Plan B

Whew.  What a week. 

We have been hit with a few punches this week and not the kind that are easy to roll with.  Tonight, we are finally feeling like we've returned to the land of the living, after dealing with a NASTY bout of the stomach flu.  On Tuesday night, Travis told me he wasn't feeling well before we went to bed and unfortunately for him, that was the beginning of an awful night.  I have never seen (or heard) him be so sick before, it was an all night affair that kept both of us awake.  We started Wednesday off with about an hour's worth of sleep and Travis feeling so sick that he couldn't sit up or get out of bed.  I also felt badly but one of us had to take care of the kids so I limped through most of the day until late in the afternoon when it hit me like a truck and I started getting sick too.  Ava woke up that morning having thrown up in her bed, but thankfully that was all that happened for her.  Carter steered clear of everything except for some recurring diarhea.  Last night I was the sick one and Travis limped through taking care of the kids. 

We agreed that there is nothing like having the stomach flu and still having to take care of kids to make you LONG to live closer to the Grandparents!  We were dying for some help but we managed to make it through.  My good friend brought us some groceries last night so the kiddos could eat and so that we could start sipping on sprite and saltines.  Poor Ava and Carter, I'm not sure what was running through their minds but they had to wonder what happened to their Mommy and Daddy??  We did lots of "parenting" from the couch or our bed, often with our eyes closed.  But today was a new day and thankfully, Travis was feeling much, much better and I started to turn around this afternoon.  We tried to make up for our lack of involvement and play with the kids today, while doing at least 6 loads of laundry and lots of cleaning and disinfecting.  I'm a happy girl to be in bed tonight, with a shower and clean sheets and pillows.  It's amazing how a fever and some kind of nasty bug can just wipe you out.  We both feel like we were hit by a truck but thankfully I think we've reached the end.  We're both eating again and tonight will be the first night that we climb in bed without a bucket next to us :)

It's the little things that make us smile these days!

I suppose it's ironic that I started reading this book on Saturday night, because it's been a theme this week.

Sadly, the hardest part of our week had nothing to do with the flu.  On Sunday morning we got a call from my Mom, who told me that my sister's father in law had suffered a massive heart attack.  As the hours unfolded we learned that they were able to save him and that his heart has sustained no damage, but due to an extended period of time without oxygen to his brain, he also showed significant signs of brain damage.  It's been a heartbreaking week as we've waited for signs of improvement and news of any kind.  His story is not mine to broadcast, but I can tell you that there has been no change and with everyday the odds stack up and the agony deepens. 

I spent Monday and Tuesday keeping myself busy, but also just having to go back to scripture to make sense of the whole thing.

I had several Biblea laying around the house while I went back and forth, reading and praying and wrestling with the "whys and hows" of the whole thing.  It makes me so sad, he's so young and his family so young too.  But it's also gut wrenching to know my sister and especially my brother in law are hurting so greatly while they are walking this hard road.  It's been another reminder about the fragility of life and the importance of knowing where you'll spend Eternity.  In an instant, life can change forever.

I found hope in Psalm 73 this week and found myself camped out in this passage.  If we've trusted the Lord and call Him our Savior, He says He is always with us, holding us by the hand.  He guides us through life with His counsel and even escorts us into Heaven when He's determined that it's our time to come home.  When we're faced with life and death situations, it becomes much easier to put things into perspective and remember that only one thing matters and that is what we choose to do with Jesus.  Because when our hearts and flesh fail, which they will, He is the one who gives us strength and He is the inheritance that we look forward to. 

We are praying for a miracle for Dave's Dad and trusting that no matter where his healing comes, on this side of Heaven or the other, He knows the plans He has for us.  He is Sovereign God, He is near to the brokenhearted, He will never leave us or forsake us and He is the hope of glory!  We ache for Dave and Jennie and their family.  There are no easy answers and a probably a difficult journey ahead.  This week has been a tough one and yet, one that reminds us of Who is truly in control of our lives and how much He loves us, even in our darkest hours. 

This is the link to the Caring Bridge for Dave's Dad.  Please join us in praying for a miracle and for peace and comfort for their family while they watch and pray. 

I hope you have a blessed Friday, friends. 

More importantly, I hope you take the time to hug your loved ones and make ammends where necessary.  You just don't know what tomorrow holds, but if you know Jesus, you can take great comfort in knowing that HE holds tomorrow and because of who He is,  He's all we really need to know.