Thanksgiving

It has been a while since I last updated our blog. Sorry for those of you who have been checking it hoping to learn more about what has been going on with Nichole and our family.

Two weeks ago, at Nichole's 6 week check-up with her cardiologist, thay did an EKG scan. Everything with her heart looks great, and the doctor said that he could hardly hear her heart murmur, which means that the small hole she has, is closing up very nicely. God is good, and He continues to take care of our little baby girl!

Nichole's blood count also continues to improve, so we are hoping to be done with mediacations this week. This, however, means two more times being poked. We were supposed to have that done this week, but Ellie has been really sick with a sinus infection and is now on her second antibiotic (but this one is working!). Right now we are praying Nichole does not get sick, since Andy and I seem to be fighting this bug as well. It is already Wednesday and we might not make it to the hospital until Friday to get her blood drawn.

So as life was getting in more of a routine, sickness happened, and it has been crazy at the Stumbo house.

The week after Nichole was born, Andy and I were talking, and as I was crying I said, "Well, God does not give us more than we can handle, right?" I had the answer in my head, "No, He does not." And then Andy said, "I think sometimes He does, because it is then, and only then, that we completely trust and relay on God." "But what about that Bible verse?" I asked confused. "That Bible verse is taken out of context because it is refering to temptation, not to the different paths tha the Lord takes us through." Wow! I didn't know that, being married to a pastor does pay off.

I always thought of it as the Christian cliche we all have heard, God will not give me more than I can handle, but here I was, sitting on our bed, realizing that maybe Nichole's condition and health issues were more than I could handle, but also knowing that God intends all He brings to my life for good, and that now, I could experience what it means to trust in Him with all that I have. I think back to when I felt God asking, "Do you trust me?" "Yes Lord, I do." and then with a smile, and with more love than I ever will know He said, "I will teach you how to trust me." And He is doing just that. I think I was getting too comfortable again, getting in my routine, having things figured out. I needed God to remind me that I need to depend on Him, and to trust in Him with evrything that I have. It has been a hard week with Ellie being so sick, I am feeling like I am about to get rally sick, and I worry about Nichole getting sick. It has been days of trying to hold two girls ALL day long and a lot of crying because Ellie's throat hurts whenever she eats, coughs, swallows, or mommy has to feed or change Nichole. It has been draining, and I have found myself thinking, "I don't know if I can handle this." Oh, but when I give myself in complete trust to the Lord, knowing He can do it, then I don't have to hope that I will pull through this sickness time, I know I will, because He is leading, and He takes care of us, oh how He does." And when we are weak, He is strong. "For He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." I am honored that the Lord takes the time to work in me! In me! There was never before a time when I felt God's steady and loving work in my life like these last few months. "All I want is to know Him" and to know Him more and more deeply. What an amazing journey He has taken me through, it is the adventure of a lifetime.

And as if that was not enough, my friend Tina from MOPS called me today saying two of my other friends from MOPS want to bring us a meal. Just today I told Andy I had a dream that someone had left us meatballs on our porch. I actually looked outside the window a few times. God knew I needed that, and He uses people that are dear to us to show more and more of His love. Thanksgiving time, where do I beging to count my blessings?

Our beautiful family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We spent Thanksgiving with my dad and sisters up in Minnesota. (Unfortunatelly Ellie got sick that night). But we did have a wonderful and meaningful time with them.

Always daddy's little princess.