Letting Go and Letting God

So I just posted on Facebook about having to let go of something that I have had almost 37 years and thinking that I should be sad about it.  Ironically, I sit here and think about it from the perspective of things in our life that really are meaningless--things that serve some purpose but do not actually impact your life other than bringing it down when something is wrong with it.  I think of things and relationships that fall into that category most definitely.  Relationships that do more bad than good, things that bring temporary fulfillment and then just become thorns in your side.  This reflection, all over my gallbladder, just proof that God can use any situation to bring you into His likeness.  So tomorrow's the day where I get rid of the thing that has brought me pain and agony for the past six months!  So I'm definitely looking forward to removing it and am thankful for the symbolism that God has shown me!!

So I Ponder....Grace....

So I'm sitting here pondering Pastor Ira's message today on the book of John, chapter 1, verses 1 through 18.  This passage is very familiar to us that believe in Jesus Christ and know Him as our Savior.  Understanding that He is the Beginning and the End, He was the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us, I could go on forever!  But what stood out to me most in this passage was verse 16.  And from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.  Merriam-Webster defines GRACE as unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification.  Do we deserve this thing called grace?  No!  But God chooses to be our divine assistance, help, comforter, provider, healer and friend.  God has challenged us to walk in the light of His grace and understand and believe that His grace is sufficient for all of our needs.

Just a plain ole' fun day!

You may ask, "What is my ideal day?"  It would be spending the day with Lisa and the kids and a close second is just having Daddy time with my two munchkins!  Today was just that as Lisa was having "her time" at BSF and Apples of Gold.  Delaney decided all on her own at the breakfast table that she wanted to go shopping.  "For what?" I asked.  "To get Mommy a present for Balentime's Day, silly!"  Oh I don't want this kid to grow up!!  So off to Target we went, just me Toots and the Monkey!! (Laney and Cooper!)  So the endeavor to just get a Balentime's Day present turned into a cart full of two kids and a bunch of other stuff!  And let's not forget to mention getting talked into Chick-fil-a for lunch and a milkshake!!

I, for the life of me don't understand why a dad would not want to spend time with their children!  The joy of my life other than my salvation in Christ and being married to the woman of my dreams is watching the world through my kids eyes!  So dads out there...interact with your kids constantly and love them to life!!!

Shew!!! What a week!!!

This truly has been a crazy week full of ups and downs!  Some people know that for the past six or so months I have had some health issues and have lost almost 60 pounds without explanation.  I have literally had just about every part of my anatomy examined by some kind of test.  I have gotten immune to pulling up my sleeves to get stuck by a needle to either have blood drawn or to start an IV and had an early introduction to a colonoscopy and I'll just leave that one alone. 

After months of "that test came out fine let's try this", I finally get an answer...my gallbladder only works at 12%!  Who would have thunk it?  So I see the surgeon and my surgery is scheduled for February 16th...YAY....NOT!!!!  My pre-op EKG came back abnormal so I had to be sent to my primary doctor to be released for surgery!!  Well for liability reasons of course my doctor did not want to release me for surgery and referred me to a cardiologist. The earliest any cardiologist in the area could see me is the 21st of February which meant my surgery had to be delayed. Well needless to say I got in my car and screamed and broke down...I can't say that I've felt that hopeless in a long time.


So God in His awesome faithfulness reminds me of an encouraging email that a dear friend sent me earlier that day. I had received so many encouraging emails...I just kinda skimmed over all of them. So I re-read the email and guess what she is a Nurse Practitioner at a local cardiology office! So the old phrase that it's not what you know but who you know...was so very true in this situation. Gave her a call and she said if you can be at the office by the hospital at 7:45 am you got yourself an appointment!  The Cardiologist was great...the stress test was not so much fun...but tolerable I guess! So long story short, I have been cleared for my surgery on the 16th!  

It's so awesome to be surrounded by such great friends and fellow Christ followers. I so appreciate all the encouragement and prayers over the past months!!!  I am most of all thankful to God for His faithfulness! I was encouraged on 4 separate occasions by people who are not socially connected but obviously related by blood (the blood of Christ) of this scripture...

Isaiah 40:28-29
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God
The creator of the ends of the earth
He will not grow tired and weary
and his understanding no one can fathom
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak

OK...so it's been a while!!

So someone recently said to me, "Jaime, it's been a year since you updated your blog!"  Yeah, I know!  This past year has been an interesting year to say the least!  2010 has definitely had a lot of ups and a fair amount of downs!  But the reassuring thing is that "GOD IS IN CONTROL!"  And believe me, that's what keeps me sane most days!!

Cooper is such a great addition to our family!  Delaney is such a great blend of both Lisa and I; however, Cooper is in a class all of his own - still have not figured out what planet he came from!!  He is all boy and then some, but I love him so very much!  He is such a ball of energy and excitement always vying for attention by screaming at the top of his lungs!  Lisa and I kid that we have not had a peaceful meal at home or out since he was born!  He has completely changed the landscape of our home and lives! 

Delaney is growing up to be such a beautiful little woman!  She has such a sweet and sensitive heart and has such a love for God already!  She loves going to school and loves going to church!  She is such a great reminder to me of the grace and majesty of God!  She is currently taking dance lessons at the Academie de Ballet and loving every minute of it - can't wait for her recital!

Lisa and I are doing well...adjusting to all of the changes in our home.  Life gets so busy that time just flies by.  We had the privilege of having my cousin Brooks live with us for a good part of the year before he married the beautiful love of his life Whitney.  To watch the Lord transform their lives and bring them together in holy matrimony was a great experience.  We loved having Brooks live with us...he's always been the brother I never had!  Delaney loved having him here and was quite sad when he moved out after he got married.  In fact our room over the garage where he lived...is still Brooksee's room!

I've had a year of health challenges that have kept me drained most days and losing almost 60 pounds without explanation.  So I joke and say that I have been poked and prodded by doctors from one end to the other...and that is no joke!  My gastroenteologist finally found that my gallbladder was not functioning after a HIDA-scan.  So next Wednesday, I am scheduled to have it removed!  So prayerfully this will be the solution!

So hopefully, I will be better in 2011 about updating my blog!