Pray for Anne…
May 1, 2013 § 1 Comment
May 2013′s prayer requests:
Please pray for Anne…
- As we look forward to summer, that we would be able to schedule activities and therapies that would prevent Anne from regressing both physically and cognitively,
- For our family to be an encouragement to Anne while we are at home together this summer. Anne has been sad more lately.
- For the eradication of seizures, the balance and strength to walk, and the focus necessary to read!!!!
Thank you!
Kate’s grief
May 12, 2013 § 15 Comments
Kate. She was only three when the accident happened. And she’s had tearful moments, but tonight – I think she faced the truth.
The truth that her sister will always be different, and the truth that her life changed dramatically on that sunny day in April. She misses her sister.
As she was crying – deep, guttural, painful sobs – I knew her pain. The sadness is so heavy you feel like you can’t breathe. My sweet Kate.
And then there’s Canon – who bravely walked through grief at the ripe, old age of seven. I listened as he quoted Scripture to Kate…
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,
so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:6-7).
And then he explained, “Kate, God gives us hard things in life because he loves us and he wants us to be more like Him. It’s just like a spanking – it hurts, but it makes us better people.”
And Kate cried and held the old picture of Anne. The one where she’s smiling with her whole mouth and her eyes are bright and full. And Kate cried and cried. And she went up to lay next to Anne and Kate cried and cried some more. And then I took Kate and put her in her bed. The bed next to Anne’s. And I laid down with her – and heard her sobs turn to whimpers and slowly her breathing calmed – and she was asleep. Sweet sleep. Sweet Kate. Heavy grief.
Anne & Kate then (ages 5&3)
Anne & Kate now (ages 8 & 6)
Sister love
The wisdom of Gandalf
April 20, 2013 § 1 Comment
Eric and I were watching The Hobbit tonight. My favorite parts of both the movies and Tolkien’s books are the scenes with the elves. The land, the respite, the wisdom, the peace. Every time the characters leave the elven city of Rivendell, I am sad. I long to stay.
Rivendell is the setting for our favorite scene from The Hobbit. Gandalf’s words resonated with both of us. I think because they echo the way of God’s Kingdom…
Sauron believes that it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I’ve found that it’s the small things, the every day deeds of ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I’m afraid. And he gives me courage.
In many ways, Anne gives us courage. Her simple smile. Her sweet laugh and quirky wit. They keep us going. And just as Galadriel assures Gandalf… we know we are not alone. God is our helper. He is our Rescuer. He upholds our very life!
Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord is the upholder of my life (Psalm 54:4).
Milestones
April 10, 2013 § 8 Comments
A friend kindly wrote to me today… “Thinking of you this week.”
I had to stop and think about what she could mean… And then I remembered, “Ahhh. Saturday is the day.”
Yes, Saturday will mark three years since Anne’s accident. April 13th becomes easier with each passing year. The pain of losing Anne becomes more dull, and the joy of gaining Anne becomes more evident. God is good!
I’m actually hostessing a baby shower on April 13th. I can’t think of a better way to spend the day than surrounded by friends celebrating a new life. God’s mercies are new every morning!
And while we’re on the subject of milestones, I just published my 100th post on my bible:365 blog. If I taught kindergarten, I would do something fun like… string together 100 paperclips or eat 100 M&M’s (ugh). But I’m not a kindergarten teacher, so I just had a cookie ;)
Happy 100 posts to me! And more importantly… Happy 3 years of enjoying our new Anne!
Hangin’ with the boys
Face painting with Canon, Kate and cousin Isabella!
A picnic in the front yard!
We love our Anne!
OMG!
April 3, 2013 § 15 Comments
This is what Anne’s teacher sent me today…
“Anne moved her monkey to great!”
“This is why! Omg she wrote all of this on her own except for the highlighted ones”
Let me just tell you… One year ago, Anne could only write her name – and she needed help writing the letters in a line. From my perspective, the work she did today is miraculous!!! We are doing cartwheels in the Jackson house today :)
Pray for Anne…
April 1, 2013 § Leave a Comment
April 2013′s prayer requests:
Please pray for Anne…
- For the ability to control her emotions and inhibit her impulses,
- For her to depend on the Holy Spirit to help her make good choices and to give her self control,
- For the eradication of seizures, the balance and strength to walk, and the focus necessary to read.
Thank you!
A more meaningful Easter
March 31, 2013 § 7 Comments
Our family wheeled Anne through the crowded sanctuary. We hadn’t gotten there as early as we had planned. Our usual spot was taken over by the crowds on Easter. We were forced to the front. As we filled the empty chairs, Anne squealed, “Miss Debbie! Miss Debbie!”
Other than family, Miss Debbie is one of the few constants in Anne’s life. Their relationship is the same as it was before the accident when Anne was in her 3-year-old Sunday school class. We haven’t seen Miss Debbie in months. But God let us find her today. « Read the rest of this entry »
