HAPPY IN-DEPENDENCE DAY!

A year ago, I was out on a cruise ship in the middle of the Pacific Ocean 700 miles from the port of Seattle when I received a call that would change our lives forever. I do not think I will ever forget Katie's words as she told me the results of their sonogram and at the same time kept telling herself to "breathe...just breathe". All I wanted to do was be with our daughter and yet that was impossible. Family members and professionals were trying to reassure us that tests are sometimes wrong and we were worried that there might be more unseen health issues...yet underlying all of these anxieties and fears there was also a pervasive steady calming strength. The one common thread through all of those days during last summer was the feeling of utter dependence on the One who is always in control. We depended on God to get us through the multiple tests and He reassured us through the doctors that our grandbaby had a beautiful brain...a gorgeous heart...and all organs were fully functioning and perfect. We were in dependence on each of you - our family and friends - because many days we could not verbalize only groan to God and yet we knew daily through emails and cards and phone calls and hugs that you were interceeding for our family. We had blessings bestowed on us each day from finding a hospital like Texas Scottish Rite for Children that gave us hope and encouragement...from friends who offered their homes and finances and brought food...from strangers all over the world who felt compelled and convicted to pray for our grandbaby.  And these notes, emails and calls have continued to keep coming. Just the other day a sweet friend named Poosie sent a note to encourage us once again to persevere (Romans 5:1-5)and the Lord's timing for that note could not have been more appropriate as I had been listening to Katie and holding her hand (via the cell phone) as she struggled with God continuing to have His own plan and changing hers!

This day is one for celebrating our nation's freedom. But it is a day forever changed for me as I realize just how very dependent we are on our Maker and His plan and His sovereignty and His provision and His mercy and His love. We are a very blessed family to live in this country. Our grandson Will is so blessed to have been born in this country. My heart aches at the knowledge that there are children born every day with differences and challenges and yet for some reason they are not given the opportunities and advantages Will and we have been given. I do not comprehend whatsoever why God has this plan for Will and for our family but we embrace it and are grateful that living in the United States of America was also God's plan for our family. I have traveled to many countries and seen incredible sights and but I can truly tell you that there is not a more beautiful sight than being welcomed home to the USA and knowing just what that means. Thank you Lord.