You Prayed For Me

Where do I start? How did I end up like I am...determined to live for God. No I am not better than you. Someone prayed for me, that is why I am determined to serve God everyday, every moment. From my earliest memories (which many where erased due to becoming sick 10 years ago) I remember my mother telling me that she prayed for me, my sister and my brother. She would tell us how she prayed over and over, day after day. What an amazing memory to have. A mother taking time to praise and petition God for her children. In all honesty, I can't remember my dad ever praying except for when it was time to eat. I wonder if he prayed for us so fervently?

We as children were not really taught how to pray unless is was by one of our Bible class teachers. I see several of them from time to time. My precious teachers from Oxford church of Christ. You prayed for me. You prayed that all those little ones that you taught would grow up to love the Lord and serve Him all their days. Thank you. 

Throughout my life someone from time to time has told me that they were praying for me. They were begging God on my behalf to help me in some way. That is the best gift anyone could ever give to someone. Going before the throne of God, the Creator and Designer, and laying your requests at His feet. What a humbling thought. 

Please continue praying for me. I am a work in progress. I need to be transformed daily to what God would have me to be (Romans 12:2). Thank you to my mother for planting the first seeds of the good news in my heart. You made my life what it is today. You planted seeds of love and pure joy, that no matter what I can be an overcomer. 

Update

I have been very busy lately. It has been a wonderful time in my life. Jim is feeling great. The kids are over there sicknesses. I am teaching and preparing for new things to come. 

Julianna finished her basketball season 3-3. Her team won first place. She did a great job scoring, rebounding and taking up for her teammates. Julianna has cooked breakfast for the whole family the past 3 weekends. She is an amazing cook and she also gave me a pedicure. I feel like I am royalty. 

Cameron is really involved in reading and writing his own stories. He still loves to collect rocks and watch nature shows. He's my little scientist. 

I have been meaning to write about our trip to OK over the Christmas break. I didn't want to rush into it. I wanted to really process everything. Lord willing, I will share my thoughts of the trip soon.

I want to continue to thank everyone for their support of Jim and our family. With January, we saw increasing insurance costs and drug deductibles. It is hard to swallow a bill that's over $1300 for just two medicines. With God's love and mercy we will always be provided for. 

We want to especially thank the Glencoe church of Christ and the Weaver church of Christ for their recent help with our medical bills. Brethren, you just don't know how much it helps. We also want to thank the various congregations that have asked Jim to preach. Isn't God so good? Jim is able to do what he loves without feeling like a truck hit him. Praise God!

Remember, to fight the good fight...press on toward the mark...it will surely be worth it. 

Bible Time - The Gospel Accounts

We did it. From the time Jim got moved out of the hospital until this morning, as a family we studied Matthew, Mark, Luke and John verse by verse. It was an amazing study that benefited all of us. Even though I have read those books several times throughout the years, each time I gain something new. God is so wise and the good news is so simple. We make it hard. I don't know exactly how many Bible verses we have memorized as a family (60+). I will have to update you on that when I count them tonight. It's amazing. We see our memory verses every where we go...from other church buildings to Cracker Barrel. Thank you God for your wonderful words of life.

December 31, 2013 - 67 verses that are committed to memory by the family.

Candy Cane Lane

Yesterday, Jim and I were privileged to see a play at the school for the blind in Talladega. It was amazing to see all those children singing their hearts out and quoting every line perfectly. It was emotional. I cried several times because they were so amazing. I looked at all those children and saw how wonderful God truly is. I remembered all the times that I have read the scriptures and Jesus would heal the deaf and blind. Jesus would touch them when he didn't have to. He showed compassion on them and acknowledged them. The play was complicated and busy...something that most "regular" school children couldn't pull off if they wanted to.

We have gotten to know one of the students pretty well. She attends services with us at Ironaton. She is a beautiful young lady that is so precious and kind. She loves to make new friends and is always so happy. She had complications at birth and because of that her eye sight was damaged. The doctors say that it shouldn't get any worse or better for that matter. 

Please be thankful for each moment and each day. Be thankful for your healthy children. Be thankful for your disabled or handicap children. God sees them all as a blessing. It is up to us to open our eyes and hearts to see like God would have us to.

Psalm 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.


Thank you God for one more day!

Please pray for Emma Mitchell at this time. She is battling cancer. She has been fighting hard for a long time. With God all things are possible. Emma, we hope you get a special Christmas gift this year. Munford loves you, sweetheart.
 

Meeting the Donor Family

It has been about two weeks ago, when we received our first phone call. Sure we have exchanged letters and pictures but actually talking to the family is surreal. The phone call came in when we were at the doctor's office. The number was unfamiliar and Jim almost sent it to voicemail. The doctor was supposed to be coming in the room any minute. Then we saw that is was an Oklahoma number.

We answered it. It was the donor's mother. We talked about the weather for the first five minutes...I guess she was wondering how to talk to the man who has her son's heart. She was so happy and thankful to have received all of our letters and pictures. We have so much in common with them it is rather strange. You can see God's providence in all of it.

Since that phone call we have talked several times. She tells us that she loves us and that she considers us as part of her family. It is an amazing experience to know that she has opened herself up to us and cares for us so much.

We will release more details later. We plan to visit her over the Christmas break. It will be a long road trip but I personally can't wait to hug her. I want to thank her for her decision and her willingness to allow her son to save lives. I know he saved more people than Jim. I have my husband, the love of my life and my children have a father. That is the best gift...it is truly amazing! I am so humbled and I know I will cry like a baby. Ok...tearing up.

Please keep her and her family and as well as all of us as we plan to make this trip. God is doing great things with Jim. We pray that we make an impact on their lives and lead them closer to the Lord.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
(Proverbs 3:6)

God help us to be thankful for each moment.
Thank you for one more day!
 

Sixth Month Anniversary

Can't believe it's been 6 month since Jim was given a second chance at life. It has been busy and crazy, fun and trying. We feel blessed beyond measure. Great is our God. 

Biopsy showed ZERO rejection. Six months of perfect results. We serve an awesome God! Thank You! 

Please keep the prayers coming. We love and appreciate all of those who have held us up during our various trials. TGBTG!

Time Changed

It seemed like the clock rolled back and so did our life. Our son has been battling the flu for almost a week. Jim has had a battery of tests at UAB. 

Cameron never complains so when he says he doesn't feel good, he really doesn't. He slowly bounced back and was able to return to school on Thursday. 

Jim has had 4 little spells where he didn't know what he was doing. He gets glassed over eyes and doesn't make any sense if he is talking. The doctors concluded that he is having silent seizures. He is not shaking or convulsing, he is just out of it.

Though we might be shaken we will not crumble. God helps us to be more than conquerors. Romans 8:37