Being Thankful

Well the past 10 days have been very eventful...I began my Thanksgiving break by going down to New Braunfels to visit my sister as they just moved into their new house. I helped them decorate their tree for Christmas. I also went to the last home game of the Texas Longhorns with my parents. I drove to my parents house Monday while stopping to visit friends on the way. I got to see my precious friends Sarah, Kaitlyn, and Julie Anna. I am so grateful to have these women in my life to encourage, listen, and challenge me. 

Monday through Wednesday I ran around with my mom to get ready for all the family coming in Wednesday night. We went to work out, buy groceries, and prepare the house. Wednesday night both my sisters (JJ and Jamie) with their families arrived at the house. It was so fun to have everyone together again. We watched a movie and then settled down for the night. 

Thursday began like every other Thanksgiving...woke up, drank coffee, and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. After the parade we got ready for the big meal. We usually have about 40+ extended family members come in from out of town, but this year it was just my immediate family. Anyways, we all piled our plates full of food and sat around the table. Once we finished we relaxed on the couches while watching football. And within moments, the atmosphere changed as my Dad suddenly was having severe lower abdominal pain. He was sitting in his closet doubled over in agony. He could barely get a breath and soon my brother-in-law (the doctor) rushed him to the hospital. Living 20 minutes from the closest town can seem like an eternity. My dad was soon hooked up to an IV and given several doses of morphine to dull the pain. He passed out a few times and threw up. As that was happening it seems as though he may have slightly torn the area in his esophagus where he originally had surgery over a year ago. 

After being in Cleburne for an hour or so, the decision was made to transfer him to a better hospital located in Fort Worth. He was also placed in ICU for closer observation. Since then my family and I have made several trips to visit him. He is now pain free but having to rest so that his body can heal. 

Dad in ICU

Friday my mom spent the day at the hospital and the rest of the family back at the house went to a place on the ranch called the "blue hole". We weren't quite sure what to do in the midst of knowing my dad was in the hospital, but we did know that my Dad wanted us to go and have fun even though he wasn't there with us. 

The whole crew (minus Mom and Dad)

My brother and sisters (Tully, JJ, and Jamie)

The grandkids (minus Jesse)

Saturday my cousin got married on the ranch so we had all the festivities and then went to see my Dad later on at the hospital. 

Sunday around noon he was finally released from ICU and moved to the "floor" (to a normal room). He is still being observed but has not been able to eat since his Thanksgiving meal. Monday morning he is having tests run again to check the status of the tear. We are praying that his body will heal itself, if not he will most likely have to have surgery. We have been in this waiting game for days now and we are praying to know the next step to take. 

I am extremely thankful for each day that my Dad remains to be here with us. My mom, siblings, and I have remained to hold onto each other during this time and trust the Lord through it all. Thankful for God's strength that He graciously gives us each day!

Be Blessed,

Joy

Seasons Change

just as the leaves are falling, the air becomes cooler, and the seasons change...so does life. change comes when you don't really want it to. it grabs you and pushes you to move on when you aren't ready. you want to remain where you are. where you are comfortable. where you have settled and made some sort of establishment. change has to be welcomed - received - and desired. it's not done easily. it's accomplished by time. patience. and understanding. it takes a realization of seeing what is not. it's leaving behind what you once had and moving forward towards what is to be. transitioning from one to another begins with a step. a step into the unknown. a step into unstability once again. a step into a place that may be uncomfortable for awhile. change begins to take place when we receive it with joy. knowing this is for us and developing more of who we are. change takes place when we embrace the newness of where we are. the purposes. the joys. and the purpose for which we were called.

God calls us to live in obedience to Him. to follow the path of His steps. and this is not easy. it takes someone who is radically abandoning themselves to come under His leadership. under His authority. under His direction. under His Word. it happens when submission occurs. and a longing to serve and know Him is of the most importance. to bring glory to God for the ways He has redeemed you. made Himself known in you. and using you to fulfill His promises and purposes.

This is what has occurred in my life and the journey hasn't been easy. However, it's been one of obedience of following Christ. I am in the midst of change and I'm slowly seeing the reasons why. I have transitioned from one ministry to another - from one location to another - from one perspective to another. The Lord has moved me from FLMI to another ministry yet to be known; from my aunt's house to living with a widow; to recognizing and being aware of my present situation and living in it. I have come to understand the distinct places Jesus called His disciples to go... to begin in Jerusalem is necessary before moving out to Samaria or Judea or to other parts of the world (insert from previous blog: God has called us and sent us out to be witnesses....Jerusalem (locally : neighborhood, church, school), Judea (regionally : county, state), and Samaria (globally : crossing the boarder, unfamiliar places), and into the ends of the Earth.). It's a good place for me to be during this season of my life. I'm learning and acknowledging that change is good and full of growth.