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How Great is Our God...
Good afternoon, beloved sons and daughters of God!
God has been SOOOOOO gracious to us, and with each passing day I see His mercies more and more. I know His mercies are ALWAYS new every morning, but for some reason, in the midst of a great trial, I am so much more observant of them. Each of His attributes come more alive as I have become so keenly aware of my (our) need for Him. Again, I "know" this in my "knower" but when the rubber meets the road, His promises prove true again and again and again.
The last time I posted I was in an absolute state of exhaustion, as was Mark. But since that very difficult, dark night, I have continued to see God's grace and intervention in a mighty way on Mark's (& my) behalf.
Lots of amazing things have happened both inside and outside of the hospital. First, as of two days ago, Mark is now in a regular hospital room. We've been on quite a few field trips in the therapy chair. They even have a 5th floor atrium that lets you breathe the fresh Colorado air. So, we've visited up there several times, enjoying the views of the Front Range. Mark also got one of his wraps off one of his legs and got a brace on that one. He feels much more "free." Soon, they will take the sutures & staples out, at least out of his femurs and pelvis incisions. He has been doing some physical therapy each day and is an eager beaver when it comes to working hard and wanting to progress. Yesterday he got his hair washed FOR THE FIRST TIME in ELEVEN DAYS. Can we say "hallelujah?" I mean, he had his hair sort of washed with some "dry" shampoo or with a wet wipe last week, but one of the nurse's aids actually washed his hair yesterday over an inflatable tub with actual H20. Talk about refreshing!
Speaking of refreshing, we have each been getting wonderful, refreshing amounts of sleep since that very tiresome, agonizing evening three nights ago. It seems the meds are figured out and Mark has been much clearer mentally. "Thanks be to God!" And, of course, I and Christian have been sleeping at home, so we're good!
But I think one of the most exciting things to see is that Mark is excited (as am I) about how God is going to use this in his life and in the life of our family. He isn't asking "why" or questioning God whatsoever, but is entirely confident that God is and will continue to use this in our lives. I can already see God working in our hearts, softening with oil the places that may have grown hardened. That is the most gracious gift of all.
Some of our best and dearest friends, Jim and Kris Dunlap, have absolutely, positively cared for us and laid down their lives for us the last two weeks. Kris works at Resurrection Fellowship, where Christian goes to preschool, so she would help shuttle him back and forth, as they lived out of suitcases at our home since the night of the accident. What a gift of friendship! They have done countless things, without me even thinking to ask, in order to make this season as stress-free as possible in a practical sense. Thank you, Jim and Kris!
Another crazy aspect of this season of our lives is that we had just sold our home and the people who purchased it are scheduled to move in April 15th! So, in the midst of Mark's accident, we had an impending "move date." A friend of Mark's from Group Publishing (John Carter) coordinated a team of about 15 people to help us finish packing, and move the stuff we needed to my Mom's last night. And he has also coordinated a moving company to put the rest of our "house" in storage this Saturday! God's provision BIG time! As a result of everything that's happened, I and Christian are moving in with my Mom and Step-Dad (who happen to have a handicapped accessible home) as of Friday night while Mark is in rehab. Then, when Mark is out, we will stay there until he is doing well enough to consider us finding a place of our own. Again, the timing is so clearly God's provision, because now that Mark is not working, we will not have to worry about a mortgage payment. We will continue to pray and seek the Lord for the next chapter of our lives, as this chapter continues to be written. "Have Your way, Lord! You are the Potter, we are the clay!"
One last thing I wanted to share was the Christian got to see Mark for the first time this morning! It went awesome! His favorite babysitter, Jene,' took him to Build-a-Bear last night and they made a bear for Daddy. I've prepped Christian all along about Daddy's legs and how the Doctors are fixing him, and how Daddy has to wear a really funny gown while he stays at the hospital. So, when we got there, he wasn't upset at all to see Daddy with casts on his legs or anything. He was thrilled to see him, but definitely cried when we had to leave. We are going back tonight as well. So, praise God and THANK YOU for praying for his little heart. I pray for God's continued grace as we walk the road of rehab for the next several months.
I never sent out any pictures of Mark, when he first got in the accident, but I think it's appropriate now to show the contrast between DAY 1 (the day of the accident) and DAY 12 (this morning). And I want to say "HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!" His love endures forever and ever and ever and ever and ever...
Welp, I need to go pick up Christian from preschool now, then we're off to the hospital to meet my Mom, Step-Dad and Grandma at the hospital for a quick visit. Then, believe it or not, we are going down to the hospital cafeteria to eat dinner. They actually don't have the traditional hospital food, and it's really inexpensive! So, HEY, might as well!
Thank you so much for your continued prayers, your loving messages and for so graciously displaying the beauty of the Bride of Christ. I'll continue to keep you posted!
Oh, and HAPPY EASTER! "HE IS RISEN!" "HE IS RISEN INDEED!!!!!!!"
-shannon
God has been SOOOOOO gracious to us, and with each passing day I see His mercies more and more. I know His mercies are ALWAYS new every morning, but for some reason, in the midst of a great trial, I am so much more observant of them. Each of His attributes come more alive as I have become so keenly aware of my (our) need for Him. Again, I "know" this in my "knower" but when the rubber meets the road, His promises prove true again and again and again.
The last time I posted I was in an absolute state of exhaustion, as was Mark. But since that very difficult, dark night, I have continued to see God's grace and intervention in a mighty way on Mark's (& my) behalf.
Lots of amazing things have happened both inside and outside of the hospital. First, as of two days ago, Mark is now in a regular hospital room. We've been on quite a few field trips in the therapy chair. They even have a 5th floor atrium that lets you breathe the fresh Colorado air. So, we've visited up there several times, enjoying the views of the Front Range. Mark also got one of his wraps off one of his legs and got a brace on that one. He feels much more "free." Soon, they will take the sutures & staples out, at least out of his femurs and pelvis incisions. He has been doing some physical therapy each day and is an eager beaver when it comes to working hard and wanting to progress. Yesterday he got his hair washed FOR THE FIRST TIME in ELEVEN DAYS. Can we say "hallelujah?" I mean, he had his hair sort of washed with some "dry" shampoo or with a wet wipe last week, but one of the nurse's aids actually washed his hair yesterday over an inflatable tub with actual H20. Talk about refreshing!
Speaking of refreshing, we have each been getting wonderful, refreshing amounts of sleep since that very tiresome, agonizing evening three nights ago. It seems the meds are figured out and Mark has been much clearer mentally. "Thanks be to God!" And, of course, I and Christian have been sleeping at home, so we're good!
But I think one of the most exciting things to see is that Mark is excited (as am I) about how God is going to use this in his life and in the life of our family. He isn't asking "why" or questioning God whatsoever, but is entirely confident that God is and will continue to use this in our lives. I can already see God working in our hearts, softening with oil the places that may have grown hardened. That is the most gracious gift of all.
Some of our best and dearest friends, Jim and Kris Dunlap, have absolutely, positively cared for us and laid down their lives for us the last two weeks. Kris works at Resurrection Fellowship, where Christian goes to preschool, so she would help shuttle him back and forth, as they lived out of suitcases at our home since the night of the accident. What a gift of friendship! They have done countless things, without me even thinking to ask, in order to make this season as stress-free as possible in a practical sense. Thank you, Jim and Kris!
Another crazy aspect of this season of our lives is that we had just sold our home and the people who purchased it are scheduled to move in April 15th! So, in the midst of Mark's accident, we had an impending "move date." A friend of Mark's from Group Publishing (John Carter) coordinated a team of about 15 people to help us finish packing, and move the stuff we needed to my Mom's last night. And he has also coordinated a moving company to put the rest of our "house" in storage this Saturday! God's provision BIG time! As a result of everything that's happened, I and Christian are moving in with my Mom and Step-Dad (who happen to have a handicapped accessible home) as of Friday night while Mark is in rehab. Then, when Mark is out, we will stay there until he is doing well enough to consider us finding a place of our own. Again, the timing is so clearly God's provision, because now that Mark is not working, we will not have to worry about a mortgage payment. We will continue to pray and seek the Lord for the next chapter of our lives, as this chapter continues to be written. "Have Your way, Lord! You are the Potter, we are the clay!"
One last thing I wanted to share was the Christian got to see Mark for the first time this morning! It went awesome! His favorite babysitter, Jene,' took him to Build-a-Bear last night and they made a bear for Daddy. I've prepped Christian all along about Daddy's legs and how the Doctors are fixing him, and how Daddy has to wear a really funny gown while he stays at the hospital. So, when we got there, he wasn't upset at all to see Daddy with casts on his legs or anything. He was thrilled to see him, but definitely cried when we had to leave. We are going back tonight as well. So, praise God and THANK YOU for praying for his little heart. I pray for God's continued grace as we walk the road of rehab for the next several months.
I never sent out any pictures of Mark, when he first got in the accident, but I think it's appropriate now to show the contrast between DAY 1 (the day of the accident) and DAY 12 (this morning). And I want to say "HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!" His love endures forever and ever and ever and ever and ever...
Welp, I need to go pick up Christian from preschool now, then we're off to the hospital to meet my Mom, Step-Dad and Grandma at the hospital for a quick visit. Then, believe it or not, we are going down to the hospital cafeteria to eat dinner. They actually don't have the traditional hospital food, and it's really inexpensive! So, HEY, might as well!
Thank you so much for your continued prayers, your loving messages and for so graciously displaying the beauty of the Bride of Christ. I'll continue to keep you posted!
Oh, and HAPPY EASTER! "HE IS RISEN!" "HE IS RISEN INDEED!!!!!!!"
-shannon
Published on Thursday, April 9, 2009 @ 6:05 PM CDT
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"Shannon - your "Faithful God" CD has become my "go to" CD when I need encouragement from the Lord. God has really used those songs in my life. Recently I was flying back from LA - a 4 hour flight - and was feeling discouraged & alone. I listened to "Faithful God" for almost three hours and found myself crying & worshipping the Lord on the plane. I could feel my tanks filling back up. Last week, I had a challenging day in front of me and I put "Pour Your Spirit Out" on repeat. It played all day long in my office. I just wanted you to know your ministry blesses my life.
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