He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved. Psalm 62:6
Psalm 62 has been a long time favorite Psalm of mine (Bethany). For the past few weeks I've taken a verse a week to meditate on as I pray through my daily prayer list. This helps focus my mind as I pray for others, and helps me to memorize the verses. I will say I did kind of skip over vs. 4 because it was a bit tricky to pray through. This week I'm on vs. 6 above. I'm not the student of language that Alex is, but I do find it interesting that this verse is very similar to vs. 2, only it is missing the word "greatly" in between be and moved. It stands out to me, because the week I was studying vs. 2, that "greatly" reminded me that sometimes we are moved, tossed, to and fro, yet now....it is missing. There is a greater stability to the verse...I shall not be moved....not at a little, not at all.
Alex regularly gives updates about Joshua. (He gives them on Facebook, but if you'd like the link directly please let me know) I'm thankful for that. Most days I can barely keep my head above water in the juggling act of caring for Caleb, managing important details like bills and food, and making quality visits to the hospital. Additionally, it takes me a long time to clearly articulate my thoughts and feelings. I'm thankful he can keep everyone updated b/c we really need and appreciate your prayers and words of encouragement.
I've often said that the Lord has taught me so much over these past almost 4 years, and I was really hoping to be able to spend some of the 16 hour flight previously planned for yesterday getting started on that. Yet again, a change in plans has delayed that.
We spent a little time yesterday when we were all four able to be together at the hospital reflecting on some of God's goodness to us. It was a sweet time, Caleb just played with Joshua's new LEGO sets, but he at least kept quiet so we could chat.
In the middle of each of the numerous setbacks of our crazy over the past few years it has been hard to have clarity in the moment, yet with each of them we can look back in retrospect and see God's good hand in it all. Reflection is hard, but valuable. Greif is painful, but without it we can't grow and move on. Over the past month I've said a number of times to the medical staff that opening our hands and offering "our plan" is so much easier than tight fisting it and saying, No I will not accept this change. Whew...that is hard, but so necessary.
Yesterday the long awaited travel date came and went. We didn't get to board a flight, but we did get to all eat lunch together for the first time in over a month. Thank you God!
We don't yet have a target date of when Joshua might be able to leave the hospital, but were told to ask again at the end of next week because by then we might have an idea. Praise God for that to at least look to!
Over and over again we have been able to share God's great work in our lives with medical staff. We thank God for finding us faithful for this "task." It might not be going to the other side of the globe, but it is certainly outside of our normal circle. We pray for souls to come to the Truth.
The first week of May we get to share Joshua's story on a charitable giving day for an amazing organization we've mentioned before. Happy Wheels, that encourage children and families in three of the major Children's hospitals in our State. In fact, many of you ask what our boys like to play with or need, we promise they have plenty, but take some of your gifts and purchase something from the most needed items on Happy Wheels' Amazon Wish list. It would mean so much to us and other families. We thank God for being able to relate to others in a new way through this!
Also, many of you have asked about the medical bills. We are still sorting through it all, but we have two options that seem likely to eventually cover the bulk of his medical expenses. Our current option does require us to pay a number of bills up-font while we wait for reimbursements. The other option which we have applied for and hope to hear back from soon, should cover everything once it starts, which is likely another month or so. The bills are not a stressor to us, we trust God will provide, I do ask that you pray for me as I try to keep up with it all. It is a lot for an already tired brain!
Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement. This is the hardest thing any of us has gone through, and truly we echo these words!
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14
(Caleb was more interested in the statues than us!)
Praises & Prayer Requests
See above :-)
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