Well it's Friday so we have our usual houseful of kids. Since school was out for Christmas and New Years our house guests wanted to come early on Wednesday this week. For about the past two months on Wednesday nights and from Friday through Sunday we normally have five sometimes six kids who stay with us so we can take them to church. These are friends of Braedens and Chloe's, some that go to school with them and others that they know through playing city league sports. It's become almost natural to fix 8 plates or line everyone up at McDonald's to take a mental note of what everyone wants (and order in the most cost effective way). :) It's remarkable to see each child find their seat then sit and patiently wait on everyone else to be seated so that we can all pray together before we eat. Some of these kids have been friends with Braeden and Chloe for about 6 years so they are accustom to how we do things here. Others have only just started coming over in the past couple months but have adapted almost right a way. There are always yes and no ma'ams and sirs all the way around along with please and thank yous.
I do think Chad and I have a different way of parenting than most people and I believe this is also why kids are so comfortable around us. With Braeden and Chloe of course we got our bluff in early, yes we believe in spanking our kids, but I can't remember when the last time we actually had to was. I'm almost positive it's been years for the both of them. We treat them and their opinions with respect....as long as they do the same toward us. Don't get me wrong when I say that, it doesn't mean they get their way all the time. It simply means that we listen to them and take their opinions and feelings into consideration. If we don't agree we calmly explain to them why and usually they end up understanding and seeing things our way. Sometimes we do allow them to make certain decisions on their own that they feel strongly about when we know that it is destine for failure, but only if we know they are going to learn an important life lesson through it. Afterwards, we can step in with a hug and gently explain why we opposed the situation in the first place.
For example, Braeden wanted so badly to have a "girlfriend". All through 5th grade he would come home saying how "everyone" had a boyfriend or girlfriend and that he was the only who didn't so he felt left out and not liked. We explained how it didn't mean he wasn't liked by any girls, maybe they were just too shy to let him know. Also, that school work was much more important than having a girlfriend and that he should try even harder to succeed in class, 5th grade ended up being such a rewarding school year for him. After school was out he begged us again to let him have a girlfriend. Since it was during the summer we allowed him to have a "girlfriend" that he could talk on the phone to and go certain places along with our family. We knew it wasn't something that would last so as the summer grew to an end so did their relationship and we prepared to comfort his breaking heart. Sure enough within the first week of the new school year, his girlfriend became distant.... and interested in another boy. Although we hated to see him so down, it was an eye opener for him and he realized that he wasn't ready to have a girlfriend and that he needed to focus of God and school. So many of our friends talk a good talk about how they don't "allow" their kids to have a boyfriend or girlfriend, when in fact these are the kids that are hugged up tight with someone of the opposite sex when I pull up to the school to pick up Braeden and Chloe. These are usually the parents who are so willing to declare, "how dare we allow our children to do the things we let them do," go figure.
Tonight we decided to take Braeden, Glenn, Chloe & Kile bowling. One of Chad's high school seniors from his youth group works at the local bowling alley and is always asking us to come sit and keep him company on his not so busy days. This was the perfect opportunity. As we sat there, Chad and Mikey were in a serious conversation about a friend of his from school, the four others were having a blast bowling together when all of their laughter seemed to lift my heart from the depths of me. I had been so discouraged lately because the adoption plans we had made for 2012 are having to be put on hold. It seemed like we had the perfect plan financially and time wise until the situation with Chad's job came up. After all the research in to local and international adoption, we had felt like God was definitely leading us to adopt outside of the United States especially after the missionary from Haiti came to speak at our church. Haitian adoption is extremely time consuming taking 18 to 24 months after you finish your paperwork and home study. Then we came across information about adopting from the Democratic Republic of Congo, everything seemed to be working out so perfectly. I believe with all my heart this is still the route God wants us to go just maybe not as soon as we had hoped. As soon as we can though we hope and pray we'll be able to add one possibly two children to our family.
For now, I'm content with the extras that God has placed in our home, even if is only for a few days at a time. In my heart I do know that it's for the best the we do wait on the adoption since Chad and I are already having to take separate vehicles to the same place in order to get all the kids there in their own seat belts, lol. I've realized that while I was trying to make a big impact and change some children's lives that are half way around the world that God has been working through Chad and I, changing the hearts and lives of these right here. I have seen such a change in their attitudes and their hearts as well. They share things with Chad and I and seem to count on us for advice. When they succeed at certain things they are quick to let us known their triumphs as soon as they get in to our car so that we can congratulate them. We have both witnessed God molding these kids into young but adamant,eager to learn and change the world themselves Christians. Sometimes at the end of the day we may not have anything left to give these kids physically but I rejoice now knowing that God just keeps refilling us spiritually so that we can keeping pouring it out on them. Thank you Lord for letting me see you using us so that hopefully you can touch others through these children that we love so much, it makes my heart smile :)
Friday, December 30, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Humbly Blessed
This holiday season has been difficult for our family but it wasn't anything God couldn't handle. On a Sunday afternoon near the end of October Chad received a call that flipped our emotions upside down. A friend of Chad's that he's known through participating in golf tournaments called and in the course of casual conversation let Chad know that Chad's company was starting the hiring process of several people that he knew. As the chat went on they both realized that the people being hired were going to be employed to replace Chad and his employees. We were all heart broken that this was happening so close to Thanksgiving and Christmas...especially since we hadn't begun any Christmas shopping for the kids what so ever. Of course then you have the bigger picture, where Christmas presents really don't matter or hold any sort of importance when we may not have a way to even pay bills or buy groceries.
Shortly after the information came in, it was confirmed when the new people showed up at the office to fill out their new hire paperwork and take their drug screens. I was very proud of the way Chad handled himself while taking care of business as usual. He showed them around the office, shop and yard and was very respectful to them despite knowing the fact that they were there to take his job. I was devastated no doubt and spent several nights on the phone with my mom discussing my fears. She would continuously let me know she was praying for Chad and that she was sure everything would be fine. Being a child of God, I absolutely knew we would eventually be fine but what about right now? What about next week? I know Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. I've always said there has to be rain before you can see a rainbow. But, ughhh why rain now, now when we seemed to be in the midst of what we thought was God's will for our family? That week I received a text from our pastor and an email from Chad's childhood youth pastor and both were the exact same scripture, Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him And He shall direct your paths. Although this verse was so appreciated, for some reason it didn't speak to me at the time. That night after we tucked the kids into bed I told Chad about the verse and what a coincidence it was that Bro. John and Bro. Mark would both send the same verse within hours to us. I pulled up the Bible on my my phone and scrolled down to the verse to read it to Chad. For some reason I continued to read on. One verse after another until it finally hit me....the verse I was actually meant to read by them sending the one they had. Then all the sudden a wave of guilt washed over me like never before. Chad just wrapped his arms around me as I cried uncontrollably. There it was, in black and white, the problem...and the solution. Chad and I discussed my feelings and he agreed whole heartily where we had gone wrong. Since this is an extremely personal conviction, I'd rather not share it. However, I will share these verses that also stood out Proverbs 3:11-12 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline, and do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son He delights in. Thank you Lord for Your Word...who says life doesn't come with an instruction book, lol?
Friday afternoon of that same week Chad called me just before I left to pick up the kids from school to let me know that he had talked to his boss in the corporate office and that their company was being bought out and so all hiring was being put on hold until after the holidays. Hallelujah for the peace of mind that God sent us through a simple phone call! The next week Chad received three phone calls from companies that had heard about the plans of his company planning to let him go and they were all interested in possibly hiring him. Thank you Lord for giving us hope. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Tomorrow, December 28, Chad is supposed to call one of the potential employers back to find out if they will in fact have the funds in their budget to hire Chad. God already knows the answer so we're ok waiting another 24 hours to hear His plan for our family.
God has seen us through trial after trial since hearing this news of Chad's job. Chloe's had to have another surgery on her stomach and my sweet Grandma, the one who I remember most teaching me about Jesus, passed away a little over a week ago. Through this season we have been stretched beyond our financial capabilities. Our church has been collecting food for three Christmas dinners for families in need for a couple months now and last Sunday one of the Christmas dinners was given to our family, it brings tears to my eyes to say that....our family. Somehow, some way God had laid it on some one's heart that our family could use it. I won't go into specifics but it was definitely needed. We are so very grateful to God for moving in people's hearts to help us. Since then Chad's next semester of seminary has been paid for along with another family helping provide us with a gift card for additional groceries. I admit I am ashamed of being financially burdened right now, because through it all, even without the help we have received, we were blessed. Now we are blessed beyond words. I am excited for 2012 to get under way because I know that God has big plans for us. Through Him we are going to prosper and be able to give back in a mighty way to all of those who have helped us through this time and others that may be going through a similar situation. Through it all He has provided financially and spiritually.
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.~Philippians 4:19
Shortly after the information came in, it was confirmed when the new people showed up at the office to fill out their new hire paperwork and take their drug screens. I was very proud of the way Chad handled himself while taking care of business as usual. He showed them around the office, shop and yard and was very respectful to them despite knowing the fact that they were there to take his job. I was devastated no doubt and spent several nights on the phone with my mom discussing my fears. She would continuously let me know she was praying for Chad and that she was sure everything would be fine. Being a child of God, I absolutely knew we would eventually be fine but what about right now? What about next week? I know Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. I've always said there has to be rain before you can see a rainbow. But, ughhh why rain now, now when we seemed to be in the midst of what we thought was God's will for our family? That week I received a text from our pastor and an email from Chad's childhood youth pastor and both were the exact same scripture, Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him And He shall direct your paths. Although this verse was so appreciated, for some reason it didn't speak to me at the time. That night after we tucked the kids into bed I told Chad about the verse and what a coincidence it was that Bro. John and Bro. Mark would both send the same verse within hours to us. I pulled up the Bible on my my phone and scrolled down to the verse to read it to Chad. For some reason I continued to read on. One verse after another until it finally hit me....the verse I was actually meant to read by them sending the one they had. Then all the sudden a wave of guilt washed over me like never before. Chad just wrapped his arms around me as I cried uncontrollably. There it was, in black and white, the problem...and the solution. Chad and I discussed my feelings and he agreed whole heartily where we had gone wrong. Since this is an extremely personal conviction, I'd rather not share it. However, I will share these verses that also stood out Proverbs 3:11-12 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline, and do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son He delights in. Thank you Lord for Your Word...who says life doesn't come with an instruction book, lol?
Friday afternoon of that same week Chad called me just before I left to pick up the kids from school to let me know that he had talked to his boss in the corporate office and that their company was being bought out and so all hiring was being put on hold until after the holidays. Hallelujah for the peace of mind that God sent us through a simple phone call! The next week Chad received three phone calls from companies that had heard about the plans of his company planning to let him go and they were all interested in possibly hiring him. Thank you Lord for giving us hope. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Tomorrow, December 28, Chad is supposed to call one of the potential employers back to find out if they will in fact have the funds in their budget to hire Chad. God already knows the answer so we're ok waiting another 24 hours to hear His plan for our family.
God has seen us through trial after trial since hearing this news of Chad's job. Chloe's had to have another surgery on her stomach and my sweet Grandma, the one who I remember most teaching me about Jesus, passed away a little over a week ago. Through this season we have been stretched beyond our financial capabilities. Our church has been collecting food for three Christmas dinners for families in need for a couple months now and last Sunday one of the Christmas dinners was given to our family, it brings tears to my eyes to say that....our family. Somehow, some way God had laid it on some one's heart that our family could use it. I won't go into specifics but it was definitely needed. We are so very grateful to God for moving in people's hearts to help us. Since then Chad's next semester of seminary has been paid for along with another family helping provide us with a gift card for additional groceries. I admit I am ashamed of being financially burdened right now, because through it all, even without the help we have received, we were blessed. Now we are blessed beyond words. I am excited for 2012 to get under way because I know that God has big plans for us. Through Him we are going to prosper and be able to give back in a mighty way to all of those who have helped us through this time and others that may be going through a similar situation. Through it all He has provided financially and spiritually.
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.~Philippians 4:19
Monday, November 7, 2011
Sweet Encouragement
When the world seemed to be crashing in on us today and one thing after another went wrong...God spoke to me 10 different times, once I realized it, I went back through my day and took a picture of each time and put them all together so I'll be able to hear His words again in the days ahead of us.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
When you feel down....watch a 2 year old ;)
This week has been full of one trial after another. I can tell things are really getting to me when I find myself laying in bed at night over thinking every situation...."is this the Holy Spirit convicting me or is it the devil butting in to discourage me?" BLAH! I hate getting caught up in that conversation with myself, lol. Either way, I find more errors in my ways and start praying more diligently for God to let me see my faults clearer instead of being appalled by other's wrong doings. Praying also for Him to give me the wisdom to correct my own thoughts before they turn into actions and actually hurt someone else or blemish my own character in someone elses eyes. I know it's wrong for me to care what others think of me but it's an issue I'm working on since my heart yearns to please everyone... instead of just God. Here lately I've probably upset a few people by trying to take on different projects, and do them my way.
As much as I'm driven to help out here, there an everywhere, I'm starting to feel like instead of having my hand in a little bit of everything...maybe, just maybe, I should just have both of my hands up in the air cheering others on. Let's face it everyone needs a cheerleader or a support system in their lives or even just a quiet pat on the back once and a while. This is something I can definitely do and not be embarrassed by having to be right out in front of everyone.....it's right up my alley! Nothing embarrases me more than to have to speak or have my name said aloud for even a small group of people to hear. Quite frankly when someone does, I want to crawl into hole and hide. A few weeks ago I left from helping my husband teach his youth Sunday school class to take more of a back seat role in a ladies class. Let me tell ya it's been more of a blessing than I could've expected. I get to sit back and just listen...and learn from women who are much more mature in their Christian walk than I am. I feel so thankful that God used my insecurity to lead me to this group of ladies.
As one problem after another presented itself this week I felt myself feeling sicker to my stomach each day. I'm not necessarily a worrier but when things go wrong naturally I have a hard time going on as if nothing was wrong. My mind drifted to think of each of the ladies in my Sunday school class and also their prayer requests for the trials they're currently dealing with. It's awesome to see the diverse ways that each of us cope throughout our individual struggles. Normally by Thursday after having such an crazy week I would be ready to completely shut down and hide out with Chad and the kids for a few days at home inorder to block out the rest of the world. But....last Sunday I was asked if I could watch my 2 year old nephew each day this week while his mom was working. Ofcourse I jumped at the opportunity! Everytime I started feeling down, discouraged and even upset in the tiniest bit he would do or say the most precious thing possible. No matter what the devil tried to throw at me this week God sent me blessing after blessing not to mention smiles through a 2 year old. Now that it's Thursday I've lost count of all the "Wow God" moments I've had this week, how awesome is that?! You know we all those weeks when nothing goes right but isn't it great to know that God can make it all better with the simplest thing if we are willing to see past ourselves?
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26
As much as I'm driven to help out here, there an everywhere, I'm starting to feel like instead of having my hand in a little bit of everything...maybe, just maybe, I should just have both of my hands up in the air cheering others on. Let's face it everyone needs a cheerleader or a support system in their lives or even just a quiet pat on the back once and a while. This is something I can definitely do and not be embarrassed by having to be right out in front of everyone.....it's right up my alley! Nothing embarrases me more than to have to speak or have my name said aloud for even a small group of people to hear. Quite frankly when someone does, I want to crawl into hole and hide. A few weeks ago I left from helping my husband teach his youth Sunday school class to take more of a back seat role in a ladies class. Let me tell ya it's been more of a blessing than I could've expected. I get to sit back and just listen...and learn from women who are much more mature in their Christian walk than I am. I feel so thankful that God used my insecurity to lead me to this group of ladies.
As one problem after another presented itself this week I felt myself feeling sicker to my stomach each day. I'm not necessarily a worrier but when things go wrong naturally I have a hard time going on as if nothing was wrong. My mind drifted to think of each of the ladies in my Sunday school class and also their prayer requests for the trials they're currently dealing with. It's awesome to see the diverse ways that each of us cope throughout our individual struggles. Normally by Thursday after having such an crazy week I would be ready to completely shut down and hide out with Chad and the kids for a few days at home inorder to block out the rest of the world. But....last Sunday I was asked if I could watch my 2 year old nephew each day this week while his mom was working. Ofcourse I jumped at the opportunity! Everytime I started feeling down, discouraged and even upset in the tiniest bit he would do or say the most precious thing possible. No matter what the devil tried to throw at me this week God sent me blessing after blessing not to mention smiles through a 2 year old. Now that it's Thursday I've lost count of all the "Wow God" moments I've had this week, how awesome is that?! You know we all those weeks when nothing goes right but isn't it great to know that God can make it all better with the simplest thing if we are willing to see past ourselves?
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Bittersweet
I'm convinced it all began long before Braeden was even born, his love for Christ that is. I feel like I never stopped praying the entire time I was pregnant with him. After losing our first baby at the end of my first trimester I was scared to the core of losing another child.... especially when I was having all the same symptoms I had in the first pregnancy. Finally his due date came... and then went. The next Thursday my Doctor agreed that they should induce. So that night Chad and I went to the hospital relieved that our baby boy would finally be in our arms by the next day. Ha! That's just what we thought. Even with the pitocin the contractions were not enough to put me into labor. Friday and Saturday went by dreadfully slow, as did Sunday morning. Sometime after lunch I was napping when I woke to find our pastor, Brother Buddy there. He had heard about me being in the hospital and wanted to come to offer his support and best of all, his prayers. Before he left everyone gathered around me as we all bowed our heads as he prayed for God to please protect Braeden and I during my delivery and for God to please allow me to have Braeden soon. Within 30 minutes after he left I could tell it was time. Finally. Braeden Hunter came in to this world at a healthy 7 pounds 7 ounces which was big for me seeing how I only weighed 85 pounds myself when I got pregnant with him. We were even able to go home the very next day. I was thrilled that Braeden was finally here especially because the next Sunday was Easter and this meant I was going to get to go shopping for my baby's first Easter outfit for church!
So, since he was a whole 7 days old he has been listening to The Word of God. Of course being my first child, I wasn't willing to leave him in the nursery during church...months and even years down the road. Braeden would sit and listen intently even as he colored in the notebook we brought for him each week. When Braeden was about 2 years old he had nearly filled another notebook so Chad and I started thumbing through it adoring the sweet pictures he was drawing when we came across several stick figures with sad faces clearly drawn on crosses with details such as fingers and red crayon colored on the hands and feet of each. Chad asked Braeden who the pictures were of and without any hesitation and said,"it's Jesus Daddy." We were amazed by detail a toddler had put in to these drawings and quite frankly it absolutely melted our hearts that our baby already knew the existence of Jesus.
Time and time again people would stop us and tell us how special of a little boy Braeden was and of course each time Brother Buddy would be around he would always say "well there's my boy! He's gonna be a preacher one day I tell ya!" At a Sunday evening service in October of 2004 during the invitation Braeden looked up at us and said I need to go up there because I want Jesus in my heart. So we went. Braeden confidently walked up to Brother Buddy and told him that he wanted to ask Jesus into his heart. He asked Chad how old Braeden was now and Chad let him know that he had turned 4 in April. He was hesitant and responded that it was very rare that a child so young would grasp the concept of God's saving grace. He asked if we would be comfortable with waiting a bit to feel Braeden out before moving any further with him that night and we agreed it was fine. The next week we were at some friends of ours house who also had a 4 year old son. Chad and his friend were outside in the back yard practicing shooting their bows at a target when we over heard the little boy telling Braeden how he was feeling sad about having to go back and forth between his mom and step dad's house and his dad's house. Chad and I both froze when we heard Braeden as he explained that he should just pray to Jesus to make everything better for him then if he asked Jesus into his heart he would always have Jesus to talk to and help him because he died on the cross for them. At the tender age of 4 years old Braeden was spreading the love of Jesus! The next Sunday we practically ran up the aisle once the invitation began to tell Brother Buddy about how Braeden was witnessing to his friends. Brother Buddy told us without a doubt he was indeed ready to pray and ask Jesus to come into his enormous little heart. Braeden was baptized during the evening service on Sunday, November 14, 2004.
Still to this day we have people we know and even more often, perfect strangers come up to Chad or I and tell us that there is something "different" about Braeden. A lady probably in her fifties sought me out after a funeral we had attended because she said she had been drawn to Braeden. She told me that God wanted her to tell me that he had bigger plans for Braeden than I could ever imagine for my child and that one day he would lead many people to the Lord. I instantly felt a chill run through my body and tears started building in my eyes. I explained that something like that would not surprise me one bit and thanked her for being brave enough to approach me, as a stranger to tell me what she had. She gave me a hug before she turned to go outside and we didn't see her again. During the ride home I cried as I told Chad and Braeden about the things the lady said to me. Braeden just smiled, laughed a little and said,"man, I guess I'm not gonna play football in the NFL then."
In 2009, which was Braeden's 4th grade year he struggled daily with math so I called up to the high school and asked if they could recommend someone to tutor Braeden. The next day I received a call from the high school's office letting me know they had a student willing to work with him. We set up a time to meet at the library following Tuesday. The first day Braeden walked into the high school library and Courtney was sitting there you could his face blush instantly. Here was this gorgeous high school cheerleader with long blonde hair and she was going to be helping him two times a weeks with his math. I usually stayed in the library at a different table reading or helping Chloe with her homework while Courtney was helping Braeden. Over time you see Braeden getting more comfortable with her and a friendship in the making. Courtney was and still is a God's girl and you can see it all over her and in everything she does. She was definitely Heaven sent, an amazing example for Braeden of a teenager who didn't let the normal high school temptations corrupt her beliefs. The year after Courtney graduated she text Braeden and let him know that she would be coming home at the beginning of the summer to hold a car wash to earn money for a mission trip she would be going on in the Panama Jungle. Braeden started texting everyone he knew letting them know about the car wash then asked if we had plans for that Saturday because he wanted to go help Courtney wash cars. On Saturday morning he was up and at'em ready to go help. We dropped him off about 9 a.m. and let him and Courtney know we'd be back around 1 to get him. Chad and I had some errands to run in town that day so we drove by the car wash a couple times and seen Braeden busy, washing cars with a huge smile on his face. Can you imagine what a smile it brings to a parent's heart to see their pre-teen joyfully working for God? When we picked Braeden up that afternoon he talked non stop about everything Courtney would be doing and how he couldn't wait to be an adult so that he could go on mission trips also.
Several times this year either at church or just visiting with friends, mission work has been brought up and every time you can see Braeden's face light up. Saturday, October 1 was no different. We were at the youth rally held on the first Saturday of each month when a girl from one of the other churches let everyone know that she would be going on a mission trip to Romania next year. We no sooner got in the car that night to come home when Braeden asked how she was going on a mission trip and she wasn't much older than he was. We weren't quite sure so we suggested if he wanted to find out that we felt sure Courtney would be able to help him. He text her right away and she let him know that she was working for Global Expeditions, and that's what they do, set up mission trips all over the world. She wasn't sure about Braeden's age so she told him she would let him know as soon as she could. The next morning at church Braeden was quieter than usual, you could tell there was something on his mind. During the time of invitation at the end of the church service Braeden made his way past his Dad and I with tears in his eyes up to the alter where he knelt in prayer. Chad, myself, Chloe and several other members of his youth group came to kneel and pray with him that morning. It was obvious something was happening in my baby's heart. When he stood to go back to his seat there were no words spoken between any of us...just hugs. As soon as we were in the car he asked Chad to please hand him his cell phone so he could text Courtney. By the time we were back at the church for Sunday afternoon Bible study, Braeden was an entirely different child with a huge smile on his face racing from person to person telling them that he had made the decision to go on a mission trip with his friend Courtney to the Panama Jungle during the next summer. I'm sure he either called or text every single contact in his phone that evening so he could tell them "good news" as he called it, that he was going to be a missionary.
As soon as Braeden jumped in the car on Monday after school he was texting Courtney again to find out what all he needed to do to get everything started. We waited to hear back about the age exception application and a little over a week and a half went by when we found out that they would allow Braeden to go even though he was so young. On Tuesday night while Chad was in class and Chloe was busy reading, Braeden and I sat down once again to finish and submit his final application for the trip. Finally it was done and we figured it would take a few days to hear any news back. When Chad got home that night he said that while he was in class someone from Global Expeditions had called and left a message on his phone saying they needed to speak to Braeden. With it being almost 10 at night we thought it was best that he just wait until after school the next day to return the call. Braeden anxiously called when he came home from school this afternoon. You could tell he was nervous with his quiet voice shaking as he talked to the representative. They asked to speak to me to verify Braeden had his parent's permission to go on the trip so I confirmed and they politely asked to speak again to Braeden. By the end of the conversation it was all complete and his application was confirmed, Braeden, my 11 year blessing from God, would be going on a mission trip in the Panama Jungle for the entire month of June and part of July in 2012.....wow!
Just today, I was nauseated as I seen the picture of the Christians burned in Nigeria. Am I scared for Braeden?...yes. Am I worried?...no, I have faith beyond faith that God will have Braeden and the others going with him in His hands protecting them. Now when the time comes for him to leave it'll be such a bittersweet moment. So proud to see the man he is becoming but sad that it's come so early and will be taking him away from me for a month. Just as much as I know God will take care of Braeden during that time, I know he will also take care of me.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.~Matthew 5:16
So, since he was a whole 7 days old he has been listening to The Word of God. Of course being my first child, I wasn't willing to leave him in the nursery during church...months and even years down the road. Braeden would sit and listen intently even as he colored in the notebook we brought for him each week. When Braeden was about 2 years old he had nearly filled another notebook so Chad and I started thumbing through it adoring the sweet pictures he was drawing when we came across several stick figures with sad faces clearly drawn on crosses with details such as fingers and red crayon colored on the hands and feet of each. Chad asked Braeden who the pictures were of and without any hesitation and said,"it's Jesus Daddy." We were amazed by detail a toddler had put in to these drawings and quite frankly it absolutely melted our hearts that our baby already knew the existence of Jesus.
Time and time again people would stop us and tell us how special of a little boy Braeden was and of course each time Brother Buddy would be around he would always say "well there's my boy! He's gonna be a preacher one day I tell ya!" At a Sunday evening service in October of 2004 during the invitation Braeden looked up at us and said I need to go up there because I want Jesus in my heart. So we went. Braeden confidently walked up to Brother Buddy and told him that he wanted to ask Jesus into his heart. He asked Chad how old Braeden was now and Chad let him know that he had turned 4 in April. He was hesitant and responded that it was very rare that a child so young would grasp the concept of God's saving grace. He asked if we would be comfortable with waiting a bit to feel Braeden out before moving any further with him that night and we agreed it was fine. The next week we were at some friends of ours house who also had a 4 year old son. Chad and his friend were outside in the back yard practicing shooting their bows at a target when we over heard the little boy telling Braeden how he was feeling sad about having to go back and forth between his mom and step dad's house and his dad's house. Chad and I both froze when we heard Braeden as he explained that he should just pray to Jesus to make everything better for him then if he asked Jesus into his heart he would always have Jesus to talk to and help him because he died on the cross for them. At the tender age of 4 years old Braeden was spreading the love of Jesus! The next Sunday we practically ran up the aisle once the invitation began to tell Brother Buddy about how Braeden was witnessing to his friends. Brother Buddy told us without a doubt he was indeed ready to pray and ask Jesus to come into his enormous little heart. Braeden was baptized during the evening service on Sunday, November 14, 2004.
Still to this day we have people we know and even more often, perfect strangers come up to Chad or I and tell us that there is something "different" about Braeden. A lady probably in her fifties sought me out after a funeral we had attended because she said she had been drawn to Braeden. She told me that God wanted her to tell me that he had bigger plans for Braeden than I could ever imagine for my child and that one day he would lead many people to the Lord. I instantly felt a chill run through my body and tears started building in my eyes. I explained that something like that would not surprise me one bit and thanked her for being brave enough to approach me, as a stranger to tell me what she had. She gave me a hug before she turned to go outside and we didn't see her again. During the ride home I cried as I told Chad and Braeden about the things the lady said to me. Braeden just smiled, laughed a little and said,"man, I guess I'm not gonna play football in the NFL then."
In 2009, which was Braeden's 4th grade year he struggled daily with math so I called up to the high school and asked if they could recommend someone to tutor Braeden. The next day I received a call from the high school's office letting me know they had a student willing to work with him. We set up a time to meet at the library following Tuesday. The first day Braeden walked into the high school library and Courtney was sitting there you could his face blush instantly. Here was this gorgeous high school cheerleader with long blonde hair and she was going to be helping him two times a weeks with his math. I usually stayed in the library at a different table reading or helping Chloe with her homework while Courtney was helping Braeden. Over time you see Braeden getting more comfortable with her and a friendship in the making. Courtney was and still is a God's girl and you can see it all over her and in everything she does. She was definitely Heaven sent, an amazing example for Braeden of a teenager who didn't let the normal high school temptations corrupt her beliefs. The year after Courtney graduated she text Braeden and let him know that she would be coming home at the beginning of the summer to hold a car wash to earn money for a mission trip she would be going on in the Panama Jungle. Braeden started texting everyone he knew letting them know about the car wash then asked if we had plans for that Saturday because he wanted to go help Courtney wash cars. On Saturday morning he was up and at'em ready to go help. We dropped him off about 9 a.m. and let him and Courtney know we'd be back around 1 to get him. Chad and I had some errands to run in town that day so we drove by the car wash a couple times and seen Braeden busy, washing cars with a huge smile on his face. Can you imagine what a smile it brings to a parent's heart to see their pre-teen joyfully working for God? When we picked Braeden up that afternoon he talked non stop about everything Courtney would be doing and how he couldn't wait to be an adult so that he could go on mission trips also.
Several times this year either at church or just visiting with friends, mission work has been brought up and every time you can see Braeden's face light up. Saturday, October 1 was no different. We were at the youth rally held on the first Saturday of each month when a girl from one of the other churches let everyone know that she would be going on a mission trip to Romania next year. We no sooner got in the car that night to come home when Braeden asked how she was going on a mission trip and she wasn't much older than he was. We weren't quite sure so we suggested if he wanted to find out that we felt sure Courtney would be able to help him. He text her right away and she let him know that she was working for Global Expeditions, and that's what they do, set up mission trips all over the world. She wasn't sure about Braeden's age so she told him she would let him know as soon as she could. The next morning at church Braeden was quieter than usual, you could tell there was something on his mind. During the time of invitation at the end of the church service Braeden made his way past his Dad and I with tears in his eyes up to the alter where he knelt in prayer. Chad, myself, Chloe and several other members of his youth group came to kneel and pray with him that morning. It was obvious something was happening in my baby's heart. When he stood to go back to his seat there were no words spoken between any of us...just hugs. As soon as we were in the car he asked Chad to please hand him his cell phone so he could text Courtney. By the time we were back at the church for Sunday afternoon Bible study, Braeden was an entirely different child with a huge smile on his face racing from person to person telling them that he had made the decision to go on a mission trip with his friend Courtney to the Panama Jungle during the next summer. I'm sure he either called or text every single contact in his phone that evening so he could tell them "good news" as he called it, that he was going to be a missionary.
As soon as Braeden jumped in the car on Monday after school he was texting Courtney again to find out what all he needed to do to get everything started. We waited to hear back about the age exception application and a little over a week and a half went by when we found out that they would allow Braeden to go even though he was so young. On Tuesday night while Chad was in class and Chloe was busy reading, Braeden and I sat down once again to finish and submit his final application for the trip. Finally it was done and we figured it would take a few days to hear any news back. When Chad got home that night he said that while he was in class someone from Global Expeditions had called and left a message on his phone saying they needed to speak to Braeden. With it being almost 10 at night we thought it was best that he just wait until after school the next day to return the call. Braeden anxiously called when he came home from school this afternoon. You could tell he was nervous with his quiet voice shaking as he talked to the representative. They asked to speak to me to verify Braeden had his parent's permission to go on the trip so I confirmed and they politely asked to speak again to Braeden. By the end of the conversation it was all complete and his application was confirmed, Braeden, my 11 year blessing from God, would be going on a mission trip in the Panama Jungle for the entire month of June and part of July in 2012.....wow!
Just today, I was nauseated as I seen the picture of the Christians burned in Nigeria. Am I scared for Braeden?...yes. Am I worried?...no, I have faith beyond faith that God will have Braeden and the others going with him in His hands protecting them. Now when the time comes for him to leave it'll be such a bittersweet moment. So proud to see the man he is becoming but sad that it's come so early and will be taking him away from me for a month. Just as much as I know God will take care of Braeden during that time, I know he will also take care of me.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.~Matthew 5:16
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Getting caught up
Since deciding to begin with a couple older blogs that I had wrote, I should probably update a little since the first blog I had posted was in February of 2010 when Chad was so sick. That was such a miserable time for us not knowing what was wrong with him and why he couldn't walk or even sit up on his own. He was in constant pain from being flat on his back for months and of course sick from all the nausea. After seeing several neurologists, ENT's and internal specialists and having test after test ran on Chad we finally were blessed with a diagnosis that Chad has Meniere's Disease. This can be a debilitating disease, and it in fact was for Chad for 3 months. It is a disease that attacks your inner ear so of course your balance and equilibrium are affected. By the time Chad was diagnosed, some major damage had been done to his hearing. He was barely left with 5% of hearing in his right ear. We were told at the time that even with a hearing aid he would never be able to hear out of that ear again. After learning about things that trigger Meniere's attacks, including sodium, caffeine, stress & allergies we had a lot of changing to do in our diet and lifestyle to get Chad back to being healthy again. Before the disease hit him he was a healthy 200 pounds and by the time of diagnosis in late March of 2010 he weighed only 160 pounds. They also put him on medication to help flush the sodium from his system which he is still on today to help prevent another severe attack from happening. Right before Chad got sick he had taken a new position in his company where he would have to go out to oilfield locations to do jobs. This of course took him away from our family. He would leave the house about 4am and come home most nights after 8pm. We justified it by the large raise he was getting by taking this job. While Chad struggled emotionally with being stuck in bed day after day for months not being able to work to provide for our family, I could see him struggling spiritually as well. Of course the kids were confused and upset because their Daddy wasn't able to do anything at all, so one night we all sat down and read the book of Job. It helped us all to not feel so bad or even forgotten about. From then on, we praised God for allowing Chad to have had the good paying job that he had the month before he had gotten sick because that alone carried us through those 3 months financially. We also praised Him for allowing me to be home to take care of Chad. One day while the kids were at school and I had gotten Chad comfortable on the couch in the living room, I was doing my normal daily cleaning around the house and Chad asked if I would come sit and talk with him for a little bit. He began to cry while telling me about how he felt he had forced himself into the new job and all the while he had felt the Holy Spirit telling him it wasn't such a great idea for him to be away from his family. He told me he felt like God was urging him to be more involved in our new church, something more than the pre-school Sunday school teacher he had been in the early years of our marriage. I told him he should definitely let our Pastor know his feelings and pray about it. Ironically, Brother John, text me one afternoon a few days later asking if there was any possible way I could get Chad to church the next Sunday afternoon because they were wanting to have him there while they lifted him up in prayer. On Sunday when church was over I gathered up the kids from running around the church yard with their friends as usual. We picked up something for lunch then went home to start getting Chad dressed and ready to go up to the church. There was a small group of people there that afternoon to pray for Chad. I know it had to have touched his heart just as much as it did mine to have others praying for not only a diagnosis but also healing for him. Once people were filing out heading home for the evening Chad was able to speak with Brother John about the pull he had been feeling on his heart. By the time we left late that afternoon, Chad had a sparkle in his eye and was moving just a tad faster than he had been, as he carried out the packet of Teen Sunday School material to the car. On the way home he explained that apparently the Pastor and his family had been praying for it to be placed on some one's heart to work with the youth and they felt that Chad was perfect for the Youth Pastor position. Chad felt the burden on his heart had been lifted and he once again not only had a purpose in life but also felt like he was one step closer to being back to doing things according to God's will instead of his own. A couple weeks went by and finally we received a call with Chad's diagnosis and treatment plan and within no time he was feeling much better. Chad still has quarterly checkups for his Meniere's Disease to see if it has progressed or staying about the the same. Earlier this year we were called in to the audiologists office to hear some amazing news about a new hearing aid that might possibly help Chad. We were quickly discouraged once we found out the price was nearly $4,000.00. The lady was more than helpful and gave us a brochure on the D.A.R.S. group (Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services) and explained we should contact them since Chad was still employed and that they may be able to fund the hearing aid for him. In June they approved Chad for the hearing aid at no cost and in September Chad received the hearing aid and 80% of his hearing back, Praise the Lord!
Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. ~Psalm 143:10
Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. ~Psalm 143:10
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