Breathe deep

Packing up!

Helping Daddy prepare for the movers to come

Well!  We did it!  The move has begun.  No longer are we residents of the Peach State; no longer will we find ourselves in the sweltering heat of a Georgian summer.  No, instead we find ourselves journeying from Coast to Coast to make our new home in the beautiful state of Washington!  Here we go!


Our first stop: the Raphine Retreat.  We arrived on Saturday evening around 8:30 pm.  Renee had already arrived from Wheaton and was awaiting our arrival with both Greg and cousin Jack.  Marlene was...

with Aunt Debbie, in the hospital, supporting her as she received 2 NEW LUNGS!!!!

Sweet Aunt Debbie was diagnosed with emphysema several years ago.  It was only 2 months ago however, that her name went on the waiting list for a lung transplant.

Saturday, the call came for Aunt Debbie.  New lungs awaited her!  Family members met Aunt Debbie at the hospital to offer her the much needed support and love.  Surgery began around 2 am on Sunday morning~ Aunt Debbie woke later on Sunday morning and took her first breaths with her new lungs.

What a miracle!!  Praise the Lord.

Aunt Debbie has shown herself to be a true heroine: brave, fearless, and strong.  She remained stable throughout the whole operation, and even had the strength to sit up today and talk!  We have yet to see her, Daniel, Tirzah, & I; Thanksgiving will be the first day to see this woman with her "new lease on life".  But truly, what the Lord has done is magnificent in our eyes.

It was just over a week ago that Aunt Debbie received her copy of the Jesus Calling devotional.  She had been diligent with her daily readings.  Before she was taken back for the surgery to begin, Aunt Debbie reread aloud and proclaimed again the words of author Sarah Young (writing on behalf of our Lord):

" LEAVE OUTCOMES UP TO ME."  Follow me wherever I lead, without worrying about how it will all turn out.  Think of your life as an adventure, with Me as your Guide and Companion.  Live in the now, concentrating on staying in step with me.  When our path leads to a cliff, be willing to climb it with My help.  When we come to a resting place, take time to be refreshed in My Presence.  Enjoy the rhythm of life lived close to me.

You already know the ultimate destination of your journey; your entrance into heaven.  So keep your focus on the path just before you, leaving outcomes up to Me."

And so, Aunt Debbie was led back to the surgery room where new life would be breathed anew into her lungs.  She left the outcome to the Lord. She left the outcome to the very ONE who had breathed the breath of life into her on that day she was brought forth from her mother's womb, the very ONE who breathes again, today, the deep breath of life.  

She didn't worry for she knew, and she left the outcome to HIM.