To The Rescue

Have you ever cried out for help?  I mean, have you felt the searing need to be rescued from someone or something?  Maybe you were lost, caught in a life or death circumstance; maybe you've needed "rescuing" on something as trivial as a chemistry final or help in your flower beds. No matter how smart, how strong, how wealthy you might be - no matter how many accolades you've received, how many rewards you've won or how well you work a room. . . 

At some time in your life, you'll find yourself in a true place of desperation, depression or oppression - in a pit, where something is taking everything away from who you are, what you have or from who you want to be.  I'm not talking about a trivial kind of need, but rather one where you are so desperate, you can't catch your breath, or can barely see beyond the horrific sights which lie before you.  

Psalm 6:1-4

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing

heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.

My soul also greatly troubled.

But you, O Lord - how long?

Turn, O Lord, deliver my life;

save me for the sake of your steadfast love.

It's a GOOD place to be, needing help and rescue from those outside of yourself.  We need each other, as friends, as strangers, as humans.  Being "needy" makes one vulnerable, which is a most beautiful place to be.  As a Believer, being vulnerable is important because we are called to live in a vulnerable stance; we are called to give our lives away to God and to others.  We're called to humble ourselves, first at Salvation and then continuously, giving our lives to God for HIS glory, HIS plans, HIS purpose, and not our own. 

Just imagine with me, for a moment- 

What happens when it's YOU who's in need of help and rescue?  

What happens when it's your family, in a constant state of need? 

What if the oppression, loss, heartache, physical pain literally won't. ever. stop?

Even when you are living a "good" life or, as the Bible tells us, an "obedient" life, surrendered to the Lord, you'll find yourself there, in need of rescue.  Even when we consistently lay ourselves before Him, asking for HE alone to be glorified - EVEN THEN, heartache, loss, sickness, desperation, depression, death, and oppression of all shapes and sizes will, at some point, show up in your life. God promises it, and I can tell you from experience, it's a lonely, isolating, exhausting place to be. 

How often my breath is taken away, weak in energy and faith, 
My Spirit just a whisper, where there used to be a strong and healthy cry, and so I will continuously say,
"God, I believe; help my unbelief".  

Mark 9:24
Immediately after, the father of the child cried out, 
"I believe! Help my unbelief!"

Think back with me now, to the most desperate time in your own life, when YOU were the most vulnerable and the most in need, as in flat- on-your-face, crying out, with moans too deep for words, sick-at your-stomach, kind of need. Remember, for a moment, those feelings, those thoughts, that agony you likely felt, the desperation in your heart and soul. . . 

Now, think of a time when someone swept in and rescued YOU, comforted you or provided, even in at your most needy state; your very lowest point.  How did it feel, knowing someone cared enough to notice where you might be emotionally, or cared enough to hear your cries of brokenness? Someone saw the horridity of the heartbreak and mess you were in, yet dove into the flames to rescue you, with no thought of themselves! 

It happened - you were saved! 

It wasn't Wonder Woman or Superman who've come to your rescue, but a regular human being.  Maybe your Rescuer was  spurred-on by the Holy Spirit.  Maybe "life-saving" is physically in their job description. Maybe they just have a heart for others.  Bottom line - SOMEONE came to your rescue.  SOMEONE stepped up and helped.  SOMEONE decided to give to you, to love you, even in the darkest of times.  

Right at this moment, there is someone in a dire situation; 

They need YOU to rescue them.  

There's a call on your life to be a, "Rescuer", a helper, someone who brings life back to another human being.  

It's YOU, Friend. 

You are the One - the one to step up and step in; the one to bring life with encouraging words, a purposeful gift, a listening ear; 
the one to bless financially, 
The one to offer physical labor or sacrifice.  

IT IS YOU. 

Your giftings, your background, 
your current position or place, 
have prepared you to RESCUE, 
at this very moment in time. 

Don't hesitate.  Don't miss out on an opportunity to feel the freedom which comes from recklessly giving of yourself.  Don't miss out on something you were created to do.  Don't let fear, distance, or awkwardness, stop you.  Just jump in.  You may bring light to someone's deep darkness.  You could be freeing someone from ruin.  Be a vessel for something good. 

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Thank you for your continued prayers for our family!  There are so many things coming up, including Lucy's 8th birthday, Conner's 16th birthday and the NKH International Conference and fundraiser, located in Boston, MA.  In the coming days, I hope to update on all of these things and more.

Right now, we covet your prayers for our Nurse E, from Cameroon, Africa.  Their country is at war and violence is very common, especially for those who have family in the United States.  Nurse E's sister was kidnapped a few days ago, and although they've recieved a ransom request, the details have still not been worked out.  

Also, a precious family prepares to say their, "earthly" goodbyes to the daughter, wife, mother, friend, sister, and (recent) grandmother. This family has been hit with cancer THREE TIMES; they've all lived through the first two fights and now, C's fight has become overwhelmingly strong.  Her physical presence with her family will soon be at an end.  Pray for PEACE and COMFORT. 

Jesus, we take so much for granted.  The world is hurting.  Our people, our friends, hurt even now.  You continually equip us to RESCUE the people you place in our paths!  There is NO hope without you, Lord.  May my life bring your HOPE to those around me.  All belongs to you; nothing belongs to me. 


Ryan

    

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glish Standard Version
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

King James Bible
Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.
Darby Bible Translation
Return, Jehovah, free my soul; save me for thy loving-kindness' sake.
World English Bible
Return, Yahweh. Deliver my soul, and save me for your loving kindness' sake.
Young's Literal Translation
Turn back, O Jehovah, draw out my soul, Save me for Thy kindness' sake.

The Goodness of The Lord in the Land of the Living

Psalm 27:13-14Living Bible (TLB)

¹³ I am expecting the Lord to rescue me again, so that once again I will see his goodness to me here in the land of the living.

¹⁴ Don’t be impatient. Wait for the Lord, and he will come and save you! Be brave, stouthearted, and courageous. Yes, wait and he will help you.

Clear, blue-green waters upon the horizon;  sugary-sand under our feet; warm sun kissing our skin,  with the taste of the salty sea upon our lips . . .  
an absolute dream come-true! 

We recently returned from a beautiful trip to Mirimar Beach, Florida.  Our Dear Friends, Jeff and Bonnie Hinkle, invited us to stay with them in their beautiful home, which sits right on the ocean!  Selfishly, I admit that this was a dream of mine – I longed to have each of my children enjoy the Florida Gulf as I did.  Miraculously, Lucy was pretty pain-free and able to go with us, so we marked one of the biggest things off her “Life List” with taking her to the beach and letting her experience it to the fullest.  My cousin Kellyn, an RN and also beloved family member, went with us as Lucy’s nurse which was a HUGE blessing and delight! 

Lucy absolutely LOVED every part of our time away, even the riding in the car for over 14hrs!  I can’t fully explain the intense joy I felt watching My Lucy breathe in that salty air, feeling the warm sand between her toes.  She enjoyed grabbing the sand with her hand and dipping her dainty, pointed toes in the ocean.

Conner and Henry also enjoyed the beach, each with their own new hobby – for Conner, it’s paddle boarding!  We were elated that Conner felt secure and confident enough to go out on the board alone, evening standing up on his own accord!  He spotted dolphins in the distance and paddled out to see them up-close.  Conner got to see dolphins swimming under his board which is absolutely a memory he will forever hold!  Boogie boarding is what Henry chose this trip, and he was in the water from daybreak to sunset each day (and would have gone out more if we had let him).  Henry was made for the water and ran out to the beach with pure glee.  Bowen Jane also LOVED the water and the sand!  She had no fear whatsoever and immediately crawled straight for the water.  Bowen loved splashing in the water and the salt didn’t bother her one bit!  Our “Little Moana” in her true form, coming back with the darkest tan of all. 

It was such a JOY to watch our family relax and enjoy God’s rich creation and I am truly humbled He saw fit to bring about this trip for us and it was well-worth the sacrifices made in order to make it a reality. 

Lucy’s all-important, “unicorn/pony party” was the Sunday before we left for Florida and we were AMAZED and THRILLED at the turnout we received for this Celebration!  

We had approximately 90 people at Lucy’s skating party, so it was good we had the whole place to ourselves.  The owners were gracious and super accommodating to Lucy and our other fellow wheelchair-bound guests.  Truly, we were astonished by the outpouring of love and support we felt by so many friends there to celebrate Lucy while she is still with us.  Although we didn’t ask for nor expect any gifts, we were blown-away by the generosity of those who came!  There were so special presents and each is truly an absolute treasure.  We will CHERISH this day forever and ever and ever, Ya’ll. 

For everyone who attended – THANK YOU for taking the time out of your schedules to come celebrate Our Daughter!  For everyone who served and assisted that day (Delia, Melissa, Donna, and Julie), THANK YOU for your precious servant-hearts!  For those who wanted to attend but weren’t able to – please don’t worry one bit!  We know it’s hard to make these events, especially on a Sunday.  Donna Castleberry – the party wouldn’t have come together without YOU.  We will always remember and appreciate the time, energy and creativity you put into it all, making it special for our entire family, especially for Lucy. I’m not sure if I will ever get the many thank-you notes out, BUT I want all of you to know, we are beyond grateful and do not take any part of that special day for granted.  It was so special because YOU were there! 

Now, for a Lucy Update . . .

While Lucy did amazingly, surprisingly well on every single portion of the trip, she crashed when we arrived home.  I know she was exhausted from the excitement and from expelling so much energy while we were there.  She also loved looking out the window on the long drives, so she didn’t get much sleep to and from our destination.  Even so, we are sad to see her back to sleeping most of the time and even wanting her bed so often.  We get her out, even though she’s so sleepy, each taking turns with her on the couch, our bed and even on the living room floor.  Ultimately though, Lucy winds up crying and fussing and I don’t really blame her.  It’s pretty loud and boisterous around here, as we are still living with my parents, and you can’t blame a girl for wanting her temperpedic mattress and specialized bed, either!  

As I posted on FB tonight, Lucy’s kidneys and bladder aren’t fully functioning and she’s been fighting a bad UTI since we returned from FL.  We decided tonight,  the antibiotic must not be working, so there will be another round of tests and urine samples and I’m guessing we will just start a different antibiotic.  

Sweet LuLu Belle, This Evening

Ellie Kate was home on hospice for three, agonizing and suffering-filled days, so this long-term decline is totally different.  I don’t know what I would choose, if I could.  Both seem equally as tortuous as we know Our Daughter is suffering and in pain, and we also KNOW the realness of Heaven and all that is waiting there for her upon her last breath here.  It’s such a strange place to be – longing for Ultimate Healing while simultaneously hoping for more time with Lulie Belle. 

 I don't know about you, but at times, I get overwhelmed by the mere thought of all the good AND all of the bad, not only in my life but also in this world.  The Good and The Bad - life is made up of both, although it often feels as though the “bad” wins out.  

As Believers (Followers of Christ), it's hard to see God's goodness when there is so much obvious darkness around us.  I know this is true in my own family as we look at the outside world - threats of nuclear attacks, church shootings, terrorism plots, and more, and it’s true as we look inside as well – with Lucy's declining health, the recent Stage 4 Cancer diagnosis for Mike's Dad, and what often feels like this giant list of other things, none of which even possibly seem or feel “GOOD”. 

From the outside, I think many would look upon the lot of The OKC McLaughlins, believing the BAD certainly must outweigh the GOOD, and although it may feel that way to us sometimes as well, that isn’t the truth.

Now, I’d be lying if I told you there weren't times I wallow in the, "why me, why us" questions.  Child loss, special needs for three children, severe disability and medically fragility for two girls, years full of hospital stays and separate among our little family . . . the knowledge we will likely outlive Lucy, and that Henry is a carrier of the disease; my own mother with medical fragility, and in being diagnosed with several autoimmune disorders myself . . . even job changes and losses along the way, financial ups and downs, the heartache and ever-changing PANDAS rollercoaster, depression diagnoses for four out of the six of us, marital trouble, and on and on and on . . .

Absolutely, and no matter how you put it, we have a lot “on our plate”, “so much entrusted to us”, “many trials and tribulations” and how I see it, we been given so many, CONTINUAL reasons why we MUST have God as Lord of our lives and why we must cling to Him, always.  It gets super complicated and sometimes foggy, especially on the bad days, and I’m guessing many of you can relate. 

Here’s what I absolutely KNOW to be TRUE:

•       God created me in intimate ways, with certain giftings, all for a Specific Purpose.  He knows me inside and out, better than anyone on earth possibly could.  He knows my heart and my thoughts, my limits and my failures, yet He still chooses to love me the same, no matter what I’ve done or will ever do.   I can trust Him because of this Truth. 
•       God has created each of my children in intimate ways in which HE designed.  He knows every part of their being and genetic make-up, even how everything works, even when no one else can figure it out.  I can trust Him because of this Truth. 
• ·         NOTHING, absolutely NO-THING can happen without God’s approval.  Satan has no power God does not allow (as seen in Job).  He created me, He knows me, He loves me unconditionally forever, AND He OVERSEES ALL that is thrown my way.  I can surely trust Him because of this! 
•       No matter how bad it gets (and ya’ll, it can get bad - as you well know!), God will show me GOODNESS, just as He promised.   I can trust Him because of this Truth, Friends. 
•       God always wins, GOOD always wins - for Believers, we can take comfort in knowing how this life ends . . . with God on the Throne. That certainty can take away my fears, my questions and my anxieties.  Truly, I can trust Him because of This Truth. 

Although I won’t always FEEL like trusting Him, I can look back on these Truths and CHOOSE to trust Him, shutting down my own thoughts of fear,anxiety, hopelessness, and despair. 

Today and everyday, whether you are facing a giant mountain, where you don’t know how you can possibly survive and you can’t even see through it; or if you are facing a season of hope, fulfillment and happiness, I strongly urge you to CHOOSE TO TRUST Your Father. 

That’s what I’m doing, even now.  Why don’t you join me?

Psalm 27:13-14Living Bible (TLB) - I am expecting the Lord to rescue me again, so that once again I will see his goodness to me here in the land of the living. Don’t be impatient. Wait for the Lord, and he will come and save you! Be brave, stouthearted, and courageous. Yes, wait and he will help you.

• PS:  Watch for new updates on Ellie Kate's Month of Reckless Love, which starts the first of December, as we celebrate her Sweet Life throughout the month by loving and serving others!  

24 Hours

In just 24 hours, Lucy Belle McLaughlin will be SIX years old!  It's hard to believe that this Precious Little Gift-of-a-Girl was laid in my arms that long ago. Lucy is our dainty, feminine, "Beautiful Light", and I am happy to say that Our Birthday Girl is now HOME from the hospital!

We are incredibly grateful that the Lord has mercifully allowed Lucy's gut to work in this moment and that He has allowed her more time with us here on earth!  When we entered the hospital this last time, we truly did not know what would happen and even now, no one can tell us what will happen with Lucy Belle and her health or how long we will still have the joy of holding her here in our arms.


During this last hospital stay, we tried to find definite conclusions on why Lucy's seizure activity has increased so greatly, why she's had these terrible tremors, why she continually falls asleep, and why her balance is off, causing her to constantly fall from side to side.  Along with the doctors, we've tried to make sense out of Lucy's tummy issues,  searching for answers as to why, at times, she can't process her formula and medications.  We've tried to test and figure out why she's still having so many UTI's, why she's holding her urine for so long, and seems unable to void in every way.  The only conclusion we positively have is that NKH is progressing in Lucy Belle and, at this time, it's progressing much more quickly than we would like to believe.  

Lucy is home, but she isn't the same and I don't know that she ever will be.  She stays awake for only minutes at a time, then literally falls over into deep sleep. Her body tremors and twitches constantly, although it is NO where near the severity as when we last brought her to the ER.  Her actions truly remind us of those Ellie Kate's in her last days, which is strange and difficult. In fact,  looking back, Ellie Kate was struggling with many of these same things EXACTLY five years ago at this very same time, but we weren't fully aware of the short time we would have with her (less than three months).  This time, we aren't so naive and we will treasure each moment, each struggle, each day, with great value and sentiment.  We are treasuring these days, while allowing the Lord to prepare our hearts for the worst.  The physical decline is painfully evident, so we've made a few preparations for what we know will come sooner than we could ever hope. Oh, how we LOVE our LUCY!

The Body of Christ has surrounded us so beautifully, you guys and we are TRULY blown-away!  We didn't know what to expect at all, especially since we've left our Church Home of over 16 years.  Mike and I didn't expect any type of support at all during this time, really and truly - that's why the outpouring of support has been that much more encouraging!  God has lifted our spirits, renewed our hearts, and sparked our faith through the actions of His People - many of whom we don't even personally know.  It's an unimaginable treasure during a time we've needed to see Him move on our behalf - when we've felt alone and lost in so many ways.  Isn't God good to step in like He does?  It's never how WE would picture or plan and yet, it's always so much richer and more-encompassing than anything we could hope for!  Truly, I CANNOT WAIT to tell you all God has done for us through His People (but I will save that for the next post)!!

As for the Birthday Girl, since hospital stays have caused delay in celebration plans, I'm busy trying to make this sixth birthday the most happy one yet, even while on Hospice!  Lucy has finally decided on Unicorns and "My Little Pony" for the theme again, after she's fallen back in love with her ponies during this recent hospital stay.  Our plan is to try for a skating birthday party, where we can wheel Lucy around the rink in her chair.  She's pretty excited at the thought of it so far and lights up with excitement when we mention her Big Day.

We've had some questions pop-up recently concerning Lucy and our family, so I wanted to answer those clearly here on the blog . . . 

• Care Calendar - a precious friend is heading up a calendar where you can sign up to help our family in various ways.  We are incredibly grateful for everyone who is helping us in so many ways, allowing us to focus on Lucy and catch up on homeschooling for Henry!  To help, simply go to the following: lotsa helping hands care calendar
• Go Fund Me Page - we do NOT have such a page, nor are we interested in having one at this time, although we are grateful for the offers and suggestions of those wanting to help us financially during this time.  The best way to do this is through our Helping Hands account, where you can receive a tax write-off for your donation and can be assured that your funds go solely toward our medical needs.  With this organization, we turn in our receipts or bills directly, thus receiving the utmost accountability with your generosity.  For more information, please go to the the following:  McLaughlin Family Helping Hands Fund
• We still have Lucy's "Life List", but apart from getting Lucy to the beach and allowing her to feel the ocean, we really just want to spend time with her here at home.  This seems to be what her little body wants as well and we are set on listening to Lucy's body during this time, as we want whatever is the very best for her and what will keep her the most happy and at peace. 

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for loving us and serving us during this time.

Ryan