Kevin M. Troupe's Blog, page 2

Sometimes it just takes time…

Yes, it has been a long break from blogging…life is busy and we have had a few ups and downs to deal with. Thank you for continuing to follow our journey and for your support of prayer and encouragement. If you would take some time to look over the page I have added a few new features. There is a “Kevin Recommends” tab. So many of you inquire about books and products I talk about and show pictures of. There are categories like safety and security items, therapy items as well as books…take a l...

Surviving the “normal” in special needs parenting

Several conversations between my wife and myself and with other families who are caregivers of medically fragile children/special needs lately have been over the times in our lives that are referred to as “normal”. The consensus is that we tend to dread them. It sounds quite opposite of what one would expect doesn’t it? I hope to shed some light on this and maybe it will speak to you and your family as well.

Despite having multiple issues that would keep any of us in bed…Isaac greets most mor...

A Weekend Oasis…every two years

Wherewould you go to find kids randomly laying on the floor, suction machines and vents whirring in the distance, chewy tubes in all colors, feeding tubes and pumps, walkers, hearing aids, interpretersand every imaginable kind of wheelchair…a hospital? No, a weekend oasis where all of the above and more is the norm. Welcome to the 12th Bi-Annual International CHARGE Syndrome Conference. 1,200 people consisting of individuals with CHARGE, families, caregivers and professionals spending 4 days...

A wish come true…

The blog this week will consist of a pictorial journey of Matthew’s Make-a-Wish journey. Theresa did a great job putting together this scrapbook! With this brief introduction, I will  post the scrapbook in the following pictures. If you have trouble reading the journaling, click on the picture “page” to make it bigger, then use the back arrow on your browser to go back to the main page. I will wrap it up at the end…

 

We are grateful for Make-a-Wish, for the volunteers, partners and for those who make Make-a-Wish a part of their giving. We cannot express in words the smiles and happy tears on our end that were a part of that day. We have never seen so much anticipation and smiles from Matthew. After the party and dedication was over, Matthew took time to do his customary “lick everything” and claim it as his own.

Next week I will return with another “lesson”…this week we will enjoy our Make-a-Wish celebration with you, our family.

Blessings,

The Troupe Family

 

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Strength to Care

Isaac and Matthew sharing a movie together

As the calendar is quickly approaching June I am reminding myself of my goal I made as last year came to an end. I have always considered this blog to be a means of putting my thoughts down in written form to “someday” write a book about our experiences of raising one, now two kids with a complex genetic disorder called CHARGE Syndrome. In fact, if you have ever read the sidebar column to the right it has always been there in the little bio of the Troupe family. I had always thought I would call my one book “Lessons from Matthew”. Now, almost five years later, we have a bigger story to tell than just about Matthew. I remember talking with my now former neighbor, who has his own ministry through music and as a radio host, when Isaac was born his words were so true; “Kevin, you now have another chapter and perhaps another book to write” as we talked about embarking on our new journey with Isaac.

Many have asked about why I write about the journey of life in the Troupe house. I have always answered that it is just another creative outlet for me to express myself. As time has passed and our journey has reached across not only our own area but now across the continents I found assurance that my writing and our story brings hope and strength to others. It has become even more clearer after reading the pages of another author who expressed what I have always felt. Ken Gire, in his book titled At Peace in the Storm: Experiencing the Savior’s Presence When You Need Him Most, Ken shares these words:

While it seems almost counterintuitive, service to another can buoy both in extending relief to someone else, we can experience peace in the midst of our own chaos. This gift of God…to experience God’s gentle grace in the service of others…is woven into the very fabric of our being. Time and time again, I’ve found that when I serve others, it puts my struggles in the background, putting them into perspective. When we stretch out an arm to serve others who are being tossed about by life’s waves, we are girded with strength to endure our own. Ken Gire At Peace in the Storm: Experiencing the Savior’s Presence When You Need Him Most

At first I though sharing our story was a creative expression and a way to help others. What I have found it that it helps me just as much. It helps Theresa and the rest of our family reach out and see people, hurting people more clearly and put our own struggles into perspective. In return, we are strengthened. We have become a ministry of not just bricks and mortar and a mission statement. We have become a voice of hope and encouragement as we talk and interact with doctors, nurses, caregivers and to the groups we have been asked to speak and share our story with. We have spent countless hours in surgery waiting rooms, much more time, measured in days and months in hospital rooms and immeasurably more hours with caregivers and nurses in our home over the past 14 years sharing our faith in words, but even more importantly in our actions and in serving through a listening ear and through loving people right where they are at. Ken Gire talks about this as well:

Behind the cardboard sign, the tattoos and piercings, the bankruptcy, the divorce, the public failure…is a person. A person with a name and a story. People hear sound bites. God reads the long chapters that lead up to today’s headlines, and he knows our unfolding stories. Good Samaritans and peacemakers look at people with eyes of mercy, not through them with eyes of judgment. They see the bigger picture and never stop praying for a redemptive turn in another’s evolving story, no matter how seemingly hopeless. This is the type of care God invites us to extend to others, and it is the surprising gracious care that we receive from the very hand of God. Ken Gire At Peace in the Storm: Experiencing the Savior’s Presence When You Need Him Most

I mentioned at the beginning about fulfilling a commitment I made at the beginning of the year. Actually it is a commitment I made to myself when I began writing this blog several years ago to publish a book. That work has turned into much more than just a book. As this process unfolded I have moved in the direction of a series of books under the title of Strength to Care. The first book will have the subtitle of: Reflections for Parents of Children with Complex Medical and Special Needs. I have a second book about halfway completed which is a collection of other families stories…but more about that later. This first book is a collection of blog posts that center around the theme of a hospital stay, a surgery or just plain old life is hard right now.

Strength to Care Book Cover

We have been blessed by God’s surprising gracious care over the years. We have also been blessed by your continued prayer and support as we have shared our lives with you. Now, we would like to give back to you and give you the opportunity to help us in a tangible way. The first book of Strength to Care is currently in the last round of edits before being published near the end of June or the first weeks of July. I need help with promoting this book and am looking for people to be a part of the launch team to get the word out there. When the book is published I am starting with a “soft launch” and will be able to offer it for free as an e-book for those who are willing to read it and post a review or to share it in a blog post or with your friends and family through social media channels (or all of the above). The book will be available for purchase as a printed book and as an e-book on Amazon. There will be other times I will offer it for free as an e-book for promotional purposes. If you would like to join the launch team I have created a closed Strength to Care Facebook page. When you join I will keep you up-to-date with the details of how-to and what-to do’s to get your free book and how to help launch Strength to Care. By joining you will also be the first to read the book!

Strength to Care – Facebook Page (click on link to join the Strength to Care launch team)

This book is more than just an opportunity to share my writing and to sell books. In fact, that is why I am willing to give it away as much as possible. I have had a few people read the book as it has been edited and my blog posts formatted into a book form. One comment, echoed by several is that this reflections book, although intended to reach many hurting parents and caregivers, is for everyone who needs hope, encouragement and strength in their lives. Comfort comes when we know we are not alone in our suffering.

Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25

As you go about your daily lives this week be reminded as you are being tossed about by strong waves…by offering an arm to others you are girded in strength to face your own struggles. Also, as God’s peace and love grow in you as Good Samaritans and peacemakers, look at people with eyes of mercy, not through them with eyes of judgment.

I pray that you have been blessed by our lives and will be will be blessed through this book. We have certainly been blessed by your prayer, your kind words, spending time with us as we wait out another surgery, visited us while tending to our boys in the hospital, enjoyed your meals, your companionship and the many other ways you have been the hands of Jesus on our lives. In so many ways you are each a part of our story, this blog and the coming books.

Kevin is available for speaking to groups of any size. Click on the “Want Kevin to speak at your event?” tab above for more information. You may share our story, our prayer needs and this blog as you feel led by using the share buttons below. If you would like updates on when new content is added to the blog or to keep up with current prayer requests for the Troupe’s you may subscribe at the top of the right hand column of this blog.

 

 

 

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Using a pivot point…

How good are you at handling change? Do you form plan B situations? Plan C? One thing the Troupe’s have become good at is reacting to things that come our way. Our lives have become quite scripted since Isaac joined us almost 3 years ago. We have to set a nursing care schedule a month and a half ahead. We plan for work schedules, activities, events and even for socializing. Yes, it is rigid but very necessary for us to get sleep and to be able to still be a family and do regular family things. Even the best formulated plans will develop roadblocks and bumps along the way. The challenge is how we deal with a sudden change.

It seems as though God is always at work allowing certain bumps and roadblocks in our paths. These are not there to intentionally frustrate us…I believe they are there to help steer us in a direction that will be better for us, even if we do not see the benefit at the time.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. In Their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:3,9 (NIV)

Over the years we have had many chances to change the course of what we were doing. Many different trips to the Emergency room. Surgeries or procedures that didn’t go as expected and resulted in a lengthy hospital stay. In hindsight we have always been able to see the good in all of these course changes. Some may have been for reasons only God knows. From our view of things there have been many times we were able to share our journey with others and offer encouragement. We have been able to bless the lives of others by letting them use their gifts of hospitality, service, discipleship, empathy or wealth. Many people prayed, and still do as they have joined out team of support.

Some days you just have to smile…even with grumpiness all around

As we approach the month of May we are reminded of a big game changer in our lives as Isaac entered the world. Our plans were still being set. We had the team of doctors, all specialists in their field, ready for the June date. We had toured the facilities of the University of Michigan Mott’s Children’s Hospital and been briefed on how things would go the day of the delivery and the next steps of surgery in the first few days. We were working on plans for home of who, when and where for the rest of the family. As we stressed over the fine details God was working on our next steps. Saturday, May 5 Theresa had gone with the older girls to an event surrounding Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan. While there she had some difficulty, she thought it was with her bladder. During the night she was still having issues so it was decided to have her drive herself to the Emergency Room in Grand Rapids to get a look at what was going on. I stayed home to take care of the rest of the brood. I received a call about 5:30 a.m. from Theresa that her water had broke, most likely the day before and was slowly leaking amniotic fluid. We were going to have a baby that day! A full six weeks prior to OUR plan.

Popular author and blogger Jeff Goins describes a great way to deal with sudden changes that may, or I should say will come your way:

In basketball, you are allowed to take only two steps after you stop dribbling the ball. When you take that last step, the foot you land on becomes a “pivot foot.” That foot must remain fixed, but the other can freely move about, allowing you to spin around and find a teammate to whom you can pass the ball.

Although you are confined to where you are and how many steps you can take, at no point are you locked into any direction. That’s the beauty of the move. Even when all other opportunities are exhausted, you can always pivot. The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant to Do

That is where we were on a Sunday morning three years ago. We could have been frozen in fear. We could have been completely paralyzed by not having a plan B on the table. No, instead we used the pivot move. We passed the ball into Gods court. We passed the ball to the thousands that prayed for us at our church where they literally prayed Isaac into this world during each morning service. We passed the ball to the other 7,000 plus people who clicked the link of those who shared our story on social media. We pivoted and turned our eyes to the next step God had put along our path.

His plan was perfect from the start. Theresa’s primary OB doctor was the one on call. When the NICU doctor came into the operating room it was a familiar face. 10 years prior to this morning when Matthew spent a month in the NICU it was this very same doctor. He greeted us as if we were old friends and proceeded to go over the checklist of what we knew about Isaac so far and what he may expect. God also knew that we would be spending the better part of three months in the hospital and that, despite what we thought would be best, He knew we needed to be close to our support group. He knew that room 338 would become our family hub and we needed to be closer to friends, family and our home. There were also people here who needed us to be there to come along beside. There were others who needed to encourage us.

The pivot move has become our signature move when our plans are interrupted. Could it be beneficial for you as well? Passing the ball doesn’t mean giving up control. It means you are willing to be a team player.

Kevin is available for speaking to groups of any size. Click on the “Want Kevin to speak at your event” tab above for more information. You may share our story, our prayer needs and this blog as you feel led by using the share buttons below. If you would like updates on when new content is added to the blog or to keep up with current prayer requests for the Troupe’s you may subscribe at the top of the right hand column of this blog.

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Would our life be different without “special” needs?

I heard a question this past week that has made me look within several times and ponder the same question as it relates to my life. The question was: “if your life didn’t include (insert trauma, life changing event, illness, etc.) how would you think your life would be different”? For me and my family it made me ask myself the question “if we didn’t have Matthew or Isaac or both, how would our life be different”?

Notice the toys all around…BOX!

This brought up a great conversation between Theresa and me as I asked her the same question. We both had the same answer. We both have never really thought of how it would be different. We have never really dwelled on what could have been. We both agreed though that we would not be the people we are today without the experiences we have had, good or bad over the past 14 years since Matthew was born. We both agreed that our life looked quite different from the “norm” when we had just four kids. With the addition of Isaac…it is now on a whole new level of different. Before, we dealt early on with some medical, mostly though with Matthew it has been behavior issues and a feeling of vigilant guarding for his safety. Isaac has added a whole new level with acute medical needs. I guess you would say we are well rounded now!

In preparing some text for my upcoming book for editing I was reviewing some past posts. I found the following one from almost 3 years ago. It was about 1 month into Isaac’s 3 month stay in the NICU. I thought it was relevant to the feelings I have been sharing…here are some of the paragraphs I wrote:

For those of us who pray, we quickly realize that prayer is not just a request list of things we need or want…or think we need and want. We have spent many hours and days, along with you praying for our little Isaac…praying for what we think we need and want…I was shown a little perspective in a book I finished this past week titled: The Book of Man: Readings on the Path to Manhood – William J. Bennett. A great book for fathers and mentors to boys and young men on the lives of famous people and not so famous people about what it means to be a real man. A real man of integrity, faith and one who leaves a legacy of worth behind when he is gone from this world. I was taken aback when I read this prayer included among the stories that was hand scribbled and found in a pocket of an unknown Confederate soldier at the end of the Civil War. It really made me think about what we pray for and what we think we should expect in return:

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;

I was made weak, that I might learn to humbly obey.

 I asked for health, that I might do greater things;

I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy;

I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men;

I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;

I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing I asked for but everything I had hoped for.

Almost, despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am, among men, most richly blessed.

The Book of Man: Readings on the Path to Manhood , William J. Bennett

Two lines echo in my head from this written prayer…I got nothing I asked for but everything I had hoped for….and, I am, among men, most richly blessed. This is where we are at right now in our early journey with Isaac. I know this prayer is serene and calm…In reality, here is what it really looks like to us; even among the meltdowns each of us experience at different times during the week, the times we cry out and wonder where God is, the times we just cry because we have been strong for too long…we are still richly blessed. We all have had the time to just sit in the dark with a tiny 5# bundle on our chest to listen and watch his tiny chest go up and down. And, to experience what is happening in and around one of the smallest of the new NICU rooms, room 338. What we see happening is that Isaac’s room continues to be a hub where nurses that he has had along the way stop in to see how he is doing. We share conversations of how good God is and stories of how our church family is taking care of us, our home and our children. We hear how this blog is being shared and Matthew and Sarah Anne’s fan base is growing as they have become staples around the third floor (and the gift shop). Where Hannah and Megan are referred to as the “big sisters” and we hear nurses talk about how they could only hope that their kids will grow up with the same heart, sweetness, beauty and integrity. I got nothing I asked for but everything I had hoped for…I am, among men, most richly blessed.

Yes, we are frustrated with questions not being answered…we are tired, physically and emotionally as we have been living a bizarre life of 10-11 hours a day divided between mom and dad at Isaac’s bed and still trying to take time to be a family. I had a picture in my mind this week while I was driving…I was thinking about how it may have looked when Moses was leading God’s people across the Red Sea. I imagined myself walking forward but my head constantly looking side-to-side and seeing a wall of water being held back by the wind. I imagined those swirling winds above me and maybe feeling a spray of water once in a while. I see it, but I don’t believe what is happening. What if the wind just stopped? What if I don’t have enough faith in God to keep the water from surrounding me? All we can do is keep walking, keep moving forward and not think about the physics of how the water is being held back or how long it will be held back…we just need to trust that God is God and his word is his word and he will never leave us to drown.

What to pray for this week: decisions and a plan. We will be meeting this week with all the specialists and doctors at one time, in one room to discuss what to do next. Isaac’s issues at this time, before we can move on to any other thing is for him to be able to keep an airway open, period. We will look at some short-term solutions from mild intervention to more drastic such as a trachea tube. There has even been some talk about transferring Isaac to Mott’s at the University of Michigan. This would put us at a whole new level of a “family disrupted”, but we are willing to do it if it means moving forward.

Ultimately, please pray that God’s will is being done, that we will fulfill the reason God has chosen us to be here, that we continue to be strong, even in our own struggles to reach out to the many hurting people we run into here at the hospital…families who God puts in our pathway that we end up talking with and we pray and we cry for. Moms who are doing this on their own, teens and other siblings who are acting out, not knowing how to handle the emotions and fears that surround them as they deal with turmoil in their lives. Families who have been here for many months, even moving to Grand Rapids to be close to their child. Also pray that our little room, room 338 will continue to be a safe harbor for staff and doctors who stop in and chat, not knowing why they are drawn to Isaac’s room. The door is always open…

I really can’t add more than what I have already shared. Would our lives be different? We really don’t care. We still have occasional meltdowns. We still cry out at times wondering where God is while cleaning smeared poo off the wall for the third time on the same day. We are content with being a conduit for God to show his power, his mercy and his healing. Even if the journey is hard. Even if the journey sometimes is painful. We have been called to this. We are richly blessed.

You may share our story, our prayer needs and this blog as you feel led by using the share buttons below. If you would like updates on when new content is added to the blog or to keep up with current prayer requests for the Troupe’s you may subscribe at the top of the right hand column of this blog.

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Does God give us more than we can handle…

One of the most often used phrases spoken to people who are in the middle of a crisis, struggle or burden…”God will never give us more than we can handle”. Usually followed by…”You must be really strong”. Those of us who are in the special needs community are often handed this one too “You must be really special if God has given you a such a special one to care for”.

A Fall family portrait of the Troupe’s

These comments are well intended and we do take them as a compliment even though sometimes they can be irritating. It guess it is better than being told “you had it coming” or “you deserved it”. Actually, in not so many words from some well-meaning people we have been questioned with why we had more kids after Matthew was born. These thoughts entered our world even more when Isaac was born…as if we were playing some kind of lottery, balancing between healthy, no problem children and CHARGE boys. By the way, we had no better chance to have two CHARGE Syndrome children than any other father and mother the first or second time.

Is it really more than we can handle?….Yes, if we choose to handle it on our own. The reference to God not giving us more than we can handle comes from 1 Corinthians 10:13:

No temptation has over taken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Cor 10:13 NIV

The first part is often quoted but not the second. For those who are not familiar with the text or the fundamental reason for Gods gift of his Son could be left hanging with thoughts of why God would “give” us a crisis. God doesn’t “give” us bad things in our lives. But, when things do go bad we were designed not to go at it alone. We were meant to have someone walk beside us and give us the encouragement and strength we need to get to the other side of peril. The second part of the text promises that God will provide a way out so we can endure it.

It really is more that we can handle…the struggle, the illness, the suffering, the job loss, the bullying or (insert your burden) if we choose to suck it up and handle it on our own. When we embrace the burden and begin to accept help from above and abroad we develop endurance and later…freedom.

“You must really be special parents if God gave you such special children”. Our medically, emotionally, physically and mentally challenged ones have not come with an instruction manual and we certainly were not given super powers to “be strong”. But, we firmly believe that each one of our children were gifted to us for specific reasons, certainly not because of our qualifications. It was because of the competency and potential that God saw in us. If you need any further evidence just look at the twelve that were the closest to Jesus. If credentials and a resume were the only criteria used for their future calling they wouldn’t have even been invited to a first interview. I read a commentary this past week by television personality Mike Rowe where he mentions this concept while referring to the process of being hired for his first television gig:

Here’s what I didn’t understand 25 years ago. QVC had a serious recruiting problem. Qualified candidates were applying in droves, but failing miserably on the air. Polished salespeople with proven track records were awkward on TV. Professional actors with extensive credits couldn’t be themselves on camera. And seasoned hosts who understood live television had no experience hawking products. So eventually, QVC hit the reset button. They stopped looking for “qualified” people, and started looking for anyone who could talk about a pencil for eight minutes.

QVC had confused qualifications with competency.

Perhaps America has done something similar?

Look at how we hire help – it’s no so different from how we elect leaders. We search for work ethic on resumes. We look for intelligence in test scores. We search for character in references. And of course, we look at a four-year diploma as though it might actually tell us something about common-sense and leadership. Mike Rowe

God does not look at what we have done, he doesn’t peer at the wall and look for the credentials, he won’t even take time to poll your friends on how nice of a person you are. What he will do is look at your heart. He will look at the gifts and talents you have been given and examine what you have done with those and the potential to make the best of them. He is also there, right beside you when you face something you may think you cannot handle.

As for the critics who have questioned our sanity to have more kids…That is between God and us. Yes it has been and continues to be hard to raise them, keep them safe and keep them healthy. We sacrifice family vacations. We don’t get enough sleep. Relationships are fractured. Our germ phobia is misunderstood and the list goes on and could fill a complete blog post. We would not change a thing.

We would not change a thing because of the impact that suffering and hardships have had on our lives. They have made us better people. Better in ways that could never be explained on a resume.

You may share our story, our prayer needs and this blog as you feel led by using the share buttons below. If you would like updates on when new content is added to the blog or to keep up with current prayer requests for the Troupe’s you may subscribe at the top of the right hand column of this blog. Don’t worry about providing your email address…I had enough SPAM and eggs growing up…l would never send any unnecessary SPAM your way!

 

 

 

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Heart Babies…Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Month

Matthew showing his talent of sleeping with a puzzle piece in his mouth even while in the pediatric intensive care unit

February is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Month so I thought we would revisit this post from 2011. Almost exactly 4 years ago when Matthew had a cleft repair done on a leaking mitral valve. I wrote the following post the night after this major surgery…a little more relieved after the restless night before.

This feels so long ago but still stirs emotions of wondering if Matthew would even survive the surgery.

Would you take some time this week to pray for all of those families who have or will face major heart surgeries. Ours, as many have happy endings…others face the pain everyday of a child that never made it to a life saving surgery or healing.

From March 4, 2011:

As I sit next to Matthew’s bed, experiencing the sounds of a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit while Saturday becomes Sunday, I am overwhelmed with the goodness and faithfulness of a God who keeps his word. I am humbled by the overwhelming response of family and friends who have spread our gift of Matthew around the globe through social media and email to create an incredible chain of prayer warriors. Theresa and I are witness to the fact that prayer is powerful. We both have had an undeniable trust and peace as we go through this, yet another, opportunity to show God’s abundant power.

As one can imagine, on the eve of Matthew’s surgery I was a little restless. Something about this night was different. I can count on one hand how many times I have been aroused from a sleep and felt the need to pray. I sat in bed and journaled the following thoughts that I believe God was using to show me that He is in control of this surgery…a surgery I believe the benefit is not just an improvement in Matthew’s health…the benefit extends to all who are praying for him.

Matthew is a gift, a gift who God will use to build and strengthen faith, prayer and character. Here is what I am learning…

M – Meek and humble of heart. I am learning that to be meek means knowing that I do not have all of the answers, knowing that I have limitations and that I need to rely first on God, then on those he has put around me to give support and encouragement when needed.

A – Ample supply of strength. I am learning that if I keep focused on God and continue to read and speak His truth, he will supply me with everything I need but not necessarily everything I want. He will give me ample strength and support either directly or through someone with and encouraging word or deed.

TT – Trials and Triumph. I put the two “T’s” together because you cannot have one without the other. One cannot taste the sweetness of triumph without first tasting the bitterness of trial. It is through trial that our characters are built, shaped and refined and we are able to appreciate fully the triumph in our lives.

H – Honest Transparency. It is critical when dealing with heavy situations to be honest. Answering the question of “How are you doing?” with the standard response of “I am fine” is not healthy. Many people really do want to know and it is okay to share weakness or needs. I am learning to ask for help. People really do want to, many just don’t know what to do for you so they do nothing.

E – Earnest Prayer. I am learning that prayer is not begging for the grocery list of things that I want or think I need. Prayer is a conversation between me and the One who knows me best and wants to bless me with everything…if only I learn His language. When I speak His language of praise, thankfulness, forgiveness, compassion, etc., he reciprocates peace, understanding, faithfulness and blessings.

W – Wonder. We have a saying about Matthew: the only predictable thing about Matthew is that he is unpredictable. God is unpredictable too when it comes to what we think He should do. He has routinely exceeded my expectations on what I thought was right or in good portion. I am always wondering what God is going to do next to show that he is God.

We still have a long time on this road of Matthew’s recovery from heart surgery both here at the hospital and continuing at home. I cannot help but see the irony that I too am having “heart” surgery through this experience as God continues to soften and shape my heart into one that is more like His.

Where is your “heart”? Are you due for a check-up too?

It has been an amazing journey since this last post. Matthew will be 14 this year!! Sarah Anne will be 6 and Isaac brought us a whole set of other prayer topics. I can’t stop thinking now as I write about how many times we have cried out for peace and healing…and how many times God has handed us both…in abundance over the years. I am still learning the lessons I wrote several years ago. Some of them have been bigger and broader than I ever thought possible.

Remember to pray for all the heart babies out there…including Matthew and Isaac.

You may share our story, our prayer needs and this blog as you feel led by using the share buttons below. If you would like updates on when new content is added to the blog or to keep up with current prayer requests for the Troupe’s you may subscribe at the top of the right hand column of this blog. Don’t worry about providing your email address…I had enough SPAM and eggs growing up…l would never send any unnecessary SPAM your way!

 

 

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Do we know His voice?

It never gets easy. Isaac is scheduled for a third cleft repair surgery this week, one that will focus on his lip and nose, with a slight touch-up on his palate. It will never get easy to plant that last kiss and that last squeeze of the hand as the anesthesiologist team wheels them down the hall. Speaking of wheels, check out Isaac’s new walker! He loves his new freedom!

As we prepare for another surgery you would think that our nearly 40, yes 40 combined surgeries/procedures between Matthew and Isaac we would be on cruise control…but, they never get easier…in fact, they get harder. Harder because as they get older they also get wiser and it hurts more. Hurts them more and hurts us more as we sign the next consent form.

Although we enter this new experience with a healthy respect and aware that there are risks we also go with a firm belief that this is all in God’s hands. You see, we are in tune with a certain voice. A voice that leads us through tough valleys AND beside restful waters.

It is not easy to be tuned to that voice. There are much louder, much fancier and even sometimes seemingly more logical voices to listen to. We are surrounded by voices that pull us in many directions…unfortunately in the direction of stress, being anxious, fearful and not at peace.

My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27

I am sure it is no coincidence that I am reading a book right now that has prepared me for this next step of faith. The book is The Lord Is My Shepherd: Resting in the Peace and Power of Psalm 23 by pastor and author Rob Morgan, who is no stranger to caring for sheep takes us through a journey of this most famous and most often quoted Psalm. As we approach this “valley” I was reminded this morning as I read this following thought:

“That’s the thing about valleys. They have shadows and sorrows, but they are “through” passages. Psalm 23:4 does not speak of a cave or a dead-end trail. It’s a valley, which means it had an opening on both ends…David didn’t even use the phrase “though I walk in the valley”. The emphasis is on through, which indicates a temporary state, a transition, a brighter path ahead, a hopeful future.”

I think we would all prefer the side of quiet waters and the lush green pastures where we can lay in the sun and have the serene picture of peace. But we cannot fully experience one without the other. God leads us through both, which means he doesn’t prevent the shadowy valleys from happening but he does promise to lead us through them, with a little comfort along the way. Interestingly the same staff that gives correction by guiding our paths is the same one that is reached out, gently on our backs as an extension of the shepherd to show affection and assurance. I know my shoulders have bruises at times due to that staff steering me left and right…It is a quiet voice but it is much easier to be guided by His voice instead of the staff.

How do we find that voice, that peace? How do we get back on the path? Rob shared this story of an aged sheep in his flock that was blind due to age:

“Lucy became so old and feeble that she was virtually blind. She often ran into the gate or fence because she couldn’t see anything…for all practical purposes, she was blind. Yet there was nothing wrong with her hearing…she wouldn’t move until she heard my voice. But, when I called her, she would always take a tentative step in my direction. I’d have to keep talking to her, because otherwise she’d get off track. She’d go on a wayward course…It’s in reading, memorizing, pondering, and searching God’s word that we most clearly hear His voice and gear our minds to His whispers in our ears, telling us when to turn to the left and to the right.”

Are you anything like Lucy? Do you get off track? Is the rod more familiar than His voice to you? Take time to listen to His voice. Please pray this week that we keep tuned to His voice of assurance, of peace and that we come out of the valley stronger and on a brighter path.

You may share our story, our prayer needs and this blog as you feel led by using the share buttons below. If you would like updates on when new content is added to the blog or to keep up with current prayer requests for the Troupe’s you may subscribe at the top of the right hand column of this blog. Don’t worry about providing your email address…I had enough SPAM and eggs growing up…l would never send any unnecessary SPAM your way!

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