Morning Reflection

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 6-7

I need this scripture more than ever these days. We are reaching that time of year where car sales plummet (even more than they have in the past) and worries and stress rise. Increasing worries about keeping my kids healthy (and Mike and I) as more reports of flu outbreaks in our area are the highlight of the evening news. Worries over where we as a country are headed. Worries over the rising costs of health care for my family. And so many more.

Sunday morning's sermon was about the Will of God. One point that has stuck in my head is that I must do what He has revealed before I will see what He will reveal. I must remain faithful. Looking back on the events of our lives the last 18 months or so, I am reminded of the Footprints poem.

One night I had a dream--I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord and across the sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints, one belonged to me and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of my life flashed before me,I looked back at the footprints in the sand.I noticed that many times along the path of my life,there was only one set of footprints.I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in my life.

This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,you would walk with me all the way, but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. "I don't understand why in times when I needed you most, you should leave me."

The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never,

never leave you during your times of trial and suffering.

"When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

...Mary Stevenson

I can confess to you that during those trials and suffering, my faith was low. I constantly worried how everything would work out. I doubted, I questioned, I worried. Looking back I see that I was carried even though I doubted, I worried, I questioned, and I didn't have the faith that I should have. I didn't trust what He would reveal. Still, He carried me through those trials and struggles.

So my prayer this morning is that I will not be anxious or worry and that I will pray with a thankful heart. That I will remember that there is a plan. That I will never be alone. That I must trust Him that the path I must take, no matter how hard, will lead to something better.

~jen

Broken Dreams

Caden has had a wonderful 2 weekends of flag football. He loved playing football. He didn't really enjoy practices that much, though. His complaint... too much running. :) Caden played every minute of most of the games. If he was on the side line, it was just long enough to get a drink and then he was back in the game. He played center on offense and nose guard on defense. He had two jobs... on offense, to hike the ball; on defense, to watch where the ball was going and go get a flag. He did both jobs well. I was so proud to watch him play.

This past Thursday, Caden's first grade flag football season ended with a fractured clavicle. During practice Caden and his team were doing some running drills and Caden decided to scoop up the football as he ran past it. He ended up tripping and landed directly on his left shoulder.

Mike brought him home and after looking at Caden's left shoulder I could see there was something wrong. I took him to our local urgent care center (the one that I previously worked at). Since I had a connection there, the x-ray tech let us go back and view the films as they processed. Once Caden's x-ray came into view I literally had to grab the wall behind me to keep me on my two feet! Caden was fitted into a splint and we went home.

Caden had an appointment with an orthopedic specialist Friday morning. Michael took Caden to the appointment and he was told that these types of fractures heal very well, especially in young, healthy children. Caden was fitted in a clavicle brace that he will wear for the next 4-6 weeks. He has a follow-up appointment at the end of the month.

Caden has done ok the past 2 days. We had a rough morning this morning, but he has done well this afternoon and evening. Since I wasn't able to go to the ortho appointment yesterday, I needed some convincing that Caden was going to be ok, so this afternoon I went and saw an orthopedic PA at my old office. He has treated Cody in the past and I really trust his knowledge and judgement. He reassured me that Caden will do fine and that I will be amazed at how the body heals these types of fractures.

So, hopefully that will be the case with Caden. Please remember him (and us) in your prayers as his body heals. It's been nice to have him at home this weekend where I can shelter him from any harm, but as he goes back to school Monday, I know I will be a nervous wreck! Please say a prayer that he will be safe at school and that adjusting to no PE and recess will be as easy as possible. He's done well accepting that he is done with football and the possibility that he will not be able to play basketball. If you know Caden, you know he loves sports, so this has been a little hard for him! (And it's been just as hard on his mom and dad!)

Here are a few pictures of Caden's short-lived flag football season and the season-ending break!

~jen

Blogoversary

3 years ago I sat down at my computer and started this blog. 425 posts later... it's still a work in progress. While the posts seem to come with more days between posts than when I first started, this is still something that I continue to enjoy. For those who live many miles away, I hope this has made you feel apart of our daily lives. For me it's been a great journal filled with many ups and downs. It's comforting to look back and see what we've lived through. It's a reminder that when today's not been a great day, there will be better days ahead. All I have to do is look back and see what all we've overcome. :)
~jen