My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2025

-
Image
Before getting to my Top 10 Blog Posts of 2025, I want to say how amazed I am that this blog continues to get the views that it does, especially since so many people say that blogging is becoming outdated. (This year alone my blog received over 81,000 views!) Videos and podcasts are all the rage these days, but I have always been a bit old school.  One reason I keep up with my blog is that it offers a creative outlet and doing it helps me feel less stressed. It also reminds me that this is one project that I started and have continued. (I love to start new projects but have a hard time keeping them going or finishing them. I will try to work on that this year!)  Yet one more reason is because I want to give God glory for all that He has done in my life and use the gift that He has given me to hopefully be a blessing and an encouragement to others.  In 2025, here were my most-viewed blogs:  10. Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month: Reflecting On Our Journey So Far  Fai...
Post a Comment

God's Little Reminders

-
I remember very well the day in April of 2004 when we got the news that Faith had health issues that could lead to cerebral palsy. It was one of the most heartbreaking days of my life. I wondered how this smiley, happy little girl who would lie on her back and move her arms and legs around could possibly end up with CP?

Faith as a baby. 

When we returned home to Watford City after seeing Faith's pediatrician in Bismarck, there was one day where I opened up my Bible to Hebrews 11. For some reason, though, I skipped over to Chapter 12 and started reading it aloud to Faith. I couldn't believe my eyes when I came across verses 12 and 13.


Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Hebrews 12:12-13

I was so excited, I said, "Faith did you hear that?" and I read it again. I really truly believed that the Lord had given me that verse at that particular time for a reason.

As time went on and we learned more about Faith's disability, I became disheartened. I wanted to believe the Lord could heal her, but I think I wanted Him to heal her more for my sake than for hers. I didn't want to go through life with a special needs child. I also thought it was so unfair for God to give me a special needs child when I myself had a congenital defect.

Through time, patience, prayer, emotional healing, perseverance and the Grace of God, I was able to accept my daughter's disability. My belief for her healing has waned at times but remains strong at others.

Sometimes when I'm going through a period of doubt, I start thinking about what it's going to be like years down the road. Faith is growing and while that is a good thing, I worry about the inevitable day when I'm not able to lift her. How am I going to get her in and out of bed or in and out of the bathtub especially when I have a 50-pound lifting restriction? What's it going to be like when she reaches puberty? Am I going to have to shave her legs and armpits for her?

Faith today. 

I believe we have seen God's healing work in her already and I know God can heal her completely. But I also know it is in His timing, not mine. So, when these thoughts start crossing my mind, the Lord reminds me of Jesus' words in Matthew.

Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

Not only do I have to remind myself of this, but also the fact that God has given me everything I have needed to get through the past six years, and I know He will give me everything I need to make it through the next six and all of the years following.

Comments

Post a Comment

Most Popular Posts

Faith's First Extended Hospital Stay

-
Image
It's hard to believe that Faith is 19 years old and has never had a major illness or extended hospital stay since she was in the NICU. The only other time she had to stay in the hospital was when she had her g-tube placed when she was two years old. That is, until now. And to think it all started with her having a simple outpatient procedure that had nothing to do with the reason she was hospitalized.  Day 1: Thursday - the Procedure  Faith and I got up extremely early as she had to be at the clinic for her outpatient procedure. The procedure was a lumbar puncture in order to do a test dose of medication called baclofen, which would help reduce high muscle tone and spasticity. If the results were good, and it helped her muscles relax, we would have the option (in the future) of inserting a baclofen pump so that she could receive the medication continuously via a catheter in her spine.  I stressed the importance of giving her anti-nausea medication before the procedure be...
Read more

My Tetanus Shot Ordeal: A Real Pain in the Arm

-
Image
Last Wednesday I had my yearly doctor exam and when she said I should get my tetanus shot updated, I didn't think twice about it. The nurse said my arm would be sore for a couple of days, gave me a handout and stuck the needle in my arm.  The next day my arm was sore and although I found it a little harder to pick up and carry Faith, I was glad the pain wasn't going to last long. Boy was I wrong! But not only was my arm sore, my whole body was. I felt achy and extremely tired. According to a medical site on the Internet, these were mild side effects of the Tetanus shot. If these were only mild side effects, I would really hate to have them at a moderate or severe level. My arm is still red and sore on day 2 after my tetanus shot. On Friday, two days after getting the shot I felt so tired that I took a four-hour nap after getting Faith off to school. Then on Saturday I took a three-hour nap up until 7 o'clock, but still felt tired and was able to go back to sleep around 10. ...
Read more

My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2025

-
Image
Before getting to my Top 10 Blog Posts of 2025, I want to say how amazed I am that this blog continues to get the views that it does, especially since so many people say that blogging is becoming outdated. (This year alone my blog received over 81,000 views!) Videos and podcasts are all the rage these days, but I have always been a bit old school.  One reason I keep up with my blog is that it offers a creative outlet and doing it helps me feel less stressed. It also reminds me that this is one project that I started and have continued. (I love to start new projects but have a hard time keeping them going or finishing them. I will try to work on that this year!)  Yet one more reason is because I want to give God glory for all that He has done in my life and use the gift that He has given me to hopefully be a blessing and an encouragement to others.  In 2025, here were my most-viewed blogs:  10. Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month: Reflecting On Our Journey So Far  Fai...
Read more

Christmas 2025 and the Worst Flu Bug Ever

-
Image
Faith and I barely made it through Christmas before she got hit hard with the flu bug. (Which is why this blog post is a bit delayed!) Leading up to the night of the 25th, we were enjoying lots of music, goodies, and family time.  One event that has become a tradition for us is going to the Nutcracker ballet. This year's performance marked the 8th one in a row that we have attended! We love everything about the Nutcracker - the music, the costumes, the different scenes, the talented dancers, seeing some of our friends onstage, and the seasonal excitement in the atmosphere! Ready to go to the Nutcracker! Of course, the week after the Nutcracker always proves to be a busy one, as it is one week before Christmas! Faith had her usual therapies and while she was at her day program, I would do all of my running around. During one of the gift shopping excursions, I ran into my brother Todd! We had lots of fun catching up, right there at Fleet Farm!  My little bro and I hanging out at...
Read more