I Will Praise You, Lord

It was exactly one month ago today, that a new dimension was added to our lives. Our story as a couple now holds the dimension of having had a stroke. You can read more details of the stroke on our family/ministry site by clicking here.

And now, one month later ... after a three-night hospital stay for my husband, followed by multiple doctor visits and emergency room visits since then, we continue to be filled with thanks. It is always good to give thanks. There has been concern, even fear at times, and most certainly, there have been tears ... but underneath all, there has always been thanks.

Thank You, Lord ...

• for Your presence with us when the unexpected enters our lives, that You can be trusted with all that You allow into our lives

• that there were no damaging results left from the stroke

• for all the testing that was done in the hospital to find possible causes

• for our precious children who were by our side through the hospital stay, and each time we have needed them since then

• for friends who have supported us through this time, and who faithfully pray for us

• for the medical staff and doctors who continue to call for tests to determine the cause of the stroke, and who are continuing to make decisions regarding the best treatment to prevent a repeat stroke

• for the stroke specialist, whose further testing has revealed some issues that still need to be dealt with

• for my husband's steadfast faith and trust in the midst of this ordeal, never wavering

• for Gary's recovery, and his perseverance and passion to continue on with Cru ministry even in the midst of this month of doctor visits

• for the great, priceless gift of my dear husband -  the one I love above any other, for each new day together, for sweet, faithful love through our forty-four years together; all a gift from God

• for God's promises and faithful presence with us each new day; for peace amidst the storms of life, and for a deep hope and anticipation of our eternal, forever home

It has been quite an adjustment for us as a couple and a family to have had this new dimension added to our lives. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors with the continued tests and doctor appointments. Please pray for us - for peace, trust, and for surrender to the story God is writing in our lives. All for His glory, and for our good. And please join us in our thanks and praise to Him!

A New Month

Each month and even each day brings new opportunities for us to grow, and to trust in our faithful, loving God. And to sense His love and direction in our lives.

This new month of March has brought some of these new opportunities of growth and trust for me. And with it, comes a giving up of my own plans to write here on my blog regularly each week. At least for a season of time ...

There are a number of reasons for my stepping back from blogging for a time. The first reason is that my dear sweet hubby had a health scare the very end of February. This situation is calling for a significant amount of my focus in the weeks ahead. (I may write more details at a later date, but want you to know that he is doing very well now - how we praise God for this! We also appreciate prayers for continued health.) 

Also, my hubby as well as the rest of our family who lives nearby will be very involved in the next month or two with the care of another relative. We have helped my brother-in-law (single, and with some needs) move into a smaller apartment. We also are helping line up help for him in a variety of ways, as well as preparing the family house for sale.

So, though I really do love to write here several times each week, God is giving me peace about stepping away for an undesignated period of time. It's a hard thing for me to do, but I know that His plans for me are good, and I am filled with peace as I follow His direction. I may possibly still pop in here with a post periodically, but not as regularly as I usually have been doing.

Thanks so much for your friendship here, and for your prayers during this time! And since I cannot step away completely from writing and communicating things that God is teaching me and prompting me to share, as these things just overflow out of my heart ... you will certainly still find me on my Pursuing Heart Facebook page. And I would love to have you follow me on Instagram ... look for me as @cherrywarrick. I would really love to see you in either of those places of communication and sharing! And thanks so much for praying for me and my family as we focus on the things that God has planned for us at this time.