peace

God moves in the strangest of ways.

Brasen is now 6 years old. This child who was never expected (by doctors) to survive even a day outside of the womb is now 6 years old!! This alone just floors me. I don't think that it will surprise anyone when I say the last almost 7 years have been extremely trying- emotionally, physically, spiritually, financially, relationally- whatever could be stretched has been stretched to extremes. I would never say that God put us through this- that will never come out of my mouth. What I will say, proudly, is that OUR GOD has brought us through this. Man, satan has definitely been working overtime but it is true- what satan tries to use against us- God can, will and does turn it around for His glory.

We are at a whole new place in our journey with Brasen- a kidney transplant is just around the corner. We have no idea what we "should" expect. I say "should" because doctors tell us one thing, nurses tell us another, social workers tell us another, financial advisors tell us another. We have information coming at us from so many different areas that it is overwhelming at times to even think about......that is why most of the time I choose not to. This may sound strange but one thing Brian and I have learned, probably the most, over the past 7 years is that worrying about things does nothing. Giving it to God- laying it down and really letting Him take it- is the only thing that has gotten us through.

Chris Tomlin has a song called "Our God" and it is one of our anthem songs right now.

our God is greater
Our God is stronger
God you are higher than any other
Our God is Healer
Awesome in power
Our God, Our God

and if our God is for us
then who could ever stop us
and if our God is with us
then what could stand against

We recently found out that Brian is going to be able to give Brasen one of his kidneys. Of course we are praying over this and we know that God is going to heal both of them quickly with no complications. The fact that Brian is going to be able to do this for Brasen just adds even more to this amazing testimony this little boy has. What an amazing picture of what Jesus has done for us- gave of himself so that we could live. I am honestly speechless when I think about this.

I feel so honored to be a part of such an amazing life story- both of my son and of my husband. Talk about feeling totally unworthy but, as a mom and as a wife I thank God every day for the tremendous blessings He has chosen to place in my life. Why in the world He chose me to mother these three beautiful children and to marry such an amazing, selfless man is just beyond me.

So, as we are full blast heading into the next part of this journey I ask that you all pray with us. Don't pray out of obligation, fear, sympathy, doubt- but pray out of strong and sincere faith. We are speaking healing and life over this and we are welcoming all of you to join us. You play a huge role in our lives. Each of your prayers are priceless to us so please join with us, our family and our church family as we speak life and health over this transplant.

I pray that each of you have an amazing Christmas. Through whatever struggles you may be going through right now and whatever is being thrown at you I pray that you have peace- true peace. Just remember, we worship and we serve an amazing God who is The Prince of Peace- humanness will set in from time to time but stay focused. Don't hold on to worry-

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 The Message Bible

" So, we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever"