He was there– in the midst of a crazy mess
Me and Jess @ Rock City
Isn’t God’s creation gorgeous
I loved hanging out with this gal here in america..
Last week was such a crazy mix of fun and absolute the worst of times. The fun part: My friend came to visit for the week from Washington. We were missionaries together in Nepal.. She still is.. was just home on furlough. I had a blast getting to hang out with her and show her around TN. I just love Jessica. She makes me laugh– and I cannot explain it how there is such a special bond when you have served together as missinoaries. I am so grateful for the time we got to spend together last week. And in the midst of that joy was a
CRAZY MESS….
Wednesday got the call that my grandfather was having emeregency surgury for a blockage in his colon.. pretty serious emergency surgury. I LOVE My precious grandfather.. So I drove the 3 1/2 hours to go be there. It was tense as we waited for the outcome of his surgury– tense but all the while knowing no matter the outcome we knew 1) we have a God who is in control of ALL things 2) we are a family who will walk together. He came out of surugry well– we are still waiting for the results
Then while on the phone with my sis telling her the news my precious 5 year old special needs foster nephew had a seizure. He has seizures so this was pretty normal. I called her back and he had another one. Things quickly spiraled downward. He had a 35 minute seizure and had to be rushed by ambulance. We love this little guy like family– aunt nenn loves him sooo much so it was heartbreaking. He was rushed to hospital and when my poor sis got there with her hubby he was in the trauma unit not breathing. The next hours were heartbreaking as they attached him to so many wires and tubes and put his precious little 5 year old body on a ventilator. I was wishing for wings on my car to get there.
And in the midst of this crazy mess God was there
That night I stayed in the PICU with my sister, holding his precious little hand. It was scary. It was painful. BUT GOD WAS THERE. When he could not talk, he would mouth HELP ME NENN.. and I would only be able to pour that into a prayer for God to help him. And He did. God came. God was in that PICU long night of no sleep and the humming of machines. And God was there the next 4 hays he spent in the hospital. Praise the Lord He is doing better. I learned something about God in that moment watching my sister
This little guy is not officially hers yet.. not even to the adopted stage– but she went to bat for him. She advocated for him in that hospital just as her own. She laid in that hospital bed just as she would with her own. She cried tears as if He is her own. And you know what. That is what Jesus did/does for us. Even before we were officially His, he advocated for us– he laid down his life for us, He shed drops of blood for us… as if we were His own. Then HE ADOPTED us.. glory. He is there in our suffering. He was there in the PICU.. He was there when I was showing my friend around TN.. He was there with my grandfather. HE IS… in the midst of a crazy mess.. just as He is in the midst of joyfulness.
No matter what Crazy mess you find yourself in.. invite God there– He IS..
As for my list of thankful things:
45. God provided all I needed for this trip to nepal (see entry from last week for details). It may have seemed crazy to say yes, and last minute to a trip that cost 2,000 dollars when I had no money… but it was not crazy to our God!
46. For not sleeping in a hospital
47. For a person granting grace and mercy
48. For laughter in tears
49. For the food network and watching it in the hospital with my twin sis
50. Singing God is so good over my precious nephew in the PICU with my sis at 3 am
51. Great doctors and nurses
52. For naps.
53. For fall
54. For God’s strength!
55. For coffee.. starbucks in particular
56. Jehovah Jirah.
57. that I am returning back to nepal in less then 2 weeks.. CRAZY!
How about you?
Thanks for sharing this, Jenn. Really incredible to hear all you've gotten to watch our Father do in the midst of a crazy, broken world. HE is Good. PTL!
Praying for some peace & more, for Shalom, as you prep to come out for this trip to Nepal. May He prepare you for all that still lies ahead.
Not sure if I'll be in town while you're here! But it'd be fun to see you if possible.
Much Shalom, John
My gosh, Jenn — a whirlwind of ups and downs, and everything to be thankful for. I am so glad your grandfather came through the surgery so well, and I am so glad your precious nephew's condition has improved. So, so good that you were there to be a rock of support for your sister. God is good! I will pray hard for your family and for the little guy especially.
Thanks for sharing. Our Jehovah Jirah is amazing and is always in the middle of our "crazy messes."
What an incredible, tear-filled, faith-building time in your family's life. Prayers that grandfather and nephew continue to improve steadily and that GOD be glorified.
Hi Jenn – you certainly have had a full week, but as you say, God is always there, no matter what the circumstances.
Praising along with you for Jehovah Jireh's provisions.
Blessings,
Joan
Awww…love you on my first visit:}:} and as I read I find more in common. missionaries, aunties & twins…I love your beautiful heart sister. And I'll be praying as you return to Nepal! Blessings!
Proud of you for giving thanks at all times love you!
Jenn,
Hope your grandfather and your sister's foster son are doing well. You'll have to update us.