Faithfullness

 What an amazing week I have had...I can't thank GOD enough for the blessings He has shown our family! On Monday, I flew into Monroe Louisiana where Kaitlin picked me up. She had been driving all morning (from Nashville) and we continued out trek to Shreveport to meet up with mom and dad. Dad had his surgery Monday morning and all has gone incredibly well! He was discharged from the hospital 24 hours later, pain free and in great spirits!

Family is so important! Spending time with Mom, Dad and Kaitlin for 3 days really filled my family love tank! Mom and Dad's kitchen is being remodeled, so everything is covered in plastic or paper...including the living room and dining room. This meant that we all piled up in their bedroom during the day so we could be together. We watched the video that dad took from our summer "Wild West Vacation", watched baseball (Go Phillies!), enjoyed some home-cooking and played our favorite card game, Rook. It was very special that it was the four of us...it was like old times  (before our wonderful men came into our lives!). Kaitlin and I were thrilled because we saw so much of our mom's family:  our Grandparents, all three Aunts, two Uncles and and some of our cousins. It's crazy to see how everyone is growing up! (it makes me feel OLD!) In fact, I am the first of 24 grandchildren (and that's just from my mom's side!). Growing up, I was surrounded by family. They helped shape me into the person I am today...and it was wonderful to see them again!

Our God is Faithful...Psalm 33:4 says "For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does". God heard and answered our prayers for Dad's healing. There are many people that have been praying and encouraging our family in the past several months. People are praying that haven't even met him! I thank you with all my heart for lifting my dad's name up to our heavenly Father. In Ephesians 4:32, Paul writes, "Be kind and compassionate to one another..."; we have been shown such kindness and compassion from many special people. Thank you for showing Jesus through your thoughts, prayers, and uplifting encouragement!

"Come near to God and he will come near to you" (James 4:8). I have felt closer to God in the past couple months than I have in several years. It is because I have spent more time and put more effort into my relationship with Him. If we choose to be near to God, He will be right there beside us...through our accomplishments and great times & through our hard times and struggles. God will never leave us, forsake us, abandon us or turn his back on us. And as long as we are willing to come...He is there, waiting for us.

With love, Stefanie




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