July 2nd - 4:13

To most people, today just seems like an ordinary day.

• It's a Thursday - mid week - nothing special
• It's near a holiday, but it's not the holiday
• It's the 2nd day of the month - not the beginning or the end
• It's not a pay-day

To us, today is a very special day for two reasons:

• Today is 4 months & 13 days from the day Paul was admitted to the hospital
• Today is 4 days before our 13 year wedding anniversary

And, you might recall, one of my favorite Bible verses is:

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV):

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Four months & 13 days ago, I had no idea what the next day would hold.  All I had was faith, and that was all I needed.  I cried out to God and prayed for Him to heal Paul.  Each day, I watched monitors and engaged a community through social media to please pray for the healing of my husband.  I asked everyone to please pray boldly, to believe that God could and would provide this miracle.  

Four months & 13 days ago, I had to rely on that verse because I couldn't breathe, I couldn't stand, I couldn't speak without the Strength of Christ.  He was there with me, with Paul, with all of us as we prayed for Paul's healing.  I can think of that verse in the opposite - I would not have been able to do anything without Christ who strengthened me throughout that journey.

Each day, God strengthened us by showing us something to keep us hopeful and prayerful.  Some might have missed it, but He helped us to see the improvements.  He had us focus on what we could see, while He did the work inside.  He guided the doctors and nurses to make the right decisions to allow Paul to continue to improve, to continue to heal.  He wove this beautiful tapestry of people, medicines, time and prayer in the healing of Paul.

Four months and 13 days later, Paul is here with us.  He is close to completely healed (possibly as close as he will be) and back in his rightful place as the head of our family.  What a miraculous 4 months & 13 days!  Praise God!

In four days, we will celebrate our 13 year anniversary.  We have so much very to celebrate, so very much to be thankful for, so very much to thank God for!  And, I will pray that we have many more anniversaries together!  If we have 4 more 13 year anniversaries (4x13), that will be our 65th!  Now, that's something to look forward to!

Father,

By Your Strength and Your Strength alone was I able to even breathe 4 months & 13 days ago.  You breathed for me.  You made me stand.  You gave me the strength to handle all that was in front of me, and provided the people here on Earth to help me through it.  I read a t-shirt this week that said it all:

God doesn't give us what we can handle.  God helps us handle what we are given.

Amen!  While I know You didn't make any of that happen, You did help us through it.  Praise You for all You did to make Paul's healing a reality!  What a true miracle!

I love You, I praise You, I thank You!

In Jesus' Name,

Amen!

Paul: June 22nd Labs

Sorry for the delay in sending this.  We have had a great deal going on the last 2 weeks, lots of family and friends around.  Lots to do with my new adventure.  Lots to finish with the book.  Regardless, I am truly sorry for not keeping this community up to date on Paul's progress.

We received the lab results back on 6/25.  And...they are stable.  I know I keep putting my hopes of his kidneys being completely healed into those labs.  So, when they come back and are not perfect, I can get deflated.  

There should be NO deflated here.  NO sadness.  NO disappointment.

God has already moved mountains & parted seas in the healing of Paul.  He saved him from what most thought was certain death.  I sometimes joke with friends and say 

"God sneezed and Paul lived. That was how easy it was for Him.  Saving Paul was 

"An Everyday Miracle" that God provided."

That is the working title for the book - An Everyday Miracle.  And, Paul is living proof of the everyday miracles that God continues to provide for all of us to see that He is a Loving-God, a Living-God, an All-Powerful-God.  

So, Paul's labs aren't perfect.  That's okay, because Paul being here with us is perfect!  And, while I will still hope and pray for his kidneys to completely heal, where he is right now is perfect.  

And - thank you to all of you for your love, support, and prayers!  You are all a part of this healing.  I hope you have taken this miracle with you.  You witnessed it.  You saw it with your own eyes.  And, if God can do that, just imagine what He can do in your life...if you let Him.

Heavenly Father,

I am forever grateful for all the blessing You have provided in our lives.  While I can see so many, I also know that I miss so many.  So many things I take for granted that You have had a hand in making happen for our family, friends, and for me personally.

Father, I thank You for all the healing You have provided for Paul.  While I still pray for complete healing, I ask that You help me to be fully thankful for all You have done, and not put my wants / wishes / prayers ahead of Your will.  Please help me to always be thankful with what You have already done, and not focused on what is potentially yet to come.

You continue to allow us to witness Your Work, Your Everyday Miracles, so we can truly see that You are an Ever-Living God.  I pray You please help me finish the book in a way that honors You, and helps others to see You through Your healing of Paul.  Thank You for giving me the opportunity to share it!

In Jesus' Name,

Amen!