A Monday Minute ~

Weeks go by like hours....

Evenings, they go by like weeks.
My day became much brighter after my husband put the Skype
app on his phone and made that first call...
I can now see the face of the man I love regardless of
the miles that separate us... :-)

Our son Joseph was taken of the ventilator on Friday,

by end of day he was put back on.

Saturday evening brought a high fever,

Sunday evening  no report of high temp.

resting......

This morning he will go in for his 5th surgery,

this one to close his arm.

It's actually hard to put thoughts together about what this is like.

It's the obvious, fearful, frustrated, worried,  and weary of the unknown.

It's waiting on the west coast for information from the east coast...

Bob and Joseph's Mom keeping us posted...but the waiting,

well it's a test of keeping one's composure.

All the while I've been keenly aware of those that are being changed

by this experience.

Change because they are witness to faith, hope and love....in action.

the greatest of these is the love...

We continue to trust God

I always ask myself when I am walking through a difficult time, 

how to those that don't believe get through times such as this?.

We trust God regardless of the outcomes.

Don't get me wrong,

it's not easy to go through this.

But it's comforting to know it's in bigger hands than our own.

Ever thankful for all who are praying, sending encouraging words, offers of support.

We are loved and blessed by so so many.

Feel free to share the following link :-)

 Joseph, Dominic, Calib and Angel

http://www.gofundme.com/thehortonfamily

"Yet there is a cushion of calm at the center of your life, where you live in union with Me.
Return to this soothing enter as often as you an, for this is where you are energized;
 filled with My Love, Joy, and peace........
Your weakness will become saturated with My Power. "
Sarah Young, Jesus Calling

~

Joseph echos from my heart today....

Fresh On Friday ~

I hope you stopped by for some encouragement today !

With my stepson still in a trauma unit for now eight days I can tell you I have been

encouraged more than I can possibly describe. 

It has fueled me!

I can tell you that from this experience I want even more to encourage all of you.

I'm more certain than ever that

it's not by chance that my word for this year is encourage,

God new that I was going to learn just exactly what this word meant 

when put into action.

Nor is it by chance that my verse for the year was 

Psalm 120:1

I call on the Lord in my distress,
    and he answers me.

I have certainly called out to him these last 8 days,

and He has heard me.

If you follow my blog you know,

I am not a believer of chance, coincidence or luck.

I pay attention to the timing of things, 

I pay attention and look for God to work in every situation.

and

He does.

Specifically today I want to encourage a friend from High School who just recently

lost his Mother, and this week given the news his brother is dying of lung cancer.

I also want to encourage a fellow blogger who has brought a smile to my face many

times throughout the years.  She just lost her sweet Momma in January and now 

her sister is battling breast cancer.

I want to encourage a special couple who is trying to figure out how to

fix their marriage, when at times it doesn't seem possible.

There are others out there I don't know your issues,

but I know we all need to be encouraged and I hope I can do that for you.

We, in or own strength do not feel equipped to get through times such as this.

A time such as this with my Father in a hospital was when I learned that I haven't the strength,

and gave a problem bigger than myself, totally to God.

Eventually we benefit from admitting we can't fix something in particular, 

we can't make something be just because we want it to be.
We can't change a diagnosis!

Eventually, if your lucky you surrender and give it to God....

completely is the key here.....

He got me through it with my Dad and I was better after it.
Just as He is getting us through this time of our lives
 and, we will be better because of it this time as well.

"Jesus is our running companion. He runs in front of us to show the way,

 by our side to pick us up, and behind us to encourage us."

Charles Stanley

Each day continue to give it to God,

he will ease your burden.

He will give you comfort and the peace to endure.

No matter what you think you can't do, 

no matter how grim the future may look....

_____________ but God!

I hope you left feeling some level of encouraged...endurance involves encouragement from others.

If you know someone who needs some encouragement I hope you will share 

this blog with them if you feel it would do so.

~

Please be praying for Joseph's lungs...seems to be an issue this morning and 

he needs strong lungs to come off the vent.  Thank you!!!

I hope you will be an encourager to someone, it's what echos from my heart today.

Throwback Thursday ~

 This is our little family three years back.

We've grown in number since.

Time to plan for a new family photo.

This was one of my happiest days when all our kids and grands were 

together.....

Together as we are now, 

prayerful and hopeful in a God bigger than this season we're in.

Hope, echos from my heart today....

Hodgepodge Wednesday

1. The expression 'mad as a March hare' originated with a fictional character who is distracted and frantic. When were you last 'mad as a March hare' and what was it that made you that way?
I have been very distracted this entire last week as my step son is fighting for his life...

2. Mardi Gras this year falls on Tuesday, March 4th. Have you ever been to Mardi Gras, and if so what did you think? If not, do you have any interest in going?  Purple, green, and gold are the colors of Mardi Gras. Which one is most prevalent in your wardrobe? How about in your home?
I would love to sample the food, purple is most prevalent in my closet and no desire to actually be there while Mardi Gras is happening.

3. Are you old fashioned? . I love old family traditions and values..??

4. Do you carefully plan your vacations, or do you prefer the days to be more spontaneous?
We plan where we are going and what dates will be covered on each stop.  Once at each stop it is really spontaneous...

5.  March is National Sauce Month...what's your favorite sauce, and what do you most often top with this sauce? I'm going with hot fudge....

6.  What's something that easily brings a tear to your eye? Someone I love hurting on any level. Often when I'm missing my Mom and Dad a tear "memory" may escape....

7. If you could own any sports team, which one would it be and why? I wouldn't want that responsibility...but wouldn't mind good seats to Laker or Dodger Games!!

8.  Insert your own random thought here. First let me say I do not believe this to be random
I believe it was not by chance
If your reading this, our son Joseph is in the operating room 10ish Florida time.  I'm full of praise to our Mighty Awesome God.  Yesterday Bob prayed that God would give him a sign that might give Bob a rise on the hope meter :-)  He spent the day with Joseph, and at the end of the day this took place. Joe made some movement so Bob put his finger in Joseph's grasp.

Bob: Joe, Smom (me) told me I should read scripture to you today.  I'm haven't....but she also told me to tell you she loves you.
Joseph: Squeezed the finger
Bob: Joe, if you can hear and understand me squeeze my finger again.
Joseph:squeezed the finger
Joseph eyes opened ever so slightly in the direction of Bob.
Bob: Joseph, if you can see me squeeze my finger twice and firm.
Joseph: Squeezed the finger twice and firm.
Bob:  Looks up and said, why did we have to wait all day for this?
Joseph: His crooked off to one side smirk appeared.

May all glory and praise go to God!!

A Day Bigger than Myself ~

I find myself up earlier than usual this morning.

I woke with such sadness and heartbreak for this season

I find myself in.

I prayed for those I love first thing this morning, before ever leaving bed.

I woke knowing, I was going to need God in a big way today.

Don't get me wrong I need Him everyday...some day's your just reminded,

this day is bigger than me  and what I can handle on my own.

This is one of those days.

This is our Joseph about a year after our paths crossed.

God brought us here......

It was my birthday, he bought me that little heart frame.

He calls me Smom 

Short for Step- Mom :-)

Please be praying today, add him to your prayer chains if you would.

For Joseph, Angel and their children.

For Bob, the Father that is waiting by his side.

For Melissa, his Mom who also waits....

For Jackie his sister who wait for just a shred of good news.

......

For me to know what to say to comfort them.....

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. 

Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

The power of prayer is what echos from my heart today...

A Monday Minute ~

~

As I begin another week waiting and trusting God with our Joseph,

I'm clearly aware of the army of prayer warriors that have carried us thus far

and that I know will continue to do so.
Since the news of the accident it has been truly priceless...

Phone calls, text messages, Facebook messages, donations to help his family, sharing a meal,

and....the occasional slumber party...homemade soup, brownies delivered!

Offers to help in anyway possible, it's overwhelmed me,

more than once.

My sweet friend Jane reminded me from the get go,

it's 

community...

it's why we need each other.

Community, something that seems lost in most neighborhoods nowadays.

I've taken a look back and can clearly see how strong it was back in 

the days of my youth.

Where it went and why, well that's another post.

What I do know is I am surrounded by it, and I'm thankful.

Church family, family and friends couldn't get to us fast enough to

do whatever they can.

One can't help but think, 

how do others get through times such as this

without community?

The power that comes from hundreds praying for you and yours,

it's felt....it is the mode of transportation through it all.

Do you have community? 

If you don't feel you do, start with me...I want to be part of your community of support.

Hear to be the listener.

The huger.

The prayer partner.

The cook.

The hand holder.

The encourager.

Community starts with one... 

it's what I'm grateful for this morning,

it's what echos from my heart today..

Requesting Prayers ~

This is our youngest son Joseph with his wife Angel and sons Dominic and Calib.

Joseph was it a very bad motorcycle accident on the 25th in Florida, where he was life 

flighted to the  Trauma Unit with very serious injuries.

The list is very long.....

After three surgeries he is still in critical condition in the unit.

My husband Bob and Joseph's Mom and his wife are at his side.

I am asking for prayer for each of them, for the medical staff caring for Joseph.

That they can have peace in this storm,

peace in the midst of it all....

I leave you with today's always timely Jesus Calling;

Thankful for prayerful friends is what echos from my heart today....