Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Ruthie's healing

As Ruthie heals and grows, God has taught me so many things. Just being a parent gives me great insight to how God loves us as his children. But the nugget I got this week was about how he heals us; from physical ailments to guilt from sin.

Ruthie's healing has been miraculous to say the least. I guess the first time I saw her healing was when I was 20 weeks pregnant. The doctor told us she had
several markers for a genetic disorder and she would either have downs syndrome or a fatal disorder that would kill her in-utero or just after birth. Jimmy and I, our family, and our closest friends prayed. I mean, PRAYED, PLEADED for God to heal our daughter. One week later, the test came back CLEAR. She had no abnormality. God had instantly heard our prayer and healed Ruthie. We had another ultrasound to confirm and all the markers they had seen were completely GONE. She still had the lung mass but the genetic problems were gone.

As for her lung problems, God's healing has been a bit slower. From the time she was diagnosed to the time she will be completely whole will be around 3 years. Beginning with a surgery I had at 22 weeks to around her 3rd birthday, God will be healing her. Through her healing over these 3 years, she is on medicines, has had 2 surgeries, and even though 2/3 of her lung was removed in the 2nd surgery it will regenerate into a full lung. But when God's healing is complete in her, she will have two full lungs and will probably be free from further lung problems.

So, what I have learned about how God heals us from our "issues".... God CAN heal us. immediately. completely. fully. But he also chooses to heal us THROUGH our circumstances. For example, if you are struggling with depression. God CAN heal you instantly. Please pray big prayers! God hears our prayers and his healing comes in different ways! Sometimes God's healing does take time. Maybe he is in the process of healing you.

Here's the thing... Ruthie spends about half of her life out of breath. She gets out of breath eating, crying, laughing....anything really..except for sleeping. As she gets some distance from her surgery, it will get easier and easier for her to breath. So, as God is in this process of healing you, you may get out of breath. Your healing may be painful. But your pain will lead to greater results. You may feel like God has forgotten your healing. He may have missed you. NO WAY! God is working through your life. "
We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him." Romans 8:28 God is using your circumstances to bring glory to him. So whatever you need healing from, depression, a physical pain, addiction, a lung mass, pray for healing. We did.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Thoughts from a new mom

I've been thinking a lot about labels...Christian, wife, sister, daughter, friend, teacher, colleague, mentor, etc... I've had labels for a while now. I think adding "wife" had been the largest adjustment to make until now. It's also been the most rewarding. Now I'm adding the label... Mother. hmm.... I thought having a mother, a good mother, I knew what I was getting into. HA! Even having the best mom, I had no idea the life-changing excitement that was heading for me. But more on that later...


I began to think about these labels as hats. For example, on my way to work, I would put on my teacher and colleague hats and then driving home, switch to the homemaker and wife hats. But, then, I realized the “Christian” label shouldn’t really be in this category. Because we really don’t ever take that one off (or at least we shouldn’t). No matter what hat we put on, we are still Christians. For metaphoric purposes, lets say we put on our “Christian” t-shirt. So, this label, Christian, permeates every other label. Striving to be a good mother doesn’t mean we change a diaper really well. What are our goals? I mean really... deep down, what do WE want? If you have on your “Christian” t-shirt, then your goal should be to point others toward Christ. Showing his love to others and proclaiming his name is our goal. So, as we change our hats, our overall goal shouldn’t change. What should change is our audience. At home, wearing our “Mom” hat and our “Christian” t-shirt, our goal should be to show Christ to our children, pointing them to him by our love, patience, and discipline. As we go to work, change hats but don’t take off the t-shirt. We should be showing our co-workers Christ, telling them how great he his and how life changing he is. We don’t necessarily have to go through the halls, cubicles, and break rooms shouting, “How Great is Our God.” Although, you could and that would be awesome! Just be nice. Offer to help someone. Buy someone’s coffee. Talk to them about their family. Remember, most of you reading this are in the bible belt of America. So, be aware, your co-workers have probably had a run-in with a Christian at some point. And sadly, not all Christians leave the best impression. So, PLEASE, leave a GOOD impression. Also, your co-workers may also be Christians. Talk to them about it. Encourage each other.


Realizing all the labels/hats that I wear, it stressed me out. I really want to do all those things really well. Failing at these things is not an option. I refuse to be a bad mother, a bad wife, etc. BUT think about it, what are you wearing.... If you are wearing your “Christian” shirt, it shouldn’t matter what hat you have on. Continue with the same goal. Showing others Christ through you and your actions. I’m convinced if we concentrate on the t-shirt the hats won’t matter.



26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Galations 3:26-27




Couldn't resist showing some pictures of my little miracle!! She is doing great! Growing and smiling! She can hold up her head and is smiling more and more. She has also found her hands. She reaches for stuff and sucks on her knuckles. Her little personality is showing through!! Her health has been great! Thank you again for all your prayers and Praise Him for answering them so extravagantly!





Ruthie's healing

As Ruthie heals and grows, God has taught me so many things. Just being a parent gives me great insight to how God loves us as his children. But the nugget I got this week was about how he heals us; from physical ailments to guilt from sin.

Ruthie's healing has been miraculous to say the least. I guess the first time I saw her healing was when I was 20 weeks pregnant. The doctor told us she had
several markers for a genetic disorder and she would either have downs syndrome or a fatal disorder that would kill her in-utero or just after birth. Jimmy and I, our family, and our closest friends prayed. I mean, PRAYED, PLEADED for God to heal our daughter. One week later, the test came back CLEAR. She had no abnormality. God had instantly heard our prayer and healed Ruthie. We had another ultrasound to confirm and all the markers they had seen were completely GONE. She still had the lung mass but the genetic problems were gone.

As for her lung problems, God's healing has been a bit slower. From the time she was diagnosed to the time she will be completely whole will be around 3 years. Beginning with a surgery I had at 22 weeks to around her 3rd birthday, God will be healing her. Through her healing over these 3 years, she is on medicines, has had 2 surgeries, and even though 2/3 of her lung was removed in the 2nd surgery it will regenerate into a full lung. But when God's healing is complete in her, she will have two full lungs and will probably be free from further lung problems.

So, what I have learned about how God heals us from our "issues".... God CAN heal us. immediately. completely. fully. But he also chooses to heal us THROUGH our circumstances. For example, if you are struggling with depression. God CAN heal you instantly. Please pray big prayers! God hears our prayers and his healing comes in different ways! Sometimes God's healing does take time. Maybe he is in the process of healing you.

Here's the thing... Ruthie spends about half of her life out of breath. She gets out of breath eating, crying, laughing....anything really..except for sleeping. As she gets some distance from her surgery, it will get easier and easier for her to breath. So, as God is in this process of healing you, you may get out of breath. Your healing may be painful. But your pain will lead to greater results. You may feel like God has forgotten your healing. He may have missed you. NO WAY! God is working through your life. "
We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him." Romans 8:28 God is using your circumstances to bring glory to him. So whatever you need healing from, depression, a physical pain, addiction, a lung mass, pray for healing. We did.

Thoughts from a new mom

I've been thinking a lot about labels...Christian, wife, sister, daughter, friend, teacher, colleague, mentor, etc... I've had labels for a while now. I think adding "wife" had been the largest adjustment to make until now. It's also been the most rewarding. Now I'm adding the label... Mother. hmm.... I thought having a mother, a good mother, I knew what I was getting into. HA! Even having the best mom, I had no idea the life-changing excitement that was heading for me. But more on that later...


I began to think about these labels as hats. For example, on my way to work, I would put on my teacher and colleague hats and then driving home, switch to the homemaker and wife hats. But, then, I realized the “Christian” label shouldn’t really be in this category. Because we really don’t ever take that one off (or at least we shouldn’t). No matter what hat we put on, we are still Christians. For metaphoric purposes, lets say we put on our “Christian” t-shirt. So, this label, Christian, permeates every other label. Striving to be a good mother doesn’t mean we change a diaper really well. What are our goals? I mean really... deep down, what do WE want? If you have on your “Christian” t-shirt, then your goal should be to point others toward Christ. Showing his love to others and proclaiming his name is our goal. So, as we change our hats, our overall goal shouldn’t change. What should change is our audience. At home, wearing our “Mom” hat and our “Christian” t-shirt, our goal should be to show Christ to our children, pointing them to him by our love, patience, and discipline. As we go to work, change hats but don’t take off the t-shirt. We should be showing our co-workers Christ, telling them how great he his and how life changing he is. We don’t necessarily have to go through the halls, cubicles, and break rooms shouting, “How Great is Our God.” Although, you could and that would be awesome! Just be nice. Offer to help someone. Buy someone’s coffee. Talk to them about their family. Remember, most of you reading this are in the bible belt of America. So, be aware, your co-workers have probably had a run-in with a Christian at some point. And sadly, not all Christians leave the best impression. So, PLEASE, leave a GOOD impression. Also, your co-workers may also be Christians. Talk to them about it. Encourage each other.


Realizing all the labels/hats that I wear, it stressed me out. I really want to do all those things really well. Failing at these things is not an option. I refuse to be a bad mother, a bad wife, etc. BUT think about it, what are you wearing.... If you are wearing your “Christian” shirt, it shouldn’t matter what hat you have on. Continue with the same goal. Showing others Christ through you and your actions. I’m convinced if we concentrate on the t-shirt the hats won’t matter.



26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Galations 3:26-27




Couldn't resist showing some pictures of my little miracle!! She is doing great! Growing and smiling! She can hold up her head and is smiling more and more. She has also found her hands. She reaches for stuff and sucks on her knuckles. Her little personality is showing through!! Her health has been great! Thank you again for all your prayers and Praise Him for answering them so extravagantly!