And It's Over

   It's hard for us to believe that the dreaded skull surgery already happened less than two weeks ago! It really does seem like a far-off dream at this point. The main after-taste we are left with is the exhaustion of dealing with a baby who is re-learning how to sleep at night, But besides that, Joel is completely back to himself! He is busy playing, developing, laughing, smiling, talking, eating, and all the other things that he did before surgery! We are so thankful for how quickly he has recovered and for his joyful spirit in our home!

   I have been struck anew these past weeks with how quick this life passes by. Just the week before Joel's surgery, a world of friends and family stood shocked by the news of the passing away of our dear friend, Sarah Lantz, into the arms of Jesus. She lived a full life, having studied to be a surgeon and moved to Zambia as a medical missionary, yet was taken away by cancer at as young as 34 in a very swift battle that lasted less than 6 months. God touched and is touching countless life through her life, love and faith. To see her funeral and the inspiring stories told of her life, visit this link: Sarah Lantz Funeral. Or to read a short post of her life, visit:What I Want Most is to be Faithful.  It will challenge and inspire you! We have been so sad that Sarah is no longer here, yet overjoyed that she is fully healed and with her Savior and longing more than ever to live this short life in a manner that is worthy of our calling! 

   We have been reading the book of Genesis as a family, and the last few days have been in the story of Joseph. Wow! Talk about being faithful in the face of hardship-thrown into a pit and sold into slavery by his brothers, sexually harassed and falsely accused to the point of being thrown in jail, forgotten by the cup-bearer, not to mention years of no communication with his people or family! And talk about seeing the harvest of that faithfulness in such a great way! 

   

   And a passage from the New Testament that has been a huge encouragement to me this past year is 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 

   So, to sum up all of these thoughts, here we are after Round 3 of surgery since Joel was born, and once again, it's over and life continues. I am reminded that just as these trials come and go, this life will soon be over, and an unseen reality awaits that is more glorious and real than anything we see right now or can even imagine. I pray as we run this race and face the uncomfortable situations that come along with life in a fallen world, we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith and run with faithfulness and purpose both in trial and in daily life.  

   We are forever grateful for the support and prayers which have sustained us throughout these trials! We are so thankful that both of my parents and Hailey could be here with us for the surgery, as well as Marvin's family here in Dallas and Pastor Caleb. We are blessed and know we do not face this alone! 

Busy, busy, busy

Praises: 

*Joel is doing great!

*Prayers for patience and grace for Joel throughout his surgery experience were felt! We were amazed by his calmness and a great peace our family felt throughout everything. 

*We are so thankful for God's provision in allowing Joel to undergo this surgery which was done with the purpose of enlarging his skull to allow for proper brain development in the years to come.

Please continue praying for:

*Rest for our family

*Joel's upcoming surgery within the next few months to finish separating his fingers and toes.