11-5-03
Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed!
I, I am thy God, and will still give thee aid.
Dear Family and Friends,
Things have been pretty uneventful lately. Tim is holding steady – good vitals, no fever, etc. We haven’t really noticed anything new that he is doing, but we continue to watch and pray.
His cast came off a few days ago and has been replaced by an orthopedic boot. Today, I left a note for the doctor regarding the cervical collar – I think that can probably be removed now. I also asked about Tim getting a flu shot. I think it would probably be a good idea. I thought of that yesterday when I had Daniel into the doctor for a nagging cough.
We had a wonderful weekend. We were able to spend time with some dear friends we had met in Misawa, Japan. The Curtis family drove down from New Mexico. We hadn’t seen them since my family went stateside for my cancer treatment. Plus, Melody Dawson, our dear friend who still lives in Misawa, has been here for several days. It was such a treat for the kids to be back together. Melody, Becky and Rachel, and Julianna Curtis had formed a quartet called, “Souled Out”, while we were all living in Japan. Sunday, at our church, “Souled Out” sang together for the first time in over a year. It was very special. Becky gave a short testimony before they sang their second song called “Blue Skies”. She said that the words to the song were so true. She said that even though her family had been through some very grave times lately, that nothing changed the fact that God was good. She said He is good today, He was good yesterday, and He will always be good. It really blessed my heart to hear those words as my “mother’s prayer” for our kids the past few years has been for my children’s faith to be real and their very own -not just an inherited faith from their parents. I guess there is really no way to know for sure if something is genuine, like faith, unless it is tested. Tim’s constant prayer for our family is that God would continually stretch us spiritually, that He wouldn’t let us get lazy or complacent in our relationship with Him – EVER. Now you know why I don’t ask “Why us, God?” or act surprised at all the things that have happened. God answers all prayers that are according to His word. I am not saying that I have all the answers or that I know for sure why this has happened. I am sure there are a number of reasons and some of them probably don’t even specifically pertain to my family. I got a great booklet from some friends this past week called, “Some things I learned about God from the life of Joseph”. It was really encouraging. I plan to read it to Tim next week. Joseph is probably Tim’s favorite person (next to the Lord) in all of scripture. Anyway, one thing was mentioned that really caught my attention. The author said that often times we go through trials for the benefit of other people. I hadn’t really thought of that, but would agree with it. Whatever the reason(s), Tim would say that if it is okay with the Lord, it is okay with him. I just wish I was always okay with this!
My heart is so blessed every time I walk into the hospital and see someone from our church family visiting with Tim. I am so very thankful to all of you for sticking with the kids and I in prayer and with your presence. The body of Christ is such an amazing organism!! I wish I’d thought of it, it’s so brilliant.
Blue Skies
On days of gray
When doubt clouds my view
It's so hard to see past my fears
My strength seems to fade
And it's all I can do
To hold on, 'til the light reappears
Still, I believe though some rain's bound to fall
That you're here next to me
And you're over it all
Lord, the sky's still blue
For my hope is in you
You're my joy
You're the dream that's still alive
Like the wind at my back
And the sun on my face
You are life
You're grace
You are blue skies
You're my blue skies
When nights are long
Seems the dark has no end
Still we walk on in light of the truth
For waiting beyond
Where the morning begins
Is the dawn, and you're mercy anew
Oh, to believe we're alive in you're love
There is so much to see
If we keep looking up
Lord, the
sky's still blue
For my hope is in you
You're my joy
You're the dream that's still alive
Like the wind at my back
And the sun on my face
You are life
You're grace
You are blue skies
You're my blue skies
You fill the heavens with hope and a higher love
A picture, a promise for life
Lord, the
sky's still blue
For my hope is in you
You're my joy
You're the dream that's still alive
Like the wind at my back
And the sun on my face
You are life
You're grace
You are blue skies
You're my blue skies
Peace,
Carole and the kids