Sweet Sweet Sound- A one year anniversary message

It is hard to believe that it has been one year since my last surgery. One year ago today I awoke in a hospital bed feeling familiar sensations of aching bones and throbbing muscles- my mind racing with apprehension and hope. In a few short hours I would be wheeled into an operating room to undergo a surgery that would hopefully reduce my pain levels and help me regain some of the mobility that five years of progressive pain had slowly robed me of.

As I recall the hope that filled my heart on this day one year ago, I find myself saddened and somewhat disappointed that things did not turn out as glamorous as I had hoped. While my pain levels have decreased in some areas they were made up for with pain in other areas. And I have been left with just as much if not more discomfort than before.

There still seems to be no light at the end of this ever-winding medical tunnel as I search for answers and solution. But, I am giving God thanks for all that He has given me over this past year. In the midst of this trial I have gained an even greater understanding of the sustaining grace of God, the value of friendship, and the power of payer.

Throughout this very long ordeal so many people have been in my midst. Friends have stood beside me in silence when nothing could be said to ease the pain. (Something that is the most comforting thing you can do for someone.) Some have offered advice and encouragement when it was needed most, and so many have spent countless hours praying for my comfort strength.

Today more than ever, I am convinced that there is a purpose in the pain. God never wastes a single circumstance in our lives. Everything we face comes to us having first been lovingly sifted through His gracious fingers.

I believe God purpose in pain to be twofold. 1.To make me more like Christ. 2. To draw this lost, hurting world to Himself. With this in mind I am rejoicing that He is at work in and through me.

As another wave of relentless pain crashes once more on the shore of my life I am grateful that He is the lifter of my head. When everything fails, and nothing makes since, when the last hope that this world has to offer me is gone may I never loss hope in the Lord my God. No matter where life’s road may take me may I never cease to be an interment that offers a pleasing melody of worship to His name.

Here is Sarah Reeves.

http://musicremedy.com/s/Sarah_Reeves/videos/Sweet_Sweet_Sound-30079.html

The Door of Opportunity

I recently heard a pastor say, “God makes a way when we get out of the way.” Scripture tells us that God can open doors that no man can shut, and he shuts doors that no man can open. Over the last several months I have experienced closed doors more times then I care to admit. In fact, as I lay confined to bed rest day after day, for the better part of three months at the begining of this yeasr, I felt as if my every hope and dream had been crushed, like dry leaves under the quickened feet of a child, right before my very eyes. I felt as though God had left me to do nothing more then painfully exist in this rock spinning in outer space.

Upon surrendering my plans for God’s perfect will however, I discovered that God does make a way when we get out of the way. Not only so, but he does this in ways that will leave us speechless, recognizing that what we have just experienced could only happen by God’s divine intervention. So it has been with my latest efforts to minister to the people of Romania.

It was one month ago this past Monday that I was accepted to partner with International Messengers in this outreach. As you may recall, upon receiving word of my acceptance I was at a loss as to where I should begin in raising the needed amount of financial support. I felt as though I had been blindfolded and thrust into unfamiliar territory.

I am a planner by nature. I always try to plan what I am going to do and I begin devising a plan of action well ahead of time, so that all of my ducks are in a row when the sun comes up on the designated day of any given event. That is not to say that I cannot adapt to change. Having been given the gift of Cerebral Palsy, adaptation is the story of my life. Even if the schedule for the day has the potential not to pan out like it was planned, I still want to see the original schedule.

So, when it came to this trip, and the realization that I only had 17 days, rather then my typical time frame of three months, to raise 1500 dollars, I became very anxious. I had so much to do, so little time, and not a working printer at my disposal. But, God in his grace and mercy came through, and with the help of a pastor I found myself with a stack of letters fresh off the printer, and the opportunity to speak to not one, not two, but four churches.

Now, one month and three days later, I am standing in awe of all that has transpired. I have received well over half of my needed financial support, (I received the last portion of my first $1,500 the morning that it was due) a quote for airfare that is more then $200 less then the figure that I was originally given, and all but about $15 of the amount that I need to cover my personal expenses.

While there is still money to be raised, and I have some apprehensions concerning the state my heath while I am gone, I am sure that God would not bring me this far only to back off when I get to Romania. I have no idea what this trip will hold, but I am confident that God is going to do something amazing, and am honored to be a part of it. THANK YOU to all of you who have chosen to personally invest in this ministry. May God bless each of you beyond your wildest imagination.

Standing in Awe of God’s Goodness and Your Partnership,



Ps. For those of you who would like more information on how you can partnere with me you can click here.

In the News

Today, have the privilege of being featured in an article in our county newspaper. I am grateful that they chose to do this story to highlight the needs of some of the hurting in Romania. It is an honor to be a part of what God is doing across the globe.

As is often the case with the media however, there are a couple of minor discrepancies in the article. Perhaps the most obvious is the headline. I am not a teenager. I need to remember that I don’t look my age, and make a point of clarifying how old I am, so that such mistakes as this don't happen.

I have been refund to as a “teen” many times since I parted ways with my teenage years, some six years ago. With all the comments and questions that I get regarding my age I would really like to find some kind of formula that makes me look my actual age. That said, I am sure I will be commending these remarks in years to come.

Thank you all for the countless ways in which you continue to support me in life, and in ministry. If you are interested, You can view the article here.

To God be the Glory,

Jehovah Jireh

It seems that there has been one bend in the road after another this week. I am struggling to keep up with the pace of life. I continue to battle severe headaches and my balance has been far form stable causing me to fall. I am headache free right now, but my left leg is throbbing.

This cycle of unending pain is taxing me beyond measure. In a way I am thankful for the change in pain. At least I don’t have a headache. But, at the same time I can find no relief from my throbbing muscles and bones.

As much as I want to demand relief form the Lord I have to believe that He is not blind to this pain, nor is He deaf to the cry of my heart. Everything that come to me come having been sifted though His fingers. In His strengths this can be endured. In faith I stand on the promise that this is achieving for me something far greater then I can comprehend.

It is with this in mind that I press on to that which I have been called. God continues to amaze me with the way He is working to bring together all that I need for my upcoming trip to Romania. As many of you know, I needed $1,500 by Tuesday, August 5th. Late on Monday I calculated my total and it came to $1018. I was not discounting God, but logically I was pretty sure that I was not going to meet the Tuesday deadline.

I wasn't worried. The organization already said that since I have been to Romania twice previously, they know that I am committed, and they are not going to worry about money.
But, just because He can, and because He is never late in meeting our needs, God proved my lack of expectation wrong.

When the mail came in on Tuesday morning I was astounded upon opening an envelope containing a $500-gift. That brought my total to $1,518 toward the cost of the trip itself, In addition I have received $265 toward the cost of my personal expenses. As of today, my support has totaled $1,983 over all.

I still have a ways to go with the financial portion of this, and there are many other details to be ironed out. But I am convinced that with God all things are possible. I am waiting to see how the rest of these details come together.

Along those lines, a newspaper reporter contacted me this morning requesting an opportunity to do a human-interest story on my trip. With some apprehension I obliged. The interview is scheduled for 9:00AM on Monday morning.

I would appreciate your prayers going into this. I have never done anything like this. I pray that all that I say will be pleasing to our Lord. Please pray also that I am in minimal pain Monday morning, so that I can concentrate fully on this interview.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. I greatly appreciate each of you.

Positive post Tuesday

I often find myself fretting over little details. Of course, while I am fretting these details don’t seem to be little at all, but as I look back after they have all been taken care of I wonder why I wasted precious time worrying. I know that scripture commands us not to worry, and I believe that no earthly problem too big for God. Yet, I still try to put the most confusing pieces of life’s puzzle in their place myself.

I am so thankful that God understands all of my human weaknesses, and he loves me anyway. He loves me enough to send His son in my place, and enough to take care the little details that I spend so much time fretting over.

Since the ball for my upcoming missions trip started gaining momentum last Friday, I have spent hours in a fret fest. I realized how much I had to do, and how short my time was. And instead of methodically looking at everything, and committing these essential details to the Lord I took matters into my own hands.

Finally, after hitting a wall of mental and physical exhaustion, and really getting nowhere, I came to my senses and turned to God. Oh, how I wish I had done that first! I would have saved so much time and energy.

Even so, God graciously took all of these details form my hands, cleared my thoughts and, things started moving much smoother. Imagine that! I still have work to do, and some of it makes me VERY uncomfortable, (I don’t like asking for money, nor am I comfortable speaking to groups),but God has put people in my path in recent day that have made my load much lighter.

There have been those who have sent e-mails of encouragement, those who have prayed with me and for me, and those in my church, who have taken it upon themselves to get all my letters printed off (unfortunately, I don’t have a working printer right now), and have made it possible for me to bring this ministry opportunity before a number of churches. So, on this positive post Tuesday, I want to thank ALL OF YOU for taking this journey with me. It means more to me then you know. I am honored to be serving with you. I could not do this wihtout you.

Thank You

Seven weeks premature, 3 pounds 15 oz, at 5:51 Am, on Sunday, July 15,1984, I drew my first breath. Two minutes later my twin sister joined me, and together we began our journey through life.

The road was rocky at the start. It was unclear if, or how long we would live. We were life-flighted (first her then me) from one hospital to another. Upon our arrival we spent the next month in the NICU. That was the beginning of what has been, and continues to be, the adventure of my lifetime.



In the last twenty- four years there have been many mountaintop experiences, and days spent in the valleys. But, by the grace of God, I have traveled quite a distance in this world, and have accomplished more then anyone ( myself included) ever thought possible.



Behind every accomplishment to which I can sign my name, there is a faithful, ever-present God, and an innumerable number of people who have inverted countless hours of time, energy, experience, prayer, and an unfathomable amount faith in me. Though, I struggle at times to give thanks for every situation. I am abundantly thankful for each and every individual who has made a contribution to my life.



Your dedication to my well-being, and your willingness to believe in me, with all of my crazy, larger then life, dreams is what has made these last twenty-four years so rich. All of you, in one way or another, have played a significant role in shaping who I am. So, today as I reflect on the past, and look forward to the future I want to thank each of you for the contributions that you have made to the ongoing story of my life. Thank You!



This picture represents one of the crazy, larger then life, dreams that I have had. A dream, that by the grace of God, and though the kindness, and help of so many, has become reality- not once, but twice, and counting. : )



In Other news, I received word this morning that my application for Romania has been approved. I can now officially start the fundraising process.

Happy Birthday Pirate Princess...

Life with the gift of Cerebral Palsy has given me wide range of experiences. While some of them have been much less then desirable may have had a richness to them that cannot be matched. Amidst the challenges, and the unpredictable waves of pain, I have seen God work in ways that I never could have imagined. This gift has opened many doors of opportunity to me that I may not have had access to otherwise.

By the grace of God I have been able to travel to Romania, and armed with compassion, knowledge, and understanding meet some of the needs of thee young orphans who are also living with the affects of this disorder. In the process I was able answer some of the questions that were posed to me by one of the Romanian hospital volunteers.

This experience led me to speaking at a church, and meeting Paul and Melissa Barth. At the time Paul and Melissa were in the process of adopting their daughter Ellie form Korea. In meeting Melissa I learned that Ellie also has CP.

Since that time I have kept in touch with the Batth's, and have done my best to offer encouragement to them whenever possible. The truth is, I have gained much more from this family then I have ever given them.

Recently I had the privilege of spending some time with them, and of course. playing with Ellie. This little girl is such a delight. I look forward to watching God unfold the amazing pain that He has for her life.

Today I want to wish Ellie a very Happy 6th birthday. Happy Birthday, sweetheart! I hope you are having a wonderful day! Dream big, keep smiling, and remember with God all things are possible. One day you could be running faster then me! Keep practicing!

Love,

Melissa

Pirate princess

Joyfully busy

This last week and a half has been nothing less then a whirlwind. Life has come at me at a speed that I have not seen for quite sometime. I am enjoying the busyness, and I am trying to embrace this dense fog of exhaustion that I have somehow been living beneath. Though I have been exhausted, I cannot complain. I would much rather be busy and exhausted then on bed rest watching the hands of time crewel slowly from one second to the next.


Between spending almost three full days getting ready for a graduation party, (Which included preparing food after 2:00 am), Hosting the party, spending a day with some friends- playing more then I have played in a long time- with their little girl whom they adopted form Korea; who was born with CP, traveling quite a distance to a doctors appointment, and beginning the taxing process of preparing to returning to Romania. (Which included filling out a 16-page application). I have barely had time to think.

There has decently been some Joy in the busyness. And I am thankful for every moment! Of course my camera was always within arms length.

Some of the early morning food preperaion

.

The cake was bought.

The youngest of our guests.

Another sweet little friend.

Playing with Ellie. What a sweet Korean princess!

Ellie and big brother Rob.

Ellie took this one of sister Emma.

I wanted to bring her home, but for some reason they said, no! : )

Thanks for all the fun you guys! I hope to see you again soon!

"Everyday is a gift that you've been given. Make the most of the time every minute you're living." Chris Rice

God story

There are days when one can do nothing more then sit back and marvel at how God orchestrates life and the paths that cross. I can’t tell you how many times God has brought the right person into my life at just the right time. He has sent someone to pick me up when I fall, someone to encourage me when I am discouraged, and someone to offer me assurance when I am anything but sure of myself. God’s timing is always perfect. He is never too late, and not a moment too early. Here is just one example.

Exhausted and teary-eyed I sat in the Munich airport patiently waiting to board the fight that would carry me back to comforts of extravagant American life. While I was anticipating being reunited with my family I was anything but comfortable. My thoughts were miles form Munich back in a hospital nestled between the communist era concrete block buildings that stretched throughout the bustling city Bucharest.

A hospital that had become home to more then a dozen abandoned infants and toddlers. My heart ached to be back there, to spend just one more moment with them. I knew that it would not be long before an ocean divided us.

That reality, coupled with the fact I had to depart ways with my teammates, and make the eight-hour journey home alone, was enough to cause my eyes to flood with tears. I had cried during nearly the entire flight from Bucharest to Germany, and I knew there was no way I could cry for another eight hours straight.

God, I prayed silently, you have to do something. I am exhausted and there is no way I can keep crying like this. No sooner had I closed my prayer, and looked up, then a perfect stranger came over to me and asked, “Did you make it out of Romania okay? “ Sheepishly, I shook my head yes, and asked how she knew I was there. I saw you in the airport, she replied. Are you flying alone? she asked; obviously noticing my apprehension. Again I shook my head.

She then proceeded to assure me that the flight would go smoothly, and would be back home in just a few hours. Somehow her words brought peace to my heart. In that moment I knew that God was watching over me, and that he would take care of His little children nestled in the well worn cribs of that bleak Romanian hospital that now seemed so far from me.

Eight long hours, and a few tears later, I made my way down the vast corridors of O’Hare airport to be reunited with my family. To my amazement that very same lady approached me and said, with a smile, “ See you made it. Everything is fine.”

God is good all the time!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

Anniversaries, Baptisms, Birthdays,Graduation, and a Wedding Shower

The month of June is flying by at the speed of life. With Katie’s 5th Birthday, a 5oth anniversary dinner, a weeding shower for a respected friend, baptisms, and my brother’s high school graduation life has been exciting and very busy!


Katie on her 5th Birthday June 4, 2008

On Friday I had the privilege of attending the weeding shower for my friend Jamie who, though I have only known her for six months, I have gained a great deal of respect for. Congratulations Rick and Jamie! May God richly bless your life together!

Jamie and me.

Yesterday was a very long joy filled day. With my sister's baptisms in the morning at church and then heading up to Arlington Highs for the 2008 CLASS commencement exercises. In which my brother was one of the more then 2,400 home-schooled high school seniors to graduate this year. (Since CLASS provides curriculum for more then 50,000 students; from more then 40 countries each year not all the students are able to attend the ceremony.)

With CLASS administrators and the commencement speaker



With Grandma


With all of his sisters


With his parents and teachers

Congratulations Aaron!

Being back at school again brought back memories for sure. It was five years ago to the day, Sunday, June 15, 2003- that I walked across that stage as a senior. And met my best friend in the process.

Krystal and me after graduation.

My parents have poured countless hours into the education of all of their children. I am so grateful for their commitment. They now have three kids down, and have three more to go.

Here is Katie praticing for her part in the class of 2020.

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it Proverbs 22:6