Glory

Sometimes God can receive more glory through our trials than He would in the good times. 

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18

When our baby was found to have no heartbeat at 14 weeks I thought if God would give her a heartbeat again He would receive so much glory. We would tell everyone we met about it! NOW I know He received more glory not breathing life back into our baby. It took all of the bad (infertility, loss) for us to end up in Russia adopting a little boy with the exact same birthday as our due date would have been. God has received SO much glory through that whole story (every bit of it had God's touch) plus a wonderful little boy now has a home (side note: he has been a bigger blessing to us than we could ever be to him.)

Same thing with my cousin's situation, or Steven Curtis Chapman 's family (who lost their 5 year old). (I just mentioned people that have lost children but the same goes for any trial.) God was, and is, lifted up through their suffering. 

Caleb Chapman (Steven Curtis Chapman's son) has said that they've been given a "treasure", one that they'd never want, but a treasure none the less. 

It's the same with my current situation. As much as it hurts, I believe God is receiving more glory through this season of my life than He would have in a speedy recovery. He has given me a treasure, one that I would never ask for, but yet a treasure all the same. I found the following in my notes from a podcast:

"Our God is the Creator of all things. He is loving, good, and has a much bigger plan. Everything that happens will bring Him glory some way or another. My life is not about me. It's about Him. This story isn't about me."

Glorious Unfolding

Glorious Unfolding

By Steven Curtis Chapman

Lay your head down tonight

Take a rest from the fight

Don’t try to figure it out

Just listen to what I’m whispering to your heart

‘Cause I know this is not

Anything like you thought

The story of your life was gonna be

And it feels like the end has started closing in on you

But it’s just not true

There’s so much of the story that’s still yet to unfold

And this is going to be a glorious unfolding

Just you wait and see and you will be amazed

You’ve just got to believe the story is so far from over

So hold on to every promise God has made to us

And watch this glorious unfolding

God’s plan from the start

For this world and your heart

Has been to show His glory and His grace

Forever revealing the depth and the beauty of

His unfailing Love

And the story has only begun

And this is going to be a glorious unfolding

Just you wait and see and you will be amazed

We’ve just got to believe the story is so far from over

So hold on to every promise God has made to us

And watch this glorious unfolding

We were made to run through fields of forever

Singing songs to our Savior and King

So let us remember this life we’re living

Is just the beginning of the beginning

Of this glorious unfolding

We will watch and see and we will be amazed

If we just keep on believing the story is so far from over

And hold on to every promise God has made to us

We’ll see the glorious unfolding

Just watch and see (unfolding)

This is just the beginning of the beginning (unfolding)

Watch it here: well I can't figure it out on my phone. Just look up the official music video on YouTube. It is powerful. 

Neurologist Follow-Up

We went back to the neurologist in Birmingham and....well...nothing new really. He is not reccommemeding the Deep Brain Stimulator (our only medical option) because the risks (repeat stroke) do not outweigh the potential benefits (decrease in muscles tremors). Way  I said that backwards. You get what I mean. 

But...think about how much you use both arms and hands. I have a very difficult time doing any of those, for several reasons but primarily the muscle tremors are so bad that my shoulders, arms, hands, legs, etc. shake  I feel constant twitches all on my right side. 

We have another follow up in November. Again, please join me praying that these crazy things will just go away. And also for wisdom. 

I did get new wheels...

The Brown's

Earlier this week my cousin, Ryann, was involved in a terrible car wreck that took the life of their 5 year old son, Micah, and critically injured two of his sisters, Who are still fighting for their lives. Micah's celebration ceremony is at 2p today, so please be in prayer for family and friends. 

I saw this article and wanted to share. 

http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/05/bad_things_good_people_good_go.html