Grandma Update

I just wanted to let everyone know what is going on with my Mom's Mom...my Grandma.

Monday evening she had gone to my aunts house. My aunts driveway has some awful ruts that they can not figure out why they are there. When Grandma got there, it was daylight , so she wasn't worried about parking to not hit the ruts because she thought that she would be able to see them when she went out. She ended up leaving when it was dark. She was walking to the car to drive home and she fell into one of the big ruts. She got herself back up enough to throw rocks at the door of the house to get someone's attention to help her. They took her to Memorial in Springfield. She has some bruises and scrapes on her face from her glasses. Her legs are very sore and one knee is bruised, scraped and pretty swelled.

Now, for her arm. Her shoulder was dislocated, and she had a couple of breaks. Therefore, the Orthapedic Surgeon went in yesterday to set the bone back into place. His plan was to be able to put the bone back into place and it would all heal back together the way that it should. Unfortunately, when he went to put the bone back, the "ball" of the shoulder broke off from the rest of the bone. So, now she has 2 pieces of bone broke off and the shaft of the bone in the middle. This did help the pain somewhat because the pressure was no longer on the fracture between the "ball" and the rest of the bone.

So, she has been scheduled to be at St. Johns at 9 on Friday morning to have a shoulder replacemement.

She may be coming home today. They have been trying to find an oral pain medication that would help her, and we think that they have found it. She will be staying at my aunts house.

She is in so much pain and she is scared. Please pray that she is given peace and strength to get through this. She is 78 years old. We are all doing the best that we can to help her. I am doing my best to be strong and help Mom through this too. She is doing very well though.

We would just apprecaite all of your thoughts and prayers! I will keep everyone updated when I can! Love You All!

Judgement

Do you ever just sit and think about the word... judgement..? How are you being judged? Who are you being judged by? To what degree would you go to affect how someone judges you? Do you judge others?

All of these things have been passing through my mind. I know that there are so many people out there who are looking at me and judging me for my physical appearance or for the decisions that I make in my life. The bible tells us in Matthew 7:1-2 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." My question for you is, who do you think that the bible is referring to when it says "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged." Who is going to judge you for judging others? Are other people going to judge you worse because you judged them? In our sin driven world, that might be the case. As a Christian, I have ONE and only ONE JUDGE whose opinion matters to me!

"In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead..." 2 Timothy 4:1

When we judge others, God judges us! We are NO ONE to judge how someone else lives their lives or judge someone by their appearance. They will be judged by God, so why do we need to judge them too? Do we not trust God's judgement? Just remember...all of us are going to be judged...by the ONE AND ONLY! Who are you going to judge?

Another One of God's Blessings

Several years ago, God blessed me to meet the man that would become my husband and the father of my children. I could not ask for anyone better to share my life with! I had the honor almost 4 years ago of standing in front of God and so many of our friends and family and commiting myself to Corey to be his wife and love him no matter what...till death do us part. He is truly my Best Friend.
He grew up in the kind of family that was all talk and no walk when it came to church. They went to church on Sunday because it was what they were "socially" supposed to do. Like everyone does, he had many things going on in his life and he never saw where going to church helped any of his problems. A lot of talk and no walk!
I am so proud to say that by the way that I am growing and learning, Corey is wanting to get in on what I have! He came to church with me this last Sunday and truly enjoyed it! The Praise and Worship scares him a little..lol.. but I think it does everyone until they are used to it! :)
I am so thankful that God has brought him into my life. His parents may not have raised him to be a "walker" in church, but they did an amazing job of raising a man who is full of love and life. He is very quiet. (Opposites must attract!!) Our love for one another grows stronger every day, and now that we are learning to put God at the center, it is amazing how we are being drawn even closer to one another and to Him! I never thought that Corey and I could get much closer than what we already are, but God is letting it happen! We want to raise our daugher to see what it is like to be a Christian and what real marriage and family looks like, with God at the center!
It is amazing the trials that we go through in life, but if we sit back and take a look at who God has blessed us with in our paths, we are shown His Glory! I have been through many things, and then God gives me this man who is so patient and considerate with me. He is a true.."through sickness and health" trooper, let me tell ya! The things that we have come through can only be attributed to God's AMAZING GRACE! How Great Is Our God! :)

Hang It On The Cross

Hang It On The Cross

If you have a secret sorrow, a burden or a loss,

An aching need for healing ... Hang It On The Cross.

If worry steals your sleep and makes you turn and toss,

If your heart is feeling heavy ... Hang It On The Cross.

Every obstacle to faith or doubt you come across,

Every prayer unanswered ... Hang It On The Cross.

For Christ has borne our brokenness and dearly paid the cost

To turn our trials to triumph ... Hanging On The Cross.

--Lisa O. Engelhardt

With so many things going on right now, I see this and think of how this is what I need to do with all of my issues. Jesus truly paid the cost to take all of our worries and anxieties away from us. When we lose someone we love, when we feel betrayed, or broken, Jesus made us whole again a long time ago! It is all a matter of allowing Him to do as He was sent to do! :) I found this poem shortly after my step-father passed away. I wanted to share it because it is very special to me, and so true! :) For anyone in need right now, I believe that this is something that anyone can get some hope and faith from!

My Momma

The above picture is of me and my wonderful mother! God has fully blessed me with such an amazing person to have brought me into this world and have taught me so much! God has always worked wonders in and through this woman! Her strength and faith could have come from nowhere other than God himself!
Her and I had a conversation the other night that really stumped me. We actually we also talking to some of our wonderful church family about it also. She was so confused as to where her fear was coming from. She believes in God wholeheartedly and has always looked to Him for what help she needs. She was very insecure and not sure of what she needed to do. It was very difficult to explain to someone else, but GOD worked through me and He did it! I have offically been used in a way that I have never been used before. (That I was aware of anyways)
My mothers fear came from the Devil. When you do not fully understand some things, it can really affect how you live your life! I have been reading and researching all over the internet and the bible for scriptures that would influence her to understand why she feels the way that she does and how it can be fixed! God is so AWESOME! I told her that the best thing for her to do, and I have also done for her, is pray. Pray that He places peace in her heart and assures her, and gives me what I need to assure her that He is always with us. NO ONE can come between the relationship that we have with our Lord and Savior!
She said that she feels like a ton of bricks have been lifted off of her...
To give an example, my mother would not pray outloud because she thought that the devil would hear. Last night...she prayed outloud!!!! WHOO HOO!!!! It was a whisper..but she did it and felt good about it! YEAH GOD! My heart is bursting at the seams to learn more and grow closer to God. Good times and bad...I PRAISE YOU!!!! I LOVE YOU, FATHER! YOU ARE AMAZING!

Doctors Orders....

WHEW..Where to start! I had a long day today! I went to my Endocrinologist in Springfield to find out where I stand right now with my health! Here is what I have found out...

I am going to be placed on Vitamin D 2 times a week for 10 weeks to try to increase my Vitamin D levels.

We already knew that my Magnesium was low, but it is not going up as they want it to, so the dose of that has been doubled. We found out that the Magnesium defeciency may have been something that I had before my thyroid surgery was done. I may have to be on Magnesium of some sort for the rest of my life!

Another issue that we are getting ruled out is Diabetes. When I was pregnant, I had gestational diabetes. While on the high doeses of steroids this past year, I ended up with Steroid Induced diabetes. So, my chances of diabetes coming back and not going away is pretty good. Although, right now my numbers are pretty good. My pancreas is "sluggish" but it is working!

I learned that the pain and weakness in my legs is probably something that I am going to have for the rest of my life. My body has been so broken an damaged because of the steroids that there is no telling how much damage was really done! I can't push myself or I will end up in a worse of position than what I am in now!

They are also pretty positive that physically, if I were to attempt to have another child, I would not make it. Therefore, we are so unbelivably blessed to even have the little sweetie that we already have! I have lost of problems with headaches and cramps and things like that. The doctor actually told me that she knows of many women who get hysterectomys soon after all that I have been on and been through to eliminate some pain.

What hit me the hardest when I was talking to the doctor was this.....She said that even though there are so many effects from the steroids (which can be adapted and helped), that is what kept me alive! WOW! Without this pill she thought that I would be gone. I have to disagree...God was not finished with me, and that is why I am still here. I am still kind-of weary on what that purpose is, but I am learning more and more all the time that weather I am reading to my daughter or helping a friend in need, God is working through me for His will! What an honor that is! I have had many speedbumps along the road of my life so far, but I am not afraid. I have the Lord on my side and in my life. (physically and mentally) WHEW!!! How AWAMZING!!! I could write all day about what I have gone through in the past 24 years. I look at those things as lessons that God has taught me and I am going to use them to the fullest! Everything happens for a reason!

Passing Time....

As I prepare to head to the church in a little while to attend the Women's Confrence, I can't help but think about what I am wanting to get from this. I am going to go and enjoy the beautiful music and listen and talk to many wonderful women, but more than anything, I want to hear God. I want to know what God has in store for me. I love growing deeper and deeper into a relationship with Christ! I am so excited to learn and grow! I can't wait to see what amazing things are being done all around me that I did not take the time before to stop and watch. God has blessed my life in so many ways. He has literally been "My Rock" in so many situations. I know that my struggles are nowhere near over, but I want to give back to God in even a fraction of what He has given to me. It is so amazing to think that no matter how you feel, there is always that special someone who is there to comfort you when you need it the most, always knowing what is best for you! I love that God knows my heart, because so many times I can't think of exactly how to put what I am feeling or what I am asking for into words. With God I don't have to. He has blessed me with such wonderful people around me to love me and support me in the flesh as well. We need relationships! I know that there are many people at our church that do not know me very well, but I am looking so forward to meeting more and getting to know them better. I feel that it is such an honor and so encouraging to be around others in which God is using for His Will! It always reminds me of why I am here, and what I am going to get from this weekend. I am going to go out and do God's Will to the best of my ability in ALL tasks that I do! So, I will go this weekend, and I know that there will be things that touch my heart! I can only hope that God uses me to touch someone else to feel His love! Thank you to all who have helped to make the confrence possible. God is using us in GREAT ways and I can't wait to experience the cries and laughter of the weekend to come! Thank You, Father for the blessing of your love!

Overcoming What Seems Impossible

January 20th, 2009 August 7th, 2008

As I reflect on the last 5 months of my life, it is with great PRAISE and REJOICING that I am here and able to write about what has happened to me. Over the past few years, I have been very sick. In the flesh, I have been sick.

I was raised to always have FAITH! I always remeber when my Dad passed away and my mother's explanation of where my Daddy was. She said, "Daddy is with God now." That was when I was 6, and I understood. I have always tried to keep faith and keep my head up as much as I could. Another one of my mom's big sayings was "Where there's a will, there's a way" That is so true. God's will is EVERYWHERE, so nothing is impossible.

Back to where I was, being sick has done so much more for me than ever thought possible! I am not talking about just physically, but mentally. It was in this time that I have found the true meaning behind what my mom had always told me. God is more than just someone that you pray to when you have a problem. He is a Provider, Caregiver, Lover, Friend, and so much more than ever thinkable. I am so thankful to be growing in my realtionship with God through Jesus. Without the things that I have learned, I really feel that my life would be a large pit! I have never let myself get so far down that I could not get up!

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

This is SO TRUE! When we cast all of our fears, worries, burdens, troubles, anxieties upon the Lord, we are given rest. There are so many times when I can remember being scared and not knowing where to turn. Turning to Jesus was the answer.(as ALWAYS)

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart. I have overcome the world!" John 16:33

Jesus died for each of us so that we would be freed of our sins. He has overcome the world as He was raised from the dead to be at the right hand of the Lord Our God! How AMAZING!

So, in being sick, I have learned so much! I am so blessed and thankful beyond words expression. Luckily, God knows my heart and He knows how I feel!

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." Psalm 68:19

No matter how big, how small, or how much, God takes our burdens! When we freely give our burdens to God, it is amazing the peace that is achieved! We just have to remember that we can not take our burdens back. We have a giving God and if we do not trust him with our issues, He gives them back to prove to us that we indeed DO need HIM!

I DEFINATELY need God in my life. Do you?

Smiles...

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. ~Phyllis Diller

Isn't it amazing what something as small as a simple smile can do? I took and picked up Madi from school all week. Today while coming out of the school, I said hello to the receptionist and asked her a quick question about school. As I was introducing myself to the woman, she stood up, grabbed my hand, and said "Honey, your smile brightens my every day! I am so glad that I can finally put a name with a face!"

Isn't that awesome? How we can take a simple second and smile at someone and it makes their day? Try it! Of course there will be some people who wonder what you are up to, or can't imagine why anyone could be that happy. We are all blessed to say that we have an AMAZING God who gives us the opportunity to smile every day for all that He does and has done for us. What is there NOT to smile about! :)

What Happens in Heaven

I got this email from someone very special to me and wanted to share it with all of you! I love you and thank you for being a part of my life! More than that, I thank God for allowing me to have you in my life! He is so wonderful!

WHAT HAPPENS IN HEAVEN
I dreamt that I went to Heaven and an angel was showing me around. We walked side-by-side inside a large workroom filled with angels. My angel guide stopped in front of the first section and said, 'This is the Receiving Section. Here, all petitions to God said in prayer are received.' I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world.Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section.The angel then said to me, 'This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and delivered to the living persons who asked for them. 'I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being packaged for delivery to Earth.Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the door of a very small station. To my great surprise, only one angel was seated there, idly doing nothing. 'This is the Acknowledgment Section,' my angel friend quietly admitted to me. He seemed embarrassed 'How is it that there is no work going on here?' I asked. 'So sad,' the angel sighed. 'After people receive the blessings that they asked for, very few send back acknowledgments .''How does one acknowledge God's blessings?' I asked.'Simple,' the angel answered. Just say, 'Thank you, Lord.''What blessings should they acknowledge?' I asked.'If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy .''And if you get this on your own computer, you are part of the 1% in the world who has that opportunity.''If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day .''If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation ... you are ahead of 700 million people in the world.''If you can attend a church without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death you are envied by, and more blessed than, three billion people in the world .''If your parents are still alive and still married ...you are very rare .''If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm, you're unique to all those in doubt and despair.'Ok, what now? How can I start?If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you as very special and you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.Have a good day and count your blessings
ATTN:Acknowledge Dept.: 'Thank you Lord, for giving me the ability to share this message and for giving me so many wonderful people to share it with. I thank God for everything, especially all my family and friends!! God's Blessings to you.

I Have Been Blessed

As I went again today to Cardinal Glennon Hospital, I have realized once again how blessed I am! God is so AMAZING! This song tells exactly how I feel...

I get kissed by the sun each morning
Put my feet on a hardwood floor
I get to hear my children laughin'
Down the hall through the bedroom door
Sometimes I sit on my front porch swing
Just soakin' up the dayI think to myself, I think to myself
This world is a beautiful place
I have been blessed
And I feel like I've found my way
I thank God for all I've been given
At the end of every day
I have been blessed
With so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones that love me
To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed
Across a crowded room
I know you know what I'm thinkin'
By the way I look at you
And when we're lying in the quiet
And no words have to be said
I think to myself, I think to myself
This love is a beautiful gift
I have been blessed
And I feel like I've found my way
I thank God for all I've been given
At the end of every day
I have been blessed
With so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones that love me
To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed
When I, When I'm singing my kids to sleep
When I feel you holding me
I know I am so blessed
And I feel like I've found my way
I thank God for all I've been given
At the end of every day
I have been blessed
With so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones that love me
To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed
oh yes i have been blessed

No matter what I am going through with my health or with Madi's health, we ALWAYS have one another and such a wonderful and caring family around us! Watching children go through these awful diseases and the parents watching their babies go through such awful pain makes me see how GREAT I truly have it! God has blessed me with such a wonderful little girl! She may have some acid reflux and sensory problems...whatever...but she is such a blessing! Just in case you haven't today, make sure that you tell those who mean the most to you that you love them! :) We are blessed in so many ways and so undeserving! God is go gracious and wonderful to us. Even when we feel like we are having the haredest times, it is important to remember that there are people who are going through so much more than we are. Then it is our duty to pray for those who do have it worse...that God does His Will....and holds them in his Hands all along the way!
:)

Today Is a BIG DAY!

My little baby became a little girl today! She started her first day of school! She was so excited! She could cared less if I was even there to see her off...such a silly girl! I am so thankful to have her in my life! 5 years ago I thought children were a vision of the future...the FAR FUTURE!
God blessed Corey and I to be parents and we are so happy about that! At the time it seemed like bad timing. We got engaged on October 4th, 2003. We decided then that we would get married May 14, 2005. So, we had a little bit of an engagement! It wasn't anything to us though because we had already been together for several years beforehand. Anyways, my friends and sisters had a Bridal Shower for me on April 2 (The day after our niece Kaelyn was born) The next day, I took a pregnancy test and it was +!!! We were so lost and excited all at the same time! But, it was such a great example of how God's Timing is always perfect! My step father was ill at that time and he was able to know that he had a first grandchild on the way!!! Beings that he passed a week after we got married, he never got to meet her, but I am sure that he spoils her rotten with love! Sometimes she acts so much like him that it is scary! lol
Now as I think about the fact that she is at school, I can't help but smile to think that God has done this for me and my family! Our lives would be so different without her! I am also thankful that she has the BEST Guardian Angels to take care of her while I can't be with her! 2 of her Grandpas.....1 Brother...3 Brothers or Sisters....a Cousin......God knows what we need and just how to take care of us, even if at the time it does not seem like it...He Knows Best! :)

My First Shot

So, this is my first shot at a blog entry! I think that this is a great place to share my thoughts and feelings! I was inspired by those in my church family and what they had to say! :) How amazing! I am not very good at quoting God's Word, but that will get better with time! ;)
Here lately I have been doing a lot of thinking about life. In particular, what God has done in my life. The list can go on and on forever! It is amazing to think of some of the things that He has pulled my family and I through! AMAZING AMAZING! I know that I am just a "young pup" but, I have been through so much at my young age, and as always, God NEVER leaves my side! I have such a desire to grow in my relationship with Him! I also have a desire to grow in relationships with those around me! Life is so short, and I always want to make it a point to let others know how I feel about them because you never know when God may choose us to be with Him.
Through a spell with my illness, God is pulling me through... AGAIN! :) I find my strength, courage, and faith in the words, not only of the Lord, but also in the love and support that surrounds me! I have the greatest and most caring family in the world! Thank you to all of you!
I know that this is short, but I had no idea where to start! I have so many thoughts on my heart that I need to think about how to separate them without making everyone read a 100 page essay! :)

Until next time.....
Miranda