Our God is Healer...

I don't even know where or how to start this blog...It's 1:00 am, and I can't sleep because I'm overwhelmed with God's unending love for me. As I lay here and think back on the last year of my life, I can see God's hand at work in my life in so many ways.  His goodness to us blows my mind. 

Have there been bad things in our lives?  Oh yes, there have been...

Trials...yes.

Heartache...yes.

Bitterness...yes.

Questions...yes.

Stress....yep, lots of that. ;)

But....Here's the best part of the story:

Healing...in more than physical ways.

Grace...in ways I can't even put into words.

Protection...beyond belief.

Provision...ALWAYS.

Comfort...through friends, family, & the Holy Spirit. 

Friendships...Formed with people that have changed my life. 

Spiritual Growth...Wouldn't trade the trials for anything now because of where He's brought me.
Blessings...I couldn't even begin to count them.

Friends, God is so faithful to us.  He is truly indescribable. One of our major battles this year has been our journey of Leukemia. 

Today, July 8th, 2011, God brought what MANY of you have been praying for over the past few months-new bone marrow for Mr. Curtis.  How scary it was for our family to think that there wasn't a "match" for Mr. Curtis.  Explaining this to a 6 and 3 year old was not very easy.  They prayed for their Papa every night.  We weren't sure how God would answer our prayers, but we prayed faithfully... God knew there was one...He even knew that it wouldn't be a "perfect" match, and all of the extra stuff that would bring for the willing donor.  He heard our cries...and though there was a lot waiting...He never left us. 

"And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up." James 5:15

Why can't we trust Him?  My personal answer to that question is "control."  I like to be in control (I know many of you are laughing at that because you know me so well, but it's true).  

As I lay here, I think to myself, "How can I NOT trust Him?"  Why do we worry? Oh Lord, help us to lean on You more.

The following quote is written in Ann Voskamp's book, 1000 Gifts.  I wanted to share it because I read it today, and it hit me hard...

"You would be very ashamed if you knew what the experiences you call setbacks, upheavals, pointless disturbances and tedious annoyances really are.  You would realize that your complaints about them are nothing more nor less than blasphemies-though that never occurs to you.  Nothing happens to you except by the will of God, and yet [God's] beloved children curse it because they do not know it for what it is." Jean-Pierre de Caussade

So precious friends and family...

This post is a huge THANK YOU from all of us Reeds to all of you who so faithfully brought our family before the throne of God day after day.  God is true to each of His many promises.  Thank you for believing those promises and crying out to Him. 

"Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." 

2 Peter 1:4

The battle isn't over yet, and I'm convinced if we're living for Christ, we're always in a battle.  Mr. Curtis has many hard days ahead, but I have no doubt God will bring Him through. We are praying for complete healing.

Please scroll through the pictures below, and as you look at them, thank our Father for each answered prayer you see.

The Journey...

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Being a "Boy Mommy"

I have really struggled with blogging over the last few weeks.  Grad school has required WAY  too much reading and writing, so I have neglected my blog. However, God has really been working on me over the last few days about some things…and ya’ll know me, I like to share!  

About seven years ago, I found out I was pregnant…I’m not going to lie. I REALLY wanted a girl, and to be honest, I was convinced that I was having one until the ultrasound proved me wrong. Haha! After the shock wore off, I couldn’t have been more excited that we were having a boy, but I certainly wasn’t sure what I was going to do with one!  Curt was extra helpful in designing the nursery...it was black and gold from top to bottom!

If you know even just a little bit about me, you know that I’m not very athletic and I do NOT like to sweat.  So, I had many questions running through my mind about how I’d be a “boy mommy.”

Here I am 7 years later, with not just one boy, but TWO!(And some would say THREE boys if you count my husband…haha!)  I cannot imagine my life being any differently.  Although it has been a stretch for me to get in the yard and play ball, fish, ride the four-wheeler, and yes, even sweat, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.  I even gave in today, and I'm letting the boys get a dog...I know...Many of you know I don't do pets. ha! But, beyond the fun stuff of being a boy mommy, lies an important battle that I must fight. 

Don’t get me wrong, there are daily battles that I fight…like saying, “Put your shoes in your closet” or “Who has mud on their feet?” or “Stop hitting your brother.” Or “How many times do I have to tell you to pick the Legos up?”  These battles are all a part of a bigger battle that God has called me as a parent to fight.  The battle is raising a God-fearing son vs. raising a son to be like the world. 

I have really been convicted about the way we as Christians raise our boys.  I see it at church, in my classroom, in Wal-Mart…just about anywhere I go.  Are we raising them like scripture tells us to?? And trust me, I say WE because I'm just as guilty as anyone.

  I began reading an e-book by Brooke L. McGlothin this week. It’s called “Warrior Prayers-Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need It Most.”  I have only read and studied a little, but WOW…God is really stepping on my toes.  What are we raising our young boys to grow up and be?  And to be honest, we could ask ourselves the same question about girls-I just have boys, so it has REALLY come to my attention that our boys must be taught better. 

The book starts out talking about Eli and his sons.  I won’t go into the whole story, but if you have sons, I challenge you to read 1 Samuel sometime. Eli failed to raise his sons the way the Lord intended him to, and because of this, he was held responsible for his actions.  Because of his neglect, Eli was severely punished by God.  It is obvious that God takes the way we raise our boys (and girls) very seriously. 

Brooke says in her book, “The call of God to raise men to know Him and fear Him still stands. But are we doing that?”

In our culture, I feel like we have failed.  Many sons do not know God because their parents do not know Him.  What are we, as The Church, doing about this?  Are we raising men who will be lovers of God and leaders in His kingdom?  Are we even concerned about the younger generation?  I think if we were honest, we’d say that many times we aren’t concerned with them.  These little boys(and girls) are our future pastors, worship leaders, missionaries, presidents, teachers, doctors, etc.  

If you are a boy mommy, and are interested in this e-book it is available at . http://www.brookemcglothlin.com/warriorprayers/the-ebook/.   You purchase the book online and then print it.  I’d love to read it with you, and we could pray together. The book provides prayer and scripture on the following topics:  obedience, submission to authority, integrity, pride, purity, honor, serving, fruit of the spirit, anger, and much more. 

The Bible says, “The fervent prayers of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:17

Speaking of boys…I have a few new pictures to share of some fun times!There is NEVER...EVER...a dull moment...and I LOVE IT!  These are just a few pictures that make me smile. :)

 

Caleb got a trophy at his team party a few weeks ago. The trophy had a ball player and a tee.  He chose to cover up the tee because he said, "I don't have to use a tee, so I don't want it in my picture."

 

A rule that I'm trying to remember at my house: Never ever leave your camera unattended...Conner took this self-portrait one day.  I promise we bathe him....Nothing like a little spaghetti on your face. ;)

 A few weeks ago, we took the boys to THE BEACH...in Biloxi..haha! The water wasn't gorgeous, but it didn't stop them from having a blast.