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It Also Looks Like This

I would like to introduce you to Thomas. He is the 8 year old best friend of my son Jacob and the son of my dear friend, Joelle. These precious boys have been friends since diapers and are definitely two peas in a pod. They love to be together doing all those neat things little boys like to do. They run, climb, and jump and when they have done all of that, they fall into a heap laughing like only innocence allows. No matter how much fun they have the same conflict always arises. There is a constant disagreement with Thomas’s mind and his legs. After a short time of boy play Thomas starts to get an all too familiar ache and stiffness in his legs. He wants to keep going but his little body says no. You see, Thomas was born with Muscular Dystrophy, Becker Muscular Dystrophy to be exact.

When we think Muscular Dystrophy we automatically think of young, wheel chair bound, gravely ill, children or more recently, ALS, thanks to the recent awareness from the ice bucket challenge. Becker Muscular Dystrophy usually presents itself slow and steady. Thomas has experienced gradual changes in mobility throughout the years but the changes are definitely a challenge not only to Thomas but to his family. Without a cure, his days of depending on his arms and legs are numbered.

Thanks to MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association), they have been able to access state of the art services, help, and support they need to help Thomas strive. Great breakthroughs have happened thanks to the research grants and clinical trials and studies they have been able to fund. The MDA association has given hope to families when all seemed hopeless.

This weekend, when you flip through your TV channels and see the MDA telethon, would you please take a moment and make a donation. Even a small donation helps in giving hope to families like Thomas’s.

Our greatest prayer is that Jacob and Thomas can experience being old men together and that their laughter will continue to fill our lives for all of our days.

Jacob and Thomas doing what they do best

I am inspired by this family’s courage, their joy, and mostly their faith. If you would like to learn more about MDA or would like information on how you can help just click on the link. http://mda.org/ Have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend!

If you make a donation we would love to thank you! Please use #mdaforthomas on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Jacob wants a lab coat for Christmas so he can be the Doctor who cures Thomas.

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

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Tags: and a sprinkle of love, awareness, beauty, becker muscular dystrophy, belief, believers, bff, Bible, blessed, blessing, blog, blogger, break through, brother, burdened, children, christ, Christian blog, christian blogger, Christian mother, Christian wife, Christian woman, christianity, comfort, courage, Creator, cure, easy, Encouragement, Eternal Vaue, faith, family, family friendly, father, food, friends, friendship, God, gratitude, Holy Spirit, home education, home school, homemaker, homemaking, homeschool, hope, hope for a cure, housewife, husband, husband and wife, Jesus, jesus christ, Joy, life, little boys, Lord, love, Make a muscle, marriage, MD, mda, MDA telethon, media, miracles, modern medicine, moms next, MOPS, mother, motherhood, muscular dystrophy, parenthood, parenting, peace, precious, salvation, school, school age, school days, scripture, Servant, servants heart, serving, sibling, sister, teaching, transformation, trust, Truth, weary, wife, wisdom, Woman, Word of God, word press

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Categories Faith, Family

Alison’s Story

14 Jun

Alison is my oldest child. She was born severely premature and has some cognitive delays along with Cerebral Palsy. Our church put on a special senior service for all our high school graduates. The families had the opportunity to put together a display of photos and academic, sport, etc. accomplishments. Our journey has looked different therefore trophies and other such accolades haven’t been a part of her life. Alison decided to share her story because it is her greatest accomplishment. Our display was a modest piece of tag board with some pictures and her story. I am so proud of her and her resilience and positive attitude, she is my hero! With a little help from mom…here is her story.

MY STORY

My name is Alison Jordyn. I was born October 31, 1995 at 7:51 PM. My mom is Rebecca and she was just 17 and 24 weeks pregnant when I was born. I weighed 1 pounds 12 Oz. I was born so premature that my eyes were still fused shut. My mom told me what a whirlwind of doctors and nurses there were, all working hard and fast to give me the best shot possible.

I had open heart surgery when I was only two weeks old weighing 1 pound 10 oz. From brain hemorrhages to dangerous blood infections I fought through each one becoming stronger each day. My mom told me that she should plan on me being in the hospital for at least 6-8 months but since I am stubborn (I get that from grandpa) I decided 2 1/2 months was long enough. One month and one day before my due date I was discharged weighing a hefty 4 pounds 7 oz.

When I was born they took my mom aside to prepare her for what life would be like for us. Because of the grade 4 brain hemorrhage she was told I would never walk, that I would never talk, and that I would be plagued with illness, allergies, and asthma. Fortunately, my mama has that same stubborn attitude as grandpa and me and never gave up hope.

I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy when I was five months old. Two months later I rolled over for the first time. At ten months old I said my first word, “hi”. On December 28, 1997, I took my first steps and I never stopped moving! I am now 18 and still haven’t been plagued with illness, asthma, and allergies.

When I was in kindergarten my mom was taken aside again and told that I had learned all that I would ever learn. She told my mom that I was incapable of learning new things and maybe school wasn’t for me. That didn’t stop us! I have learned so much and I have accomplished and done more than anyone ever thought possible. We wish we remembered her name because we would like to send her a graduation announcement 🙂

My mom says that I am proof that God is still in the miracle business. With God, even the impossible becomes possible.

I know my accomplishments seem ordinary to most and that’s OK. I don’t have many earthly awards and that’s OK too. You see, my biggest accomplishment is that my life saved my mom’s life. God chose to use a sick little baby to save my mom from a life of addiction and instead led her into a life of salvation. Now that my mom knows Jesus my whole family knows Him. It’s pretty cool to think that I am the reason my whole family will go to heaven.

I am excited for what the future holds because I know the One who holds it. My future is bright and the opportunities are limitless and I look forward to seeing where my journey takes me……..because my story is just beginning!

Our display

Thanks for reading!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

Come on over and see what I am pinning!

Tags: accomplishments, addiction, beginning, believers, Bible, birth, birth story, blessed, blessing, burdened, cerebral palsy, children, christ, Christian, Christian blog, Christian mother, Christian wife, Christian woman, christianity, cognitive delays, comfort, daughter, determined, Encouragement, Eternal Vaue, faith, family, fighter, first steps, first words, food, future, God, graduate, graduation, gratitude, Heaven, high school, high school graduation, homemaker, homemaking, hope, housewife, husband, illness, Jesus, jesus christ, Joy, Knowing Jesus, life story, Lord, love, media, micro preemie, milestones, miracles, motherhood, parenting, parenting a preemie, parenting a special needs child, pemature baby, prayer, preemie, raising a special needs child, salvation, scripture, Servant, servants heart, serving, sick, special nedds, strong, teaching, teen mom, teenage parenting, transformation, trust, Truth, weary, wife, Woman

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Categories Faith, Family

As we Remember…..

26 May

I live with a constant reminder of how blessed I am to of been born and raised in a free country. It is am awesome responsibility to live in such a way that it is never in vain. I am so grateful for the brave men and women who headed the call and left what was familiar and comfortable for a life of upheaval and uncertainty. Today I pause with reflective prayer to honor those who gave their all…the fallen brave who courageously breathed their last breath defending the country and the people they so loved.

The families who gather around a grave rather than a grill-my prayer is that our Heavenly Father will fill them with grace, peace, and healing. That they would find comfort in each other and that the sweet memories of their loved ones will sustain them until they are reunited in Heaven. Thank you, for your great sacrifice also!

Regardless of your feelings of the military, president, or war we are one family bonded by the American Flag and we should support our soldiers and let them know we appreciate them. A simple “Thank you for your service”, will really show that you stand united with them. Continue to pray for them, for their safety, for our safety, and for their families.

Pray for our wounded country. Pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will help us to turn our faces to Him once again and that He will Bless and unite us.

Thank you to our fallen, to our veterans, and to those serving……..it’s not in vain!

I will leave you with a quote I found.

“Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you….Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.”

~Author Unknown~

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

Tags: Air Force, allegiance, American, and a sprinkle of love, armed forces, Army, believers, Bible, blessed, blessing, brave, burdened, children, christ, Christian, Christian blog, Christian mother, Christian wife, Christian woman, christianity, comfort, courageous, death, easy, Encouragement, enlisted, Eternal Vaue, faith, fallen, fallen soldiers, family, flag, food, Freedom, freedom isn't free, God, God Bless the USA, gratitude, Heaven, Holiday, homemaker, homemaking, honor, housewife, husband, Jesus, jesus christ, Joy, Lord, love, Marines, media, Memorial Day, military, military spouse, motherhood, mourn, Navy, parenting, prayer, Proud to be an American, respect, salute, scripture, Servant, servants heart, serving, Soldiers, spouse, support, teaching, thank you, Thanks, transformation, Troops, trust, Truth, uniform, United States, United States Military, USA, veterans, War, weary, wife, Woman

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Categories Faith, Family, Homeschool

Marriage in Pieces

8 Oct

I don’t think it is the heat of the moment that kills a marriage but the brick wall that is built after. Holding on to bitterness, being self righteous, and keeping score, little by little builds a wall that is almost impossible to penetrate.

A bad moment can open the door for a real deep intimate connection with your spouse. You can hold a grudge and spend a miserable day taking cheap jabs at each other and spending a long sleepless night clinging to the edge of the bed, rehashing the events, and dreaming of all the things you will say once morning comes. You wake mad, miserable, and exhausted.

We come into a marriage as two selfish, sinful individuals learning, constantly, how to put another’s needs above our own. We easily overlook our own faults but put our spouses under a blinking neon sign. Yes, at first it all seems easy, you’re still reeling in the newness of your relationship. We overlook each others faults and we let little things go. Why? Because love wins (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). The mere thought of our spouse’s wonderful qualities seem to outshine their imperfections. The first fight happens, tears are shed, forgiveness happens quickly, and you feel stronger and closer than ever. Then each subsequent argument drags out longer, venom flows easier from our mouths, and grudges are born. When grudges fester bitterness grows. Brick by brick our walls are being built.

Instead of holding that grudge, take the opportunity to offer a prayer for a tender heart. Take a minute to think of all the things you love about your spouse. Somebody has to make the first move and that person can be you. It can be extremely difficult (trust me, I know), especially if you feel you’re right. At the end of the day I would much rather have a strong thriving marriage than another check on my being right score card. Think about how releasing your anger and extending understanding will draw you and your spouse to a place of deeper love, trust, and devotion. Where forgiveness reigns bitterness can’t grow. Instead of spending a sleepless night fuming spend a sleepless night talking and reaffirming the love and respect in your marriage. You can smile about how exhausted you’re by your late night. You’ll both be content because not only did you weather the storm but grew closer because of it.

Let God work through you, not only when your marriage is for better but especially when it is for worse. Sometimes the only life line is the one you throw, it can be heavy but oh so worth it! Don’t let the enemy win.

I love hearing from you. How do you keep bitterness from taking root in your marriage?

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca

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Tags: and a sprinkle of love, believers, Bible, bitterness, blessed, blessing, blog, burdened, children, christ, Christ centered marriage, christi, Christian, Christian blog, christian blogger, Christian mother, Christian woman, christianity, comfort, conflict, conflict resolution, connection, easy, Encouragement, Eternal Vaue, faith, family, forgiveness, God, Godly marriage, grace, gratitude, grudges, heart, homemaker, homemaking, homeschool, housewife, husband, in love, intentional, intimacy, Jesus, jesus christ, Joy, life line, Lord, love, man and wife, marriage, media, motherhood, parenting, prayer, respect, scripture, Servant, servants heart, serving, sin, sinful, spouse, teaching, tenderness, transformation, trust, Truth, understanding, weary, wife, Woman

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Categories Faith, Family

Talking to our kids about Boston

9 Jul

This was something I wrote and shared on our MOPS blog right after the Boston bombing. My thoughts on talking to our children about such things–

It seems more and more we are having to be so deliberate to shield our children from never ending bad news. Shooting, war and now a bombing.

I still remember the morning more than a dozen years ago when I turned on the TV just in time to watch live as a plane took out the second tower. It was the first time I knew that I couldn’t hide the bad news from my then five year old, Alison. Minutes later my nightgown wearing barefoot daughter made her way sleepily to the living room. As she snuggled down deep next to me she knew that this morning was different. You don’t necessarily think when you are cradling your baby in your arms that one day you would have to explain evil to them. You are not prepared and I don’t think you can be. It is just one of those jump in head first and pray that what comes out is sufficient enough to be truthful and satisfying without ruining the innocence and wide eyed curiosity that only childhood can yield. How do you remind them the that here and now in my arms or at school or at grandma’s they are safe? I know we need to filter but most of the time it is unavoidable.

Several months ago. Another school shooting. This time it was Brouke’s turn to see what evil looks like. And now, an all American wholesome activity marred by destruction and devastation is plastered everywhere. The horror and destruction is all over the TV and on the lips of every adult.

It is a fine line and letting your kids steer your conversation will generally give you parameters to work with. Kids usually ask great questions and beyond what they ask is most of the time unnecessary. They will clue you in to what is in their heart and how much they can handle. With the little ones be selective, you don’t want to compromise their sense of safety. Older kids will be able to process more but all children will need extra love and reassurance. Speak scripture to them. Remind them not be worry or be anxious (Matthew 6:27) that God will deliver us from our fears (Psalm 34:4). Tell them that God will give them peace and that He is in control (Phillipians4:6-7). Remind them for every bad person their are thousands of good people. Let them get involved in making the world a better place by giving them opportunities to serve others and their community. It helps channel all their fears and gives them a sense of control over their environment. Mostly, trust your instincts. God gave you the children you have for a reason.

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

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Categories Faith, Family

This is not Heaven

1 Jul

“The song of the whippoorwill. Let her sing. Let her sing in the dark. let her sing at the dawn. Let her song remind you that you were not made for this place and that there is a place just for you. But until then, be realistic. Lower your expectations of earth. This is not heaven, so don’t expect it to be.”

~Max Lucado~

I just now read that. I had to stop and read it a dozen times. As I sat quietly looking this over, this thought came to my mind-“Will what you sow now be worth reaping in the future?” In Galatians 6:7-10 it says that “for the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

When we live for worldly things it creates turmoil and misery in our lives, well, actually our soul. When we give in to the lusty appetites of our flesh our only gift is endless disappointment. But, when we live under the influence of the Holy Spirit we reap everlasting life.

It is hard to comprehend sometimes. We are fallen and of the flesh brings immediate gratification. Doing something for eternal value sometimes can be uncomfortable and even painful. I needed the reminder that what I do or don’t do has eternal effects. Is what I’m planting going to have kingdom value for tomorrow and tomorrow’s tomorrow?

Not always, but God reminded tonight to be more mindful of my life and those who pass through it. To plant seeds of truth and life. To look up and remember this is only my temporary home. To find my joy in the Lord and to not make this place heaven because heaven will never let us down.

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

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Tags: believers, Bible, blessed, blessing, burdened, children, christ, Christian, Christian blog, christian blogger, Christian mother, Christian wife, Christian woman, christianity, comfort, easy, Encouragement, Eternal Vaue, faith, family, future, Galatians, God, gratitude, Heaven, Holy Spirit, homemaker, homemaking, homeschool, housewife, husband, Jesus, jesus christ, Joy, life, living, Lord, love, Max Lucado, media, motherhood, parenting, prayer, scripture, Servant, servants heart, serving, teaching, transformation, trust, Truth, weary, wife, Woman

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Categories Faith, Family

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