God is Still in the Miracle Working Business!

I had a suprising thing happen last week...I was so caught off guard by it that I'm still trying to process it more than a week later.

I took Bri to her Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist to have an ABR (Auditory Brain Response) done.  This is a fancy name for a hearing test.  ABR's are done on children who are not verbal, and are not able to say "what" and "how well" they hear a particular sound in a traditional hearing test.  Just getting this test done has taken an act of Congress...that's probably not a good analogy, since it seems Congress is not getting much of anything done these days...but I digress.

Because of Brianne's challenge of chronic ear infections over the past 2-1/2 years, we have had to reschedule this ABR 4 times.  She had to be completely free of infection, so as not to hinder the results of the test.  Finally last week we were able to proceed with the testing.

My first challenge occurred when we arrived at the office.  I could not get her "lift seat" to work.  It would not come out of the van...which meant that I had no wheelchair to transport her with.  So, I had to walk her, holding onto her hands, which made opening doors, using the public restroom, etc... quite a juggling act.

The next challenge came when I had to try to keep Bri still and quiet, and not allow her to pull on the probes that they had attached to her forehead (which she definitely did NOT like).  These probes measure the brain activity when various decibels of sound are transferred through the ear pieces.  They measure the brain's response to these sounds, which indicates the person's ability to hear these sounds.  The entire test took about an hour...but who's counting??  ME!  It seemed like forever!

I was exhausted and exasperated by the time the test was finished, and definitely not prepared for the results.

"In comparing this ABR with the last one that Brianne had done in 2008," the doctor began, "it seems that her hearing has improved."

"Really?  Is this common for a teenager to regain hearing loss?" I asked.

"No, this is not typical," she replied.

[I cannot tell you how many times we have heard those exact words "This is not typical" but not usually said in a positive way.  It usually goes something like this, "We have never seen this before!" or "Your daughter is not responding the way that a child normally does!" or "This is new one for us!"]

When I probed further to see what could account for this, and what it would mean for Brianne, the doctor said, "I can't really give an explanation for this, but I don't think that she needs her hearing aids any more."

"What?"  "Are you sure?"  Rather than recognizing it as the miracle that it was, I kept wondering if she was really qualified to make these declarations? (Oh me of little faith!) I reminded her that often when Bri is not responding to us as she normally would, we will check her hearing aid batteries only to find that they are dead.

"Well, when the batteries are dead, she replied, "her hearing aids act like ear plugs, decreasing her ability to hear."

Wow, that was not what I expected!  That is not even something I had asked the Lord for!  But in a round-about way, I guess I had prayed for this.  We have been asking the Lord for months now to take away these recurring ear infections.  By getting rid of the hearing aids, we are removing a likely source of the infections.  I am still amazed at the goodness and creativity of God...killing two birds with one stone!

Scripture is filled with examples of David giving credit to the Lord for the great things He has done. 

I Chronicles 16:24, "Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples."

Psalm 26:7, "... proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds."

Psalm 86:10, "For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God."

Psalm 103:2-4, "Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.  He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases; he redeems my life from the pit and crowns me with love and compassion."

I want to be like David....I want to give God credit for His marvelous deeds!  I want to be an encouragement to others who may be asking the Lord for a specific answer to prayer!

Be encouraged friend, God is still in the business of working miracles today!

The Way Up is Down

These past few weeks have been interesting as Mercy Ships (the ministry that I have spent half of my life serving with) has received national attention.  CBS' 60 Minutes did a story on Mercy Ships a couple weeks ago, and millions of people were able to see first-hand this amazing ministry.  It's been a bit surreal to hear of the tens of thousands of people who have visited our website for the first time, and the hundreds of people who have downloaded applications to serve with us.  Mercy Ships has been around for 35 years, and some are just hearing of us for the first time.

Along with that, former President George W. Bush and his wife Laura are hosting an event in April to tell even more people about this ministry.  This private dinner will be hosted in Dallas with over 100 invited guests.  Those attending will hear the Bushes passion for Africa and Mercy Ships vision to "Advance hope and healing for Africa." While not an evening focused on raising funds, it will serve as an opportunity to announce our intention to more than double our capability to serve with the completion of the second ship.  Wade and I are thrilled to have been asked to participate in this event.

In reflection of these recent events, I have thought about God's timing, and how it is truly Him who decides if and when to exalt or to humble a ministry, a leader, a person, etc... Our job is to be faithful in the small things, and his job is to use what we offer Him for His glory.

I am currently participating in Beth Moore's bible study on the book of Daniel, and this lesson can be clearly seen in the life of King Nebuchadnezzar.  In Daniel's interpretation of King Neb's dream in Daniel 2:37, Daniel says to King Neb, "You, O King, are the king of kings.  The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might and glory."  God used Daniel to let King Neb know that IT WAS GOD who had put him in that place. 

Just a couple chapters later, we see King Neb strutting around the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, and declaring, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" King Neb clearly didn't learn the lesson!  While the words were still on his lips, a voice came from heaven, "This is what is declared for King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.  You will be driven away from people, and will live like the wild animals...Immediately what had been said was fulfilled..." Daniel 4:31-33

Peter says in I Peter 5:5b - 6, "Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.  Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand that He may lift you up in due time."

We are truly in awe of the amazing opportunities that the Lord has made available to Mercy Ships recently, but we definitely don't want to make the same mistakes that King Neb made.  We will keep being faithful and doing what God has called us to do, and we will trust Him to use our "offering" as He sees fit!

Lesson Learned from our Cat

As I've mentioned before, God uses all kinds of things to get my attention, and yesterday, it was our cat Simba. I should actually say "Brooke's cat" Simba because it is clear to everyone that knows Simba, he loves Brooke the most!! And why not? It was Brooke who rescued him from the streets of Burgaw, NC nearly 10 years ago.

We were on a 3 week trip to NC, visiting Wade's family and some of our supporting churches, when we first met Simba. He was a stray that showed up on the steps of the home that we were staying in. The couple who owned the home had graciously moved in with her parents for those 3 weeks to give our family a "home base." They thought that "Simba" (they had named him already) would be good company for our animal loving 4 year-old, so they decided to wait to find a home for him until after our visit was over.

It was love at first sight for both of them! The thing I remember most about that summer is that Brooke was covered in mosquito bites from head to toe. She spent every moment that we were at our "home away from home" outside on the front porch with Simba, and even the pesky mosquitoes could not stop her. It was amazing to watch how she would call his name and he would come running out of the woods for her.

The thought of having to leave Simba behind when we returned to Texas broke my heart! Even though I was not much of an animal lover at the time, I loved my little girl, and wanted to avoid the heart-wrenching goodbye that was soon to come. After a phone call to the airlines, and a visit to the vet, Simba joined us on our flight back to Texas. And he has never looked back! Some of our amused friends made the comment upon our return, "You know we have cats in Texas??!!" "Yes we know," we answered, "but not Simba!" And he has proved to be the best pet ever over these 10 years!!

So, where am I going with this?...Well, yesterday I observed something that I see on a fairly regular basis.  Simba was all curled up, lying on top of Brooke's folded laundry while she was at school.   I thought to myself, "He loves her so much, that when she is away, he'll settle for her clothes."

 

 

 

At that moment, I remembered the Psalmist who said to the Lord, "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." Psalm 84:10. In other words, he was saying "I just want to BE where you are Lord, if even in the lowliest position available."

Oh, how this challenges me!  Am I as much in love with my Father, who rescued me from sin and from myself, as Simba is in love with Brooke??  Can I say with the Psalmist,  "I just want to be where you are Lord" no matter where that might take me??  Help me Lord to LOVE you with all that I am and ever hope to be!

This World is not our Home!

I've been thinking about death a great deal lately...not because I have a morbid imagination, but because our little community has been showered with grief in the past 2 weeks. I don't know what I would qualify as an "acceptable age" to die, but certainly not a 47 year old mother of 6, or a 42 year old father of 3. Our kids go to school with these children, and I can hardly bear the thought of this happening to our family.

And then, one week ago today, another precious angel went to be with Jesus...Brett Michael Menasco, at the young age of 15. Brett was one of Brianne's classmates for several years until he became too medically fragile to attend school any more. When he became homebound, I had the privilege to be his home health nurse for many months. His sweet and gentle spirit had a profound impact on me, as every day was a challenge for him, and yet he handled it with grace and dignity. These "special" children can certainly teach us a lot about how to live if we'll pay attention.



As you can imagine, there was a mixture of emotions that flooded me with Brett's passing. When I heard the news, I immediately pictured him running and playing and singing...doing all of the things that his weakened human body had prevented him from doing for so long. But then I thought of his mother, and the fact that Brett was not the only child that she had lost. She lost her first child at 9 years old, who passed before Brett was even born. "Oh Lord," I cried, "how is Bobi going to get through this?" And then the Lord reminded me that He loves Bobi even more than I do, and she WILL get through this with His strength!

He then reminded me of the book that I have bought several friends of mine who have lost children. Just writing that sentence makes me sick to my stomach...so many Mommies who have had to lay their babies to rest! What a broken world we live in! The book is called "Mommy Please Don't Cry" by Linda DeYmaz. I was able to read it to Brett's mom at his Memorial service, and I want to share it with you here...

Mommy, please don't cry...A beautiful angel carried me here!

I met Jesus today, Mommy! He cradled me in His big, strong arms. He made me feel so happy inside.

Mommy, please don't cry...Heaven is wonderful! Did you know the streets are made of gold? Real gold!

I have lots of friends, Mommy. We run and play, we giggle and laugh. I can't wait to show you my secret hideouts!

Mommy, please don't cry...When I fall it doesn't hurt! There are no tears in Heaven.

I've met a man named Noah. He told me about his big boat, all the animals, and the very first rainbow. Have you heard of Noah, Mommy?

Mommy, please don't cry...We have lots of parties here; with streamers and hats, and the best chocolate cake ever!

When it's time to rest, angels tuck us in. I never get scared Mommy, there is no darkness here! Jesus is the light of heaven.

Mommy, please don't cry...the angels are always singing. I love to sing with the angels! You'd be proud of me, I have a pretty good voice. I must have gotten it from you.

There is a river, Mommy, in the most beautiful garden you could ever imagine...and a huge tree with yummy fruit. The angels call it the tree of life. Mommy, it's so wonderful to be alive in Heaven!

Mommy, please don't cry...sometimes I just like to be by myself. That's when I think of you.

Someday, Mommy, we will hold each other tight! Then you will cradle me in your arms, and stroke my hair...And once again, our hearts will beat together.

Mommy, please don't cry...I'll wait right here for you.


The Bible has a lot to say about heaven. It is a glorious place! And we know that Brett is there today! Mark 10:14 says, "[Jesus] said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." And in Matthew 5:8 Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."

One of the things that Bobi reminded us in Brett's eulogy is that "Life is short" and it is important that we live this life in the way that God intended us to. She also said, "I know that my name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life and I will see my children again one day." What a comfort that John 3:16 is at a time like this...."For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life!"

The Ultimate Running Coach

I had a conversation with our middle daughter this weekend. We were talking about running (actually jogging is a better description of what I do...crawling might even fit at times.) I had asked her to join me on a jog on Saturday morning. When we returned home, she was laid out on the floor telling me how much she hates running, how bad she felt, and how she doesn't know why anyone would choose to do such a thing on a regular basis? I encouraged her to stretch, get something to drink and eat, and she would "feel" differently soon. In my mind, (and probably out loud) I have said those same words many times.

Recently a friend had asked me to consider training for a 5K with her. My initial reaction was, "No way...been there, done that....even have a medal and picture to prove it! And to top it all off, I did NOT enjoy it!" But I graciously told her I would think about it and pray about it. The timing was interesting because I had been thinking about my fitness class earlier in the week. It's an interval training class (p31fitness.com), and among the many things we do in this class, we run. I had been thinking about how grateful I was to have found a class here in town that really pushes me physically, and is also a great opportunity to connect with other women. When reflecting on the class, I concluded that the activity I like least about it is the running. How ironic that just days later, I was asked to consider doing more running, by training for another 5K.

I said, "Yes."

I know, call me crazy, but this is why I said "Yes."

I concluded that it would be good for my flesh to do something that it doesn't enjoy. I am continually reminded that I live in a very selfish and self-absorbed culture that follows the rule "If it feels good, do it!" which implies that the opposite would also be encouraged, "If it doesn't feel good, don't do it!" And look where it has gotten us! It is my belief that we as Christians sometimes have to make radical steps to go against the "culture of the world" in our own lives.

And this is where my conversation with Brooke comes in...I told her, "Sometimes, we have to make our bodies do what they don't want to do, in order to get them to be where we want them to be." I reminded her of the fact that she is planning to run track in the Spring, and if she continues all of this negative self-talk, it will only make it harder for her to succeed in her efforts.

I went on to say that self-discipline and training don't just pertain to athletics, they pertain to life, especially the Christian life. Jesus reminded his disciples "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Matt.16:24

Paul often compared his walk with Christ to running a race. He said in 1 Cor. 9:25 - 27 "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever...No, I beat my body, and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

I love how the writer of Hebrews describes "Discipline in a Long-Distance Race" as found in Chapter 12 in The Message translation:

"Do you see what this means--all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get with it. Strip down, start running--and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished the race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilirating finish in and with God--he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!"

I am definitely NOT suggesting that to be spiritual, you have to be a runner. (Cue the Hallelujah Chorus!) But maybe, just maybe, the Lord is asking you to step outside your comfort zone, and do something that you don't want to do, and this blog post is just the encouragement you needed to do it!

Comforted to be Comforters

I was not a member of a sorority in college. They didn't even have sororities at the nearly all-girl nursing school that I attended. However, becoming the mother of a special needs child, I joined a "sorority" of sorts. This was not a group that I ever had aspirations to be a part of, and it took me a few years to fully accept that I was a member of this group whether I liked it or not.

A long day of training in Dallas with another mother of a special needs child more than 13 years ago caused me to realize how very much I needed this connection with someone who truly KNEW what I was going through. It wasn't long after our first meeting, Marti and I began talking about the idea of starting a support group for other mothers of special needs children. This group called MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) is still going strong today, even though I am rarely able to attend the meetings.

One of the highlights of attending the CMN event last week (mentioned in my previous post), was reconnecting with several mothers who were a part of our MOMS group in those early years. I felt like I was at a family reunion, seeing members of my family that I had not seen in a very long time....I was so happy to see them! Even though we have not spoken in years, it felt like yesterday that we were sharing our struggles, hopes and dreams with one another. We were in the trenches together.

Sadly, two of these moms have lost their precious children since we last saw each other. Listening to their stories of how their children spent their last days was sad, but also full of hope. You see, both of these ladies have the assurance that their children are now WHOLE in every way and they will see them again one day. It was encouraging for me to see how the Lord has sustained these women and given them the strength that they've needed to go on. They are not just surviving, but they are thriving.

I was reminded of how much we women need each other. Two of my favorite Bible verses are 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in ALL our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. We are not comforted to be comfortable but to be comforters!

Whatever you've been through in your life...the good, the bad, and the ugly...God can use it to minister to someone who might be going through something similar IF you'll let Him. With these thoughts fresh in my mind, a friend and I drove to Dallas today to spend some time with a special needs mom whose son is currently in ICU at Children's Medical Center.

Giving Honor to Whom Honor is Due

Last night was one of those nights that I didn't want to end. My husband can attest to this fact, as he practically had to drag me away from the festivities. It was a night for celebrating!

We were celebrating two very influential people in our lives....our children's Pediatrician Dr. Rick Rogers, and Shirley Gordon, the nurse who helped to pioneer the Special Needs Program at our Pediatric office.

The Celebration honoring Dr. Rick Rogers and Shirley was called "Miracles Begin With You!" and was hosted by a local Tyler family. It was a fundraiser to benefit the Children's Miracle Network of East Texas. CMN funds the Special Needs Clinic that Brianne has been a part of since she was released from the NICU in 1997.

To say that these 2 people and this program has been an oasis in our desert is an understatement! The Special Needs Program was designed in 1996 to provide "health care services which are family-centered, continuous, comprehensive, coordinated, compassionate, and culturally competent" for children with special health care needs and their families (taken from their Mission Statement).

Just a few of the many ways we have benefitted:

A compassionate, caring Physician and Nurse who have contact with all the different Specialists that Brianne sees, and they help us coordinate her services to ensure that there is no gap.

A lengthy annual appointment to go over all of Brianne's medications, therapies, treatments, and any new issues that may have arisen.

The ability to call a Nurse (who knows our special child) directly with a question, concern or need for an appointment without having to leave a voice message.

An annual picnic designed specifically for families with special needs children.

A connection with other special needs families in the East TX area.

A listening ear when no answer is needed...just an opportunity to vent.

I could go on...

But the greatest gift that we have received from Dr. Rogers and Shirley over these past 16 years is the gift of their friendship. These are 2 amazing human beings who know how to love well!! They work long hours and give of themselves continuously and often with little or no recognition at all!

So, Wade and I were thrilled to be able to join with numerous others last night to say, "Thank You for all that you have done!" "Your efforts have not gone unnoticed." "You have made a difference in the lives of us and our most precious posessions, our children!"

I can't believe that I didn't take more pictures last night. I didn't even take a picture of Dr. Rogers, so I had to dig through scrapbooks to find one of him with Brooke a LONG time ago! He is the Pediatrician for all 3 of our kids.

And the picture of Shirley receiving her balloon bouquet last night was taken with "Corn Pop the Clown."