Go Joel!

Like I had anticipated ... talking with the doctor is hard. When I am just enjoying being pregnant, feeling Jeremy move, the Doctor brings me back to the medical issues the Jeremy is facing. It is hard to even begin to comprehend that he might not be okay. Even after sitting in an exam room with results. I still simply can not begin to believe it.


then I read the word from Joel Osteen for today:

Hold Fast Your Confession
Today's Scripture
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession” (Hebrews 4:14 NKJ).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
What are you confessing over your life today? The Bible says that life and death are in the power of the tongue. If you go around speaking doom and gloom, confessing that “Murphy’s law” always happens to you, then that’s exactly what you’ll get. But when you allow the Word of God to direct your confessions, when you confess His blessing and promises over your life, it opens the door for God to move on your behalf. That’s why it’s so important to “hold fast” or maintain your confession of your faith in Him. That means you can’t go around confessing blessing one minute and doom and gloom the next. That would be like trying to dig a hole by removing the dirt with one shovel full, and then putting it right back in with the next. You won’t get anywhere! In the same way, we have to hold fast our confession of faith in God and His goodness. Remember, He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. As you diligently seek Him and hold fast your confession, you will rise up higher and see the victory and blessing the Lord has in store for you.
A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, today I choose to speak words that glorify You. I choose to speak blessing over the people around me. Search my heart and remove anything that would keep me from honoring You with my words, thoughts, and actions. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Through this trial I will stay strong through God and the Kingdom. Thank you all ....

GRACE AND PEACE!

Seeing the Doctor

Monday, Aaron and I visited the Dr again. The Dr i have seen during all previous visits was in surgery, and we could have waited an hour - but elected to see one of the other DR in the practice. He was great. At first I was apprehensive - to have talk with someone that did not know Aaron and I - but he was perfect. Turns out he is on the Ethics Board at the hospital, has a BA in Religious Studies and is Jewish (you know Jesus was jewish). He was easy to talk with and was upfront that this office has not seen a pregnancy with Trisomy 13.

Through our talk, we discussed the type of counselor we would like to talk with, and he hopes to connect us with someone before the end of the week. He did not use the term "not compatible with life" instead, said the out look is Grim. That seemed easier to hear.

He measured me with the tape, he did say I was on the small side, but that was nothing to be overly concerned about. Funny ... I do not feel small. Jeremy posted a 160 heartbeat, which is very good. We also will have a second ultra sound next Tuesday (9am) and then see the DR again on the 22nd. If my DR is again in surgary ... that day I know she is with my sister. My sister is going to be induced that day, at least I will be close!

We are going to start seeing the DR more often, to help track the progress. We are closing in on the 24 week mark, which is huge.

We continue to lean on the Word, friends and family for strength and prayers ...
thank you all !

GRACE AND PEACE!

Prescriptions

Yesterday at church while Aaron was preaching, Sharon, one of the ladies that attends Brookside asked me if I could write down the prescriptions. I was confused - thinking she wanted me to write something for her. And thought it was strange timing, during the sermon to ask me to write a prescription for her. She went on to say, while pointing at my notes from the sermon - you know the Prescriptions, my writing is not good and I do not want to miss any. Finally understanding, I said Oh the Scripture - she replies, yes the prescriptions.

Not until I was sharing the story with my mom, did it dawn on me - Sharon has it correct - the Bible contains all the prescriptions we need.

my weekend prescription:
Therefore I tell you whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

Throughout Mark, Jesus is provided opportunity after opportunity to show the greatness of God. How loving, kind and generous God is to those who believe. Jesus spends most of the chapter teaching his disciples ... we are all his disciples. Jesus teaches his disciples what it "takes" to heal people - POWERFUL!
I am anxious to re-visit Mark, to see what I have completely missed. But I am thankful for the prescriptions that I have acquired so far ...

GRACE AND PEACE

A Prayer Shawl

WOW - is my sister and her friend (my friend as well) Totally cool ..... I have never heard of the Shawl Ministry ... but now I am part of it! This afternoon my sister and her friend "presented" me with a prayer shawl. (Yes, that is me wearing it ) It touched me in so many ways.

First: that they would even think of me. Apparently, before they had communicated about the shawl they were both making arrangements and plans to get a shawl for me.

Second: the colors of the shawl have specific meanings, but of course they are "beth" colors, most of my beaded work will match.Learning more about the shawl, it was created with yarn, prayers and blessings by the members of the Holy Spirit at Geist Shawl Ministry. Included with the shawl, which completely reminds me of Grandma Diehl, is a pamphlet that includes prayers of Blessing, Healing, Comfort and Symbolism.

The symbolism deals with the significance of Three's. There is a 3-stitch seed pattern to represent the Trinity as well as a symbol of planting peace, healing, love, comfort and hope.

The shawl wraps perfectly around my shoulders like a hug - and a concrete reminder of all the prayers around the globe for Aaron, Jeremy and me. What a true blessing - I am still overwhelmed at the out pouring of prayers, and now I have a physical reminder, when I do begin to feel alone. Thank you Sheri ... and Laura. What a truly amazing gift.

To find out more about the shawl ministry: www.shawlminsitry.com

GRACE AND PEACE!

Solid Reading Today

Why am I constantly amazed, when my daily reading is just what I need!
Today from Jesus I read:
Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid just believe" Mark 5:36
PRAYER: Jesus, help me not be afraid when bad news comes, but rather look to You and have faith that you will work a miracle in my life.

on a side note: the practice shirts my players wear at volleyball all have BELIEVE on the back - they are a talented group of athletes that along the road have gotten used to not winning, and need to constantly be encouraged. So not only while I work to strenghten their belief in themselves and each other - I am continually building in my belief in God to do great things in each player and in me. I selected this saying for the shirts in early July, before I knew how much it would minister to me through out this fall. For that I am thankful!

This week has been a good week, but encouraging words from Jesus are always welcome. Aaron and I have our monthly appointment with th doctor Monday, and while today I am not thinking about what that might be like - I am sure I will be thinking Sunday and Monday about the appointment.

From Stormies Heart, she wrote about waiting ...
As long as you are walking with the Lord you are going from glory to glory and strength to strength. Always going with Gods plan.
POWERFUL ... this week has been exhusting, 2 matches back to back (1 going 4 an the other 5) plus a facutly meeting ... at 6:30 before school - but even though I have been sleepy, God strenghtens me and i am able to accomplish all that needs to be done. Stormie emphazied the need to pray often, even if they are the "same" prayers - God hears and respond to each one.
Later in the passage, she wrote: God has been known to do a quick work for which he has been preparing for a long time.
Keeping in mind that in the natural we think of time quite different then God -we are but a blink in the whole scheme of things - so what is quick .... things change when God is ready. We all jsut need to be patient and wait. For anyone that has known me for any amount of time, patience is not a strong attribute I posess. BUT I am getting better:)

have a wonderful weekend .... many blessings and prayers

GRACE AND PEACE

Starting Mark

In my daily reading, i am just starting Mark. I read this morning that Mark was written for the non-believer. Which is the reason for so many stories about the miracles and healing found through out the book.  Matthew was great, and I am looking forward to new insights through Mark. 

This week has been good -  the word has been feeding my soul and I am very thankful. The note cards are great, even when I read them during my study hall and sometimes get teary -eyed they are just the nugget needed.

on a side note ... last weekend the Volleyball team ended the loosing streak at Avon. We finished 1-3, better then the last 4 years. looking even brighter, last night we beat a team that we have not beat in 4 years either. That certainly helps my spirit. 

Hope you all have  a great rest of the week ... our Football team heads to Lucas Oil Stadium tomorrow night, the school is buzzing. 

GRACE AND PEACE! 

Mustard Seeds

Mustard seeds - some of the smallest seeds that can be found create a HUGE tree ....

20He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
Matthew 17:20

My daily reading has brought me to Matthew - and one of my favorites ... imagine just a little faith in God and amazing things will happen. I pray for the kind of faith that can move the mountains in my life.

Saturday my VB team played in a tourney that in 3 years we have not won a match. Talk about a dry spell, last year I was considering dropping the tourney. I always find a story to share with the team before we play. Last week I came across a story about conquering mountains, first, one must recognize the mountain then, decide you will over come, then take one step at a time.
Reading to the team I am focused on the Match we are about to play - and until this morning realized I was also reading to myself - about my life. As I determine to take one day at a time, moving in a forward direction my guide is God. I will rely on his word to direct me through the mountain.

Referring back to the scripture, my faith does not need to fill the room - but even faith as small as a mustard seed - nothing will be too hard.

Enjoy this Labor Day, having just returned to school teaching, I was ready for a long weekend! I have the opportunity to go hang out with my Family, Aaron and I are pretty lucky - our Families are mostly in town. This year my mother decided to have a theme cookout ... Hawaiian ... pictures to follow:)

GRACE AND PEACE! !