I was at the hospital with Michelle and Abby until about 5.30am this morning, then came home for a little while so SpideyLandis and the other kids wouldn't wake up parentless.The nurses were in and out all night every few minutes. If you've never enjoyed that experience, it is a little maddening getting woke up over and over and over and over all night long. I am a light sleeper, and wake up frequently anyway but Michelle is a sound sleeper, and it is hard on her. She stays at the hospital every single night that Abby is there, so she doesn't get alot of sleep. I run back and forth between the hospital and the house. That's the pattern we've settled into since Abby got sick.
This morning, Abby is about the same. Her little tummy is so swollen, she looks like she is going to explode. The infection area on her stomach around her feeding tube covers about the area of a dollar bill... red, blistered, inflamed. Just touching Abby's feeding tube sends her into a tailspin. The sores have not begun to improve yet and she can barely tolerate even wearing a soft diaper or panties. Going to the bathroom is torture.
Michelle is really tired but patiently tends to every need Abby has... taking her to potty, changing her clothes and bedding, feeding her, putting medicine and cremes on her, monitoring her I.V.'s, getting her drinks, keeping her distracted... watching the same video over and over 50 fifty times because that is what Abby wants to watch. (when Abby is done with chemo, I'm burning "Lion King" and "Beauty and the Beast")
Michelle is the epitome of a mother willing to give up every comfort, all her time and ignore her own needs... to take care of her child. For those who hold the opinion that "adopted" kids are "not as much your child" as biological kids... well, I don't have to make any comments about that. Everyone who has ever adopted knows how absurd that is.
New Every Morning
How do we do this? How do we keep going? How can we be joyful, thankful, content and happy living the "life of cancer" month after month? People ask this on a daily basis.
Answer: the same way YOU can keep going. The same way YOU can be joyful, thankful, content and happy day after day no matter what life throws at you.
The same way that guy I just saw on TV keeps going every day. He fell asleep driving, hit a truck head-on, destroyed his spleen and liver, broke all his ribs and had to have his leg cut off. When they cut him open to operate after the wreck, they found out he had liver cancer too. How's that for a "bad deal" in life?
How do you keep going? How do you keep going with joy, hope and thankfulness? The answer is the same whether you're a parent of a child with Leukemia, a guy with one leg and cancer, a cheated-on spouse, an unfairly fired employee, or just someone dealing with the typical life struggles that conspire to rob us of joy and contentment.
The answer is the same for the couple about to lose their house to foreclosure, or the parents who are finding out how hard parenting really is. The answer is the same for healthy, active folks who don't feel loved or at peace... or the older couple with seemingly-never-ending health problems.
The answer is the same for Americans who take for granted unparalleled personal freedom and an unprecedented level of affluent lifestyle, or the multitudes of people across the globe who are hungry, poor, cold, imprisoned for their faith or beliefs, persecuted and largely ignored by the world. The answer is the same...
The answer to "how do you keep going?" and "how do you have joy and hope?" is the same for every single person in ANY situation, and here it is, my favorite passage, Lamentations 3: 20-25:
- I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.
- Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
- Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
- They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
- I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
- The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
Notice that the Bible does not ignore the "negative" realities of life, or pretend that it should never be talked about or acknowledged. King David, the only person ever labeled "a man after God's own heart" penned dozens of Psalms full of lament, struggle and pouring his heart out about life's hardships. David would not be very popular in much of our modern church or culture. But you know what friends... the honest admission and lament of heartache in the Psalms has spoken deeply to and soothed the heart of legions of hurting souls throughout history.
Acknowledging Is Not the Same As Being Consumed
Acknowledging the hard realities of the human experience is not the same as being consumed by them, or having a "negative" outlook. We are to be positive people who also see the blessings (positive) that come when we depend on God during the "negative". We remember (accept, acknowledge) there are frequent times in life when our "soul is downcast" but that the proper response is:
"... I will call to mind and therefore have hope"... what?
- I will call to mind that God's great love is NEVER consumed; it never ends; there is always more
- I will call to mind that God's compassions NEVER fail; His compassions always WIN; in other words, if we avail ourselves of God's compassion, it is ALWAYS enough to overcome our sorrows no matter what they are
- I will call to mind that God's love and compassion is NEW every morning...
Why does God emphasize "every morning"? Does His compassion wear out by the end of the day and then overnight God gets back in gear and puts out a fresh batch when the sun comes up?
"New every morning" is a point of reference for us. We all live day by day. The sun rises on every person, every day, in every situation. It is a guidepost, a marker, a timestamp that we can all relate to, count on and understand.
So God uses that inescapable reality to give us a common ground that leaves none of us being able to say "I didn't understand, I wasn't aware..." We all understand that the sun rises every day. We all understand that morning comes each day no matter WHAT WE ARE STRUGGLING WITH.
Every morning, for every person, God's love, compassion and mercies are "new" and available. Not "new" in the sense that they got "old" or "worn" the day before but "new" in the sense they are waiting for us, without fail, with the dawn of each new day. They are "new" in that they are totally sufficient for whatever that day holds for us, even when our "soul is downcast"... in fact, I would say ESPECIALLY when our soul is downcast.
When is God's compassion sweetest? When life is great or hard? When does God's mercy seem most real? On the mountain top, or in the valley? When is His love feel the greatest? When we already feel loved by others, or when we feel lonely and abandoned by the world? Mercy, love and compassion are particularly precious when we feel "downcast".
I Will Call To Mind And Say To Myself
God's mercy, love and compassion is there no matter what we do, even if we ignore it. But God calls us to action if we want to benefit from it. We have to get our mind right. We have to deliberately focus on this Truth. We have to "call to mind" the Word of God and tell ourselves:
"God is enough. God is my hope. I will wait on God."
Wait on God? The meaning here is that we will look to God, focus on God, depend on God, keep our eyes on God. It doesn't mean He will delay His love ("wait"); it is the picture of us putting our full attention on God. The Lord God is GOOD to those who seek Him. Isn't that a marvelous truth? Do you truly believe it? If yes, are you daily seeking Him?
I like to summarize things for easy recall, so let me wrap up with this...
Are you downcast? Is life hard? How can you be joyful, hopeful, content and loved despite any hardship?
- Focus your mind on God and tell yourself the Truth
- God's great love means your troubles will not consume you
- God's compassion NEVER fails us
- God's love and mercy is waiting for you every morning, every day, every time
- The Lord is ENOUGH for ANYTHING you are going through
- God is good to everyone who puts their hope in Him
- God is good to everyone who seeks Him
- Because of all these things you can say...
"Therefore I have hope".
If you have hope, then you can keep going. No matter how hard life is, no matter what dark valley your journey has you in, you can keep going because you have hope.
That is my answer to "how do you keep going?" and it can be your answer too.
Are you encouraged by this message? Do you know someone today who is struggling and could use some hope? Do you know anyone who needs mercy, compassion and love? You have an answer for them now.
Tell your friends, Put this post on your blog. Send it out to your email list Copy and paste the whole thing. I don't care about getting credit for the writing. I care about helping people.
We'll post an update about Abby later today. We have been reminded of God's compassion every day because of YOU. Your notes, comments and prayers are the manifestation of God's love.
What are you hurting about today? How can we be a blessing to you?
83 comments:
I have been checking all morning for an update. I am so thankful that God has His arms wrapped around your family. I pray constantly for Abby! I will also pray for strength for your whole family.
Take Care,
<><
We've been checking back all morning for updates...thank you so much for taking the time to post. We are praying for all of you, especially sweet Abby. Our daughter, Tori, is her age and prays continually for her. Tori would gladly watch "Lion King" and "Beauty and the Beast" with her!!
Praying Abby's misery subsides today/forever, and she can enjoy her movies before Daddy burns them! ;o)
Love,
~Michelle in Cincinnati, Ohio
I have my computer open to this page. Each time I walk by, I refresh it and pray again. Your family is heavy on my heart today. You are being covered in prayers.
dawn
Wow Brent. You and your family never cease to amaze me as you walk this tough road with grace and joy. To God be the glory. Praying for strength and peace for all of you.
Amen!!
I am sorry that Abby is feeling so bad this morning. As a mother, I can relate to how hard Michelle must have it today.
Today I took my son for blood test. We are trying to find out what is causing his headaches. I have though a lot about how I would cope if he were to go through the same as Abby.
And I just remember the Lord's promises to always be there and never forsake us, to finish the work of salvation He started in us, to pour out grace and mercy on His people and find strength there.
I have been raising my two children bt myself in a country where I don't really have friends and neither family. I spent the last 9 years almost working at home and don't have many contacts outside, especially since I also homeschooled for 4 years.
Many people are more willing to slander than help because they don't understand what we believe... and it is easier than help.
But by God's grace we made it thus far and it has just brought more faith in me than I ever had by His wonderful mercy and grace.
Praying for Abby
still praying-and PRAISING!! I love that section of Lamentations-once I pulled out my thesaurus and looked up the word "great" and filled in all the synonyms where it says "great is your faithfulness" and it was so amazing how every one of them touched on an aspect of God's character. He is so good and faithful, not matter what this life brings us. Thank you for keeping His great faithfulness in fron of all of our faces this Saturday morning!!
As much as my heart aches for your family, I always "get" something out of your posts. Thank you for your ministry...it means a lot to us that are continually praying for your sweet girl & the rest of your family. We have a amily member who is struggling with addiction. Would you please pray that God would touch his life in only ways that are possible to Him? This has been a difficult time for our family, as we have had to teach our girls about some of the evils of the world...and are in constant worry over "his" well-being. Thanks so much.
Beautiful post Brent. God's words are beautiful and we are blessed to have access to them. We are also blessed to have you put them in context using the frame of this thing we call life.
Praying for Abby and relief from the sores.
Lisa
I am not and have never been a very religious person. For what ever reason it was forced on me as a child and so I have strayed. Several times a day I sit at this computer and check for updates on Abby and your family, but also for your wisdom and words. I do not know you or your family personally, I am a fellow adoptive mom. Your words and posts have made me feel better when I am down. Have made me think of things I have forgotten or not thought about and taken for granted.
I thank you for being a inspiration and bringing me closer to the lord.
Sending many prayers to you and your family and praying that the lord watches over Abby!
Eloquent.
Thank you.
Brent,
I believe i am one of those that your message was for today, i am very downcast, i have lost the love of my life and am now alone, feel so down in the valley, praying hard for 16 months to be better because i do believe and have hope to see him one day again, but it is very hard to have the desire to live without him. God has blessed me so much and carried me everyday since He called him home, but still, the loneliness is almost more than i can stand at times. I do have HOPE and it is with Jesus but i still struggle daily with this. After reading the message, i was very encouraged, and i am so thankful for the HOPE i have, I love Jesus, and i thank Him everyday for all He has done for me. I feel really bad even complaining ( with what you all are going through, now that is a valley for sure) and you still praise God and seem to make it through each day. I love little Abby, she stays on my heart and i always pray for her. I just want to thank you for STILL putting out the ,messages on your blog for us, they are helping more than you know. I come to your site 3-4 times a day, checking on Abby, and then i get a bonus of uplifting words that i really need to hear, thank you, God Bless your family.
Brent and Michelle,
We are continuing to pray for your precious Abby as well as your whole family. What a testimony you are having to the Lord! Thanks so much for the updates. Keep clinging to the Lord as He leads you on this journey.
Carolyn Hill
Thank you for giving us that perspective. Every life has their own struggles from enormous to minute. However, right now, I'm thankful that my struggles now are minute and will allow me to pray more for healing and comfort for Abby. Michelle, I know Abby is so thankful to have you by her side every second!
Praying that Abby has a better day today.
I thought of this poem as I read your blog today. Your family is in our prayers, Lauryn
WAIT
(Author Unknown)
Desperately, helplessly, longingly I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate,
And the Master so gently, said, "Child you must wait.
”My future and all to which I relate,
Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to WAIT?
I'm needing a "yes," a go-ahead sign,
Or a "no," to which I then can resign.
And Lord, you promised that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry,
I'm weary of asking, I need a reply!
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate;
As my Master replied, once again, "You must wait.
”So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut
And grumbled to God, "so I'm waiting... for what?"
He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes wept with mine,
And He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
”I could shake the heavens and darken the sun,
I could raise the dead, and cause the mountains to run.
All you seek I could give, and pleased you would be.
You would have what you want, but you would not know Me.
You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint.
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.
You'd not learn to see through the clouds of despair,
You'd not learn to trust by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me,
When darkness and silence were all you could see.
You'd never experience that fullness of love,
As the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove.
The glow of My comfort, late into the night,
The faith that I give, when you walk without sight.
The depth that's beyond getting just what you asked,
Of an infinite God, who makes what you have, last.
You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that "My grace is sufficient for thee."
”Yes, your dreams for your loved ones, overnight would come true,
But, oh the loss if I lost, what I'm doing in you!
So, be silent, My child, and in time you will see,
That the greatest of gifts is to get to know Me.
And though oft' My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all, is still WAIT.
I have been following your blog for a couple of weeks, and I'm always amazed at your strength. I, however, was especially glad to read this post. Things have been hard for me and my family lately, and I needed this reminder! Thank you and I'll continue to pray for all of you.
Sarah
Honestly, all I can think about is dear little Abby. She is in my prayers. May this infection and terrible turn of events get fixed soon.
Praying for Abby,
Kris
A great word Brent!
As always -- praying for Abby. We shared her situation at a baby shower today to gain even more intercessors.
Bless you,
Beth
Your faithfulness surpasses anything I have ever witnessed in my life!
You have so much to teach us!
Thank you for allowing us the honor to walk this journey with you and be a part of praying Abby through.
I understand what you mean about going on as the rest of the world does, still it is an incredible trial of a lifetime the way I see it. God will surely give you the strength and the wisdom to go through this experience. You guys are an extraordinary parents, all cancer parents that do what you do are.
My prayers are with Abby and your family.
We would just like to let you know that our prayers are with you and your little angel. We don't know you, but through the world of Guatemalan adoptions your story has made it to us. We will be thinking of you, your family and Abby.
Julie
Your spirit and faith is AMAZIMG!! I pray for your dear Abby daily!! As I wait after 15 long months to bring my precious Guatemalan Beauty home FOREVER, I have to remind myself daily that
GOD IS GOOD TO EVERYONE WHO PUTS THEIR HOPE IN HIM!!! Thank you for your uplifting and encouraging words for those of us that read your blog when you are going through such a difficult time in your own life! Bless you,
Tammy
Wonderful encouraging post! I am sharing this post on my blog! Thank you so much .... We are praying for precious Abby and you and your family and friends. God bless you all... You are such an inspiration to us all!
You seemed to know just what I needed today.
I have had Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome in my right leg and back for 9 years. I had bone scans about a week ago and haven't heard from the doctor yet as to whether I need surgery or not. The risks involved in surgery are extremely high. Wednesday night I fell and hurt both my knees. Walking is so painful and could set the CRPS off even worse.
Yet, when I read your updates on Abby, I feel that my problems are small in comparison. My prayers are not for me but for Abby and all of you. Your faith and joy in God inspires me and your writings show me to be thankful to God all the time. Not just when I feel good or something joyful happens in my life.
Your "hope in God" inspires so many people to also "Hope in God."
Thank you
Ann Stegall
Wake Forest, NC
Brent what you said is so very true!!!
You have no idea what awesome timing this blog of hope is! Thank you for giving us permission to share it, because I most definitely will.
Hope is EVERYTHING!
Praying for Abby, always.
Kelli
Brent, A great post as usual. You are always so encouraging in your suffering and I am thankful for that. I am praying for Abby and for you, and especially Michelle right now! I have been where Michelle is right now (albeit for a different reason) and it is mentally, emotionally, and physically exausting. As a mom, you feel to torn because you feel the need to be there for your other kids at home, but know you cant leave your sick one in the hospital--it's a hard place.
Please tell Michelle I am praying for her specifically--for strength, rest, and peace while she perseveres through caring for your sweet girl.
Just a little side note, I am adopted, and my adoptive parents have always cared for and loved me the same way as you describe--they would and have done anything for me in love--perhaps even more than parents do with their biological children! They waited for a child for so long that they never took any moment for granted. They appreciated having me because it was such a gift, and I am an only child. I dont even have an interest in meeting my birth parents because my soul is so complete with the mom and dad the Lord gave me.
Praying with you while you press on......
continuing to pray!!! Thank you so much for the frequent updates!!!
InChrist,
Dawn
You guys really ARE amazing. I know you don't see that- but you are. And because I know you all personally I know what I am talkinga bout. ;0) YOU ARE AMAZING. Been praying like crazy for Abby. We love you guys!!! Amy and family
All I can say is AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!
Praying for all of you fervently Brent!
Love from all of us - Jill
Did you ever receive the children's care package for Abby and SpideyLandis?
Thank you for your teaching today and your transparency through this journey. Continuing to pray for your entire family. Christine
Tears are streaming down my face for the beautiful work that the Lord is doing through Abby's illness and all of your suffering. Reading this witness to God's AMAZING GRACE and limitless sufficiency... I'm speechless. Thank You for your willingness to be poured out, particularly in this time of unimaginable pain and trial, for the Gospel of Jesus to be spread far and wide.
You know our family lifts sweet Abby up in prayer every single day and have counted it a privilege. Praying for healing, praying for mercy, praying for the relief of pain, praying for rest and comfort, praying for His Will to be done. We will continue to pray until she is completely well and then join you and all your prayer force worldwide in rejoicing.
With love and gratefulness,
The Hausams
Someone else said "I went to bed praying and woke up praying" I have to second that thought. You are all in our prayers today. We are hurting because we miss my deployed husband(since you asked:)
But we know God has plans for all of us-and these are His plans for now.
We will continually pray for all of you throughout this Saturday. Thank you so much for keeping us all up to date and still having the desire to know more about all of us!
Michelle Mann
Great, wonderful, inspiring post. MUCH love and prayers to Abby.
Beautiful post! Your family is amazing and I have never looked at this way before. My trials have always seemed trivial when compared to families like yours, but you're right - I am able to go on because I have a relationship with my Lord!
Continuing to pray for Abby!
You guys are amazing! Thank you for your wonderful words of encouragement and your obedience in writing them!
We are praying for Abby and your family!
Blessings,
Kelly
Praying...
Cindi
Praying Abby will progress and the sores will begin to heal!!
WOW! Praise God for your entire family...Thank you...your words are a huge blessing
Brent~ This is one of the most inspiring post I've ever read. I've often thought to myself, "do I need to be in a crisis to feel the comfort of my Lord any more than the next person."
My answer is always the same...No!
As little as my crisis may seem, God meets me there. He takes me by the hand and walks with me through it. And when needed He carries me.
We all suffer, some suffering is hard to bear...regardless, the Lord is good. He is so good!
I will post this on my blog. Thank you so much.
My constant prayers for Abby, you and Michelle.
What a miraclous little girl and miraclous family.
I have been following Abby's story for about a month now and my family is praying for yours.
I've been doing research on "natural" remedies for the common ailments that a young family faces, in conjunction with modern medicine. I've discovered that Lavender essential oil and raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar have amazing anti-microbial properties and help a loyof my family's scrapes, cuts, and sores. So often, we (parents and doctors) look for the medical solution and miss a simple, less toxic solution. You might try these on some of Abby's sores.
I'm sure you all have gotten lots of suggestions. Really just wanted to let you know that we are lifting your family up to our amazing God.
JJ in Kansas City.
We, as a family, have been in constant prayer for Abby and will continue to pray throughout this day and the days to come!
Thank you for this particular post. The Lord has used you in a mighty way today in our lives, while you are in the midst of your storms!
Blessings to you all,
Katy
Beautiful. I am so thankful for that HOPE. Praying for your sweet Abby.
Bret, you and Michelle are amazing! Thank you both so much for your consistant testimony! Thank you for your blog, and updates on Abby. May God continue to bless you and your family:)
Thank you for this post!! It was what I truly needed today! You see, I am a peds hematology/oncology nurse, and I TRY HARD not to feel pity on myself for situations in my life because I know that there are children out there facing life-threatening diseases. My experience with them is that they don't complain...they continue on with life without the "why me" statements. My husband and I are renovating our house while living in it. When I say renovating, I mean down to the bare bones. To add to that, we are expecting our first child this summer. So, today, especially, I have been feeling sorry for myself about living in a total mess! It is easy to focus on the negatives and not the positives (like having a baby). Things could be a ton worse, and you have to cherish the good things in life that God gives us. Life isn't easy for anyone. Your post helped me snap out of this funk I was in today. Thank you!! I am praying for you daughter. I hate it that she is in so much pain! I hope God heals her from the pain very soon!!
We have been praying for you all a couple times a day. We pray for the "girl that is sick" & her family!!!!
Just wanted to let you know we were thinking of you all!!!
HUGS!!!
SS (a follower of Amazing Jacob)
I came to your website to check on Abby, wanting to know what to pray for... and now I leave in tears; happy tears because your post provided me the reminder my struggling heart has needed. Thank you, thank you, thank you... I can't wait to share your post. Always praying for Abby's healing, strength and wisdom for you and Michelle
Praying for you all on my face over and over daily.
I lost my dad to cancer at Christmas and so many of your updates are repeats of what we went through.
Also, we are an adoptive family.
Your story tears a hole in my heart for all your family is going through and little Abby's pain.
Will continue to stay on my face before the Lord for your family!
Bret,
Thank you for this post..As foster parents to a very sick little baby,We get asked why we Took him in,Why we stay at the hospital day in and day out,Why we are willing to adopt him knowing that He may not survive Stem-cell transplant.Why we didn't take the healthy twins that were available at the same time as A-man..God knew he needed 2 parents that had a college aged daughter that could help with the boys at home that could help us with even giving us a night together and stay with A-man...
No matter who we adopt we will love them like our own..
I will keep praying for Abby and your family..
God Will Keep you all!!!
Rhonda
Thank you for a very moving and touching post.
We continue too Pray for Abby. We do HOPE that GOD will bring her through this fight!
Thnak you for your words of encouragement.
GOD bless you all!
Love and Prayers,
Joyce and Nick
I've been following your blog only for the last few days, but my heart and prayers go out for your family and Abby. I think of you all often and wanted you to know that I'm praying for Abby and for the rest of the family.
And, yes, these words were very encouraging to me today. Just what I needed to hear.
I know this must be so terribly hard on all of you...so hard to watch your child hurting so much and you can't make it better for her.
Thank you Brent for always showing the Lord's hand in all of us. Thank you for praising Him when you are hurting. Thank you for worshipping Him while you are crying and thank you for serving Him and showing others Jesus every day.
Praying, praying for complete healing in Jesus' name!!!! We lift up sweet Abby's name every night here in my house.....God's blessing and YES, His mercies are new every morning.....Thank you, God for loving us so much.l
Brent, just wanted to let you know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Your post today reminded me so much of my favorite devotional cd Steve Green's Morning Light. Beautiful!
Everyone loves this little girl and your family, I'm praying for her everyday!
Hang in there little lady, you are amazing! You CAN do this!!!
Brent,
THANKS for an absolutely amazing post! God really speaks through you! I will be posting this post on my blog shortly. Please tell Michelle my thoughts are with her and I hope she gets some rest! As a ped's RN, I know what it's like to be the nurse and to feel like your always waking pts. and parents up. As always, I will be praying for Abby and you all! This post hit home in a few ways. A little girl I know (5yo) who has fought a chronic lifelong illness has just went home on hospice care this past week. As you know, this is easy on no-one. Most of all her family...but her life has touched SO MANY...this post spoke to me in light of her situation as well. Thanks for being such a blessing to us all. Praying for Abby!
Stacy
OH GOD, PLEASE HOLD THEM ALL CLOSE TO YOU, PLEASE TAKE LITTLE ABBY'S PAINFUL SORES AWAY AND TOUCH HER LITTLE BODY IN A MIGHTY WAY TO RENEW HER HEALTH, IT IS HEART BREAKING TO HEAR OF A CHILD SUFFERING LIKE THIS, PLEASE LORD, IN YOUR NAME WE PRAY, AMEN
I am praying for Abby!
Absolutely amazing post! God has given you an extra measure of faith and grace. I'll be sharing this with others so we can have even more people praying for dear little Abby and your precious family.
Seeking Him, Marsha
You are an amazing family. Thank you for sharing your lives, you are a living testimony of God's love and strength. I am praying for your little gal, and for all of you.
That's beautiful that you are taking the time to be an encouragement to others while you are in the middle of all of this!
Riggs,
Recently joined your prayer group and am continuously in prayer for you throughout the day. I have shared your blog with my family in India. Please know that you are being prayed for around the clock and around the world. So tonight at 3am when you are awake, I hope you will experience the power of prayer that envelops you ATC - around the clock!
Love, Liz - the shameful St. Jude's gal
What an encouraging message. It is a great reminder that nothing will overcome us... NOTHING! The Lord has already won the VICTORY! We can put our HOPE and our TRUST in HIM who has created us and your sweet Abby. I am praying for her.. but know that I am praying for .. YOU... Michelle... and YOU... Brent, and the rest of your family. It is so good to hear your perspective... right now we are going through a trying time ourselves... not remotely close to yours... but our 1 year old son has been on 4 different antibiotics since just before Christmas... he doesn't seem to be getting any better... he is becoming very lethargic and looks really tired... he is taking more naps than usual... and just developed a fever yesterday. We have no clue what is going on with him and the doctors don't seem to know either. They took blood yesterday to check for mono and for another respiritory infection... negative... so monday if the fever is still there we will be headed to the doc's office again. As we pray for you, please pray for us as well... especially me (christy) I am tired, I am coming to the end of my rope with all the crying and fussing... it's the worst sound to me... and I can't stop it. I am praying that the Lord stengthens me and gets me through this time... I know He has already walked this road and paved the way... I just want to be a good mom through it to him as well as to my other two children. Thanks for your openness, your realness and for you encouraging words despite all the trials you are facing right now.
God bless you guys and your family!
In His Mighty Name,
christy
I am so sorry that Abby is going through this. No child should have to endure such a trial. May God's will be to heal your daughter.
Abby's story has truly touched my heart. When I lost my husband, I also lost hope. Thank you for reminding that hope is still alive.
Sweet Abby... So brave... You inspire me Precious Girl.
We are praying for sweet Abby. I am so sorry she is suffering so. Please Lord give this baby girl some relief from her sores and pain...
Thinking of you all and praying.
Your words are beautifully written and ring so very true. I have been struggling lately with my own issues lately but God DOES give that hope renewed each morning...and He blesses me with the ability to recognize that my own world is very small, compared to the problems that face so many - especially dear Abby. We have a friend who is truly struggling in heart and mind and we will most certainly be passing your post along to her. Thank you for sharing that with us.
Our whole family is praying every single day. Last Sunday when we went to church, I invited Alec to pray with me as we sat in the pew. The first thing he said was, "And make SURE that we pray for Abby!" I was so very proud of my 4 year old son - and sure that his prayers would be heard.
I will add that as an adoptive parent I have often received comments from people who clearly misunderstand the meaning of parenting beyond biology. In particular, I recall one co-worker who, upon learning that our daughter had been diagnosed with sickle cell disease, asked if we would "give her back." It matters not how these children come to be in our care...it only matters that God has blessed us with the opportunity to be their family, and we would give our lives for them no less than a child born to us.
God bless you and we will await your updates with hope and prayer.
My goodness gracious, you say things well!
You ask how you can be a blessing to me today? Just like this. Your words, through trial, are a POWERFUL testimony to Christ's love, His mercy, His grace, His faithfulness. His power.
You guys are just the neatest family. Period. Might you have room in your brood to adopt me, my husband, and our four-year old?
Though we have never met, we love you guys. We pray for you often. We hope for you continually.
Thank you so much for your diligent updates. You have no idea how much it means to your Blog Family, all of whom are just absolutely SMITTEN with your sweet little girl. Seriously, our family RUNS to the computer several times a day to check for updates.
P.S Amen to the things you said about adopted children! Birthed, adopted...the love is EXACTLY the same. Profound and sometimes big enough to scare the poo out of you.
Brent,
Your words are an inspiration to me. I am grieving the loss of my beloved husband & sometimes it is difficult to get through the day. What I have learned is to take one day at a time which is what all of us need to do.
I pray for Abby daily & have asked family & friends to pray for her. I also pray for strength for you & your family.
Just curious...did someone actually say to you that your adopted children are not as much your own, or was that just a general comment? If someone said that to you...disgusting.
As for the accident victim - I say what a blessing. If he hadn't had that accident, they wouldn't have found the liver cancer. That happened to a friend of mine, she hit her head and got concussion. When they did a scan to check her brain, they found a tumor. Sometimes what seems like a horrible accident is actually to shine a light on something else. I try to remember that, remember to ask "What is this bad situation showing us?"
Marie
What an inspirational post.
I am so sorry Abby is having trouble with sores and other complications. We are praying hard for her.
I so appreciated (as did others!) your long, thoughtful comment on the topic of touching other's children on my blog today!
All the best,
J
Thank you for that post. Y'all are always a blessing to me, and if there was some way for me to repay those blessings, believe me I'd do it in a heartbeat. In the meantime, we continue to keep you all in prayer.
Our family, our small group, and our church are standing in the gap for Abby. We are also praying that our Lord will multiply your rest tenfold and keep your bodies healthy while you serve Abby and the rest of your family.
Isn't it amazing when we are downcast, He always seems to give us a message that He's still here & taking care of us!
Still praying for your family & knowing that God has everything under control.
Living so far down south in Africa, there is quite a time difference between us, so I have been checking when I can.
I checked for an update just before I went to bed last night, and Abby was my first thought when I woke up this morning. I have not even had my coffee yet.. I just jumped straight out of bed and came to see how she is doing!
You and your family are constantly in my thoughts and prayers.
I also pray that if I ever have to go through such a trial in my life, that I am as gracious and selfless as you and your family are.
Kerren
praying for your sweet abby...your wife is amazing...a mother's love knows know bounds. i am praying for her...know her heart all too well.
praying...
I am speechless. In the midst of your trials, you are being used mightily by God. To read your words encourages me in my trials. It puts things into perspective in a big way. Thank you for your encouraging words and reminding me that God is in control, no matter what. I've been praying for Abby and for your family. I posted this on Facebook and emailed it to friends. Please know that God is using you in ways you cannot know.
First of all, I have been following your blog for a short while and I wanted to let you know that our family in Minnesota is praying for you and your sweet, precious Abby. We will continue to lift up your family as your push through this trial.
Second of all, I read this post and I just wanted to say thank you. Thanks for the reminder that His mercies are new every morning. We have been hit by so many trials all at once and our hearts are so heavy and we just feel crushed. And we know that God is there with us, but oh how our spirits are downcast. Your words and your reminder of what the Word has to say on this subject came at just the right time for us. Thank you for pointing to our Father amidst the chaos that is life. Your example is truly a testimony of what it means to keep your eyes on things above. May God bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you.
Prayers, Tamara in Minnesota
Brent I am so sorry Abby is going threw this. I have been praying for her! 3 of my little siblings are adopted, my one little brother is severly disabled and has been very in and out of the hospital for the past year and half and has been very sick, I understand what you all are going threw. My mother, Just like your wife stays with my little brother at all times in the hospital, While my father, Like you, Runs back and forth from home to the hospital. Some one once looked at my mother and I and said "how can you love an adopted child, like your biological child" We looked at them and said how can you not. They are so special! We infact always joke with my parents saying they love there adopted children more then they love is. Just kidding though. You guys are a very special family.
Post a Comment