Tuesday, August 11, 2009

What's the deal?

We are back from our cabin vacation and had a relaxing time. I enjoyed just being in the kitchen preparing food, visiting with friends, doing a little reading and playing with the kids. We've been running so much in the past month that I'd forgotten what it was like to do these simple things. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Thank you, Lord for a non-eventful few days.

Blaine, on the other hand became pickled in his steroids and didn't have the same fun I had. He did go fishing morning and night and caught enough for a fish fry for 20. But the massive dose of steroids he was on ended up not alleviating the symptom he had and it gave him all kinds of side effects-the unpleasant ones that are common to Prednisone. He spoke with the dr. yesterday who wants him to have another MRI tomorrow and go from there.

I know I have asked and asked for prayer so many times from all of you but I have to ask again. Please ask God to give us a break. We seem to keep getting hit with catastrophe after catastrophe. Then we have all the small and medium problems mixed in there as well that everyone experiences. So all put together it seems like we never get a break from all of it. It's definitely wearing us down and with Blaine in the physical and mental shape that he's in from the Prednisone, we really can't take any more.

So if you could pray that whatever solution the dr. comes up with based on his MRI results will be nothing but "leave it alone and let it heal in time." No more drugs, no more tests, no more worry.

We really don't know why all these things keep happening to us. Everyone has hard times in their lives for sure. Here's a list of our catastrophic events of the past 4 years.

-Blaine and his dad are along side a highway, looking at some property, are well off the road, getting back into their truck when a woman swatting at a bee in her car swerves from the inside lane, crosses the next lane, heads for the ditch, finally looks up, over corrects and hits them. Blaine's dad dies instantly, Blaine is critically injured, ends up at the best trauma hospital in our state, has 2 huge, long surgeries to repair multiple fractures in his face and femur. He is able to walk 4 months later.

(God used this event to change Blaine's heart toward adoption, showing him that life is short and precious and it's NOT all about us and our comfort and ease of life)

-Blake became very, very sick and we took him to Children's where after hours and several tests, they told us they thought he had cancer. This was a Monday, the same week we were scheduled to attend our pre-adoptive class at CHSFS, which took us 2 months to get into. We were to take him to our pediatrician every day for blood work. She also thought cancer. It took me a day and a half before I though, "No, this is not cancer...he is fine." You see, God had clearly spoken into our lives that we were to adopt from Ethiopia so this could NOT be." So we began to pray Ephesians 6 over him. I had everyone praying. I was certain this was the evil one trying to mess with God's plan for two orphans. I was right. We had an appt. with the pediatrician the morning of the pre-adoptive class. They drew blood and came back a few minutes later with a surprised look on the drs face. She said, "His levels have doubled. They are normal (almost). This looks like a virus that attacked both his white cells and red cells, very rare." Off we went to pre-adoptive class more certain God was on our side than ever before.

-We sense God is moving us once again toward adoption. I make some phone calls and get an application which I was going to fill out on Saturday. On Friday, our house catches on fire and burns down. Adoption on hold.

-We are living in temporary housing when we get a picture of a beautiful young girl. We pray about her and begin the process of adopting her. Blaine has plans on Monday after we get back from the cabin to get his physical that is required for the adoption but instead ends up Sunday at the hospital after driving 4 1/2 hours from the cabin with an unknown diagnosis but is paralyzed from the chest down and for the first couple days, it doesn't sound good. He makes a miraculous, truly miraculous recovery and that brings us to where we are today.

Someone was told of our story and told the person who was telling it, "You're lying. That can't be true. Those things can't all have happened to one family." It is mind boggling, we agree. We're starting to feel like we're wearing a big target on our backs.

There is a common thread in all of this...adoption. I see that. Are we doing something wrong? Are we doing something right? I'm starting to lose the picture.

If any of you has Godly wisdom, please lend us some insight. We want to follow God and obey His will, whatever it is and wherever it takes us. But are we outside of His will? Are we missing something? Or are we just building a fantastic testimony that will reach and bless many people? There must be a reason.

Thanks in advance for your prayers and insight.

Blessings,
Laura

5 comments:

  1. Well since you asked! It seems to me that you are learning perseverance, and perhaps you'll need that. It seems to me that you are learning how to pray for healing, and perhaps you'll need that, it seems to me that you are learning to let go of things and cling to God and we all need that. All in all I'd say you are hearing God loud and clear and the enemy is prowling around your family so it is definately time to be on the wall for all of your family here and in ET.

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  2. I wish I had words of wisdom. I sure believe in Isaiah when he says God has plans for prosper, so I know God's not trying to hurt you. Wish I could give ya a big old hug as well. You are a strong and faithful woman, God's not abandoning you or you family... He's right there with you. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid." John 14:27
    Hang in there!!! You are in my prayers.

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  3. I don't know you personally but have been reading your blog for a while- you have already been an amazing testimony and your journey isn't even finished. Your faith has been uplifting and your humble heart comes across in every post!
    I will continue to pray for your family and that the devil will leave you alone! But as I read through your post I see the devil trying to stop you with everything he can but HE HAS NOT WON at any of them-
    The blessings from grief:
    1. Your father in-law passes - your sons come home
    2. Blake gets ill/has cancer - IS HEALED!
    3. Your house burns down - An amazing testimony of God and His plans that nothing can stop you from trusting and taking the steps for His will be done.
    4. Your husband is SICK and miraculously recovers!
    5. You have to FIGHT the battle of life for your daughter to come home - and you will be BLESSED beyond measure!

    God is GOOD!!! None of this is HIM but the evil one!
    He did not leave us as orphans but gave us is son. He will not leave you or forsake you!!!

    We will be standing in the GAP for you today and will pray that the MRI goes better then WELL!


    Much love and blessing to your family!
    from another CHSFS family
    hollikieser@hotmail.com

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  4. Every single time I read your story- I am filled with hope. The strength you must have. I'm excited for the day that your abundant blessing is given or perhaps the day the will use you for a powerful Love. He can only be making your family strong for an uncommon and amazing purpose. Your strength and faith continues to amaze and inspire me!

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  5. Laura, I hope that my devotion for today from "Hearing God: Through the Year" will bring encouragement to you & Blaine:

    But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

    Love, Karen

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