Lessons From My Daughter...

Kayleigh wrote this tonight in response to the death of Brooke Edwards, another classmate of hers who died too soon.. We, as parents, are supposed to be ministering to our children. But often, in my house, our kids minister to us through things like this...

--------

Hey guys, status updates only allow about 420 characters so I used my knowledge and common sense for a change to figure out writing a note would be easier. This won't take long but please read it, and I apologize for the capitals, I figured it would get your attention. Feel free to share this if you think it'll help people, I'm hoping it helps you.

As you all know by now, this year is not easy, and it feels like we're under a big, dark rain cloud that has no intentions of going away. Four amazing people have been lost at Reagan this year, and many more around the community without our knowledge; but our family is hurting. Loved ones have been lost, best friends, sisters, brothers, cousins. I'm not writing this to make you all more upset, but to let you know you are not alone in this storm.

Everything happens for a reason. Most of the time, that reason is unknown to us, but it always appears later, showing us what we were missing during the rain. Things happen that hurt and cause pain, make us weep and angry, but no matter how amazing or how terrible something that happens is, God has something greater planned when we trust Him, trust each other and help each other through it. Right now, something completely amazing must be planned for us, other wise we would not be under attack from the enemy, from the one who wants to tear us down. That gives me more hope, more faith in knowing that there is a light at the end of this tunnel.

You are not alone, guys, never. It may feel like you're walking alone. Maybe you're asking yourself, why, why is this happening to us? Why to the sweetest people, they don't deserve this, why are You letting this happen? But truth is, you are far from alone. Look at the faith and the love that you guys have all brought together to support each other this year, look how close and how far we have come from the beginning of the year, and even farther back. You guys are truly blessed, each and every one of you. You're blessed with families, friends, amazing talents, opportunities, lives, and memories, and you have been put here for a reason. Those who we have lost held faith in their hearts, and I have full faith that they are with God now, watching down over us, being our guardian angels when the storm never seems to end.

Keep the faith, don't lose the hope and everything because it seems as if nothing is going to get better. I promise you, it will. We are a family, and we need to stick together, support each other, pray for one another, love on everyone. Don't let any person go without knowing they are loved, because each and every one of you is loved and cherished and taken care of. Not one of you isn't good enough, for everything. We aren't perfect, but that makes us all connected. In these times, hold your memories close, God closer and surround yourself with friends and those who love you. Cherish the moments you have, because we are not promised tomorrow. Time isn't meant to be wasted holding anger to things that we couldn't have prevented. Brooke's death was an accident, nothing could have stopped it, its not Brooke's fault, or the drivers. God wanted his angel back. Nick was an accident, the ice froze moments before and no one could have stopped it. I worried for the longest time, wishing I had talked to him longer that morning, thinking if I had, he would still be here, but I realize now that nothing I had done could have prevented it. Don't blame yourselves, or God, or others. Everything that happens is for a reason.

I love you guys. I know its crazy to think one person can love people they don't even know, but truth is, no one has ever given me good enough reason to not care about them, even if I don't know you. God loves you, and He has a plan for your lives, and for these moments that are difficult and that tear us down. Keep the faith and trust in Him, and trust in each other. We can make it through if we act like a family, no matter what race, girl/boy, dorky/cool, we are all the same, we are all family and we are strong enough to make it through.

Keep the faith, hold the hope, never give up and never let go. When you see only one set of footprints in the sand, that is when He carries you.

Stay strong, guys, we are a family.

Jeremiah 29:11 "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"

Psalm 23:4 "Lord though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me."

Not Some of My Proudest Hours...

I came home from an amazing youth retreat one week ago today. It was a weekend full of unity, fellowship, and fun with our amazing Ignite ROCC Youth Ministries Group. Before we left camp, we talked to the kids about how satan likes to swoop in wherever God is working in our lives. Little did I know that I needed that speech for MYSELF!

Sunday night started as always... the kids had youth group and all was well. But, Chase came home from youth with a fever of 104.3, body aches, chills, and a horrible headache. Monday morning it was confirmed..... influenza! By Wednesday it moved into his chest and he developed lovely blisters all around the inside of his mouth. So... back to the doctor we went on Thursday and sure enough... we were now looking at a possible pneumonia! Lovely!!

As if that wasn't enough, Paige came home from school on Thursday with an itchy rash all the way around her eye. Since we were already taking Kayleigh to the doctor on Friday morning, we scheduled Paige as well.

Well.... Friday morning didn't exactly go smoothly! Turns out Kayleigh apparently tested positive for MONO the last time we were there and no one called to tell us! She also had some other funky labwork AND she has a mole on her shoulder that is changing quickly and looks a tad suspicious. So... they drew EIGHT vials of blood (they wanted ELEVEN!!), scheduled a procedure to have the mole cut out, and a follow up visit to go over all the labwork they did on the blood they sucked out of her.

Paige.... well sure enough it was another fungal infection, only this time they can't give her cream because of the eye. Instead she gets to take some yummy stuff called Grisefulvin that she has to choke down every night!

After all this I finally get Paige and Kayleigh to school and I head to work, getting there around 11am. At 12:10pm I get a call from Devin... he was in a car accident on Silas Creek Parkway! Thankfully he's ok... but his new Isuzu Rodeo is crunched up a bit in the back! Ughh!

By this point I was ridiculously frustrated and stressed out and really didn't even stop to pray about any of it... not proud of that, but it's the truth. Instead, the more I thought about it the more frustrated I became and when I got home I was just snippy. My best friend stopped by to surprise me with Haagen Daas, Sprite & Spiced Rum, Tulips, and a few hours of friendship... but as soon as she left I wallowed up in my pity party again.

But Saturday morning I was smacked upside the head with what I should have been thankful for... only not in a good way....

Another young Reagan High School student, Brooke Edwards, was killed late Friday night. In my sadness for Brooke's death is when I finally stepped out of my pity party and realized how blessed I truly am. Sure... I had a bad week, but... We have insurance to pay for doctors visits, we have the money to pay for all the prescriptions and medications, we have car insurance to cover Devin's car, and we still HAVE Devin!

... But the Edward's family... they don't have their Brooke.

So, my verse from this point forward is from Psalms 16:8: "I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shakin." When I feel like satan is swooping in on me I will recite this verse and remember first and foremost that He is with me always and second, I am blessed!

Keeping a Holy Lent

We were Catholic for many years, and although we are no longer practicing Catholic and we are members at River Oaks Community Church, there are some beliefs of our Catholic background that still mean a lot to us. One of those beliefs is the idea of giving up something for Lent to glorify and Honor a God who gave up His LIFE for us!

We talk to the kids each year about why we do this, and we all decide on something that we can "give up". We also encourage them to do the same thing. One year I gave up pop (yeah, that didn't work out so well!), Mike has given up cursing (a few time), and Kayleigh even tried giving up MEAT one year! But in all of our choices - they seemed to be selfish choices to make US feel better about ourselves and really didn't do much to put the spotlight on the One who gave His life for us!

Today, I was reminded of an email from a friend last year after reading a Facebook status of a student. The email guided us to focus on ways to give up actions and to glorify Him more. It was perfect for us last year and I want to share it with anyone who is willing to read...

Give up complaining - Focus on gratitude

Philippians 2:14&15 – Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure…

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.


Give up bitterness - Turn to forgiveness

Ephesians 4:31 – Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind and compassionate to one another forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.


Give up worry - Trust in God

Matthew 6:25 – “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life… who by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

Matthew 6:33 – But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.


Give up discouragement - Be full of hope

Deuteronomy 31:8 – The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you: he will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Isaiah 40:31 – But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.


Give up hatred - Return good for evil

1 John 2:9 – Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.

Luke 6:27 – “But I tell you who hear me; Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”


Give up anger - Be more patient

Matthew 5:22 – But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.

Proverbs 15:18 – A hot tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.


Give up gossiping - Control your tongue

Psalm 34:13 – Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.

Proverbs 21:23 – He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.

I hope that this helps you during this Lent and Easter season to remember why we celebrate Easter, how much our God loves us, and ways that we can glorify and honor Him!