Even Though I Don't Know You, I Still Love You!

Over the past few months, blessings have been heaped upon our family.  While this time of year is often magical, we have received unexpected gifts in abundance.  God continues to sustain us in enormous ways.  We deeply feel the generosity of others.
A couple months ago, we began receiving encouraging notes from a church in Bellevue, Nebraska.  It was incredibly comforting to know we were being lifted in prayer.  Many of the members haven't even met our family.  We recently learned this congregation took up a special collection.  Our family was one of those chosen to be blessed through this.  We feel the peace of knowing money is set aside for the months ahead when I will be unable to work.  
A dear family friend sent a gift with strict instructions to me.  Her note read, "I want you to use half of this money on yourself-a massage or a new dress, whatever.  I insist-for your own health."  I felt extremely touched by this rare treat.  I must admit to a certain weakness for beauty and hair products, so was quite happy to indulge a bit.
It seemed each trip to the mailbox produced delight.  One day brought a Walmart gift card from a family member.  I was able to make a substantial dent in Eli's wish list with this.  Another day brought gift cards from the church of my youth.  The next day brought yet another gift card from the very same church of my youth.  These will be essential in helping us through the months ahead.  
When my parents were here this week celebrating the holidays, they brought an envelope for us.  A couple they worship with in Houston always helps someone this time of year, and decided to bless our family.  We received another tremendous gift from someone we've never met.
A few months ago, I was told about a program called Coins For Christ.  The children at a congregation in York, Nebraska collect coins, and find ways to bless others.  I was so pleased to hear they had chosen to collect for Eli.  I sent a picture of Eli so they could put a face with his name.  These sweet children prayed about Eli for months.  A package arrived the week before Christmas, filled with cards made by the children. These cards were overflowing with precious words such as, "God is faithful"..."Even though I don't know you, I still love you"..."Have hope".  One child wrote, "I don't know how it feels, but I know it is hard."  Eli read each word on Christmas morning.  A check was included for our family.  That must have been one heavy jar of coins!
There are not enough ways to express our gratitude.  We know the new year will bring changes for our family.  We feel fortified to face them, secure in the knowledge that we are not alone.

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”― William Arthur Ward

Let Me Bring Light

Jason had an appointment with his kidney doctor this afternoon.  He is currently at 14% function, and fairly stable with lab results.  We are tweaking some medications for blood pressure, phosphorus, and parathyroid.  The next step will be a catheter surgically placed in his abdomen for dialysis.  The doctor normally prefers this be done a few weeks to a month before starting dialysis to allow the site time to heal.  She is hoping we can put this off until after the holidays. Jason has started to experience some nausea off and on, which may be an indication that dialysis will be needed soon.  She suggested we try Prevacid to see if this can buy us more time.  
We continue to be amazed by the changes in Jason since stopping his anti-seizure medicine.  This was the first year since his brain injury that he remembered the date of my birthday.  When we woke up that morning, I asked if he knew what day it was.  He replied, "You didn't honestly think I could forget your birthday, did you?"  Later he smirked and asked, "So, how's life over there on that side of 40?" Eli is slowly adjusting to the increase in attention from his father. Jason has rarely passed by Eli's bedroom door without remarking on the state of its contents.  He has also been making suggestions on how to improve Eli's occasional bouts with moodiness.  The other day when Eli didn't react after Jason asked him to do something, Jason looked at me and said, "Excuse me, honey, but does my voice work?"  
Last week, Jason's thumb paused a moment on the remote during his normal leisurely channel surfing.  While he lingered on a PBS program, I became acquainted with the Canadian Tenors for the first time.  I later found this song, which has stayed with me.  I pray for this spirit of looking beyond my own little world to actively impact the lives of those around me.