What Do You Do With Disappointment?

*You thought you’d be married by the time you turned 30, but it didn’t happen.

*You thought you’d have a baby by now & you’re still waiting after 5 yrs. 

*You thought you’d be accepted into that school or program but you weren’t chosen. 

*You thought you’d get the promotion but instead you were laid off. 

*You thought you’d have a healthy baby but your child has multiple disabilities.

The list of things that can disappoint us are endless whether it’s a simple interruption to your daily routine, cancelled plans, or a life-altering accident that leaves you with a debilitating condition.  Disappointment is undeniably unavoidable.  The longer you live the more disappointments you’ll most likely face.  Unfortunately disappointment can easily turn into despair and depression.  Many times when I get disappointed I quickly fall into the “Woe is me” pit.  I throw myself a pity party.  In those times, I get so wrapped up in the temporal that I refuse to think about eternal things that truly matter.  By God’s grace I pry myself out of that depressing party a lot quicker than I used to.  There are several promises that I strive to turn to and meditate on when I’m disappointed. 

Here’s a list of 6 of them: 
*The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me! (Psalm 138:8)

*God will supply all that I need at all times in order to abound in every good work! (2 Cor.9:8)

*Nothing can separate me from Christ’s love! (Romans 8:35-39)

*Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing!  (Psalm 34:10)

*Nothing can hinder God's plans for me! (Job 42:2)

*For those who love God all things will work together for good! (Romans 8:28)

God’s Word is our only lifeline from drowning in the sea of disappointment.  God is always doing much more than we can think or imagine through each of our disappointments.  Every promise of God finds its Yes in Christ (2 Cor. 1:20)!  Those of us who have put our trust in Christ can claim all His promises as our own.  He will never leave nor forsake his blood-bought children (Hebrews 13:5; Eph. 1:7)!  

Sweet Video

She's as sweet as her apple pies!  BTW, looking for a great book about Traditions & Holidays?  Well, this book is a must have!   

“He that deserves nothing should be content with anything.” 

~Charles Spurgeon

Why I hate Disability

It’s so daily! There has never been a day over these 8½ years of my son’s life that I didn't have to face disability. It never ends. It’s something I have to face day in, day out, and many times in the middle of the night. It goes with us on every family outing & it invites itself on every family vacation. I may forget about it temporarily, but it won’t let me do that for long. It stares me in the face causing me to acknowledge its presence.

But disability is also a gift to me. Because it’s so daily, I must turn to my Savior constantly. Before disability entered my life, I was a prideful, self-sufficient, “I have my life all in order” type of girl. I had a great childhood, went to good schools, had the best teaching job, & married the man of my dreams, so when I got pregnant I thought that our son would complete this perfect picture. Then February 10, 2003 came. Along with it prematurity, hospital visits, seizures, mental disability, etc. My perfect life was shattered. What a good gift from God! Of course my flesh hates every bit of this chiseling of my selfishness & pride.

But it causes me to have to run to Jesus. Many days I wake up and dread getting out of bed. I lie there and wonder how I've been able to do all that I do for the last 2920+ days of my life. But I get up. Again & Again & Again. God is with me. Holding my hand or should I say carrying me through the day. So this daily-ness of disability leads me down the path to Calvary and at the cross is where I lay my burdens down and my Savior’s sufficient strength restores me to keep living life to the fullest (John 10:10)…Daily.

More Highlights from October

As I mentioned before, the Lord blessed our October to be full of good things. Here are the final five highlights from our month.

6. We hosted a picnic for our church members who live in our city. Being at a very large church where thousands of people from varying cities gather, it was nice to just meet with this small group. We had a sweet time of fellowship! Kempton charged us in the Word as he reminded us that our mission field was right here in our own city. Lost souls aren't just in Africa & China but right across the street and in the stores that we frequent on a regular basis.

7. My big girl started "Bible & Ballet". She absolutely enjoys it! Kempton & I are so pleased that the first outside activity that Carysse is involved in is led by a believer that: 1) promotes modesty in dress (they wear long t-shirts & leggings), 2) they start & end class with a prayer & a verse of the day, 3) they only dance to contemporary praise & worship songs.

8. Kempton & I had the privilege of speaking to our church's MOMS ministry. This year's theme for the ministry is Self-Control. I laughed when I was asked to speak on that topic. However, God chose to use this imperfect vessel to speak truth to the ladies through His perfect Word. He is so faithful in using us even when we feel we shouldn't be the one chosen. Many times the Lord gives these assignments because the speaker often has more to learn than the listeners.

9. The Hope Keepers Ministry (women who serve a family member with disability) from my church had a panel discussion. Oh wow; it was good! God’s hand was truly on this event. He blessed it beyond all that I imagined. As our Disability Ministry Coordinator said, "It was a Beautiful Tapestry of God’s grace seeing how each ladies' stories/insights complemented one another". God was so good & faithful to us!

10. My 36th Birthday! My hubby took me to my favorite restaurant and got my favorite drink - VIRGIN Strawberry Daiquiri. We had mozzarella cheese sticks for appetizer and of course I had to have shrimp & crab legs for dinner...yummy!

What A Sweet Month!

The Lord has been so kind to fill our October with so many good things! We've been running non-stop, but not for the sake of being busy. Our plate has been filled with many sweet blessings. God's undeserved grace flowed to us in many ways! Here's a partial list of the highlights from the month.

1. Today, Kempton & I spoke at Northwestern College for their Disability Awareness Week. The Lord led us to talk about God's Sovereign Goodness in Disability. God was so faithful in using us to speak His truth. This was our 2nd time speaking together this month & we've really enjoyed it!

2. A couple of weeks ago, my friend, Julie, & I organized a Busy Bag Swap Party. Sixteen of our friends gathered together to exchange activity bags for our children. We had to put forth a lot of effort & time into our individual bags but it was so worth it when we ended up with 16 different activities.

3. On Saturday, my friend & I hosted a baby shower for our friend who is pregnant with her 10th child! I typically don't initiate hosting baby showers; but this was an exception. Jackie is such a sweet, humble woman of God that truly believes that children are a blessing and allows God to be Lord over her womb. Also, a couple of her kids have special needs. So, I delighted in honoring her in this way. Does she look like a mother who's birthed almost 10 children? Incredible!

4. Carysse enjoyed going to her 1st Tea. Her friend, Phoebe, had a fun 4th birthday party! My friend, Gen, is a super decorator as you can see!

5. When daddy had some time just with his daughters, he did this precious photo shoot as they enjoyed one of the last warm Fall days. He captures the best pics of our kids!

More highlights coming soon! :-)

Family Retreat '11 - Final Day

Kempton's Final Session was about Looking to Jesus ~ Our Ultimate Freedom! Here are some key points -

* Changeless Christians don't exist! There's always transformation when you collide with Jesus!

* When we look to Jesus, the devil's hands are broken off our eyes (2 Cor. 4:4)

* To be saved is to find out what happened to you at the Cross.

* At salvation, Jesus is no longer a boring sage but a Beautiful Savior.

Like mommy~Like daughter

My sweetie wanted to dress like me

My baby girl with Judy, a Joni & Friends leader from Chicago

Christian finally warmed up on the last day ~

This is the 1st smile we got out of him!

Joe, one of the campers, was fond of Kempton from the start.

Carysse & mommy took a ride in a steamboat while the rest of the family took a nap.

We Praise the Lord for another blessed year at Family Retreat!

He has done great things for us; we are glad.

Psalm 126:3