I will tell you that my day started with church and it was wonderful. Pastor Spike's message was focusing on ways to persevere and continue until the end. And, they sang songs that I think were hand picked for me. First, they sang "Fountains." This song brings me such joy as it reminds me of the students at UC dancing and their love for the Lord. We actually missed this song at the beginning of the service, because we were late... but I heard it at the beginning of the second service and went and sang it then. The second song was one I have never heard before, "Sovereign Over Us." We walked in during the bridge and I knew God was using this for our situation. The lyrics are "Even what the enemy means for evil, you turn out for good. Even in the valley you are faithful, you're working for our good. You're working for our good and for your glory." My prayer is that in everything we face, He receives glory and I have seen it time and time again. I know their are specific prayers being answered and still more being lifted up- but I know He is working for His good and our good. The third song was "The Great I Am." I was brought to tears listening to this song, just thinking about His goodness through all of this. I love that in everything I face, I know He is The Great I Am. And finally, the fourth song was "Always." Once again, my makeup was running down my face (I really should invest in waterproof mascara and eyeliner with my known tendency to cry.. for those of you asking to help.. maybe this is your area.. just kidding.) I do know that He is always with me, I know that "He will not delay" that He is "my refuge and strength ALWAYS!" I must admit that as I was singing "I will not fear the storm" I was convicted as I do still have fear, but I know that is still a work in progress!
As for Sadie's condition, she is doing great! Our cardiologist said that we just have to focus on her getting to eat now! What a wonderful thing. I have had many people warn me that this is a very long and tedious process, but I am so thankful to be here. Tomorrow, speech therapy will hopefully come by to determine when we may be ready to try feeding from a bottle.
Today was also an exciting day for her grandparents as they got to hold her for the first time! It was a beautiful thing for me to see and I am sure for her to feel. God is so good!
Verse of the Day:
"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
It is never to early to start ingraining scripture into our children's hearts or our own! So many people are often looking for the answer to success, so I figured I would go ahead and share it with her on her 20th day of life. In order to be prosperous and successful, all we need to do is follow His instructions given to us in His word. Now, I have to be careful to explain that being "prosperous and successful" is not portrayed correctly in our world today. If you ask most people they would believe those who are "prosperous and successful" are the rich or the famous.. well I know this is not true as I have seen it firsthand recently.
I remember a few months ago when Pastor Glenn was preaching for Pastor Spike one Sunday. I can not remember what the message was on, but I think it had something to do with trusting God. What I do remember was a little catchphrase he used in the sermon.. "God's will, God's bill." I remember thinking how cool it was, but I had never really seen it in action. Well, I have seen an abundance of this over the last few months. When we first discovered Sadie's heart condition, we just resolved that we would live in medical debt for the next 60 years trying to pay for everything. We figured, we could pay each of our doctor's a small amount forever. Well, our first look at this "God's will, God's bill" situation occurred in January. I went to my OB and they told me my entire bill was due then or I could not schedule anymore appointments. This was a large sum, so we maxed out our credit cards, but still owed over $700.00. Although this was a large sum, it was not too big for our God. Through my dad speaking with one of his friends and my mom speaking with another friend from church- the bill was completely covered. One of our friend's from church happened to work for my insurance company and informed us that she would put us in touch with someone who would call our OB and try to work out a payment arrangement. Then, one of my dad's friends wrote us a check for $250.00. Well, I ended up receiving a call from my OB letting me know that they had spoken with my insurance and that I had reached another part of my deductible and the remaining balance of my bill was adjusted to $250.18. How amazing that God had laid that amount on his heart and that it was only an eighteen cent difference! Our next look at this came through gifts from people at my school. The Saturday before Sadie was born, Jeleen, Summer and Kelli came by to spend time with me and pray with me before she would arrive. Well when they came, they also brought me gift cards and money from the cheerleaders, faculty and staff at University Christian. It was a huge blessing and I was humbled at the gift. I know that pride is one of my weak areas, and it is often so hard to except things from others and this was no exception. I was left in shock and utter amazement at the huge blessing I was given. Shortly after that, we were blessed again when one of Zach's cousins and uncles decided to start an online fundraising effort for Sadie. We were in shock again as we saw money pouring in from family, friends and some people we did not even know! And that money is continuing to pour in. Today I learned of two other blessings- one from UC and one from someone I do not even know. One of Zach's aunts has a friend who owns a cupcake shop in Decatur, Indiana. Well that friend is selling Easter cupcakes as a fundraiser for Sadie and is giving the proceeds to Sadie! What a wonderful blessing again. Once again, I am in awe of the generosity and love shown by so many people.
We are prospering at this time when it would seem impossible. Not because we are "rich" by any means. But because of the blessings of others. We still have yet to see many medical bills and we still know we will have them for years to come, but we know that God will take care of us and that we will prosper because He is with us. We do not need to fear!
Furthermore, we are prospering in life! We have two beautiful little girls that bring our hearts so much joy. We have amazing families who love us and love the Lord and have helped us through this situation. We have friends who are more like family, who have also walked this road with us and will continue to walk this road with us! And we have countless people praying for us and our sweet little girl! It is so amazing to feel and see God's love through other people! So we will not be afraid because we know He is with us wherever we go!
Praises for the Day:
1. Being able to spend time with our church family this morning!
2. Sadie was finally able to be held by her grandparents.
3. Sadie is still doing well with her milk.. she is up to 7 ml per hour (which is just under an ounce every four hours)
Prayer Requests for the Day:
1. Pray for her leg to stop swelling. The doctor's believe they know why it is swelling (due to the line in her leg) and have removed the line so it should go down by morning!
2. Pray for wisdom and a good report from "speech" tomorrow so that we can hopefully work on feeding by mouth soon!
3. Pray for continued protection from infection.
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