Don’t be alarmed…
…..it is the smell of fresh air. Â This was a little joke I heard while tidying up today and the cartoon network was on in the background.
Asher and I are getting out and about. Â We went to the Omaha Zoo today. Â It was Asher’s third visit and my first. Â Our friend Elaine has been taking him and today I decided to tag along and get out. Â It was really fun and Asher had a great time running around with her two boys who are really kind to him.
The highlight was the gorillas, wow such amazing creatures.  I can’t remember if I had seen gorillas before at the Auckland Zoo.  But they were right up close and I was just struck by how truly big and powerful these animals were.  God did something truly great when he made these and all animals.
Aria is ok today. Â Nothing new to report. Â I guess we see things differently to the doctors and we try to get on board with their thinking. Â For them a temp of 37.7 isn’t worth worrying about but for me I feel uneasy about it. Â I still think there is a leak in her bowel and so do they. Â But again they say it is small and I feel uneasy about it. Â So a cat scan with contrast put into her feeding tube will show on Wednesday what is going on. Â Everyone is hoping that nothing major is found like last time.
In better news her right diaphragm has dropped a bit telling her that we are heading in the right direction with getting off the vent.  They are weaning her vent and making her do more work to breathe by herself and she is doing well with that.
My sister is visiting in May and I am really looking forward to that. Â Things have been super hard in the past month. Â Perhaps the worst in our lives. Â Maybe the first month of Aria’s life was hard too. Â But at least we had our family and weren’t in culture shock. Â Plus we had a brand new baby, yay! Â Life certainly has lost its spark and I feel pretty unhappy. Â Did I share to much? Â Maybe. Â If anyone has some verses to share about life and being down please post, would be happy to hear from you all.
Life will get better, dear Jodee reminded me today. Â Thanks Jodee. Â This is just a season of hardness and pain.
ANYWAY enough gloomy gus from me! Â Love to you all and thanks for walking with us.
28 Responses to “Don’t be alarmed…”
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# 8 Mar at 6:40 pm
For your encouragement – Psalm 9:10 “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Life is bittersweet – the certainty & the mystery – but hold on & know that through all & in all CHRIST is sufficient. Loving you guys from afar & praying for you all xxx
# 8 Mar at 7:09 pm
I can’t wait I can’t wait – May is so not that far away. I miss your guts out! p.s Please start stocking up on ALL flavours of B and J’s before I get there :):)
# 8 Mar at 7:52 pm
Anita, here is a verse for you. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the PEACE of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or recieved form me- put into practice. And the God of PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU! (emphisis mine) Philippians 4: 4-9
I know this is a little long, but I pray you find comfort in these words. Prayers are with you. Doc and Sharon
# 8 Mar at 8:00 pm
Hey Anita,
Not sure if I have shared this with you before, but during my depression someone said to me, “one day, this will be but a chapter in the story of your life”. That really helped me, and I know it’s totally different to what you are going through with Aria, but I really believe that one day these horrible times will be just a short few sentences when you describe Aria.
Thinking of you always.
Ali xoxo
# 8 Mar at 8:15 pm
You are no doubt tired both physically and mentally and amaze me at the way you keep going. It is surely by the grace of God and hold to that. He will not take you to it if he does not see you through it. Your faith has kept you going in a strange land without family and old friends. Just seeing Aria in all her daily ups and downs but still keeps fighting and winning her battles step by step. Get some rest and look forward to the good that will come soon.
Still praying here
# 8 Mar at 8:40 pm
I’ve been following your blog for a while and pray for you all.
Psalm 61:1-3
“O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I cry to You for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for You are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies can not reach me…”
# 8 Mar at 8:53 pm
Talking about fresh air brought to mind a very simple saying my grandmother used to use MANY years ago. I have found it has been very powerful at times throughout my life – “Follow the sunshine and the shadows will fall behind” Much love H xx PS: Hope there’s lots of sunshine real soon.
# 8 Mar at 8:58 pm
My music of choice for post transplant was Brooke Fraser (first album) particularly the song “Lifeline”. Boy I cried so many tears on the drives home to that album. But you know I did feel like I was drowning a bit up to and after transplant, desperate times as you know – hope they may help you. The song in my head right now, I don’t know what its called but “Ooh Oh child, things are gonna get easier, Ooh ooh child things’ll get brighter”. I sung it as my mantra during the last upset.
Hang in there chick, one day at a time, she is getting better each and every day even if it feels so slow to you, every day is a miracle and progress.
# 8 Mar at 9:02 pm
John 14:27- “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” May His peace surround you. Praise Him!
In His love,
Carolyn O’Cain
# 8 Mar at 9:03 pm
Actually, I just looked round my computer desk at my notes and here they are:
“live in the moment, you can’t change what’s happened in the past, or control the future, so just enjoy the stage you and your kids are at right now”
“Live each day with joy and hope and thankfullness – we made it!” – this was definately my post trans mantra!
“Always be incredibly grateful for your two precious gifts”
# 8 Mar at 9:26 pm
Im not too familiar with the bible anymore so I had to ask a friend to help but this seems to fit.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
Thinking of you all.
# 8 Mar at 9:39 pm
Hope these are helpful. Pamela
Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.
–Henry David Thoreau
Times of great calamity and confusion have ever been productive of the greatest minds. The purest ore is produced from the hottest furnace, and the brightest thunderbolt is elicited from the darkest storm.
–Charles Caleb Colton
The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man be perfected without trials.
–Danish Proverb
# 8 Mar at 9:43 pm
I know you don’t know me but I would like you to know that there are so many people praying for you guys. God is there even when you don’t feel him.
# 8 Mar at 9:47 pm
Just read Psalm 77, especially vs 11-14. “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. Your ways, God, are holy. What God is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.” What a long road you have traveled and God has brought you so far. May you see evidences of His power and may you rest in His love this night.
Love you guys,
Carol for us both
# 8 Mar at 10:56 pm
All of Psalm 34 and Psalm 40. LOVE 34:18 – The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
40:1-3 – I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
P.S. Glad you got to go to the zoo. I think the gorillas are my favorite too. 🙂
# 8 Mar at 10:57 pm
Oh Anita, I wish I could be there to give you a hug! Psalm 33 helped me a lot when my dad died almost 2 yrs ago. I read the book of Psalms over & over during my grieving time! It’s full of encouragement too! I like to read Psalms because all the Psalm writers wrote down their true feelings, & weren’t afraid to tell God how they felt, because they knew he was a loving Father! Another one was Psalm 10. A great book for encouragement is “God’s Gentle Thunder” by: Max Lucado. My favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11. I hope to be on Facebook again soon, so I can encourage you more there. Sorry I haven’t been keeping up on the news that well, but please know that I never stop praying for your family! God Bless you!
# 8 Mar at 10:59 pm
Be strong in the Lord and his mighty power. .. our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms Eph 6:10,12. Remember Job.
# 8 Mar at 11:00 pm
I lost your room# for transplant center. Can you send your room# to me? If I can find another copy, of “God’s Gentle Thunder”, I will send it to you.
# 8 Mar at 11:01 pm
By the way I meant Psalm 34.
# 9 Mar at 12:42 am
“Between you and every goal that you wish to achieve, there is a series of obstacles, and the bigger the goal, the bigger the obstacles.
Your decision to be, have and do something out of the ordinary entails facing difficulties and challenges that are out of the ordinary as well.
Sometimes your greatest asset is simply your ability to stay with it longer than anyone else.”
Brian Tracey.
# 9 Mar at 1:12 am
Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. Always praying for you and your whanau. Arohanui.
# 9 Mar at 1:42 am
The last few years have been a real roller coaster ride with many ups and downs but God has promised he will be your strength and that he would not give you the situation you are in without a way out. Pray to God and do not fear but rest in him.
Matthew:11-28 Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest
Isiah 40-31 But those who hope in the Lord, will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint
Psalm 91: 1-2 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty, I will say of the Lord he is my refuge and my fortress my God in whom I trust
Praise God for improvements with Aria, praying for a good outcome on Wednesday and that she will continue to get stronger, pleased you and Asher were able to go out to the zoo.
lots of love
# 9 Mar at 2:51 am
Years ago when my daughter was a teenager, she wrote this saying for me and I have had it on my fridge ever since. ‘Tough times don’t last, tough people do!’ Praying for you all as always.
Judy.
# 9 Mar at 3:34 am
Dearest Anita – Have been reading Psalm 107 this week. 3 times it says, ‘Lord, help!; they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.’ verse 27 in my version (Life application) says, ‘ – they were at their wits end. Lord, help! they cried in their trouble and he saved them from their distress’. It continues, ‘He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor!. We will be praying that you can know stillness in your hearts as you cry out in your trouble. Much love and prayers still with you my friends. X
# 9 Mar at 10:53 am
I’m reading this little book on Grace. I think I’ll have Bridgette mail it to you when she mails you the box of goodies–it’s a really good little book.
Here’s one–
Grace means it’s not about what we can do, but about what God does because of His love for us.
Another one–
May your day be fashioned with joy, sprinkled with dreams, and touched by the miracle of love.
And another one–
“I will set my eyes on them for good. . . I will give them a heart to know Me.” Jeremiah 24:6-7
And you do know Him and you know He loves you more than anything! I’m praying you feel his presence and peace today! I can’t even begin to imagine all that you have gone through, but your faith shows through so clearly! Hang in there sweet Anita, this too shall pass! We’re praying for a brighter tomorrow for you, sweet Aria and the boys!
Love you,
Tina
# 9 Mar at 2:17 pm
Joshua 1:9 (New International Version)
9 Have I not commanded you?( I love this COMMANDED). Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
WHAT A GOD WE HAVE, HE WILL BE WITH US WHEREVER WE GO.
With love and prayers ……
God bless you ……
Eve (England)
# 9 Mar at 7:54 pm
Just a totally different aspect on your life at present, I have just found this so it must be meant to be sent.!!!!
glad to see you are having a better day
I did find it useful for myself years ago, and deciding whether I wanted to be coffee or a carrot helped!!!!
oOoOoOoO
…I WANT TO BE COFFEE. I don’t know where the story originated from but it tells of a young woman who went to talk with her mother (who was working in the kitchen) to share some difficulties she was going through. As the daughter spoke, the woman took out three pots, filled them with water and placed each on a stove burner set on high. Soon the water began to boil. Listening to her daughter continue to talk, she placed items in each pot of boiling water; carrots in one, eggs in another and ground coffee beans in the third.
Twenty minutes passed and as she continued listening she removed the carrots and eggs and placed them in bowls. She then ladled out the coffee and placed it in a bowl as well. Then she asked her daughter…â€What do you see?†She replied carrots, eggs, and coffee of course. The mother then asked her to feel the carrots; she did, and noted they were soft.
Her mother asked her to break the egg; she did, and noted the egg was now hard boiled. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to taste the coffee; again she did as her mother asked and tasted the rich flavor and wonderful aroma. Confused, she asked her mother why.
The mother then explained to the daughter that each of the items had faced the same adversity; boiling water. The carrot went in strong and hard but came out soft and weak. The egg went into the water fragile and protected by its thin outer shell but after sitting in the boiling water, it became hardened.
However, the ground coffee beans were different, after being in the boiling water…they changed the water. She then asked her daughter, which one are you?
When faced with adversity are you the carrots, eggs or coffee?
Are you the carrots that seem strong but when faced with hardships and difficulties you become weak and soft?
Or maybe the egg, which began with a fluid spirit but has been hardened by the challenges life has thrown in your path?
Or are you the coffee bean?
Do you face the challenges of life’s boiling water and make the best of the situation at hand?
How do you handle adversity?
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