Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Two and a half years.....
Sure wish my readers consisted of short gut parents only today. I have SUCH amazing news, and would love to give you all the exciting 'intestinal details.' However....I realize that most of you reading this don't have poop journals for your 7 yr. old kids, nor do you take pictures and text them to your husband. haha!! Therefore I will spare you the details. Just know we had an extraordinary praise today. One that hasn't been seen for 2 1/2 YEARS! And one we thought we would never see....this side of Short Gut Life!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Questions...
Why do You allow these young children to suffer and even die? And why do You choose to mercifully spare others?
These questions along with about 100 more flooded my soul this past week. We took our youth group back to Student Life in Orange Beach, AL. It was incredible!!! I honestly don't have adequate words to describe how AWESOME this camp is! However, one afternoon I was catching up on my email, etc....and came across some very grim news concerning 2 of our UNMC "bowel friends." I have been following both of their blogs for almost 2 years, and met both girls and their beautiful mommies while in Omaha. Currently they are in a desperate need for miracles. Things are looking so bad. It absolutely breaks my heart to read about them and what their families are going through.
That particular night at worship I felt so heavy. The presence of God had fallen hard on that building, and I cried out to Him. Caed (and Reagan) had both fallen asleep in the chairs completely oblivious to everything going on in the room. I fell to my knees....held Caed in my arms and sobbed my eyes out. WHY GOD???? Why did you choose to have mercy on me? Why did You allow Caed to live...and thrive? I am SO undeserving and I'm sorry for being unfaithful to You. There are SO many who do not make it. SO many mommies and daddies who have to bury their babies. WHY???
I still do not fully know the answers to these burning questions. I think they will always haunt me somehow. And yet for the first time since Caed's illness (and recovery), I became SO overwhelmed at His mercy. To REALLY get it! In the last 2 years, I have been surrounded by other moms who have walked a similar road with their child and those ornery intestines. And yet....one after the other, are going through MUCH more pain and hurt than I could ever dream. Caed is a miracle. A 100% living, breathing, running, drum-playing MIRACLE!!!! I believe that with all my heart. And yet this same heart hurts so badly for my dear friends. Why God? Why are You allowing all this to happen?
It will cut you to the core. Once you get it. It's the reality of the brevity of life. To go through a trauma so big....so real....so awful and ugly. It shows us we are not invincible. Not bulletproof. We are not guaranteed tomorrow...even though we somehow think God owes it to us. I hate it! It hurts and literally make me sick to my stomach to think about. But.....I know it also is a gift. To not take life and each day He gives us for granted. To learn to LIVE! To LAUGH! To LOVE! To glorify Him and ENJOY Him forever.........and be overwhelmed by our Father God!
I know HE is GOOD.....and HIS plans are PERFECT.
These questions along with about 100 more flooded my soul this past week. We took our youth group back to Student Life in Orange Beach, AL. It was incredible!!! I honestly don't have adequate words to describe how AWESOME this camp is! However, one afternoon I was catching up on my email, etc....and came across some very grim news concerning 2 of our UNMC "bowel friends." I have been following both of their blogs for almost 2 years, and met both girls and their beautiful mommies while in Omaha. Currently they are in a desperate need for miracles. Things are looking so bad. It absolutely breaks my heart to read about them and what their families are going through.
That particular night at worship I felt so heavy. The presence of God had fallen hard on that building, and I cried out to Him. Caed (and Reagan) had both fallen asleep in the chairs completely oblivious to everything going on in the room. I fell to my knees....held Caed in my arms and sobbed my eyes out. WHY GOD???? Why did you choose to have mercy on me? Why did You allow Caed to live...and thrive? I am SO undeserving and I'm sorry for being unfaithful to You. There are SO many who do not make it. SO many mommies and daddies who have to bury their babies. WHY???
I still do not fully know the answers to these burning questions. I think they will always haunt me somehow. And yet for the first time since Caed's illness (and recovery), I became SO overwhelmed at His mercy. To REALLY get it! In the last 2 years, I have been surrounded by other moms who have walked a similar road with their child and those ornery intestines. And yet....one after the other, are going through MUCH more pain and hurt than I could ever dream. Caed is a miracle. A 100% living, breathing, running, drum-playing MIRACLE!!!! I believe that with all my heart. And yet this same heart hurts so badly for my dear friends. Why God? Why are You allowing all this to happen?
It will cut you to the core. Once you get it. It's the reality of the brevity of life. To go through a trauma so big....so real....so awful and ugly. It shows us we are not invincible. Not bulletproof. We are not guaranteed tomorrow...even though we somehow think God owes it to us. I hate it! It hurts and literally make me sick to my stomach to think about. But.....I know it also is a gift. To not take life and each day He gives us for granted. To learn to LIVE! To LAUGH! To LOVE! To glorify Him and ENJOY Him forever.........and be overwhelmed by our Father God!
I know HE is GOOD.....and HIS plans are PERFECT.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
7500 miles
...is a rough estimation between Texas and New Zealand. Why on earth is that information relevant? Because it is proof yet again of the wonderful Providence of God.
Meet the MacDonald family. Hamish and Anita....and their daughter Aria (4) and son Asher (2). I have mentioned them before in my blog and have asked for prayer for Aria on numerous occasions. So many of you now follow her story and faithfully lift this family up in prayer.
Now to continue with the story that first took place over a year ago....
I sat down one day to catch up on some email and opened one up from a "stranger." This is actually not all that unusual these days. Ever since Caed's illness, I have "met" so many wonderful families all across the US. We share a bond that is chronically ill children. However, this email was different some how. It was from a woman on the other side of the globe with a very ill little girl who came across Caed's blog from googling "bowel" and "University of Nebraska Medical Center." (wow!) The emails which were exchanged those first few days were full of lots of tears (between the both of us). There was an instant connection....and one that only the God of this universe could put in motion. For almost a year, we corresponded via computer (email and Facebook). And finally....we were able to meet face to face this past week in Omaha. There was a very odd feeling when I first saw her. Like we were old friends who just hadn't seen each other in a long time. haha We were able to spend several days together and ask one another all kinds of questions and of course laugh at the extremities of our accents. You can guess who had the most beautiful one! (hint....not the hick from Texas) However, Todd and I are proud that of all the restaurants we could have taken her....we chose DQ! ha (can you get any more redneck?)
The kids also had lots of fun together. Asher and Caleb hit it off (only 2 months apart), and Caed was his usual "entertaining" self, which Asher LOVED! We told them we can rent Caed out if they ever needed it. ;)
Although, one thing was always missing during our times together.....Asher's beautiful big sister, Aria.
Getting to finally see her sweet face in person was such a joy! We have prayed SO HARD for Aria particularly this year, and to see her and SEE God's hand was truly amazing. In a nut shell....the MacDonald family left their home in NZ, and came to UNMC to save their daughter's life. A multi-organ transplant was their only hope. However, Aria has not only had 1, but now 2 M/O transplants! She is a true miracle. She is so strong and brave and an inspiration to thousands of people all over the world who have the privilege of praying for her. Aria still has a long way to go, but is making progress daily. THANK YOU GOD!!!!
One thing is for sure. This was not a chance meeting between the Hollingsworth and MacDonald families. It wasn't by accident or coincidence. It was only by the hand of God who holds the whole world in His hands. I absolutely HATE the reasons why we are connected. If I could change those, I would. And yet....I'm thankful that yet again God shows me how He is always bringing beauty from the ashes, in different forms and different ways.
We love you Anita and Hamish. You guys are in our thoughts and PRAYERS daily!!!!! You are both truly amazing people, and we are privileged to now call you friends.
Meet the MacDonald family. Hamish and Anita....and their daughter Aria (4) and son Asher (2). I have mentioned them before in my blog and have asked for prayer for Aria on numerous occasions. So many of you now follow her story and faithfully lift this family up in prayer.Now to continue with the story that first took place over a year ago....
I sat down one day to catch up on some email and opened one up from a "stranger." This is actually not all that unusual these days. Ever since Caed's illness, I have "met" so many wonderful families all across the US. We share a bond that is chronically ill children. However, this email was different some how. It was from a woman on the other side of the globe with a very ill little girl who came across Caed's blog from googling "bowel" and "University of Nebraska Medical Center." (wow!) The emails which were exchanged those first few days were full of lots of tears (between the both of us). There was an instant connection....and one that only the God of this universe could put in motion. For almost a year, we corresponded via computer (email and Facebook). And finally....we were able to meet face to face this past week in Omaha. There was a very odd feeling when I first saw her. Like we were old friends who just hadn't seen each other in a long time. haha We were able to spend several days together and ask one another all kinds of questions and of course laugh at the extremities of our accents. You can guess who had the most beautiful one! (hint....not the hick from Texas) However, Todd and I are proud that of all the restaurants we could have taken her....we chose DQ! ha (can you get any more redneck?)
The kids also had lots of fun together. Asher and Caleb hit it off (only 2 months apart), and Caed was his usual "entertaining" self, which Asher LOVED! We told them we can rent Caed out if they ever needed it. ;)
Although, one thing was always missing during our times together.....Asher's beautiful big sister, Aria.
Getting to finally see her sweet face in person was such a joy! We have prayed SO HARD for Aria particularly this year, and to see her and SEE God's hand was truly amazing. In a nut shell....the MacDonald family left their home in NZ, and came to UNMC to save their daughter's life. A multi-organ transplant was their only hope. However, Aria has not only had 1, but now 2 M/O transplants! She is a true miracle. She is so strong and brave and an inspiration to thousands of people all over the world who have the privilege of praying for her. Aria still has a long way to go, but is making progress daily. THANK YOU GOD!!!!
One thing is for sure. This was not a chance meeting between the Hollingsworth and MacDonald families. It wasn't by accident or coincidence. It was only by the hand of God who holds the whole world in His hands. I absolutely HATE the reasons why we are connected. If I could change those, I would. And yet....I'm thankful that yet again God shows me how He is always bringing beauty from the ashes, in different forms and different ways.
We love you Anita and Hamish. You guys are in our thoughts and PRAYERS daily!!!!! You are both truly amazing people, and we are privileged to now call you friends.
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