Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!

Confession. I used to secretly judge people who didn't like change. You know like "old people" who didn't want to allow new forms of worship into the church or those who order the same meal every time they go to a certain restaurant. Oh wait, what am I saying? I always get the same thing at certain restaurants. Never mind.

While I didn't mind the introduction of more contemporary forms of worship into church, I HATE CHANGE. And the last two years have felt like nothing but that.

In all honesty, I think He did warn me. Two summers ago I felt like he gave me the word "move." You know, like how people have a "word of the year"? Except they usually pick it in November or December for the upcoming New Year. I got this word in the summer. And I just thought it meant to physically move more, as in "get healthier." 

Another point of honesty/confession: I thought the whole "word of the year" thing was really stupid. Sorry to my friends who do this every year. I just thought it was weird.

Third point of honesty: the last two years have been a mix of extravagant gifts from the Lord and severe mercies. I am beyond thankful for all the gifts He has given our family. I do not want to skip over those. There are moments I look around at all the generosity He has shown us and want to weep. But even with overwhelming feelings of gratitude, at risk of sounding like a spoiled brat, a big part of me really wants the more difficult changes to stop. (Just keepin' it real, folks.)

Here's a glance at the last two years for our family:

• Discover a glorious, unbelievable, and unexpected piece of property--and money is miraculously provided to buy it. 
• Sell (what we thought was) our "forever home".  
• Move into a small rental for "6 months." (Ha!)
• Start the process of planning to build a new home. (Warning: This process reveals some pretty gross stuff about your heart.)
• Change church communities. (This was a very painful experience.)
• Job change (for me) from part time to full-time  more than full-time.
• Experience more conflict with people in general than I have ever experienced in. my. life.
• Changes in health (which had been slowly developing over years and exacerbated by stress) resulting in change of medication for blood disorder. 
• Move into new house (17 months later...did I already mention the yucky stuff this experience can reveal about your heart? Well, it does, and it ain't pretty!).
• Experience more (but "less serious") blood clots requiring a week at home on modified bedrest.(Here's more on previous experiences with blood clots.)
• Resigned "more than full-time" job.
• Kids move to the large public school down the road. (Also an excruciating experience to leave a school community we love dearly.)
• Josie goes into Junior High (WHAT IN THE WORLD!) and turns 13 in a few months.
• Caleb goes into 5th grade, will be turning 11, and is waiting on his invitation to Hogwarts.

Anyway, somewhere during that summer, I had this word dropped on me. As the land/house thing developed I thought, "Oh, maybe this is what God had in mind." After all, this was clearly a gift from Him because we could have NEVER made it happen ourselves. Then as each different event unfolded, I wondered if that was the "it" the Spirit had warned me about prompted me toward. Yes and yes...and yes.

But as the more difficult events arose, pushing and yanking me in all sorts of directions, I wanted (still want) to just cry out, "Lord, WHAT ARE YOU DOING? Enough already!"

Personally, I think I'm ready for a new "word" (or no word except the Bible). I'd like to "move on" from the word "move". But I guess I'm not the final authority on that account. He knows best and all I can do is surrender to His love and sovereignty...and trust all He has promised in His Word. Things like:

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8, ESV 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4, ESV

Psalm 16, ESV 

1  Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;

    I have no good apart from you.”

3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,

    in whom is all my delight.

4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;

    their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out

    or take their names on my lips.

5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;

    you hold my lot.

6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

    indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;

    in the night also my heart instructs me.

8 I have set the Lord always before me;

    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;

    my flesh also dwells secure.

10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,

    or let your holy one see corruption.

11 You make known to me the path of life;

    in your presence there is fullness of joy;

    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

(Shane & Shane have put this Psalm to music and it is amazing.)

And speaking of songs, below, I've listed some songs which come to mind and I find encouraging:

"Whatever You're Doing (Something Heavenly)" by Sanctus Real

It's time for healing time to move on

It's time to fix what's been broken too long

Time make right what has been wrong

It's time to find my way to where I belong

There's a wave that's crashing over me

All I can do is surrender

Whatever you're doing inside of me

It feels like chaos somehow there's peace

It's hard to surrender to what I can't see

but I'm giving in to something heavenly

Time for a milestone

Time to begin again

Revaluate who I really am

Am I doing everything to follow your will

or just climbing aimlessly over these hills

So show me what it is you want from me

I give everything I surrender...

To...

Whatever you're doing inside of me

It feels like chaos somehow there's peace

It's hard to surrender to what I can't see

but I'm giving in to something heavenly

Time to face up

Clean this old house

Time to breathe in and let everything out

That I've wanted to say for so many years

Time to to release all my held back tears

Whatever you're doing inside of me

It feels like chaos but I believe

You're up to something bigger than me

Larger than life something heavenly

Whatever you're doing inside of me

It feels like chaos but now I can see

This something bigger than me

Larger than life something heavenly

Something heavenly

It's time to face up

Clean this old house

Time breathe in and let everything out

"New Wine" by Hillsong

In the crushing, in the pressing

You are making new wine

In the soil I, now surrender

You are breaking new ground

So I yield to You and to Your careful hand

When I trust You, I don't need to understand

Make me Your vessel, make me an offering

Make me whatever You want me to be

I came here with nothing but all You have given me

Jesus, bring new wine out of me

In the crushing, in the pressing

You are making new wine

In the soil I, now surrender

You are breaking new ground

You are breaking new ground

Make me Your vessel, make me an offering

Make me whatever You want me to be

I came here with nothing but all You have given me

Jesus, bring new wine out of me

Jesus, bring new wine out of me

Jesus, bring new wine out of me

Where there is new wine

There is new power

There is new freedom

The Kingdom is here

I lay down my old flames

To carry Your new fire today

Where there is new wine

There is new power

There is new freedom

And the Kingdom is here

I lay down my old flames

To carry Your new fire today

Make me Your vessel, make me an offering

Make me whatever You want me to be

God, I came here with nothing but all You have given me

Jesus, bring new wine out of me

Jesus, bring new wine out of me

Jesus, bring new wine out of me

Make me Your vessel, make me an offering

Make me whatever You want me to be

I came here with nothing but all You have given me

Jesus, bring new wine out of me

Make me, make me

Make me Your vessel, make me an offering

Make me whatever You want me to be

God, I came here with nothing but all You have given me

Jesus, bring new wine out of me

Jesus, bring new wine out of me

Jesus, bring new wine out of me

Jesus, bring new wine out of me

Jesus, bring new wine out of me

Jesus, bring new wine out of me

Jesus, bring new wine out of me

Jesus, bring new wine out of me

Where there is new wine

There is new power

There is new freedom

The Kingdom is here

I lay down my old flames

To carry Your new fire today

Where there is new wine

There is new power

There is new freedom

And the Kingdom is here

I lay down my old flames

To carry Your new fire today

As long as You

Make me Your vessel, make me an offering

Make me whatever You want me to be

I came here with nothing but all You have given me

Jesus, bring new wine out of me

Jesus, bring new wine out of me

Jesus, bring new wine out of me

So if you think of our little family, say a prayer for us as we continue to navigate all this change. We want to do it well, in a way which is honoring to the Lord.

A Year Later

This post is for my family. As for my friends who like to occasionally see what we're up to, I blog over at www.barefootbiblestudy.com more frequently these days.

It's been a year for us since Grandpa "JR" went to be with Jesus. I was able to get the video from his memorial service uploaded. I hope you enjoy it. I wrote a few posts on my other blog which were in many ways inspired by him.

Grandpa introduced me to the love of reading, and subsequently, a love for writing. He always brought me books when he returned home from his travels. I learned so many wonderful things from him.

The following are some of my favorite thoughts--thoughts which encourage me often. I hope they encourage you as well.

A compilation of thoughts on the reality, the hope and the joy of Heaven from C.S. Lewis, Jonathan Edwards, and Sam Storms.

“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing.” (C.S. Lewis)

“The enjoyment of God is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to Heaven to fully enjoy God is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Fathers or mothers, husbands or wives or children or the company of earthly friends are but shadows. God is the substance. These are but scattered beams—God is the sun. These are but streams—God is the ocean. (Jonathan Edwards)

The grace of God is endlessly infinite and endlessly complex and endlessly deep and endlessly new and endlessly fresh and endlessly profound. God is infinite!

So too are His attributes. How then could we ever think there could ever come a terminus or an end or a consummation to the revelation of who He is? And with that unending and ever increasing display will come an unending and ever increasing discovery on our part of the depths and greatness of God’s grace. 

We will learn and grasp and comprehend more of the height and the width and the depth and breadth of God’s saving love. We will see ever new and always fresh displays and manifestations of His kindness that we can’t even begin to conceive today. We will constantly be more amazed with God, more in love with God, and thus evermore relishing His presence and our relationship with Him. Our experience of God in Heaven will never reach its consummation.

We will never finally arrive…our experience with God will never become stale, it will deepen and develop and intensify and amplify and unfold and increase and broaden and balloon. 

Our relishing and rejoicing in God will sharpen and spread and extend and progress and mature and flower and blossom and widen and stretch and swell and snowball and inflate and lengthen and augment and advance and proliferate and accumulate and accelerate forever.”

(Other than C.S. Lewis, quotes from "Joy's Eternal Increase: Edwards on the Beauty of Heaven" by Sam Storms)

Planning in Pencil

So, obviously, I've been away from the blog for a while, but I haven't been idle. Since my friend Elizabeth tagged me in the writing blog tour God has placed several new tasks and projects in my path. Because of this I've had to be flexible with my "plans".

I've learned many times over the last few years to "plan in pencil" because God may have others. But just because I've been away from the blog doesn't mean I haven't been writing.

A New Project

One of the projects I've had the pleasure to work on is a curriculum for our church called "Investig8 Life with Jesus." The curriculum has been used as part of our "New Believer's" children's classes.

I wrote the first draft we used in a class taught in December of 2013. Since then the workbook has continued to develop and grow. Wesley and I have taught the class at least four times in the last year and assisted another friend teach the material as well. In the last year God has graciously allowed us to share clearly the Gospel, explain basic theology, and explore what following Jesus looks like in our daily lives with more than fifty children between the ages of five and eleven.

The Beginning

Wesley and I had taught "Sunday School" for three years, sticking with the specific group as they were promoted each year. Once they graduated to the youth group we took a break, but were pretty sure we'd work with children again.

In the summer of 2014 we were asked if we once again would be interested in serving the children of our congregation. After considering how we might serve best we felt very interested in leading the "New Believer's Class" for kids interested in getting baptized.

As I looked through the material, I had to honestly tell the Children's Minister that I thought it was very disappointing. I looked for materials from other sources and nothing I came across really struck me as something I would use to disciple my own children. So I asked permission to try and come up with something original.

During the brainstorming, we thought about ways we have purposefully discipled our own children as well as what we would hope to do in the future. I knew that I wanted to clearly present the gospel and challenge their understanding of theology by introducing major themes of Christianity in a way kids could grasp them. I didn't want to shy away from difficult questions--or any questions for that matter. Let them ask!

Why did Jesus have to die to save us from our sins?
What is "sanctification" and how is it different from "salvation"?
What does the word "omnipotent" mean?
Do I have to be baptized? Why is it important?

My heart was for them to understand the Christian life was a process that would continue all their lives.

It also emphasized the idea that even though Christ alone is the one who saves us, we have a responsibility to seek, learn and grow in our knowledge of God. Because I grew up in a denomination that didn't offer any sort of confirmation or foundation of faith class, I was left to put all the (disconnected) Bible stories from Sunday School together and make sense of who God really was and what in the world he wanted with me.

With the belief that we often water down or even neglect important foundations of theology and doctrine, it is my genuine hope that God will use Investig8 to give our children firm roots that will grow deeply into His Truth.

Format

To tie the curriculum into the identity of our congregation I named it Investig8. The "8" is a pattern that had been established before in other ministries in our community: Integr8 (youth), Navig8 (elementary), and Cre8 (preschool/nursery).

After teaching the first class we felt it would be beneficial to separate the classes into Kindergarten through second grade and third grade through fifth grade. We modified the workbooks to suit the different ages as well: Investig8 Junior and Investig8. Although both workbooks are full of colorful pictures and spaces to draw or fill in blanks, these vary depending on the workbook.

The workbook is divided into sections covering different concepts such as sin, separation, reconciliation, spiritual development, the Church, celebrations, worship, living, dying, and Heaven.

Originally, we crammed taught the material in two, two-hour sessions. We also required for at least one parent to be present with their child during the class. This was for many reasons--both practical as well as the belief that it is the parents' responsibility to disciple their children. We attempted to hit the high points in the sessions and encouraged the parents to complete the workbook with their children at home.

A leaders' guide is also in the works so other adults and/or parents can facilitate the material. This includes facilitator notes, answers, activities, and other tips to assist anyone in leading the material. Ultimately, it is my hope to have many other resources built into this so anyone can access it and receive other kinds of support and tips.

Beginning in January we began to use the curriculum for the fifth graders in our church community on a weekly basis for the entire semester. This will allow for deeper conversations and more thorough teaching of the material. We are calling this format our "pilot" program but we believe there will be some amazing things that God will bring out of this class!

But even as all of this looks like it is unfolding, I will still "plan in pencil" and trust that God's plans are ultimately far more incredible than anything I could come up with.

The Most Important Day of Their Lives

Today is Wesley's birthday. And what better gift could he receive than to baptize both of his children.

For years we thought that even if our children wanted to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and surrender to His Kingship over their lives, we would encourage them to hold off on baptism for a while. This was because we wanted to make sure it was 1. a genuine conversion with true understanding, not something just to please others and 2. so they could remember it well and celebrate it as it should be.

Josie actually approached us when she was in second grade and shared with us that she wanted to know Jesus and have all of her sins taken away. She was actually ok with waiting for baptism because she was kind of afraid to go in front of the church and have all that attention.

A few months later Caleb initiated some spiritual conversation with me and the result of that conversation was understanding that sin had made him dead and he needed Jesus to rescue him. However, he was adamant that he be baptized the very next Sunday.

We thought he would "chill out" on the topic, but he was relentless. When Josie saw this, she said it would make her brave to be baptized with her brother. So Wesley and I prayed and talked and felt like they were ready and could be baptized after they took the class required by our church. (Of course, I was thrilled because Wesley and I taught the class!)

We had always told them that baptism was the most important day of their lives--more than birthdays, more than graduation, and even more than marriage. So, it was time to put our money where our mouth was.

Since our church meets in an old theatre, they had to bring in a tub. The water was icy!

The first two minutes of this video shows both kids sharing a brief story of their decision to be baptized.

Downtown // 10:00 // Baptism Videos from Harris Creek on Vimeo.

We bought them both new clothes to wear after the baptism. This was to represent: 

2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Ephesians 4:24, "...put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

We reserved the whole restaurant upstairs, and with help from our family, catered the whole meal. The kids invited a few of their friends, and we invited our family and friends as well. Many of our beloved college students who have watched Josie and Caleb grow up came and participated. 

Each of the kids picked a special song and our friends Lily and Trey sang them.

Wesley and I anointed the kids' foreheads with oil. Although it is not common in our tradition, we adopted this from other, more liturgical traditions. It represents: 

1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

2 Corinthians 1:20-22, "For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."

Wesley, both of our dads, and our friend Miles prayed a blessing over Caleb.

My mom, my Mother-in-law, our friend Mary Margaret and I prayed over Josie.

 

And we celebrated! 

We also hired a photographer to take professional pictures. (I'm telling you, we wanted our kids to understand that this event is WORTH every penny spent and second of time planning.)

I had to throw this picture in. The are just a few of "my girls". They mean the world to me, have been truly impactful in Josie's life, and beautiful examples of the kind of young woman I hope my son will someday marry.

Nerdy Birthday

Just in case you haven't realized this, we are a family of nerds. Big ones. In fact, I'm a little worried about how proudly my son owns his nerdiness.

I'm not sure if you remember that our kids' birthdays are back to back and we typically have family parties like the Star Wars party we had a few years ago. Well this year we decided to have another theme. Are you ready for this?

Doctor Who.

Yup. If there was ever any doubt about what nerds we are, we have now forever marked ourselves.

I have corrupted inspired my kids who are proud little Whovians. (Of course, we are very selective in which episodes we allow them to watch!) I must admit, Wesley isn't really a fan but is a very good sport and puts up with all of our antics--probably because he's just as nerdy in other ways (I mean CPA, um hello!)

If you are one of the many who may read this and ask, "What is that? Doctor Who?" I am sorry. I am so, so sorry. You will either enjoy laughing at this post and the weirdness of our family or you will never come back here again.

Doctor Who is a British science fiction television show that has been on for 50 years. It is one of the most popular shows in the UK, arguably more so than Downton Abbey! In a nutshell, it's about a man (Time Lord) who travels in time and space saving the universe in his blue police box. He has a particular interest in the UK and always has a friend or companion traveling with him--often getting him out of scrapes...oh and he has two hearts.

These are Doctors 9, 10, 11, and 12. Yes, they're all the same person. No, I will not explain how regeneration works.

There's honestly too much to say and I'm sure I've lost most of you by this point, but if you're really curious you can waste invest your time learning more here.

But I will give you this quote about this unlikely superhero from the show's current head writer, Steven Moffat (who also writes the BBC's Sherlock):

“It's hard to talk about the importance of an imaginary hero. But heroes ARE important: Heroes tell us something about ourselves. History tells us who we used to be, documentaries tell us who we are now; but heroes tell us who we WANT to be. And a lot of our heroes depress me. 


But when they made this particular hero, they didn't give him a gun--they gave him a screwdriver to fix things. They didn't give him a tank or a warship or an x-wing fighter--they gave him a box from which you can call for help. And they didn't give him a superpower or pointy ears or a heat-ray--they gave him an extra HEART. They gave him two hearts! And that's an extraordinary thing. There will never come a time when we don't need a hero like the Doctor.” 


So without further ado, here are the pictures from that very special day.

Biological meta-crisis Doctors (i.e. clone)

Writing Blog Tour

Howdy! If this is the first time you've visited my blog, welcome! My name is Paige Brooks. I am privileged to be a wife to Wesley, mom to a pair of amazing kiddos, and part-time Physical Therapist Assistant. I am a lifelong learner and I am passionate about sharing what I learn through writing or teaching.

I am very  thankful to my dear friend Elizabeth Oates for tagging me in this Blog Tour. Because our children are very close in age, we have spent many hours together laughing, crying, encouraging and praying for one another--especially during those early years of motherhood. She has been a huge encouragement to me in many ways, but particularly as a writer.

A gifted author and speaker, Elizabeth is serious  about seeing marriages and  families thrive. You can check out what she’s working on here: www.elizabethoates.com

What are you working on?

• www.barefootbiblestudy.com  :: My new website, currently under construction. I’d love to tell you that I immediately thought of this name for my website after reading the passage about Moses removing his shoes as he approached the burning bush or the story of how Jesus told Peter he had to allow Him to wash his feet, but, alas, no. It is nothing so spiritual. If you are really dying to know where the name came from you’ll just have to come back for the launch!

The whole purpose of the site is to provide people—but particularly women—with resources and tips to study Scripture. It will also be a place for us to process through the whole concept of loving God with our whole being—with special emphasis on loving Him with our minds.

• Immeasurable Life: A Study of the Letter to the Ephesians :: I had the great joy of writing this Bible study a couple of years ago—but it only continues to grow! This fruit of God’s faithfulness  blossomed out of a wilderness season in my life. He has allowed me to teach it three times—twice for women in my own church community and once in my own home. Currently, a modified version is being used by a college ministry (for young women and men) in Houston, Texas under the name Rooted: A Study of the Letter to the Ephesians.

• Investig8 Life with Jesus :: When my husband and I offered to teach the “New Believer’s Class” for children at our home church, we never imagined we’d have so much trouble finding material that truly addressed what we believed to be so crucial to a child’s understanding of the Gospel and the Christian life. So, we wrote our own! We have now taught the class using the material three times and are constantly trying to clarify and nail down what the kids really need to understand about a relationship with Jesus—all without compromise or watering down the Truth.

How does your work differ from others of its genre?

I’ve loved writing since I was a child. Whether it was creating picture books or even writing papers in English class, I could easily be found happily hiding in my room under a pile of loose leaf paper or college ruled spiral notebooks.  

Over the years I’ve begun to see a few themes appear in my writing no matter the topic. One of these themes is learning to use Genesis (particularly chapters 1-3) as the primary lens through which to study Scripture. This perspective has not only had a huge impact on the way I read and study the Bible, but it has also facilitated and fueled a greater passion for God.

Why do you write what you do?

I believe lives are changed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and although women’s Bible studies are a dime a dozen these days, many of them seem to lack depth and sound theology. I hope the writing God allows me to produce will teach and challenge women, but more than this, I want them to know they (through the Holy Spirit) are fully capable of studying Scripture for themselves. And how do I know they are capable? Because God enabled me to as well!

I haven’t been to seminary (although it is a dream!). I’m an ordinary girl—a full-time wife and mom with a part-time day job—but I’m an ordinary girl who is hungry to learn about and fall more in love with the God of the universe! I dream of equipping other ordinary women to find satisfaction for their soul in the Word.

How does your writing process work?

It is not unusual for inspiration to slap me in the face at any time—10:48 a.m., 8:24 p.m., or even 2:39 a.m. (This one seems to be God’s favorite time to inspire me…usually by waking me from a sound sleep.) I can’t always spend time on the ideas right away since I might be at work or taking care of my family.  I have multiple notebooks in which I scribble thoughts,  I use the Notes app on my phone, or I type them in my “Idea Folder” on the computer.  I jot ideas down with at least some context and detail so when I do revisit the idea I am less likely to wonder what in the world I was thinking.

My husband  and I have agreed that it is important for me to have uninterrupted writing time and the best time right now for our family is Sunday nights and Thursday nights after everyone goes to bed. Since I have set this time aside—and especially with my husband’s support—I have been more productive and focused than I have ever been before.

So, who’s next?

Kristen Bennett is a senior public relations major at Baylor University. This chick is hilarious and brilliant! I first met her when she was a freshman at Baylor. In her very own words, she “enjoys music, reading, writing, traveling, people-watching, and eating. She loves Jesus and every day is a new lesson in taming her sass so she can better love her neighbor. Her happy places include bookstores, New York City, and airports, and she aspires to work in the performing arts industry upon graduation.” I know you will enjoy her blog. http://kristengracebennett.wordpress.com

Pam Watts a friend and fellow author is a  busy mother of four active children. According to her own testimony she “can't help but write about adventures in parenting--her life and family provide a constant source of material!  Pam loves viewing everyday life through the lens of God’s extraordinary truth on her blog ‘God is My Compass.’" I’m confident you will find wisdom and joy! www.pamrichardswatts.wordpress.com.

Health Update

Well, we are just a wee bit shy of the two month mark since I went into the hospital. Several of you have asked how I'm feeling and what the recovery has been like since surgery. 

First off, thank you! Thank you for asking and checking on me. Thank you for your continued prayers and your encouragement--even this far out from the event itself. We were so blessed by those of you who called, texted, prayed, brought yummy meals and gifts. (The girls at work all pitched in and even gave my kiddos gift cards to Build A Bear!) I'm still getting prayer cards from my parents' church (shout out to Meadowbrook BC!)...making me feel so loved.

Since I posted about our adventure, much of our time has been directed toward doctors' appointments, trips to the pharmacy, a follow up surgery, more appointments, more medicine--and oh, don't forget the sexy compression stockings!

One of our first nights back to Life Group after everything happened, someone asked how long I have to wear my stockings. I smiled and looked at my friend/surgeon (Dr. T.) across the room who answered for me, "everyday...for-ever." It was actually really funny.

I wear them ALL most of the time (just being honest). I only have one pair at the moment and they do need to washed occasionally. I haven't felt like dropping a fortune on another pair just quite yet, although my days are numbered.

Don't let the "sheer and soft" deceive you. They are NOT SHEER, nor are they soft. I look like I bought a bad can of self tanner at a garage sale and decided to put it ONLY on my legs.

But believe it or not, I actually feel better at the end of the day if I wear them than I do when I don't wear them. It's also given me an excuse to buy some new clothes. As much as I know the stockings are helping, those suckers are H.O.T. especially here in our Texas summer. I've decided that Maxi skirts and dresses are my new best friends...especially right now.  I bought a couple of Maxi skirts and I've found some DIY patterns on Pintrest that I might try. We shall see.

Mid May I had a follow up surgery to remove my IVC filter (an umbrella skeleton looking thingy they put in the main vein that goes to my heart in case a blood clot breaks through). During the original surgery in Dallas they put it in through a vein in my leg (which led to other issues, i.e. The Clamp).  Our friend, Dr. T. was doing the surgery (Hallelujah!) and we all knew I was in great hands.

Because of the way it's shaped it had to be removed by inserting a wire/hook into my neck, through my HEART, into the IVC  then pulling it out. Yuck. Yes, I was awake. To say it feels really WEIRD when something goes through your heart is an understatement. Dr. T. let us keep the filter. I really didn't know it was that big. And when we looked closely, we noticed that it did it's job very well--PRAISE GOD! 

(SPOILER: If you get grossed out easily, don't look below!)

(That's Wesley's hand.)

I have another new doctor, a Hemotologist (Dr. H.). He is in charge of my blood. He oversees my medication and makes sure that it's working the way it should. He was able to finally get me to the point I could get off Lovenox shots 2x day to a single, teensy-weensy pill. So. much. better.

Wesley and I actually met Dr. H. and his wife at a dinner party exactly one week before everything happened and I went to the hospital. I even told Wesley that night on the drive home, "If I ever need to go back to a hemotologist, I want to see him." And guess who Dr. T. recommended? Yup. God is so good!

As lightly as I'm making some of this sound, I'll be truthful, I haven't had the best attitude the whole way. When I would complain about my shots, how expensive the meds or my stockings were, how much work I missed, how tired I was, how big the hospital bills would be or how itchy the stockings are my husband has been the one to remind me of truth.

He holds my face in his gentle hands, looks me in the eye and reminds me that if this had happened fifty years ago I might not be alive.

He reminds me the money doesn't matter.

He reminds me of those of you who have constantly been there for us.

He reminds me that GOD'S GRACE IS ENOUGH.

He reminds me to REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS.

I love that man.

And I love all of you.

Again, thank you for your continued prayers, encouragement, and support.