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Can I Get an Amen?

by gidget on February 2, 2012

in faith,family,gratitude

A friend posted this quote on Facebook that she found in her BSF Bible study on Acts. Boy did I need to read it.

“Let us not pray for easier lives but for greater power to bring blessing out of every pressure and trial.”

Add to that this verse in Isaiah (40:31)….

He will tend his flock like a shepherd;

he will gather the lambs in his arms;

he will carry them in his bosom,

and gently lead those that are with young.

And I feel suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude that I have the Lord with me every step of the way as I journey through motherhood.

Lord, thank you for showing me that so much of overcoming my daily struggles comes down to leaning on You and trusting You to provide the strength I need. Lord, gently lead me as I raise my little ones, and please give me more and more power to see your blessings in the trials, little or big as they may be.

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Tagged as: Bible, motherhood, parenting

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Lately… {on simplifying in the New Year}

by gidget on January 23, 2012

in family,simple & frugal living

We’ve been struggling a lot with Gigi the last couple of months. Mainly through the hustle, bustle and excitement of the holidays, but even since then, we’ve been seeing some behavioral and anger issues in her that we want to start working though now, so as to hopefully prevent the development of a pattern in her personality.

Of course, even more importantly, in the long run we want to get to her heart, but practically we have some serious issues to work through right now.

Among seeking wise counsel, looking to the Word and how the Lord deals with us and we can model that with our kids, and reading elsewhere, we’ve been seeking some serious simplification. I might say that that is probably our main goal for the new year… simplifying life.

I recently read the book Simplicity Parenting with some other moms from Gigi’s preschool. We are going to continue working through some of its suggestions and meet again next month to discuss it more, because it has been that monumental for all of us.

I hope to elaborate here on what we’ve been doing sometime in the future, but for now, I just wanted to get something written down to commemorate the journey we’ve begun. Between significantly paring down our toy collection and establishing more rhythm, we’ve been making some serious changes around here to try to make life easier and more enjoyable amidst the craziness that is a family of five.

I’d love to hear from any of you who have read the book, or even if you haven’t– what have been some of the simplifying changes you’ve made that have impacted your family the most?

Oh, we’re also working our way through Tsh’s ebook One Bite at a Time, as another encouraging resource for simplification.

*affiliate links included in this post. thank you.*

Tagged as: behavior, family, kids, parenting, simplify, simplifying

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Prayer for Simon

by gidget on December 31, 2011

in makin' a difference

UPDATED 1/2/12: Visit his new Facebook page to leave messages for the family!

Here is the latest update on Simon from Rena:

Simon rested well through the night with stable stats. They might give him an MRI today to give them a better idea of where damage might be. Our neurosurgeon read his latest ct scan and it looks like there might be damage on the left side of his brain possibly caused by a stroke. He isn’t moving his right side nearly as much or as strongly as his left. Also some tests came back showing he has some sort of bacterial infection, which he could have had before the hospital since we’ve been fighting colds. They put him on antibiotics and he has been coughing a lot of gunk up, which is good and shows that it is loosening. Pray that they can move towards the extubation today and waking him up and that he is able to fully recover, especially on his right side. Also pray for clear, positive results from the MRI and wisdom for the doctors & nurses as they proceed and continue to make decisions for Simon’s healing.

And from Jesse, Simon’s dad, here is more of an explanation of what happened over the last 5 days:

I got home today and was able to use my FB. I greatly amazed at the sheer volume of prayer being lifted up for Simon. I thank GOD so much for all of you. I praise him for protecting Simon through a VERY critical injury.

On Thursday night as we were getting the boys ready for bed. Rena’s sister was taking Simon out of the bath. She stood him up on on the bathroom floor to wrap the towel down around him and he ran for the door. He slipped as he turned down the hall and fell directly onto his head. He never lost consciousness but showed symptoms of a concussion so Rena brought him to urgent care. While there he threw up so the doctor was concerned that the was an increasing pressure in his head so she sent them to the Hospital for a CT scan. The CT scan showed massive bleeding and later the Neurosurgeon said he had almost died while the ER team were stabilizing him. He was transported to Rady Children’s Hospital where he had surgery to stop the bleeding. The fall had apparently cracked on of the cranial bones and it had cut an artery that ran beneath it. The surgeon was incredibly skill and the surgery had a miraculous outcome. The following day they followed up with a second CT scan to determine if there was additional bleeding and to look for damaged brain tissue. There was no additional bleeding but as he has been waking up there was evidence that there was possibly stroke damage. He showed signs of weakness in his right side and the Neurosurgeon restudied the CT scan and identified a small portion of the brain that was damaged that particularly controls movement. That is where we stand.

Pray for Simon as the ICU team work to remove the ventilator. Pray for growing strength as he wakes up. Pray that he stays free from infection. Pray that he is responsive to physical therapy as we reach that stage in his recovery. Pray for patience for Rena and I. Pray for Rena’s family as they take care of Liam (Simon’s big brother). Pray for Liam that he is patient and understands what happened to Simon. Thank you for lifting us up to GOD.

Thank you God for holding us in your hands and for your spirit of strength in our hearts. Thank you God for your Spirit of healing in Simon. AMEN.

Keep on praying, friends and I will update this page when we have a place setup where you can donate towards the Frey family’s expenses with all of this. For now, you can visit this page to message the family.

I also wanted to post this prayer that Rena’s cousin posted on her FB page, so you can join us in praying it for them.

***LORD, may you refresh and surprise Rena and Jesse with joys today. May Simon’s brain and body be completely healed from trauma. Lord, we pray that you continue to perform miracles with his little life, and that there would be NO stroke or brain damage. We know you can do this, LORD! Nothing is too great or small for you. May Rena and Jesse rest in your capable and mighty arms, knowing that you supply for their every need. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.***

PRAISE from last night (1/1/12)!

Rena posted this message late last night:

He just opened one eye really quickly! But he’s still going to be asleep and rest for the night to let his lungs heal. Pray that his lungs clear up and that they are able to hear a “leak” which means that his vocal area has decreased in swelling. Also pray that both Jesse and I will get super sufficient and restful sleep tonight.

and then shortly after, this:

Just fifteen minutes after I had posted about Simon’s lungs, the nurse came in and heard a “leak” and another nurse just told me that his lungs while breathing (listening through a stethoscope) sound “really good”. God is so powerful! And we continue to pray that we can be a light and a witness to those here at the hospital! I am blown away by God’s mercy and grace!

Thank you Lord, for being at work in this situation, as literally thousands of believers lift up Simon and the Frey family!

You just never expect things like this to happen.

A freak thing can turn serious so fast.

One of my best friends Rena’s youngest son Simon is fighting for his little life right now at Children’s Hospital.

Would you lift him and his family up in prayer with me?

Here’s what happened in his mom’s own words. It all started Thursday evening, December 29th.

He slipped while getting out of the bath and smacked his head on the tile. We went to urgent care where he threw up and now they are sending us to the hospital in an ambulance for a ct scan. Please pray for quickness and clarity of results and peace of mind.

He has an epidural hematoma on the surface and is being life-flighted to children’s for immediate surgery. Please keep praying. I’m in shock right now.

The doctor said Simon’s surgery went as well as expected, but he is in really bad shape. The next 24 hours are crucial with the possibility of a stroke. Please keep praying for his brain to heal with full recovery.

Simon is stable and was moving/twitching by himself which is a good sign. He should be getting a CT Scan soon to show us how the damage is. Now we just wait and see. Thank you so much for the extent of prayers and encouragement. It is greatly appreciated. God is good & in control and Simon is in His hands.

The official ct scan results are not in yet, but the neurosurgeon looked at them and said he was very happy with the results. He said, “Simon isn’t out of the woods yet, but I am cautiously optimistic.” They could differentiate the white and gray matter which is very good and Simon’s brain has gone back to where it is supposed to be and he didn’t see signs of a possibility of a stroke. Just waiting now for healing.

We just got back from lunch and Simon’s blood pressure is elevating, has a fever and his heart rate is very high. Please keep praying!!!!!! They are concerned about this sudden change.

Simon’s stats are stable and the nurses are encouraged because he is moving slightly when they mess with his intubation. He is still heavily medicated and they are trying to slowly wean him back to consciousness. We were able to go to the Ronald MacDonald house for dinner and showers. Back in Simon’s room hoping to get some sleep. Please pray for his stats to remain stable through the night.

Jesse and I were able to rest a bit. Simon’s stats remained stable through the night, but he’s starting to move and wake up and struggle against the intubation, so they are medicating him more. This is a good sign because it shows brain function. Also, he’s moving his left side a little, which makes us happy since the damage was on the right side of his brain. Please pray that his temp stays low (it was starting to rise a little bit), so his metabolism can move slowly giving his brain a chance to rest.

Also, we are overwhelmed by the amazing amount of people praying for us and feel so encouraged. We serve a powerful, faithful God and we are leaning and trusting in His plan for our son. Thank you so much to everyone for spreading the word of Simon and for caring so much!

Rena and Jesse love the Lord and I know that He is going to use this trial in a mighty way in their hearts, no matter what the outcome. He is good and faithful and loving, and I’ve been thanking Him that He loves little Simon more than anyone on earth.

Social media is funny. I feel like we constantly hear complaints of how it’s become so all-encompassing in our modern lives. But the thing is, it can be an amazing tool as well. I’ve been overwhelmed at the sight of hundreds of prayer warriors rallying around my dear friend and her family.

So I just wanted to ask a few more people to pray for Simon’s recovery. May the Lord save Him so that this little guy might grow up to do great things for the Lord.

Rena & Jesse, be strong, and let your hearts take courage, all you who wait for the Lord! {Psalm 31:24}

Tagged as: prayer, simon

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Taking a Breath Before Christmas

by gidget on December 21, 2011

in faith

Just wanted to share one of my current favorite passages.

On the rare morning, like this one, where after a rough night with little sleep, the babies are sleeping in {thank you, Lord}. I open my Bible and I consider reading ahead in John, the book I’m studying in CBS and at church… but then, like a magnet, I feel pulled back to this Psalm.

I hope it encourages you today.

***

Psalm 16

You Will Not Abandon My Soul

A Miktam of David.

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”

As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
in whom is all my delight.

The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names on my lips.

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.

You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

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10 on 10: December

by gidget on December 10, 2011

in life is beautiful

I missed last month but I was glad to see my iPhone reminder pop up today telling me to break out the “real” camera and start capturing some of the simple, beautiful moments of the everyday.

I’m linking up with A Bit of Sunshine… Click below to view more 10 on 10 posts!

Tagged as: 10 on 10

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Thankful

Tagged as: thankful, thanksgiving

{this moment}

Tagged as: this moment

On Not Meeting Needs…

10 on 10: October 2011

Tagged as: 10 on 10

{this moment} ~ Great-Grandma Edition