Out of the Bubble

God's Beautiful Promises

It seems as though our family is coming out of the Bubble that has held us for so long.  Maybe I should say that it is partially coming off of us, or we are partially stepping out of it.  I am sure that many of you are tired of hearing about the struggles and issues we've dealt with, but it's just our life. The scales are falling off, and the load is getting lighter, and I'm pretty excited about it.  

Last weekend, we attended an anniversary party for our church, Bridgeway Church.  Mike and I have attended this Precious Body since we were dating - thirteen years ago!  It was so fun to see so many faces and to also be reminded of God's faithfulness.  However, Mike was a bit sad when we left the party.  He said that there are so many people that have loved on us and have prayed for us for SO long, and he doesn't know very many of them well.  I am completely convinced that it is because of the Bubble we've been in, and it saddens my heart.  

I don't pretend to know what it's like to go through many different "survival mode" situations.  But, I do know what's it like to feel that you have been given a burden that you don't feel prepared for; to feel as though you are trapped and that your dreams have been trampled.  I know what's its like to lose my Precious Daughter and to hurt more deeply than I ever thought possible.  I also know what it's like to choose each day to love Lucy like there is no tomorrow, because there truly may not be.  To struggle spiritually, financially, socially, mentally, physically over your family, your marriage, health, and everything in between; to have felt so deeply and disparingly that you don't know if you can return to "normal", or what you hoped would be your normal.  

So now, there is this new freedom that we are feeling as a family and as a couple . . . we are trying out new adventures with our kids, spending extra special time with the boys, going on date nights and focusing on our marriage.  We've been able to host friends from out of town and even plan a few short trips this summer to see family.  These are all things that we haven't been able to do before.  We just haven't been in a place to do this in so long and it feels so good!  

The Kids with Paul Archibald, our Son from Boston!

Boys Being Boys

Sweet Memories

Henry the Hobbit

Family walks and baby-wearing!

Jesus has set us free, and we are learning to live in that freedom again.  Being free and FEELING free are both amazing things, and I'm so grateful, so hopeful, so excited to slowly be tipping my toes into the freedom that God is reintroducing to our lives . . .

Ryan

Wonderfully Made and Prayer

Yesterday was "Wonderfully Made Day" at our church home, Bridgeway.  I am SO incredibly proud of our church!  I'm grateful to be a part of a body that values those with special needs of all kinds.  Check out the Wonderfully Made Mission Statement from Bridgeway:

“The Mission”

“Our role in ministry is to help people grow a tender, unshakable love for Christ.  God gives us tough situations that seem hard, but in fact, they are merciful” – Children Desiring God

We are not here just so the families won’t feel bad, but so that they will come to know Jesus.  We are here to encourage them so that Christ, and not the disability, will be the center of the home.  

Here are some points we covered yesterday, along with the information that was sent home to each parent.  Read it.  Take it all in, and then talk about it as a family.  We want to change the culture.  We want special-needs individuals to be created equal, and that starts at home!  

"We want you to be aware of what we discussed so that you can welcome discussion within your home.  The best thing children can do is to ask questions about those who might look or act differently than they do.  Do not be afraid of their questions – invite them and be honest with your children!  Knowledge is power where special needs are concerned, and you will help teach your children to love EVERYONE well. 

• ·         God Made Me!  Psalm 139:13
• ·         God made us All just the way that He wanted! Psalm 139:14am
• ·         God loves us ALL just the way that we are. Psalm 139:14am
• ·         Some people have a disability or have special needs; that means God made them a little differently.  Exodus 4:11
• ·         Some people may not look the way that you do.  They may not talk like you, move like you, or eat like you.  That’s okay!  I Samuel 16:7b
• ·         God has a special plan for EVERYONE’S life! Jeremiah 29:11
• ·         God is in control of everything, including me, you and all of those around you! Matt. 10:29, 31
• ·         Even when I am sad and hurting, God is with me and God is with those around me with special needs and disabilities.  Psalm 46:1
• ·         God watches over me and over my friends with special needs.  Psalm 23:4
• ·         God takes care of ALL of our needs Phil. 4:19
• ·         God gave His son Jesus for ME and for ALL of those with special needs.  He gave his son for ALL people!  Romans 5:8
• ·         God makes some people with special needs.  2 Corinthians 4:17
• ·         God loves us ALL just the way that we are!  Jeremiah 31:3b

Also, please be sure to encourage your family to avoid the following words, which are considered very hurtful for those with special needs as well as for their families:  Retarded, Short Bus, Lame, Crazy, and Dumb"

How great is that?  We are teaching the generations how to love and accept those who may be different!  By the way, if you want more information on Bridgeway's Wonderfully Made Ministry, please email me at tullyryan@hotmail.com.  Lord, spread this truth like wildfire!  

Now, on to some ways to pray for our family . . . 

Lucy is having a terrible time.  That "abundant life here on earth" isn't happening, at least in this momma's eyes.  Her screaming is increasing, despite the heavy meds we've added.  We've done everything we know to do: we've visited the ER and clinic almost every day last week.  We've switched the times meds are given.  We've cried out to her team of doctors, and most of all to the Lord.  We are at a loss, ya'll.  

My biggest fear is that this is NKH progressing, and not a problem that we could fix (ex: UTI, kidney stones, ulcers, etc).  I do NOT want Lucy's life to be one full of pain.  No mother wants that!  So, we need your prayers.  

Prayer Requests:

1. Pray for Lucy's pain to be controlled

2.  Pray for us and for her doctors as we navigate through this

3.  Pray for clear answers where her pain is concerned.  

4.  Pray for me as I've once again been having terrible migraines

5.  Pray for Stan (Mike's daddy) as he undergoes a cardiac ablation today at Baptist hospital in OKC.

6.  Pray for us as storm season approaches (first chance is this week), and I for one am still incredibly affected by fear where tornadoes are concerned (all bc of last year's devastating storm).  

Your prayers and friendship are invaluable to us!

Ryan

Take Me To The Cross

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent; and while I didn't grow up necessarily celebrating Lent in a traditional way, as an adult I am now seeing the importance of this dedicated time of focus.  I think Ben Nockels puts it most beautifully here:

Overview of Lent

By Ben Nockels 

Come, let us return to the Lord, He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.  After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.  Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord.  As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth.  Hosea 6:1-3

"Lent, the forty-day period of preparation for Easter, has begun.  Lent reaches its climax during Holy Week, itself a journey within a journey.  Henri Nouwen once described Lent as the season in which Winter and Spring struggle with each other for dominance.  Others refer to this season as a time of "Bright Sadness".  Lent is a time of fasting and mourning, repentance and renewal; a time of identifying with Jesus in His suffering and death in order that we might identify with Him more fully in His resurrection and life.  

It is to the vivid imagery of "Winter and Spring struggling for dominance" that I wish to return our collective gaze.  This picture gives us a glimpse and foreshadows for us what can happen within our hearts and lives over these forty sacred days.  

It's so very earthly and real-time.  You can literally bear witness to the struggle transpiring.  The struggle is all around (and in) us.  An outward expression of an internal reality.  The created universe serving as a guide to the journey toward our own new creation.  Everywhere you look, you can see the world as it is and the world as it could be.  Winter and Spring.  Old and New.  Despair and Hope.  Death and life.  A not-so-amiable team of rivals.  Neither submitting to the other.  Back and forth they go.  

The struggle for dominance lingers on.  Winter looms large.  It kicks and it screams.  It puts up one serious fight.  And just when think your'e in the clear and you'd swear this cold dead season has seen it's last days, it rears its ugly headfor one last laugh and final gasp.  Winter has become an obstinate and completely unwanted guest who has long-overstayed its welcome.  

But then all at once, out of nowhere, Mother Nature runs Old Man Winter off into the distance.  And Spring comes bursting forth, right before our very eyes, in all of its glorious splendor, to take its rightful place.  The earth awakes and shakes off her slumber.  What once lay dormant has now become vibrant.  What seems to have taken place in one single instance has long been brewing under the surface in the deepest recesses of being.  Colors pop and sounds emerge.  The symphony of life is in full roar.  It's as if the songbirds themselves are ushering in new creation with each chirp, tweet and whistle.  Trees bud and flowers bloom. A fresh aroma fills the air.  It's a full-bodied, firsthand, multi-sensory experience second to none.  Energy palpable.  Borderline intoxicating.  Movement everywhere.  Life abounding.  

The fight finished and the victor crowned.  Winter threatened to conquer, but Spring prevailed in the end.  Spring wins.  It always has.  It always will.  A that, my friends, is the very best of news."

(emphasis mine)

WOW. Oh my friends, when I read this, I instantly connected with the Truths shared so beautifully.  As I shared in my previous post, I have been taking a break from many things.  Some things won't be obvious to those around me, and some will.  Maybe at some time, Jesus will give me the freedom to share some details with you, but for now, know this - I have literally been facing this fight of Spring and Life on a personal level. 

 He has forced me to step aside and lay it all down, giving it all up because I am too weak to go on the way that I was.  He has done this is both the physical and spiritual, and I am grateful and scared and excited.  Winter and Spring have been fighting greatly, especially since My Ellie Kate went to be with Jesus.  Spring WILL win, and Jesus WILL conquer, showing Himself mighty to me during this Season of Lent, in particular.  He has promised me this.

So, I will celebrate Lent.  I will participate in the holiness of all that it can unveil.  I will continue to cut things out and set things aside, ignoring what isn't deemed as important to my Father at this time.  I will focus on Jesus - on His life, His death and resurrection during this Season.  And at the end, He has personally promised me that I will see a transformation.  I will see the Victory.  I don't know what it will look like, but I am SO EXCITED.

What do you think about Lent?  Are you willing to celebrate and participate in it this year?  Our church, Bridgeway Church has partnered with Frontline Church and has published a wonderful guide to Lent.  Would you do me a favor and take a look at it- Lent Guide 2014?  Here you will find devotions for each of the 40 days of Lent.  Even skimming through it will bring you closer to the Lord Jesus and the truths of Lent and of the Easter Season.  How will you celebrate?

He has broken me, but He will restore me!

Ryan