Anderson Observer

It is Sunday morning and we are home in Anderson since Friday at 4 pm.  We really do treasure every hour we are home - it just feels so good.

On Friday evening, Jake, Emily, Craig, his friend Will and his cousin John went to the movies.  That is a normal activity for Jake but having his dad go with him is a bit out of the ordinary.  Yet, until he gets the skull replaced, either Craig or I will be with him at all times.  There is absolutely no room for error in this area - so many things are beyond our control but being cautious is one thing we can do.  The next morning we were sitting around and Craig and Emily were discussing the movie - just how strange and confusing it was.  Jake kept sticking his hand up with 3 fingers and then we all started the guessing game as to what he was trying to say.  Finallly I said just take your time and let's give him time.  Then he said "long" indicating that the movie was almost 3 hours long.  My therapist friend, Debbie, is coming over this afternoon to work with his right hand so we look forward to that.

Before I forget, many of you have asked which devotion book that I use.  I believe the one that I have quoted from in the journal is "Streams in the Desert" by Cowman and Reimann.

From my devotion:  Speaking about the Bible story as to how David defeated a lion, a bear, and then Goliath.  "Normally we think of a lion not as a special blessing from the Lord but only as a reason for alarm.  Yet the lion was God's opportunity in disguise.  Every difficulty and every temptation that comes our way, if we receive it correctly is God's opportunity.  When a "lion" comes to your life, recognize it as an opportunity from the Lord, no matter how fierce it may outwardly seem.   May the Lord open our eyes to see Him, even in temptation, trials, dangers, and misfortunes."

My mom passed away a week ago today.  The day after her service, we were back in Atlanta continuing with Jake's therapy.  I have not been able to reconcile the loss of my mom and the situation with Jake.  But what I have been able to do is to put my heart and mind in God's hands and I know and trust that He is control of my life - it is the only thing that I know to do - it is the only thing to do.

We are going to church today for the first time since Jake's stroke.  I had no idea until a few minutes ago that the service today is a "healing service."  There are four services and we are gong to the 4:15 service today.  I get chills when I think about it - PRAY for Jake and our family as we attend this service today.  I am asking God to heal Jake - I am begging God to heal Jake - whether God chooses to do it today, tomorrow.... What I do know that God's time is the right time because this journey and His purpose in this is much more than Jake having and recovering from a stroke.  And for this to serve the full and complete purpose that God has intended, it has to carried out in God's way which is His timing.  Yet I still struggle watching my son struggle - as a mother, my heart breaks at times....  But my faith tells me, God is already planning and celebrating the victory from this storm that we are in.  Amen.

PRAYER REQUEST:  Pray for healing for Jake - pray that the words will start flowing from Jake's mouth.  Pray that Jake will be able to pick up an object and then set it down and release it.  Pray that Jake's ankle will loosen up so that he will be able to walk heal to toe.  Pray that our family will use this event to serve God and further His kingdom.  Remembe we are shooting for the moon!