The world over….
One of the great things about being a Christian is that you are part of a huge family. We are all children of God and we are all brothers and sisters in a real sense as the blood of Jesus. unites us all. Tonight Asher and I went to a Christmas celebration at Grace Reformed Church. This is the church which has been so welcoming of us, the people who picked us up from the airport and the people who have lent us a car.
Walking into this new church, I immediately felt at home, and after the organised time finished I was warmly greeted and embraced by that community. I was asked if if it was weird or overwhelming and I had to honestly answer that it was not. It just felt right. It’s not just because it was sort of familiar, I have had the same feeling in Asia, in places I haven’t been able to say more than ten words and had no idea what was going on. There is just something special about the connection between brothers and sisters in Christ.
Asher was really funny, after being shy for just long enough for the organised schedule to be completed, he proceeded to head off and explore, luckily a couple of people at the church took him under their wing and traipsed around after him. The boy has no fear, shame or sense of occasion, great really for our situation. I am reminded of how blessed we are that he is part of our family. He is going to spend the day tomorrow with the Arms family, he should have a great time with their kids, thomas’s and dogs. Anita and I are looking forward to a day where we might be able to have a bit more R & R.
On the Aria front we continue to wait and pray and long for organs. She had some pretty hairy moments today, including one which meant we couldn’t talk to some new friends who came to visit. It is so hard seeing our nice little girl acting out and struggling with her situation so much. It is hard because her behaviour is really questionable and sometimes out right rude and infuriating, but we know that most of it is because she is just so miserable. We long for the day when she doesn’t have those struggles and when her being naughty will just be a kid being naughty. We also look forward to having our little girl back, and not this poor image of our sweet darling girl.
Please continue to petition God for organs, God hears and answers our prayers.
10 Responses to “The world over….”
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# 21 Dec at 5:04 pm
We will continue to pray for you all, as you said in previous posts, God knows exactly what He is doing. We hope that Aria is doing better.
# 21 Dec at 5:22 pm
we will continue to pray…and just think in a few years time when Aria is being a ‘naughty teenager’ you’ll think back to the times you could keep her under your watchful eye in hospital 🙂 So good to hear you guys are feeling connected to family over there – GOD is awesome!
# 21 Dec at 6:01 pm
The joys of being part of God’s family…may you enjoy the new “family” God has given you…even though you miss your own across the miles…He knows your needs and will provide. Praying too for the wisdom needed with Aria…it’s not easy when you have these situations but once again God knows and HE’ll give the needed strength and wisdom…sounds like there’s a lot of “dying to self” and that can take a bit too. Enjoy the snow still there and the fellowship that God gives you. Thinking of you all
McLays 🙂
# 21 Dec at 7:46 pm
What an answer to prayer that you have found this amazing church!!! Isn’t God good??
# 21 Dec at 8:05 pm
A few days ago I first learned of you guys from my NZ friends Gordon & Coralie McLay, who you see have also posted here and are praying for you and your family. I am in Oklahoma, about 500 miles (800km) south of Omaha. I asked my pastor if he had any contacts in Omaha. He told me of his friend the pastor of Grace Reformed Church. I tried contacting him through his church website but couldn’t get the message to go through. But I decided not to worry because it seemed from your posts that you had not been abandoned Omaha. I’ve also been praying specifically that you would be surrounded by the Body of Christ, our family. Now I see that the very church that I had prayed would surround you had already done so before I even knew of your or their existence!
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.
Psalm 139:4-6
# 21 Dec at 8:06 pm
Great to hear that church went well. Praise the Lord for brothers and sisters all over the world.
We had a great parent and grandparent turn out to our kids church Christmas play so we are still rejoicing at all who would have heard the gospel for the first time.
Praying for you.
In Christ
Tony
# 22 Dec at 2:35 am
We were so happy to hear of your opportunity to go to a neat church. Yes, we have also been blessed by believers in many places! God is surely the great provider!
Love you guys,
Carol
# 22 Dec at 4:24 am
I’m glad to hear that God has lead you to Grace Reformed, where you feel comfortable, & at home! I’m so sorry that Aria is having a hard time. I’m continuing to pray for her, & that somehow she WILL get organs! May God Bless your family!
# 22 Dec at 7:31 am
What a great post! I know with Lara and her liver, the deterioration causes encephalopothy (sp) which means the toxins in her liver are affecting her behaviour. This is not a permanent condition but could be the cause of her distress (apart from the obvious!) Lara started acting strangely in the couple of weeks before transplant but because she was a baby it wasn’t quite as dramatic as our friends son who was 3 when his liver crashed. He acted out dramatically but is a perfectly normal (very normal) boy today. Your braveness and honesty are always inspiring and thought provoking. Take care!
# 22 Dec at 8:32 am
I’m so glad you have arrived safely in America. Our New Life church in Manurewa is so pleased you have got this far. May God bless you all as you continue to wait for Him to move in Aria’s life, and may you find plenty to do as the days stretch ahead while you’re waiting.