Lou Gehrig's Disease and the Body of Christ

Most of you know that my mom died from ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) 9 years ago.  (ALS is a fatal neuro-muscular disease that breaks down the communication in the nerves between the muscles and the brain.  It causes complete paralisis and eventual death.  You basically become trapped in your own body).

I have written about many of the lessons that I learned while caring for her and the ones I am still learning today.  God has used the entire experience greatly in my life and I can honestly say that I am thankful for that.

I was on Facebook today, checking in with my ApParent Project friends to find out any further information about Makensia and I found this post by Corrigan Clay (Shelley's husband). It totally rocked my world today and I thought I would share with you.

"What must it be like to be a brilliant mind stuck in a body that doesn't lift it's hand when you want it to poor a cup of water, doesn't lift a foot when you want it to walk, won't smile when you're happy, or frown when you are sad, won't hug those you want to hug, won't speak the words you want to say, won't weep for what makes you sad... When people talk about God's failure to heal, help, or redeem any given situation, I want to take it personally. I want to blame it on the fact that God's Body has something like Lou Gehrig's disease: the Kingdom does not come if the Body is not connected to and agreeing with the Head. Father forgive us."

He went on to say.....

"I hesitated to post this because I don't want it to come off as one of those guilt trips about people not doing enough.. That's not so much the point as just taking it truely to heart that the arrangement God has made is to leave his spirit here to inhabit his people to continue to do the work of Jesus. We too often think of this God who is above and beyond rather than working his way in and out of us... and this causes us to blame him for not acting when He really is a good father... one who teaches and equips us, builds dignity and action in us, so that we have the double redemption of not only seeing our world healed but seeing it healed through the same hands that wounded it... our own."

 I have had many analogy's and lessons about ALS - but never anything like this.  I just wept as I read it.  I get it.  We are God's body.  If we are born again then the Holy Spirit lives in us.  I have to stop and look at myself and wonder how many times I have grieved the Holy Spirit because I have been the hand or the foot that hasn't followed through.  Hasn't been obedient to what the Head is telling me to do.  And then - have I questioned God and His sovereignty?

He has a purpose for ALL of us.  Only when that purpose is complete or we become ineffective (I pray that is NEVER the case!) does He call us home.  I sit here and just keep reading it over and over. It's so deep - on so many levels. God has awesome things for all of us if we would only take our focus off of ourselves.  


Oh how I am thankful for God's grace.  For His patience - His loving kindness - His mercy.  For others in my own life who have been connected to the Head and followed through.  For God's great plan for my life and the lives of those around me.  That He uses me in spite of my selfishness - my sin.  That He doesn't NEED me to accomplish His plan - but that He has chosen me to be a part of it.  What an honor and privilege. 

I pray for the protection from Lou Gehrig's disease - both physically AND spiritually. 

Makensia

Today is the annual Fall Festival at the kids school.  It's the big fund raiser that they do every year.  Last year, being Anne's room mom, I was in charge of a lot.  This year, I decided to have a vendor booth at the festival and sell the ApParent Project jewelry.  Mom's and teachers are always stopping me and asking me about my necklaces when I wear them so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to show it off.  I am beyond excited about it.

I have been putting my stuff together all week.  Borrowing tents, tables, display items, etc.  Last night Jarod and I worked on a sign and I put some strings on a few of the Christmas ornaments so I could hang them on the Christmas Tree I have to display.

I chatted with a friend on the phone about things going on in her life and we also talked a little bit about Haiti and ApParent Project and about how I am going to go in February.  I explained that I knew God was up to something big and that my life would be changed.  The fact is though - my life has already been changed.  That's not to say that God will not continue to work - duh!  But I was explaining to her how I am continually amazed at how ApParent Project has pierced my heart so deeply.  I can't even comprehend it sometimes.  I know that it is a God thing - that's the only way I know to describe it.  God has put these people - these total strangers - deep in my heart.  And they stay there. 

I only know bits and pieces about them.  Facts from the tags on their jewelry or things Shelley posts on her blog and on Facebook.  And yet they are in my heart.  I can't wait to meet them in February and get to know them a little better.  To put personalities with names.  To meet their families, their children.  To learn more about their stories.  To watch them work.

All of that said, I got on Facebook last night briefly before going to bed and Shelley had posted that one of Makensia's baby girls had died.  Last year when I received my first box of jewelry, Makensia and Serlo's beautiful work was in it.  I fell in love then.

Their "second child" was twin baby girls.

Lilliane... One of the twins died today.

Shelley posted this:

Today Makensia's baby girl died. I held her limp body and prayed that somehow this could all be undone, reversed, erased. Her little body lays tonight in a hot tent. Tomorrow she will be buried. Her twin is sleeping with me tonight.

My heart broke.  I can't even imagine.  Loosing their home in the earthquake, working so hard to rebuild their lives, dealing with poverty and hardships that we in America cannot even begin to comprehend, and they receive another devastating blow.  

I have no words.  

I will go out this afternoon, and set up my tables and tell everyone who comes by about Haiti - about ApParent Project - about the artisans who are working to change their lives.  About Makensia and Serlo and Lilliane. 

And I will pray for this family.  Pray for the peace and comfort that only comes from Christ. 

Please pray for them with me......

 

Late Anniversary Getaway

While I was playing and having an awesome time with Emily in New Hampshire last weekend, Russ was here holding his own.  Nana helped out and took Anne - even with her fever.  Thanks Nana!!!!  Russ and Jarod went camping with the Boy Scout Troop.  Russ came home a day early so he could take Anne on a Daddy - Daughter Date to Chic Fil A.  She was thrilled!  I guess they had a chocolate fountain and a limo!  How cool is that?  Obviously by this time she was feeling better.

He had to take care of everything alone on Sunday morning and then again Monday for school.  I'm very proud of my husband.  I love that he is an engaged father and that none of this makes him nervous.  He steps up and does what he has to when I am not around.  Such a blessing.

But - you know you are missed when you return and he has planned an spontaneous getaway for just the two of us!  We did not have the opportunity to get away for our Anniversary in September so we took a quick overnight trip to St. Augustine this past weekend.  Thanks again to Marc & Sam and also Nana - for taking the kids last minute to make this possible!

 We ventured out to a Bed & Breakfast in St. Augustine - behind the Lightner Museum.  Very nice.

Absolutely LOVE this man!

Sometimes you just have to get away from your normal routine.  I had - by going to NH, but Russ was ready for some new scenery.  So off we went.  He has always had a spontaneous streak about him.  I like it!

The Lord blessed our time in stretching it.  We just relaxed and hung out - no real agenda.  We came back refreshed and ready to take on the week.  God is so good!

Jarod had his time with Nana & Papa while we were gone and Anne got to spend her time with Marc, Sam & Chloe.  She had a blast!

 When we came to pick her up - she and Aunt Sam were working on a pumpkin.  They had walked over to the pumpkin patch to pick out that perfect one.

I think it turned out very nice!

Thanks again to everyone who helped make our mini weekend possible!

Until next time......

New Hampshire - Part 2 - BOSTON!!!!

Okay - well, I evidently have too many photos for one blog post.  Who knew?  So I have to break it up into parts.  If you knew how crazy this makes me you would probably roll your eyes.  Now everything will be out of order - but oh well.  This has taken me all day to do and I'm ready to complete it.

So - here goes.  Part 2 - Boston!

We drove about 15 minutes from Emily's house and caught the bus into Boston.  It dropped us off at South Station which is the major hub for the buses, commuter trains and the Subway system.  We then managed to figure out how to get on the subway and to Boston Common.  We did it!  Not once did we feel afraid or nervous.  We tried very hard to look the part.  (I wanted to take lots of pictures but I knew that would definitely be a give away!) I'm sure some could tell we were newbies - but all I know is - we did it!!!!

Our goal for the day was the Freedom Trail Tour.  This was our guide - he was AWESOME!!!!

 The New State House

Memorial for the first all black soldiers who fought in the civil war from the north. Brave 54

The movie "Glory" is based on their story

Park Street Church

Built in 1809 - Sunday School began in America in this church and "My country Tis of Thee" was sung for the first time on the front steps.

We visited a Cemetery on our trail.  This is the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin's family.  He was born in Boston - and is buried in Philadelphia.  But this is the rest of his family.

 

Final resting place of John Hancock

Final resting place for Samuel Adams

Final resting place of Paul Revere

 

Benjamin Franklin - Place were first public school in America stood

Old City Hall

Meeting Place of the Boston Tea Party.  Members left here and dumped all the tea in the Boston Harbor

Old State House

The Declaration of Independence was read for the first time from this balcony and every year since then.  Without fail.

Also the site of the Boston Massacre.

Finishing up our tour with a few photos!

We then did a little shopping at Quincy Market

I simply LOVED the day in Boston!  I always enjoy St. Augustine and all the history there - but this was foundational for America!  It was AWESOME!  There are so many other things we wanted to visit as well.  The North Church (One if by land, Two if by Sea), we wanted to tour the USS Constitution and take a ferry ride over to Charlestown.  I see another trip in the future!!!  Hee! Hee!

After our visit to Quincy Market, we got back on the subway and went to the original Cheers Restaurant for dinner!  How fun is that?

 Cheers!

You really do go downstairs to get in!

Our Cheers mugs - full of water! (Just in case you were wondering)

This is my favorite pic from the trip!

After dinner, we headed back to the subway.  This time I got brave and took a few photos.  I couldn't resist!  Emily said it reminded her of "The Matrix" under there!  Ha!

 Riding the subway!
After a fun night light this - we have decided we could take on NYC!  Hmmmmm - another trip in our future.....  The men do not realized what they have allowed to happen.  LOL!

Okay, Okay - I got hooked on hats while in New Hampshire.  This was another shopping day and I took this photo to send to Russ.  Notice we have matching scarves.  Ya - those were purchased at Yankee Candle.  We both had to have one.  And yes - I bought this hat too!  LOVE IT!!!!

On Sunday, I got to go to their church and meet all of their new friends.  They have found a solid church and I am very excited for them to have such gracious and loving people already coming along side!  God is good!  

I'll finish off with a pic of Emily's beautiful New Hampshire home and some more fall colors.....

We have decided that there will be more New Hampshire trips in my future - but the October trip will be a regular!  Thanks again to our wonderful husbands for making this possible for us.  It was much needed and greatly appreciated!

Until next time with more fun stuff from this past week.........

New Hampshire - Part 1

As most of you who read my blog regularly know, my best friend Emily, along with her sweet family, moved to New Hampshire in July.  You can catch up on that story here.  It was a sad and tearful goodbye but it didn't take long before we began making plans for me to go for a visit.  Talk about the squeals and giggles!  And we were only picking the flight dates!  Her husband Bruce, graciously took off work to keep all of their kiddos and Russ agreed to handle things alone here in Florida.  We were ecstatic! A girls weekend!  In New Hampshire!  In the Fall!!!!  How good is God?  I mean seriously!?!  We would have NEVER even attempted to plan a trip like this if she were still living here in Florida.  Who knew that her moving would create a whole new dimension to our friendship - site seeing!

I left early on Thursday, Oct. 15.  My flight took off at 7 am so Marc came to pick me up at 4:30.  I made it through all the security checks and was sitting waiting to board my plane when Russ called to tell me that Anne woke up with a 101 temp.  Ugh!  I had a tinge of guilt for leaving but knew that Russ had everything under control.  Besides - I was committed.  I landed in Boston by 10 am and we hit the ground running!  So much to see and do!  We prayed that the Lord would make the weekend feel longer than it was and boy did He answer that prayer.  We had the absolute best time and we were able to do all that we set out to do.

Here's our weekend in photos:

Our first stop on Thursday was the town of Peterborough, NH.  Emily had heard of lots of fun and quaint little shops in this town so we set off to explore.  We did find lots of fun shops - and lots of Fall leaves!

On Friday, it was rainy so we postponed our trip to Boston.  We had breakfast at an awesome local restaurant called Parker's Maple Barn.  They have the best Pumpkin Pancakes ever!

 This covered bridge was just down the road from the restaurant and very close to Emily's house.  We pulled over and had a great photo op......

After breakfast, we took off to Deerfield, Massachusetts to the Original Yankee Candle Factory.  Emily had heard of this place and we thought we would try it out.  It was an hour and 45 minute drive - in the rain.  But sooooo totally worth it!!!!  We were under the impression that it was still the candle factory and we would get to see how all the candles are made.  You know - like a tour.  WRONG!!!!!!  We shopped for 5 hours!  This place is AWESOME!!!!  Each time we entered a new room we would giggle!  They even had a room full of Christmas trees and it snowed every 4 minutes!  There were, of course, candles but many other things as well.

 Inside the Black Forest - where it snowed!!!!

There is even a HUGE toy room and Santa is here year 'round

They had a huge room with clothes and fun stuff!  I couldn't walk away without this fun hat!!!!

As a matter a fact - we both bought hats!

Outside Yankee Candle

On Saturday, after the boys Soccer games, we took off for Boston.  Oh My Goodness!  These two Orange Park girls had a blast!!!  This was my first time ever to ride, maneuver a major subway, public transportation system.  Yes - laugh at me. It's okay.  I've never been to DC or New York.  I've ridden the subway in the Atlanta Airport - somehow I don't think that matters.  

We drove about 15 minutes from Emily's house and caught the bus into Boston.  It dropped us off at South Station which is the major hub for the buses, commuter trains and the Subway system.  We then managed to figure out how to get on the subway and to Boston Common.  We did it!  Not once did we feel afraid or nervous.  We tried very hard to look the part.  (I wanted to take lots of pictures but I knew that would definitely be a give away!) I'm sure some could tell we were newbies - but all I know is - we did it!!!!

To be continued........