Have You Stopped Listening?

I know my kids are probably the ONLY ones who do this (yeah right!) but it drives me crazy . . . I say their name to get their attention or I ask them very calmly and politely to do something. And they ignore me. Then I ask again - a little more loudly this time since they must have not been able to hear me the first time - and still no response. Then again and again until finally, I am having to yell to get their attention. It's SO FRUSTRATING!!! For those of you who have been reading my more recent posts, you will know God has been speaking to me and this is another thought He has given me lately:

If we get so frustrated with our children . . . why do we think it's okay to do the same thing to God?

I mean, if we are Christian, He is our Father. Right?

Recently, I attended the Oklahoma Ladies Retreat along with some other members of our women's ministry group. The theme of the weekend was Scouting the Divine which basically boiled down to this: let's get back to the basics and spend time with God in His Word. At one of the break-out sessions, the speaker gave us a "list" of the steps that take place "when we are shrinking back from God." This is a quote from the handout we were given (I've added scripture references in blue that God put on my heart):

Our woman's intuition [remember, I was at a ladies retreat but this pertains to us all LOL] should alert us to when we are shrinking back from God. These are some things that may start to take place:

1. We stop being in God's Word. (Psalm 119:11)

2. It starts to get easy to miss church here and there. Shows and teaches our kids it's alright to miss when it inconveniences our plans. (I Corinthians 12:27)

3. We start to justify missing church. ("We are too busy.", "We were just worn out.") (Hebrews 10:25)

4. We begin to not see sin as sin. (ie what see see on TV or hear on the radio)

5. We aren't bothered by the things that bother God. We become insensitive to that sin. (ie gossip) (Isaiah 29:13)

6. We ignore our conscience.

7. We begin to entertain thoughts that are contrary to God's will. (Isaiah 29:15-16)

8. We resist reproof. We don't want to hear it.

9. We make a habit of our sin.

10. We even start bragging about how we know it's wrong.



I don't know about you all but I think that #1 is the "easiest" trap to fall into. At this point, the Holy Spirit says our name trying to get our attention. Then #2 & #3 play together. And He has to call a little louder. From there, I believe this speaker listed things out well in the order that they normally happen. And the Voice gets a little louder each time. Sadly, we often make it so far into the list that the Holy Spirit literally has to scream to get our attention. So, why do we get so aggravated when our children do the same thing?

Father God, please make it obvious to me and anyone who is reading this post where in our lives we are falling into these traps. Father, please make us sensitive to Your Voice. Thank you for being our Loving Father - even when we don't deserve it.

Answered Prayer

I don't think I've updated you all about Kathy's surgery. But everything went great!

Thursday was a long day for Superman and his family. An early morning at the hospital and a full day of surgery (it was scheduled to take 6 1/2 hours!). Updates came as promised throughout the case when finally, around noon (only 5 hours after starting) the surgeon came out to tell them that he was finished and was very pleased with the way things went.

Basically, Kathy's cancer was all removed and he was able to connect the esophagus to the stomach. He also did not have to remove her spleen as he had anticipated. He left with a good prognosis! A long recovery, but no signs of cancer remaining!

In the days following, pain control has been the hardest. Michelle has been in Houston to stay with her in this immediate recovery phase at the hospital. I know Michelle is exhausted but I'm glad she has been able to be there with them.

Up until today, there really were no complications other than difficulty controlling the pain. Throughout last night, a few complications did arise and there was some concern that there was some leakage around the surgical area or where some of the drains were removed yesterday. After some testing, it was determined that she has developed a case of pneumonia (fortunately, in the early stages and now being treated) but that the surgical site all appears to be healing well.

This is an answered prayer!

Now, be praying for Charles. In the midst of all this, he has developed kidney stones (he has had trouble with this in the past) and is having pain of his own. So, that being said, continue praying for Michelle too! She is not only helping to take care of both of them but she will be coming home on Wednesday (she is missing her husband and son) and then having her own surgery (for carpal tunnel) on Thursday.

Through all of this, we know that God is the great physician and is still in control.

Continue praying for family as we all travel to visit and for the medical staff as they continue treating Kathy's recovery.

To all of you who have already been praying . . . THANK YOU!!! I truly believe that prayer works miracles!

A Special Prayer Request

I know I had said last night that you would meet my girls tonight. But God told me to change things around and ask for request for prayer. Two other very important people in my life begin a road trip for not so fun reasons very early in the morning. Let's start at the beginning . . . As you read last night, I met Superman in April 2001. I had actually met his parents even before then - in December 2000. I immediately grew to love them and that love has continued to grow over these last 9+ years.

Fast forward from our meeting in 2000 to January 2004. Superman and I were engaged to be married. His mother, Kathy, had been having some testing done because of a lump she had found in her breast. One afternoon, I was meeting with a friend (who just happened to also be a wedding consultant!) to pick out wedding announcements when Superman called. He sounded so upset I immediately knew what the tests showed. Breast Cancer. That ugly "C" word that no one wants to hear. I left Melissa's house and went to be with him.

The next few weeks consisted of surgeries and treatments. Kathy came through it all really well and as a family, we fought together to help her deal with this disease and recovery. During those weeks, her first two grandchildren joined the world (cousins, not twins!) and helped her battle to win the fight! To God's glory, he did allow the physicians to help her win the battle and become a breast cancer survivor!!!

Now, let's fast forward again. Now, it's March 2010. Throughout the years we have added 3 more grandchildren and one more on the way. Kathy has again been having some medical problems and undergoing testing to see what the problem may be. This time, I was at work when Superman called but could again hear the fear and concern in his voice and left work to be with him and his parents. Esophageal Cancer. REALLY?!?! After all these years of being a survivor, could Kathy REALLY be facing more? Chemo. Radiation. Shots. Dr visits. Surgery. Feeding tube. More surgery. WOW!!! Again, as a family we are fighting.

Early tomorrow morning, Kathy and Charles are leaving for their 2nd trip to MD Anderson Cancer Treatment Center in Houston, TX. This time, there is final testing and plans for surgery. As of now, surgery is planned for July 8.

Please be in prayer for both Charles and Kathy. Traveling safety. Peace. Comfort. But their request is that most of all, God will be glorified and His will be done. Pray for our family. We will all be traveling to Houston at different times during the recovery period to visit. Pray for our safety as well.

I have spoken with Kathy a lot during these last few months about what she believes God's plan to be. She knows that whatever the outcome, she has lived God's plan for her life. She has raised 3 wonderful children who are now raising their children in Godly homes. But the key thing she told me is this . . . I have a peace. In Jeremiah 29:11, God promised "I have a plan for you . . . plans for a future."

Do you know what your future holds? Kathy does. One day she will spend eternity with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our prayer as a family is that she will spend many more days here with us first. Please continue to pray for her and the family. I will keep you updated.