Thankful

Things are obviously hard for us right now but God is doing so much good in the hard, that I need to write a One Thousand Gifts post; a post that praises God for the big and little graces we have experienced in the past week.

I am on 191 in my written journal notebook for 2013, but I will just point out some un-numbered highlights here to remind me that I can atill have joy in a hospital:

My son's amazing attitude about being here...his ability to find humor and a reason to smile in hard circumstances....



He is such a blessing in my life and The Lord has taught me so much through being his mama.



Having Chelsea choose to hang out in the hospital with us instead of play with friends whenever she is given the opportunity blesses my heart...and the fact that we can make them smile seconds after they were teary from saying good-bye at the end of a long day and evening is icing on the cake.



My husband's presence blesses me.  That he has been able to take off work, and that he comes with Chelsea so they can sit all day with us.  What a blessing to have a family, a husband, children who love each other more than anything on this earth!



My mom is recovering well from her surgery and has a 24 hour a day caregiver with her at her home....a caregiver that she absolutely adores, and one who adores her. My dad is having fun with "the boys" at the assisted living place that he is at...so they are both doing so well!

It was so hard for me to not be the one to take care of them, yet The Lord forced me to allow others to do it because I had to be with my son above all else. To see it work out not only lifted a load from my shoulders but it now enables me to relax knowing they are well cared for...well, and it also taught me that it's okay to not be able to do it all ;)

My word for 2013 is trust, and my desire to trust The Lord has sure been put to the test.  



It has His grace all over it though, because choosing to trust Him in a storm just to see Him prove Himself faithful is the biggest gift of all.



It fills me with so much hope and courage because over time, it becomes easier to trust...not necessarily easier to go through, but easier to have confidence in the Lord to see us through...and easier to have faith that He will use these hardships for His good in our lives and in the lives of others.



I am thankful tonight.....thank you Lord for these rich blessings, and oh so many more!

{for a medical update on Gavin, please see my post from earlier today}