Since 2014, I feel like it has been one thing after another and we can't catch a break. While we have had many trials, I have also learned to count my blessings during each trial. This post has been brewing in my head for a while and finally wanted to get it down so I could look back on it later.
In 2014 -
Trial - In March, we sold our house quickly and had no where to go!
Blessing - We moved in with my parents and got to save some money while we found the perfect house for us (a foreclose that we could have never afforded if it was nice and fixed up when we found it). We also had the advantage of buying a house because we had some money saved and could make an offer as soon as we found one we wanted. We also got to spend lots of time with my parents and make wonderful memories with them, especially the kids!
Trial - In August, Caleb started school and he did not like it. I left him many days crying and it was so hard on my mama heart
Blessing - He has met many new friends and so have I! Several New Hope moms have really been there for me that I would not have known otherwise. He has also grown into such a smart and independent young man.
Trial - In September, my dad was diagnosed with cancer
Blessing - We grew closer as a family and learned to pray like never before. We also experienced the love of the body of Christ like never before. Our church family did and continues to do so much for us!
BTW - Dad only went to the doctor because he had a cough that would not clear up and he was waking us up since we were living there. Another blessing from having to move in with them!
Trial - In November, Corey's dad passed away with cancer
Blessing - We grew closer as a family and understood what it meant to really yearn for heaven.
Trial - In December, Doug left the church and our church went thru a rough time.
Blessing - We got Richard as our pastor and later Doug returned and now we have the dynamic duo!
In 2015, things kind of settled down. I thought maybe the worst was behind us and then 2016 hit!
2016
In February 2016, Dad got bad news that his cancer had spread and he continued to get more bad news it seemed the whole year.
In July 2016, he wasn't allowed to drive anymore due to risk of seizures due to cancer in his brain.
In August 2016, he was told the treatments wouldn't extend his life any longer but would help the quality of his life that he had left (less than 6 months)
In August 2016, I questioned over and over again if I should send Ella to school or not since she was a younger 5 year old and would be one of the youngest in her class. God also used my dad's sickness to help me realize and ultimately decide that Ella was ready for school. My dad has always helped me ALOT with my kids. Any time I needed him to keep the kids, all I had to do was call and he was always willing. Since he was at risk for seizures and couldn't drive, I had to stop leaving the kids with him. It really gave me no choice but to send Ella to school so I could work without always having to drag her along. I now know since Ella has started school that she is totally ready and is loving every minute of it!
In September 2016, Corey's grandma got sick and passed away after a 3 week stay in the hospital.
In October 2016, right after Corey's grandmas funeral I got a call saying dad was at the ER and things begin to spiral downhill that weekend resulting in the doctor telling us that he probably wouldn't leave the hospital (but he did PTL!) We were blessed that not only did he leave the hospital but he rebounded on Monday night enough for us to have a fun night laughing and carrying on with friends. He also rebounded the Sunday before he died telling Ella how beautiful she was, telling Caleb how he was his buddy and me how much he loved me.
Looking back, I know that God used Corey's dad's death and his grandma's death to prepare me for my own dad's continuing failing health and death. I'm a planner and like to know what to expect. Corey's dad and my dad's last few months and weeks of their life was very similar due to cancer. Since we had been down that road with Corey's dad, it was comforting in a weird way to know that everything my dad was going through was normal and we had seen it before.
Corey's grandma was the first person that I have sat at her bedside and watched her die. It helped me realize that it could be peaceful and it wasn't as scary as I had in my head.
I guess the bottom line is that God really is always preparing you and is always working things out for our good - for those who loved him and are called according to his purpose.
Would have I chosen for these things to happen? Probably not! I just want to count the blessings amidst the trials and realize God really is good, no matter what!
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