Coleson's Next Step

                    Coleson is scheduled for surgery again. This is the second to last one for many years, hopefully! We will be heading to Akron Children's bright and early on Tuesday the 6th. Coleson will be having expanders put into his cheeks and neck. He will have 4 expanders all together. We will need to inflate these expanders once a week with saline solution from ports that are some where on his scalp. This will slowly expand the good skin that is around the grafted area of his cheeks. (just like a pregnant belly). We will need to do this once a week for 12-14 weeks, depending on the skin's elasticity. In March sometime we will have the expanders removed leaving floppy skin. The doc will remove the grafts and fit the new expanded skin so that Coleson will have a fine suture around his jaw line. Along with this surgery, the doc will be tacking Colesons left ear back up as it has pulled down from healing scar tissue.
                    I was excited to move forward with this surgery, but as the day draws closer, I find myself getting nervous. I keep reminding myself that the end result is what we look forward to. Yes, the next 3 months may be trying as Coleson's face will have obvious bumps. As little boys do, Kendall was razzing Coleson about getting a needle stuck in his arm. Coleson pipes up and said "Yes I know Kendall but then I will look like you again." Coleson is fully aware of everything thats going on and the pain he will have to endure. (He's a smart kid.) If you see Coleson out in public, talk to him, give him a hi-5! Pray for Coleson and us as a family as we won't be venturing out much this winter due to the expanders. Pray also that the end result would have Coleson looking like Kendall again. Thank you in advance! I know we serve an awesome God and that he heals, not just physically but emotionally as well!

Thankfulness

In this season of Thanksgiving, I am always reminded of those who are less fortunate than we are. Not only do the homeless come to mind often, but those who are struggling to put food on the table. My boys go to school with kids, where, the only well balanced meal they get is the lunch at school. Marv and I were discussing this last week after seeing a video clip at church called Depraved Indifference. Heartwrenching. Watch it here . It tugged on both our heartstrings, as I'm sure it did all who were watching. While we are still formulating a plan, we are constantly praying for those who don't have the basics to live. A few things I'm thankful for today: (not in any specific order)
- a loving God
- my family of 5
- a warm bed
- health
- food
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Slump

This morning in my quiet time I came across Psalms 40:1-3. 'I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and the mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.' I have been in a slump the past 2 weeks and haven't had any motivation to do more than just the normal, have-to-get-by things. But, this morning I woke up with the song 'How Great Thou Art' rolling through my head. I have been praying that I would have a new fervor for the everyday things and I can't wait to see what's in store for today!!!

Importance

I came across this quote this evening while scrapping: "Some things are very important, and some things are very UNimportant...to know the difference is what we are given life to find out." While that's not what life is ALL about, it plays a part. In my own life, I have found out that when I focus on the things that aren't important, I waste time and energy. I am a happier person when I focus on the things I feel are important.

Missions

This month we've been talking about missions at Grace. This time every year, I get this knot in my stomach that Dr. Murray talked about last Sunday. I would sell all my possessions and move to someplace I've never been, to tell people about Jesus who have never even heard He exists! However, it's not just my decision. I have a husband who loves helping people but when it comes down to leaving good ole' Holmes County, he can't/won't do it. I asked him today on the way home from church if he gets the same knot deep within the pit of his stomach and he said he doesn't. So as you can see, I'm torn. Torn between wanting to do what I feel the Holy Spirit is placing within me and being obedient to my better half. Having been to Costa Rica two times, and other various parts of the US, knowing how Christ uses a willing vessel and the blessings received by being available, is unbelievable! I just want to stick a for sale sign in the yard and head off into the wild blue yonder, taking comfort in the fact that He has it all planned out. Will you pray with me that something gives?

Getting my way

Anyone who knows me, knows that I carry a Type A personality. I am the oldest, I like to get my own way, I'm outspoken, I'm always right and I can be stubborn as a mule. Ask any one of my sister's they will vouch that all the above is true. However, in all reality, I never get my own way, my hubby knows when & where to draw the line. Do I dare admit, I happen to only be right about 50% of the time. While speaking with Coleson's surgeon yesterday, he didn't seem to think that I had the authority to tell him when I want Cole's surgery to be done. (He must have a Type A personality as well!) I was thinking I had this all planned out. If we have the expanders put in now, 3 months of inflation would put us to Christmas break for his plastic surgery and wah-lah all done, ready for the new year! NOT!!!! Doc happens to be booked out until December! Amy is so not getting her way! I had to take a deep breath and deal with it. I remember praying in the office "God you know all things and if this is what needs to happen then so be it!" I still tried to convince him that Christmas break would be great, but he wasn't buying. So we will leave everything up to the One who sees the big picture and whose timing is always perfect!

Oh the places you'll go....

Last night as I was reading to the twinnies, they brought me a book that I didn't even know we had. It's called 'Oh, the Places you'll go' by Dr. Seuss. I can't ever remember reading it before, even when I was younger. As I was reading it, some things stuck out to me like a throbbing thumb in cartoons. (go figure that a childs book would make me think deep, don't laugh!!!) The little boy was off on his journey, things were going well, until he hit a snag in his balloon and got in a slump. "And when you're in a Slump, you're not in for much fun. Un-slumping yourself is not easily done." Anyone whose been in a 'slump' knows that its not easy getting out, but perserverence & prayer are my way out. The little boy then keeps going on to 'The Waiting Place'. I don't like when I have to wait, I'm not a patient person. I know in those waiting times the Lord is teaching patience. I try to take a deep breath and smile. "On and on you will hike. And I know you'll hike far and face up to your problems whatever they are. Step with great care and great tact and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dextrous and deft. And never mix your right foot with your left. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent gauranteed.) So....be your name Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea, you're off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So...get on your way." I picture myself as this little boy going from place to place in my life. It's so awesome to see how the Lord has provided or not provided, answered prayer and not answered prayer.

What mountain are you waiting at the bottom of? Go ahead, grab God's hand. With him you can never fail!