my morning help has been Streams in the Desert ... by mrs. cowman ... i can't even begin to share the multiple times that the reading spoke exactly to my need ... then gave encouragement ... it was just like a whispered, loving message from my Heavenly Father ...
even the books that leo and i read together ... again, tailor made for the time ...
at the moment we are reading max lucado's Just like Jesus ... it has interesting chapter titles like "loving the people you are stuck with" ... *grinning* ... i wonder if anyone can relate to that? ... *tongue firmly in cheek* ...
yup - this past 4 months has really been emotion packed ... yet, we have not walked it alone ... always the Lord has prepared the path before us ...
which brings me to a maria update ... i saw her yesterday ... which was super! ... we had a really great visit ... she is looking so well ... yet the bad news continues with low hemoglobin and also questions re how to treat that second virus in her heart ... ... she is being such a trooper ... and she continues to be so very kind to all those who help her (even tho' the help may hurt physically - those yucky tests!) ... there is always a please and thank you ... plus a smile ... maybe a little chuckle ... the poor thing has had a very long 4 months in the hospital ...
through all of this - i pray that we are all being molded to be "Just like Jesus" ... so that these lessons aren't lost ... and that the lost might see the light ...
UPDATE: i just talked to maria ... the heart specialist had been by last night and he said that the virus in her heart is STERILE now ... YAY! ... for 2 weeks, they had been giving maria antibiotics during her dialysis (the dr. said they wanted to do SOMETHING - they couldn't just stand by and watch this thing grow) ... and the anitbiotics worked! that bad virus had already attached itself to one of her heart valves - so the fact that it is sterile now is extremely good news! in fact, they are talking about sending her home again ... possibly at the end of this week or next week ... maria was so overjoyed to hear this ... one step at a time ... she has come such a long way from that very very sick girl at Christmas ...
14 comments:
I laughed at the sentance on "loving those you are stuck with". Funny! Our bible study group is about to start a study on the Psalms by Max Lucado. I really like his writings. I think Maria is quite a testimony to the staff in that hospital.
So good that you had a visit. Still praying. I check in here on a daily basis.
I have that book, "Stream in the Desert" it is awesome and like you say seems tailor made for the situation on hand. And Max Lucado is super as well. So happy to hear you saw Maria, she is an inspiration to me so far away.
I was given a copy of streams in the desert in 1988 when I was undergoing chemo and radiation treatments for cancer. It was a great comfort to me in those dark days and remains to be one of my main devotional books after all these many years!
Blessings!
Saija,
I love how God ministers to you.
As for Maria, God is definitely granting her grace. I remember a hospital stay for some tests and how horrible it was for me..I remember referring to it in a poem I wrote later as..."emotions ravaged, body savaged.."...(did I tell you I was a drama queen?)..
actually, when people read it , I'm sure they thought I was tortured or something (-;...the fact was I was undergoing post-partum at the time, so everything was a tad magnified....
So kudos to Maria..it ain't easy!
May God rain down His kindness on you all..
Love, Sita
Thanks for stopping by with a hug!! I can use all of those that i can get!! Smile!! It is just God when He just comes when you need him the most. We are so happy that my SIL is clear of cancer!! What a blessing. She has a long road ahead but not like it COULD have been..showed many in my family just how prayer does work...God is good...Poor Maria..she must be a great lady!! Take care and have a wonderful Sunday ...You and Leo!!
Hello Saija,
Sorry to hear Maria is having such a struggle, But glad you could visit her.
You speak my very heart also about the right books, devotionals, passages from the Holy Word JUST at the right time in our lives. I always smile that you & Leo read books together. Mickey & I have done that for years. It is such a joy, and such a growing together time.
Susan
Hey, I have an award for you at my 'place'.
Love, Sita
Dear Saija,
I have not read anything by Max Lucado, but I'm glad the two of you have found yet another book bringing you blessings.
I read from the title sheet that God wants me to be just like Jesus.
Oh, my, I have a long way to go.
Most things I've had to learn the hard way. God putting me in awkward positions where I'm confronted with be bigotry.
I've collided with my own mirror this week. It cracked, and I had to review my own thinking and being. Tough job, but I see the reflection of God behind it all.
How great He is.
Still praying for the Saija clan.
May you feel God right there by your right hand side.
From Felisol
I enjoyed this post, Saija. I'm so glad you got to see Maria and that she was better. She sounds like such a sweet person. And thank God for the wonderful news about the virus!
I am so glad that the studies you are doing have so touched you. It is wonderful to hear about Maria. Will keep praying. Hope you are having some spring in your life. Come by and see the pictures of my little Granddaughters and the cows. (o:
Great news about Maria. I'm sure it's taking an emotional toll on everyone and I hope she continues to get well.
Dear Saija,
I presume your days are too busy for you to do some blogging.
Just therefore I came in to say I care a lot about you and your family.
I pray, for Maria, your mother, Leo and little Saija. May God, the almighty strengthen you and hold you up.
From Felisol
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