Monday, October 20, 2008

The silver lining....




They say behind every cloud is a silver lining. I like to imagine that lining is not only silver but full of chunky glitter and sparkle. Something that catches all the light and makes you look forward to whatever is behind that cloud. There is always something good on the other side of life's challenges. It may take awhile for us to discover it sometimes - but it is always there. What we learn from it will help us to grow and become stronger. If we don't learn from it - my experience has been that it will be taught to us over and over until we that lesson in.

A bit of a cloud presented itself this month to our family. I say a 'bit of a cloud' because nothing compares to the cloud(or trial) of almost losing a child. Paul was given a lay off notice at his job and has until the end of the month. One blessing is that his boss is going to carry our insurance until the first of the year. A wonderful blessing because Finn's next treatment will be around $100,000.00 and without insurance or a dead rich relative - treatment just wouldn't happen.

Job prospects are grim right now as we all know but we are hopeful for the change. If there is one thing we have learned this year - God knows us. He knows our family and hears our prayers. I always knew that - but know I KNOW that. I hope all of you know that. We are His children and are individually known to Him. He listens and answers in the way it will serve us the best. We may have a job tomorrow or it may be six months from now. Heck - we may be living with you! But we know that we will be where the Lord wants us and needs us. Not moving is of course our first choice but that glittery lining may be in Texas, Ohio or Bora Bora! I am personally hoping it's in Hawaii but only time will tell. (Can't you just picture that glittery rainbow over Kauai??)

Prayer strengthens us when we are scared and gives us hope when we are feeling alone. We are at peace with the job situation, calm even. So maybe that proves that we have learned a lot these past two years. It usually gets really dark and scary right before everything falls into place and we know where we are headed. It's not dark at all - maybe that means we have a long time yet... Or, that our perspective has changed and our faith has increased in His plan for us. How do people get a long in this world without the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Finnie's seizures have not gone away so we are on to the next phase of treatment. It should start within the next few weeks. I will have to inject her with the medication and that makes me a little nervous to be the one hurting her everyday but it's a necessary evil. She is doing well otherwise and smiling more and more. She LOVES Angie and they are so cute together. Finn just lights up when Angie comes into the room - it's so sweet.

Angie is still doing water polo and even plays more in the games now. I don't know what kind of leg strength it must take to tread water for so long! So glad it's her and not me!! She keeps talking about moving to England to master the English accent. (It's her favorite accent) I told her that her dad will go with her - I would rather be some place tropical hearing cabana boy accents... Angie turns 12 in a few weeks so we just got her ears pierced. Her brother and sisters were there to hold her hand it it went rather smoothly. (Took her a half hour to decide to do it but then went off without a hitch!)

So life is going well here at the ranch. A little uncertain but we have wonderful friends that are passing Paul's resume out and sending us job prospects everyday. My silver lining also has a strong band of fuchsia glitter around it and that allows it to catch more light than the common silver lining. It's all in the perspective and what outlook you choose to put out to the universe!! Thank you for keeping us in your prayers and for loving us - faults and all!!

6 comments:

Elizabeth Lynn said...

Aunt Care...You're pretty much the bomb! I love to hear about you and the family. I wish you could move here to. Then I could tell every one that I can't hang out that day cause i'd be over at my cool Aunts house. YEAH! lol miss you bunches and tell your family we love and miss them as well!

winspears said...

I LOVE YOU CARE! You know how to remind me to be grateful...and I am so grateful for you and your family.
Jenn

Lani said...

You are the BEST Care! Hope you got my phone message. We were convinced to stay at the Camino Ruiz sign event last night, so never made it over to chat with you. Your perspective on things is so refreshing! Love you!

kiki comin said...

haha...glitter is SO you..and chunky glitter..i don't think a better description! you guys are in our prayers. you are right that he always has a plan, even when we can't see through that thick cloud to see that chunky glitter!:)

Tracy said...

I love reading your page. I guess if you have to come and live with us I promise to not take Paul home to mom when he gets teasing my boys and make them cry. I must warn you, when Dwayne and Paul get going, nobody stands a chance. They are all but married...

Shanna Grimes said...

Hi Care, I found your blog through the Winspears and heard a little about you from Jenn. My daughter also has IS and epilepsy. I'd love to hear from you. We also have a blog g5familyblog.blogspot.com and our daughter has a website kayleejeanne.com

Your words are absolutely beautiful and inspirational. To have such a positive outlook despite all the hard times. Looking forward to reading through all your posts.

-Shanna

About Me

I am a mom of two beautiful girls. Our family has been greatly blessed by the Lord. His message of love and hope needs to be shared and my girls are a testimony of His plan for all of us.