End of 40 Days

Over 40 days ago my friend Jennifer Sartorius encouraged me to do a "40 day novena" for Willow and our family. I responded that I needed something tangible. I did not want to pray to a Saint (although I do regularly). I wanted needed "God's hands and feet."  I needed help!  We were struggling to meet our most basic needs and feeling very neglected and broken. Willow was spreading feces over her room on a daily basis and was in a plateau with her speech.  We literally had sacrificed everything and I was just dispondent with where she was at.  I literally had no help and was overwhelmed with the BASIC CARE of our children.  I sat on her request for two weeks.  I had resigned myself to the fact that this was just the way it was.  This was my life.  Then, while looking through my bookshelf, I found it. I picked up the book and knew that it was the one. I found Finding God in Autism: a forty day devotional for parents.  I called my friend and we both decided that it was the one we were supposed to do.  We read scripture everyday, carved out prayer time (along with some family members), and I prayed over my daughter for complete healing.  Two days into it my friend came to me with another request.  Chris should do it with me and if he did "God would work miracles...all he has to do is ask."  Well, God did work miracles.  Chris was completely devoted.  He never missed a day.  He developed a life long habit and I can feel it's difference in our marriage.  He has taken his rightful place as the "head of the household" and spiritual leader.  God put people (thank you Eddye and my amazing friends) and ministries in my life to help us get through.  Willow is doing amazing.  Her progress is phenominal and the people at Tulsa Sunshine Center have been so good to our family.  Chris is interveiwing for a new job and we are both so grateful for the great opportunities (thank you, Patti and Janna) and are looking forward to the future.  I haven't felt this much peace in so long.  We are experiencing our family's version of normal.  For the first time, in a long time, we have stability and hope.  It is a process and it is going to just take time and patience but I know we can make it through.  In the last month, God has shown us miracle after miracle.  We literally were short over $2000 dollars at one point and recieved in the mail checks from random sources to cover it.  I found a flexable job.  Willow quit doing "potty play time" the FIRST DAY of our devotioal and has never done it since.  God is shaping us and we are learing how we can evangelize through our family and our perserverence.  We are helping others.  We are blessed beyond belief.  Thank you, God.      

30 days!!!

Looking back, I wish I could have journaled every day. It has been an amzing journey. Willow is doing fantastic. God's plans are always so much greater than anything we can ever imagine. She has not had "potty play time" in a month, she is talking more, her eye-contact has improved, and her therapists all say she is doing the best she ever has. Lauren, her SLP told me at her last session that some day we will be able to have conversational speech with her! My little Willow talking to me!?! It is too bad that our society often encourages people to run from situations that are uncomfortable. It is usually during those times that we have the most spiritual growth. Over the last 13 years we have experienced miracle after miracle. Everytime someone told us "you can't" God has said "yes, you can!" Here are our "greatest hits!"
1. They told us we couldn't have children...um?
2. Willow's sucessful heart surgery
3. Alex's miracle birth. I lost 60% of my blood in 13 minutes. It is a complete blessing I am even writing this.
4. Willow's Autism diagnosis and the blessing that came with it!
5. Chris loses his job and God gives us a job in our home state.
6. We go through hell and back for Willow and we find the best therapists, friends, and an amazing school
7. My Landon gives me the most perfect pregnancy and delivery. (Via Jay Williamson, DO and his trusty sidekick, Cora!)

God has blessed us with the most amazing friends, family, and professionals to help us through our life. Thank you all for everything. Most of all, thank you for your prayers!

Take time to pray!

I didn't take the time to pray today and it was a mess!!!! Not doing it again for the rest of my devotional. Enough said.