A miracle from the Lord

Daniel and I are blown away daily by the Lord's faithfulness and provision for our family as we prepare to leave for Costa Rica!  Last week we received another medical bill in the mail for Daniel's shoulder surgery.  (Reminder--our insurance company is not covering Daniel's surgery and we have about $25,000 in doctor's bills that we owe)  At this point I couldn't even worry about it because for one, what is another $720 and two, I know the Lord is going to provide for these bills and He will get the glory.  Anyway, I walked back from the mailbox after opening the bill and felt I should call Providence Hospital to see what the status was on our application for financial assistance.  At this point, we have done all we can do to apply to every financial assistance program and we even wrote a letter to each provider explaining our situation and asking for mercy.  So I felt in my heart I was to call Providence (this is our biggest bill--over $15,000) and check on the paperwork.  The billing clerk proceeded to tell me that the day before (last Monday) the hospital decided to take care of our bill and our balance was ZERO!!!!  Yes, ZERO!!!  I was absolutely blown away and knew immediately that it was the Lord's provision!  What is even better, I was able to share with the billing clerk how the Lord intervened here and provided for us.  She said she has never seen anything like this before and the situation really ministered to her.  She truly was at a loss for words...it was so beautiful to see our Lord get all the glory!  Also, three other providers are waiting to hear what the hospital does for us with financial assistance before deciding what they will do with those bills so we are praying God's favor over those bills as well!  God is definitely in the miracle business!!  Our 3 year old, Thomas, has been praying every night for over a month for a "miracle for the medical bills" and the Lord heard his cries.  We are so humbled that He chose to bless us in this way.  "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28    Be blessed!!!

Jacob's First Haircut

Well, Jacob got his first "official" haircut yesterday, yet it wasn't as I was planning.  On Sunday, we had the privilege of speaking at Calvary Chapel Augusta and Daniel led worship for the service.  It was a blessed time of fellowship as we met more new brothers and sisters in Christ who have committed to praying for us as we prepare to go.  

Jacob was wearing an adorable John-John outfit and as many of you know his hair is a little long and curly.  Well, many people in Augusta thought he was a girl and told Daniel one too many times that "his little girl was adorable."  Daniel was insistent that we needed to cut his hair and I reluctantly agreed that it did need a TRIM.  Well, Monday morning I went to the gym early since it was Daniel's day off and I called him on the way to remind him of something.  No one answered the phone which I thought was odd but I let it go.  About 5 minutes later I get a call from Daniel with these words, "Well, he's a boy again."  I had no idea what he was talking about so he repeated, "He's a boy again."  He then proceeded to tell me that he squirted Jacob's hair with a water bottle and he froze and was so still that he went ahead and cut his hair.  And when I say cut, I mean cut.  It is no trim--it is cut SHORT!!!  I couldn't believe it but he insisted that I gave the okay the day before and I know that he was just waiting for me to walk out the door so he could get down to business.  Anyway, here is a picture of Daniel's barber skills.  You can't see the back of Jacob's head where Daniel cut and didn't think about the fact that because he does have curl if you cut it wet it will lift and be even shorter.  He has what appears to be a "bob" in the back with no hair underneath the outer layer.  I have to say he still is adorable and his father is right pleased with himself!  Men, ya gotta love 'em!!  

Last, we took our Youth Group to Clemson this past Saturday to a FCA Rally and Clemson game.  We took Thomas along with us to his first Clemson game.  He loved it and had a great time cheering on the Tigers.  He also enjoyed the concession stands and didn't understand why we couldn't keep going back for more candy!  He lasted until the 4th quarter and then he was DONE!   

Soccer Season Is Here

Well, Thomas has officially started playing soccer in a U-4 league.  He is the youngest one on the team (and the shortest) but he is having fun!  The first day was a little tough:  he was soooo hot (according to him), he couldn't understand why his uniform was so big and why he had to wear shin guards, he was more interested in gatorade than playing...but when he was finally able to play and kick the ball he had a good time.  He had a scrimmage last week and his first official game is Sunday afternoon.  Here are a few pictures of him during his scrimmage.  

   

Chattanooga Trip

We just returned from a wonderful visit with Nana and Paw-paw (Daniel's parents) in Chattanooga, TN.  They hosted a dessert for us on Saturday night and we were able to share all about our mission to Costa Rica with friends and family.  On Sunday morning, Daniel taught at Eastwood Church (the church he interned with after high school) and shared about Costa Rica with the congregation there.  It was a blessing to be able to spend time with old friends and to meet new ones who are going to be partnering with us as we go.    

We had a lot of fun with the boys playing outside, swimming and visiting the aquarium with their cousins Lennon and Jaxson.  The following are a few pictures from our time with them.

                       

 

On Wednesday, we had an amazing time visiting Grace Calvary Chapel in Soddy Daisy, TN where Daniel taught and shared with the church body about our mission to Costa Rica.  We felt so at home here visiting with Kyle (missions pastor) and his wife, Amanda, as well as all of the loving people we met.  Every time we visit another Calvary Chapel we feel so at home and our time here was definitely a blessing!  Here are a few pictures of us at Grace Calvary Chapel with Kyle and Amanda.  

  

Lastly, one of the highlights of our trip was the entertainment we received every night by Thomas.  He loves playing the guitar and Nana had one at her house that was almost his size so he had a great time playing and singing for everyone who came to visit.  He played for hours--he definitely takes after his father's natural ability.  I am trying to attach a little video clip of him playing and singing for us one of the days we were there but it won't work right now so look for it to be posted soon.  I now know what we will get him for Christmas this year!!!  

Thanks to everyone for your continued prayers as we get ready to go!  We are excited about what the Lord continues to do in and through us as we follow His leading.     Zach. 4:6 "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit." says the Lord Almighty.  

Fun with friends and 1st day of school

Here is Thomas before leaving for his first day of school.  He goes to Lexington Baptist 2 days a week from 9-12 and loves it!!!


Thomas and his buddy Ella playing at Harbison Park last week.  They had a blast!

Peace Be With You

Our Lord is so amazing!  I love when I am reading His word and He speaks to me directly about what I am dealing with or going through right at that moment.  His Word is definitely living and active and such a daily blessing to me!!  As many of you know, our insurance denied coverage of Daniel's shoulder surgery and we had thought all along it was going to be covered.  It was definitely a slap in the face and we know it is an attack from Satan--especially since we are in the middle of raising financial support for our departure to Costa Rica.  You would think Satan would be a little less obvious with the attack--we kinda expected some financial attack somewhere since this is where God has us focusing right now.  But anyway, today I was reading in John 14:25-31 about how God has sent his Holy Spirit to be with us as our Counselor.  In verse 27 He says, "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."  My Oswald Chambers devotional then says, "Inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus.  Have you ever received what Jesus speaks--'MY PEACE I GIVE YOU'?  It is a peace which comes from looking into His face and realizing His undisturbedness."  I was so touched by God's peace which is truly a peace that passes all understanding.  I can just feel such peace and I picture looking into Jesus' face--for He is the Prince of Peace.  Oswald continues with "Are you painfully disturbed just now, distracted by the waves and billows of God's PROVIDENTIAL PERMISSION and, having turned over the boulders of your belief, are you still finding no well of peace or joy or comfort--is all barren?  Are you looking unto Jesus now, in the immediate matter that is pressing and receiving from Him peace?  If so, He will be a benediction of peace in and through you.  But if you try to worry it out, you obliterate Him and deserve all you get."  I was so blessed by this because it reminded me that no matter the trials or difficulties we are facing and no matter the source, God has permitted them--all has been filtered through His hands of love--and in Him we will find true peace as we push through these trials.  Our God is so faithful...if we remain in Him and He in us, we will bear much fruit. For apart from Him we can do NOTHING. (John 15:5)   I have total peace about these medical bills and now look forward to the miracles that will result as God receives all the glory!!!

Carowinds

We took our youth group to Carowinds and we took Thomas along with us.  He had so much fun!  Some of our "Tico" (word used for Costa Ricans) friends who are studying at USC for another year went along with us.  Thomas is an adrenaline junkie just like his father which makes me a little nervous!  He enjoyed all of the kiddie rides and even a roller coaster with daddy.  

The top picture is us with our "Tico" friends: Mauricio, Anita and Adrian.  Thomas and Adrian are buddies.  It has been such a blessing to get to know them over the past year and a half because they will be returning to Costa Rica as we are finishing up language school next Spring.  The Lord has already given us close friends in the area that He has called us to...He is so faithful!!!