I would always say looked good on someone else.

I tried the items she chose for me and loved all but one blouse because it wasn't my color. I needed items to minimize the "girls" and provide some height for my 60 inch self (hey 60 inches sounds better than 5'0") and every item she purchased provided what I needed.

The cool thing is, Avis did NOT go shopping at any the stores listed, she shopped at TJ Maxx and Marshalls. Two stores I have no patience for, but might have to take a second look in the one moment I have without my boys ... when o when will that be? Call her, you NEVER know what she will be able to do for you. I am saving up for some more consult time.

Anyway, before I go, I must show you these and these. I absolutely heart both pair and since I have a birthday next week .. a BIG birthday ... they better be under the birthday cupcakes .. even if it is in photo form. (There is no way I would buy these or accept them as a gift) I can think of a million meals I can make with that kinda dough. Unless, I can get them at TJMaxx, I hear that is where Coach sends their purses and shoes at the end of each season.

Have a great weekend ya'll! For more fashion tips, do's and don'ts or just plain ole fashion talk go check out BigMama's blog.

Faithful Chick started 10 minute Tuesdays a few months back and I have been wanting to partcipate, but something ALWAYS comes up ... this week, I made a plan to get my post in and WOW what a scripture to reflect on.

Psalm 139: 1-4

O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.

GOD KNOWS ME!

He knew me before (BC, before Christ) and He knows me now (AC, After Christ)

He knows how many little bitty gray hairs on are on my head

He knows when I am jealous

He knows when I doubt His word and His ability

He knows I did NOT feel like doing homework with Ethan .. tonight .. this week .. lately

He knows when I am not spending the 24 hours He gave me in a way that pleases Him

He knows when I am trying to impress people

He knows what I trying to say to Him when I cannot find the words

He knows sometimes these boys drive me crazy ....

He knows that I want to be a better wife

He knows that I want to be a better mother

He knows that I want to be a better woman of God

He knows my intermost thoughts, dreams and aspirations

He knows the GOOD, THE BAD and THE UGLY

He knew I would come to Him and ask Him to reign in my life as long as He had me on this earth

He knew I would live with Him in eternity

Thank God, He knows ..... and loves me, even in spite of myself ....

Sometimes I'm up, sometimes I am down ...

but today, I am all over the map.

After telling Ethan's story and reliving the past 4 1/2 years, I was on a major high. Seeing what God had done in Ethan's life gave me new reasons to move past this season of our lives. NOT FORGET, just move past and begin to enjoy life again. Get back into a normal routine. Sign Ethan up for basketball, golf, or soccer. Plan a real vacation without having to worry about MRIs, seizures, too much sunlight. Find Ethan a regular school, go shopping for Ethan's 6th grade school supplies and new clothes. BUT .....

Satan has been trying to get in my head and in the name of JESUS I am going to shake the devil off.

Satan keeps reminding me that the doctors did not get all of the tumor out, there are still fragments left and that is why Ethan will have to have MRIs every 3 months for another year and a half. Satan keeps reminding me that the seizures Ethan had for sooo long took away some of his memory and learning abilities. He is no longer the child he was before this all began.

Satan keeps reminding me that Ethan was an "A" honor roll student and now he struggles through things he used to do so well and quick. Simple things. Everyday things. Satan keeps saying the meds Ethan takes will effect him long term. How could we possibly let Ethan take such strong medicines?

For the past two weeks, I have been introduced to several children who have tumors, have seizures, or have cancer and they were doing well at one time and now are not. Satan keeps saying .. see your God did NOT do what he said he would do.

Satan keeps saying, "Jai, one day the shoe IS going to drop and you better enjoy life now while you can .. I've got something waiting for you and your family." hehehe

Ethan NEEDS a lot right now. Medicine, a new school, dental work from all these meds. I want to continue to be home with my children, available to Ethan, available to my family and be able to do what we NEED to do without having to even think about it. JUST WRITE THE CHECK!

I AM so vulnerable ... But the pity party ends right NOW!

Just two words ..... BUT GOD!

Philippians 4:19 says .. "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" - He WILL supply

Psalm 30: 5 "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" - I will NOT let Satan take my joy!

Philippians 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." - All I gotta do is PRAY and TRUST GOD!

Exodus 15:25-26 "So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he threw it into the water, the water became drinkable. He made a statute and ordinance for them at Marah and He tested them there. 26 He said, "If you will carefully obey the LORD your God, do what is right in His eyes, pay attention to His commands, and keep all His statutes, I will not inflict any illness on you I inflicted on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you." - God DOES HEAL and did heal Ethan!

I will continue to celebrate for what God did, staying on my knees, laying prostrate and "eating rug" if I have to, and standing on God's word, hiding it in my heart and head. I will NOT lean to my own understanding. Proverbs 3: 5,6

Get thee behind me Satan .. you have NO PLACE here!

I will continue to stayed prayed up for me and my family as well as for others who have it worse than we do. I will admit I have loved having the privilege to pray for others. God only knows how many times we have been prayed for. (I know Satan does not like that)

I have come to realize ... It is NOT about me at all, it is ALL about my Lord!

This week I have been reminded that NO MATTER WHAT ... God is ALWAYS there. He is there for me and there for you. NOTHING, NOTHING that happens to me or you catches Him off guard.

He KNOWS ALL and cares for me deeply. In the midst of a bad situation, He IS there. When we celebrate, He IS there. All my life and especially since I now know Him more .. He's been faithful. Faithful to love, faithful to forgive, faithful to provide, faithful to heal, faithful to care, faithful to listen and faithful to direct ... just simply put .....

HE HAS BEEN FAITHFUL!


He's been faithful - Originally sung by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
This version sung by Vicki Yohe