Hardships

hardship: noun a condition that is difficult to endure; suffering; deprivation; oppression; lack of comfort; life of hardship

What is a hardship? What makes something difficult to endure? What causes suffering, oppresion, deprivation? What brings a lack of comfort? Is there a connection between hardship and attitude, hardship and your heart?

My mind is so cluttered and cloudy at the moment. I have this overwhelming sense of hardship...why? What causes us as humans to go through these times where everything and everyone seems too difficult to bear?

I know there is a connection between my heart and those things which seem as a hardship...the connection has to be because of my lack of faith...right? If I had the right attitude the right focus in my heart would I really see these things as hardship? I was reading a blog today (Carlile Crew: see the link on the left to read) that was talking about looking in the mirror and seeing ourselves and others as God sees us. He loves and created us all...even those we sometimes feel are hard to love. Two songs from Brandon Heath keep playing over and over in my head the past few days. (I'm linking them below) When I have these overwhelming feelings or I am "down in the dumps" as some might say I try to count my blessing. I am going to try that now:
1. I'm Forgiven

I think that covers it all - doesn't it? I'm loved, I'm forgiven, I'll recieve mercy, no matter what happens. Can't I take comfort in that, shouldn't that make hardships easy to endure? Yes it should - but why doesn't it always work - why do I have that sinful nature? If you have any words of wisdom please share - any scripture I can memorize to go back to on days/weeks like these.

Give Me Your Eyes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OihvG607W-c

He's Not Finished with Me Yet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i52FtpO4gI

IC =)

I don't think I ever posted the results from my doctor's visit last week. It is my IC acting up, my bladder was "very inflamed and extremely tender" last Tuesday. I can't take the medicine that helps rebuild the lining and relieve some of the pain because I want to become pregnant. Pretty much the doctor tells me, I will hurt until I take the medicine and get rid of my "female organs." He understands and supports my desire for another baby so we are doing what we can to keep me feeling as healthy as I can be until that happens. Basically, I can't eat anything! Or anything that I love - following the IC diet can be difficult, but it does seem to help. I also have to drink half my body weight in water each day to help flush out the toxins in my bladder. That is a lot of water - even if I have lost 24 pounds. I thought about sharing a picture of what an IC bladder looks like, but I'll spare you that one. Anyway, I was so thankful it was just the IC, I can handle a little pain and I'm praising my God that it wasn't the endometriosis.

I thank you for praying for me, please continue to ask God to give me a baby, or change my desire to match His will. He is faithful, and He answers prayer - we have been reminded of that through precious Madelyn.

I leave you with some pictures of my favorite little boy. He is the reason I can go through anything that comes my way. He keeps me smiling, he keeps me laughing, he keeps me praying, and he keeps me loving. That one goofy smile - the fake cheese he always does is just precious - it is a sign of the REAL love my Father has for me. My wonderful husband keeps me going too - I don' t want to overlook how important he is to me. He loves me unconditionally another sign of my Father's love for me. Man, I'm sappy today!

Hope you all have a fabulous week, and enjoy your families. Don't forget me in your prayers, and please praise God for bringing Madelyn home today. What an amazing testimony she has been!

One more note, then I promise to quit - say a prayer for my sister Katie - her blood pressure has been too low today and she almost passed out in atheltics.

Our God Is . . .

Our God is miraculous, astonishing, beyond belief, mighty, powerful, and merciful. I sit in awe of Him.

The testimony of Madelyn Kate Bilberry is unbelievable and she is only 1 week old. I am overwhelmed by the enormity of the people praying for this baby, and the healing we are seeing take place. Luke and Kathryn’s continued faith throughout this one week journey is beyond inspiring. I was talking with my sister Tuesday night as we were driving to the hospital about how small are problems really are, and how "small" we felt for complaining over what we were going through. The truth is, our Powerful God was comforting Luke and Kathryn, giving breath to Madelyn, giving peace to her grandparents, aunts, and uncles and He still cared about the small problems we were having. He is that BIG! He is faithful, His is true to His word, and He does answer prayer. If we learn anything from the journey of the Bilberry family it should be to seek Him, love Him, trust Him, and serve Him – no matter what the circumstances. He should be the top of our list – let Madelyn Kate minister to you – everything happens for a reason, and everything brings glory to our God. Please praise Him for Madelyn’s life, her testimony, and that of Luke and Kathryn. Please continue to prayer for Madelyn and her family. Let’s watch God move through our communities and His blessing flow down for our faithfulness.

Lord, I thank you for Madelyn, Luke, Kathryn, for their families, and the blessing they have been to so many people. I pray that you continue to protect and heal this precious little girl. Continue to give strength, peace, and rest to Luke and Kathryn and their families. Lord they are a true blessing; they are living out you and your word for the world to see. Please honor that and grant our petitions. We know that all things work together for the good of those who love you, we pray for your will to be done Lord, we are pleading for your will to be for us to watch this good and perfect gift grow up and follow you just as her parents are teaching her now. Thank you for her life!

Follow their story at http://www.thebilberrys.blogspot.com/ - you will be renewed!

Please Pray

http://thebilberrys.blogspot.com/


Please take a moment and say a prayer for the Bilberry family: Luke, Kathryn, and Baby Madelyn - our God is in control "all things work together for the good of those who love him" and they love Him, seek Him, and follow Him. “Pray and petition" to our sovereign Father to heal Madelyn and bring the "peace that surpasses all understanding" to this dear family.

Thank you,

Stacy

All together again...

We spent the weekend with Chris' family - for the first time since Thanksgiving last year all 3 boys were home at the same time. We had dinner together Saturday night and went to a Ranger game on Sunday afternoon. It was so nice to spend time together as a family. It had been way too long. We even got to take a picture that had all of us in it. I don't think that has happened since my wedding! Well, surely it has, but it has been a long time.

The Hightower Boys

Reese at the Ranger game - it was way too hot for pictures! Uncle Kyle let Reese wear his glasses, he was super cool with them on.

When we got home Reese got to try on his batman costume so Papa could see. I felt safer knowing batman was in the house!

Finally, Reese and Momma having fun. These words made my evening, "Momma you're the best, you are very pretty, and I love you." I hope the pretty part comes from my spirit and love for the Lord. He is just the best! If you know Reese you will understand his pointing fingers and "cheese" faces. He has to be doing something crazy at all times!

One last request - I'm going back to the doctor tomorrow - my endometriosis, IC, or PCOS, is acting up again, I am going to find out which one it is. I'm praying for IC or PCOS - I still want a baby. We shall see, either way I know God is in control, and I am at peace with that fact.

The Bump

Thought I would share some pictures of Reese's bump and what it looks like now, for his first school picture today and student ID for the remainder of the year.

Night it happened, in the ER - we were only there until 11:00 - you can tell I was tired...Reese looked like that before 11:00, but he was tired too. Although he thought the cat scan was really cool and had tracks like a train. What a boy!

The night before his first school pictures....and the photo that will be used for his Student ID this year. I also love the "tough guy" face he is making. He thinks the bump is so cool ...

"Hey Mom, you want to take a picture with my bump?" Still night before pictures...I told you he thought it was cool, he thought I would want he picture with it too.

School is going really great for Reese. He has had an "A" in conduct each week so far. He has homework every night and has done really good, well today he did tell me, "This homework is hard." He has only cried 3 of the 20 mornings we have been to school so far. He is learning lots of great things and his imagination is even bigger than before. He loves his teacher and has made lots of new friends. I was really worried with Pre-K being all day everyday, but Reese has proven to meet and exceed the challenge...I'm just so blessed!

Red Bird

One night while playing Bunco with at the church, I sweet lady shared a story about how she had declared a red bird - Jesus. I know it sounds weird at first but stay with me. She declared that every time she saw a red bird she would know it symbolized Jesus - watching out for her. A way to keep her always remember that He is always there. She told stories of numerous times when she saw the red bird -at night and in many other moments when you normally would not see a red bird, and how it was always at the time she needed to remember the her Savior was with her. She challenged all of us do to the same, we didn't have to use the red bird, but pick something that we didn't commonly see everyday.

Needless to say, I thought it was a neat idea, so I did the same, with the red bird. The other day while on my morning run, I saw the red bird - it was 5:45 am and still dark, but it was there. I had not thought about the red bird since the first week or two that I heard the woman's story. The moment was really powerful, I knew that my Lord remembers that I declare the red bird to be a sign for me to think about Him being with me, and it was powerful to be consumed with the thought.

This got me to thinking...how many times has that red bird been around...on a electric wire while I am driving - at my window while I am teaching - on a tree while am running - in the backyard while Reese is playing ---- the red bird was there, but the real question I had was how many times did I miss seeing HIM? I hope to take time to see the red bird this week - to find Him in the little moments where so often I forget to look.