Missing You

It's been 2 years since the Lord has taken Danika. We all miss this girl like crazy. My kids talk about their Ate Danika frequently. We have pictures of her in their room so they can remember her sweet face and reminisce of funny stories they cherish with her.

We miss you....

A forgotten birthday celebration

Key's birthday celebration was back in may and I never updated her surprise balloon party. we try to make it a family tradition for the kids. they love waking up to a living room full of balloons!

lots of new changes in our family. well, it's really just one but it sure makes everything else feel different! PJ is the new pastor of first southern baptist church of bellflower. that means we'll be moving to bellflower soon. i'm still getting use to the new routine especially on sunday. i know for sure i need tons of grace and that's what i have been praying for our family and the church.

Getting Ready for Porn

porn has really been on my mind. not in a perverted way, but because we're preparing. there's a battle for our children's minds and souls. our kids are getting older and are being exposed to a whole lot of images, verbiage, and ideas that are contrary to what we are trying to teach them. the question is no longer--- will Rock, Key, Story and City see porn? in reality, it's when will they see porn? and it's our job to help them prepare for it.

since it's been on our radar, it's been a blessing to come across great articles, blog posts, books and videos. these have been helpful in preparing us and our kids. porn is a serious problem. it can destroy marriages and families. don't let the culture fool as they try to normalize it.

there's things we've implemented in our home culture in preparation for future conversations about sex. we have not discussed "sex" yet, but we are trying to set things in place so when we get there, there won't be a huge chasm of information. we've included things that have helped PJ and I fight sin and good habits we've tried to set in our home.

here are a few (links provided)....

we've taught our kids about immodesty and modesty. our kids are now sensitive to immodesty. they turn away from inappropriate billboards, entertainment, and even people we come across. they try to politely ask us if what they were wearing was "modest." they'll even correct me at home or when we're out!

an audio interview mentioned teaching children that "naked is private." we really like this concept. since we have one 1 boy and 3 girls, it's obvious that we need to set boundaries, especially when they start feeling uncomfortable around each other. we're still on a learning curve since they're still small and don't see anything wrong or inappropriate yet. the concept is helpful with respecting nakedness. clothing nakedness should be done in private. sexual images like what is seen in movies and especially porn, should make us feel uncomfortable for them and us. drawing lines early is important (with modesty) so when a naked woman is seen, it's clear they need to look away. we've taught them to not look at people naked, and if they come across it, they are to close the laptop or whatever device (or say "no thanks" to the friend who is showing them an image) and tell us immediately! this also helps in teaching them about molestation and that no family or friend should ask to see them naked or show them anything improper.

i came across this article/video and it was helpful to hear a mother address nakedness. we have introduced "naked is private" but i'm also a breast-feeding mom that doesn't cover up when my kids are around. i've concluded that i want them to understand that breast are not to inappropriately flaunt but to nourish children with. as they grow older we'll have to have appropriate conversations about the God-given anatomy of humans and the beauty of sex, but for now, breasts are not to be flaunted. at the same time i don't mind my son or daughters seeing me change and ask about my mommy anatomy. they're kids and have questions and it gives me an opportunity to tell them about the beauty of motherhood and what a real life body looks like. i want them to understand reality and the lies that the media portrays. thighs can be flabby, butts jiggle, tummies do have scars on them! so we will teach both.... "naked is private but if you have questions please come here to us and ask ALL the questions you want, even if it makes mommy and daddy uncomfortable" :)

with our son, i feel different then i do with our girls, maybe it's because of their obvious gender difference or maybe because i know the battle for his mind is fierce. it worries me at times. with Rock, i know he'll come across something sexually that is really enticing. the question is when. it breaks my heart to think of these things but i can't ignore it! praise God PJ is honest about what a man struggles with. PJ and Rock will have plenty of hard, honest, gracious conversations about what guys struggle with. this dad and son openness will be vital in helping Rock fight the temptation to lust. us girls will have similar hard conversations but honest. this accountability will be extremely helpful in preparing our kids and growing them when they fall.

knowing the culture of your home is vital. in other words, what could be lust triggers for someone in your household? internet, movies, music videos, instagram, blogs? we've never allowed barbies in our home because of their fully exposed bodies but a family member gave our girls princess barbies that were a little more modest, but this week Rock asked if his sister's barbies could be banned from our home. he said they were distracting. we agreed. it reminded me that our family fighting lust needs to be exactly that--we need to help each other fight sin and in this case, lust.

confession is so freeing. our church has been a blessing in having a community of grace and not performance. that must be the same in our homes. that means when we sin, we can't hide it because in order to be truly free from sin we need to run from it and ask others to help and keep us accountable. when this healthy habit is implemented, we can feel free to confess our sins, no matter how ugly, because we'll be accepted no matter what and forgiveness is open and free. another important aspect to confession-- for those listening to confession-- you shouldn't be shocked as if you or they didn't know what we are capable of. being in the ministry with pj, going on 10 years, we've seen it all. our hearts are burdened by the sin we and others commit, but it's so refreshing to let whomever we are counseling know there is hope in Christ Jesus! we must give that same hope to our children. they aren't perfect, they'll commit "shocking" sins but we must be ready to point them to the ONE that covers ALL our sins.

tied with confession is being keenly aware that hiding sin is detrimental in anyones life. lying is always a lose-lose situation. God kindly cautions us by saying, "be sure your sin will catch up with you."
we've made sure our kids understand that lying is a HUGE deal. when they've lied in the past they get double the discipline. why? we've wanted to teach them that lying or hiding sin leads to a more hurt and pain. i'm constantly reminding our kids to be a person of integrity, sometimes being that person is hard but far more rewarding in the eyes of the Lord. this teaching goes against the grain in our souls but God is patient with us and teaches us....the same has to be done with our children.


Also helpful,
porn proofing your home.
Getting ready to talk about sex, early.
this book for daughters has been helpful.
this book for sons...PJ is currently reading it.

Smile Moment

Have a great weekend!

this has been a joy to listen to and so engaging. everyone should listen to it!

my grandma isn't doing well. our hearts are aching. mine aches for her salvation.

finished this book with pj; we found it helpful and insightful.

i've wanted to share our homeschool method (classical education) and the curriculum we use.

these are so comfortable! debating whether i should save up for some. i have cheap-o ones for house slippers (since I need arch support and have foot problems now--i'm getting old!) i bought some real ones at a thrift store when I was pregnant with City, thinking my fat foot would shrink...it didn't. I sadly, but happily, gave them to my friend, who has cute small feet :)

lots of great homeschooling ideas and printable here!

i have a job! i'm tutoring Key's class every Monday. i'm exhausted after, but it's super fun!

pj and i had one of the worst date nights hahaha!

this movie looks good and funny. I love kristen wiig. this one looks sad and interesting! i think i like ben affleck in these types of movies.

Bitter Sweet

(family photos from 2011 by CakeFlix)

lots of changes going on in our circle of friends, family and in our home. some sweet, others bitter, and a few, bitter-sweet. i can't help but thank God for the things that are being revealed. if i weren't a believer i know things would look grim but since i know "all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose"--things look hopeful.

one of the sweetest encouragements has been a dear sister returning to the Lord. she was sought after by our church members with love and truth. after the Lord tugged on her heart, she returned! a real life prodigal son/daughter. her story is so beautiful and inspiring. it was beautiful the way our church loved her but with true biblical love. it wasn't what people stereotype a church excommunication to be; we didn't "kick" her out because of sin, we loved her and persuaded her to come back to the Lord and forsake her sin. we told her the truth-- of what they are choosing and the lie they are believing. it was done biblically, all done in love. it might not seem loving by some people's standards but we obeyed God's standards. we were honest about what scripture said but we still spoke with the love of Jesus. we prayed and tried (by God's grace) to mimic our Lord.

other big changes are coming that we are really excited about but sad at the same time. i'll try to be more specific in the coming weeks.

Off topic...we need to take family photos soon! City wasn't born in these yet.

Ride

I miss riding this pretty thing. Before giving birth to City, I'd sometimes ride it to church on Sunday mornings. The busy streets of L.A. weren't so busy-- too early for the daily hustle and bustle. The air seemed clean, although not necessarily. Those days were refreshing. I look forward to future rides, Lord willing.

This past Sunday, God was kind in showing me my self righteousness. This past week I was tired. I was tired of chasing CrossView people. I was tired of repeating myself. I was tired of not seeing their life decisions change. I was tired of giving counsel-- for it to be given lip service or tossed along the way. And at the heart of it all, I was tired of serving people, because that's what it really came down to. The message on Sunday reminded me to stand firm, to continue and even be thankful for my brothers and sisters. I surely didn't have a thankful heart towards them. God reminded me that I too am hard of hearing, need love, rebuke, patience, kindness, and CrossView family pursuing me. Living life with these people isn't easy but that's what family is all about. I can't just disown my biological family (even if I did, they're still my family!) and I can't disown my spiritual family, which is where I have stronger bonds (rightly so!). So, I cling to the future grace that God has promised, and I'm thankful for the kindness in the past.

Time to ride on Frances...

Missing Her...

It's been over two months and the family continues to miss this little lady so much! My brother and sister have been standing on a Solid Rock! It reminds me so much of this song...

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

When darkness veils His lovely face,

I rest on His unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale,

My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood

Support me in the whelming flood;

When all around my soul gives way,

He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,

Oh, may I then in Him be found;

Dressed in His righteousness alone,

Faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain: 

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

Our grama has been in the hospital. Her state is very fragile.  She had a 2nd surgery this morning! God is kind in sustaining her life and faith. Family and friends continue to intercede for her, through prayers. Prayers are much coveted and appreciated :)  Thank you so much!

This Song is Precious...

In the mist of much sorrow and pain our family and church family is going through, God is still supreme, seen and precious.

My Lovely shared this with me and I just cried and cried! I don't want him to grow up :( A beautiful song...

Still Glory Gazing,
Frances

Our rough Thanksgiving BUT still thankful...

On Thursday morning our 17 year old niece Danika Tibayan had an asthma attack that escalated to her passing out and flatlining twice.

She apparently was without oxygen for 30 minutes, she collapsed at home without a heart beat, and her mother (my sister-in-law) began CPR as medics arrived. Medics took over administering CPR and resuscitated her. They tried to get oxygen to her brain but because of her lungs collapsing it was impossible. Once in the ER she flat lined again and they resuscitated her for the second time.

They performed a cryotherapy technique called:

            Therapeutic hypothermia: This type of therapy is used for an unconscious patient who has                 

            spontaneous circulation after suffering an out of hospital heart attack. In the hospital, the     

            patient is cooled to 32°C to 34°C for 12 to 24 hours in hopes to minimize damage to brain   

           tissue and improve functional recovery. ( Healthline)

She is currently off the therapeutic machine and she is sustaining her normal body temperature. Now, we are just waiting for the seizures to stop (with meds) so they can slowly take her out of the induced coma.

We are constantly in prayer over this girl. We love her so much!  This is my letter to her...

Danky,

I know you like all the attention but this is a too much! :) We love you so much and are eager to hear more good news of your prognosis. The kids are asking for you and Rock was gonna cry because he wanted to know if you were ok. We miss you Danky and we want you to just wake up, laugh with us and be silly with us like you always are. The nurse put your hair up in a bun the other day and I was reminded of how you always put your hair up at your house when the family is hanging out, AND it reminds me of your funky dance you do when you get excited.

So I'm thinking of the things I want to buy you when you wake up---Is this why you did this, so we can all pamper you?! Oooh...you're funky Danky :D  I definitely have to buy you some yummy cupcakes from Sprinkles, your fav!

Key and Story have been pretending to be cheerleaders-- is this your doing? After seeing your sweet friends, how much they love you, and the support they've been to you, I wouldn't mind Key-Key and Storky being little cheerleaders. 

Danky, your Tito and I love you and thank God for your life and how you love the family. I read the essay you wrote to USC and it was encouraging. Yes, rebellion can be silly and immature and I'm so thankful you realized it and want to continue to grow in maturity. Please know your Tito and I are always here for you and want what's best for you in Christ Jesus. We want to be faithful to the Lord and be arrows that point to Christ, not to us, and because of that, maybe we can seem like we aren't on your side, but we are, and I know you know it :) 

You are a strong little one! Your body is taking a pounding and you just refuse to fold and throw in your cards! You're a fighter and I'm so thankful for your endurance. Your parents are so strong and I see where you get it from! They love you so much...Your dad keeps telling us stories of you and your mom has not left your side! They are both relying heavily on the Lord and just in constant prayer. They are so encouraging. 

Wake up soon--take your time though, do it slowly but keep resting physically and spiritually on the Lord. He is right there with you, never leaving your side. 

Love you Danky,

Tita Frances

 

 Our tradition for Danika for her birthday... ZPizza, Sprinkles and going to the beach.

 

 

 

I have more recent pictures but they're in our hard drive. I'll have to upload more later.

Thank you for all the prayers! The Tibayan family is so encouraged by everyone's love and constant prayers. Words can not express our gratitude. Dennis, Nina, and Niko are encouraged by your love. Please continue to pray.

They'll Be Days Like This...

 

I sort of feel like holding this sign up... This week has been crazy and God is continuing to throw curve balls.

It's not like I'm bitter towards God. I'm not even really questioning him. But I am praying. I haven't prayed like this in awhile. I feel God's bringing me and others to our knees.

CrossView is getting hit by various trials. These trials are hitting close to home for various reasons. I know CrossView is hitting bumps on the road but praise the Lord he is still sustaining us! I love my church family. I can't begin to speak of how PJ, the kids and myself love these people. Serving them is a privilege but, I'm not gonna lie, it's challenging. It's not anyone's fault. It's the nature of sin and that we live in a fallen world. I don't want CrossView family to ever think they can't come to PJ or I because they don't want to burden us. We grieve with those who are grieving and we laugh with those who are laughing.

God help us to rely on your promises. Send grace Lord because we are in need. In Christ name, Amen.

Taken at 11 weeks...

I feel gross and can't do anything except lay on my bed and gag :( The whole day is a battle between me and my vomit :(... Sometimes I win. Many times I loose. Through all this craziness! Seriously, my home looks like a missile hit it! I hate cleaning, cooking, and sadly, sometimes I can't take care of my kids! I don't like that last one, one bit. All I eat is Top Ramen. I can't talk too long because I'll start getting nauseous. After 6pm it gets worse!

PJ's been amazing through this tough time. I'm blessed to have him.

But through all this craziness, I can't wait to hold (Lord willing) a tiny cutie pie baby.

Denver's Dark Night...

I can't fathom why someone would want to do what a 24-year-old man did, on morning of July 20th. Everything in me sees him as a monster. What went wrong with this man? 

I'm glad God gripped my heart this morning, as I spoke to my son, Rock. He asked, "Why did he do it mom?" My first words that came to my mind was, sin. I explained that Holmes is a sinner who got gripped by his evil desires, just as James speaks of. 

It kills me to think of unsuspecting couples, going to watch a movie, (just like PJ and I did at the mid-night showing) and some bringing their family and friends along, (just like PJ and I almost brought Rock to go with us, but we decided not to). It makes me emotional.

There was an article about forgiveness that PJ shared with me a few years ago, that was so insightful. I'll have to update with the link.

The article basically shed light on our human condition when we don't forgive. The reason we don't forgive or "can't" forgive a person(s) when they wrong us, is because we perceive them, in that act, as not being human or see them as a monster, and then we elevate ourselves far above them. Interesting. There two things at work there: 1) We condemn them and 2) We make ourselves god-like.

I have unimaginable sin and if I had all my thoughts on a screen for my friends and family to see, they'd be disguised and horrified at what evil lurks in my heart. Holmes is terribly evil for what he did. At the same time, I know he is a sinner who needs a Savior to free him from his monsters, his evil thoughts, his evil desires. As families have to move forward and figure out ways to cope, I hope and pray they come to only place that answers the awful questions they feel and are asking...Calvary. The place where Christ died to save sinners like me and you. We all fall short of our own standards and most importantly God's. God is infinitely holy and demands our full allegiance, but because we have bought Satan's lie, that we are better off without God and we make better Kings, we are cast away from our Creator because of our treason. But...But...He sent someone, He sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our treason,  IF we would repent of our sinfulness/treason, and believe in Christ's perfect life, death and resurrection! There's still hope at the cross of Christ. At the cross, evil and injustice are paid for fully and God's kindness makes way for new life for those who truly love him. 

I love Albert Mohler insights here...

Encouraged at what Christian Bale did...

A dose of fresh air in the mist of chaos: a beautiful baby born, what a blessing!

The twelve victims: they had faces and stories...

Real heros...

Dating 101: Lust

(image taken from silentnight.co.uk)

Throughout the years of being in the ministry with PJ, my husband, we've encountered various situations dating couples are faced with. Some are small that can be worked out quickly and then there are bigger issues that require more in depth counsel and accountability.

First, PJ and I are not experts. The things I'm about to say are just wise words from us to people. Secondly, PJ and I are not naive to the physical pull that is placed on a relationship. That's one of the reasons PJ and I wanted to get married ASAP so we, by God's grace, tried to "flee from youthful passions" (2 Tim 2:22).  At the same time we weren't perfect and we had our struggles but by God's grace we were not physically immoral (sex before marriage). We tried a variety of things that would keep us from sinning against God and each other. I've see and heard from various couples the struggles of being Christian and trying to court/date in a way that honors God and each other.  

I'd like to share some thoughts to 1. Christians who are single, 2. Christians who are courting/dating, and 

3. Christian married couples. 

1. Clearly Set Accountability and Boundaries

Accountability is a must! Since you are a believer who still struggles with sin, we are called to "confess [our] sins to one another" (James 5:16) so that we don't get deceived by it (Hebrews 3:13). When there's a sexual sin or struggle, we are to seek accountability (confessing and encouragement) from our brothers and sisters in our church community. We don't have to seek it from the whole church but brothers and sisters you are committed to and are committed to you--keeping a watchful eye over each other's soul. Perhaps you want to pick a few sisters that are committed to helping you grow in holiness and vice versa. 

Whether you are dating or not, married or not, confiding and seeking accountability is needed. If you have a hard time opening up or have trust issues, you must remember that we are all sinners in need of grace. We as church family are not to seek to put on a facade and "pretend" we are holier than we are...No one is. We are all in need of growth, so beware of becoming a church community of performance rather than a community of grace [link added]. A community of grace seeks to repent when they sin and celebrate when they remember the cross to cleanse them from their present sin and grace to help with future sin!

If you're dating, accountability is vital so that neither of you is caught up in sin, (i.e. lust). Being open to your selected sisters about your life and your dating relationship, helps kill sin, since it wants to hide and grow, but we need to shed gospel light on it, to reveal it, and kill it!

Boundaries are helpful because they give you, and your accountability partner(s) guidelines that you and your boyfriend/girlfriend want to obey so you don't fall into sexual sin. To be clear, if you don't set boundaries it doesn't mean you are sinning BUT it is to HELP you stay far from it. 

2. Prepare for Marriage

Having a sex drive is NOT a sin. Sex is NOT a sin. These are gifts from God, BUT ONLY sex in marriage is God glorifying. Sex outside of marriage or lustful thoughts of any kind is sinful. But it could be argued that any sexually physical intimacy (foreplay, touching, rubbing, oral sex) outside of marriage is under the vise of lustful thoughts because I don't think it can be humanly possible that a couple could engage in the list above, without having lustful thoughts, thereby sinning.

So this sex drive that is God given, is given, so men and women get married! One possible problem to this, can be the American culture has cultivated a "prolonged adolescence."  Meaning men and women think they are too young to get married because A and B need to be handled first. Ok, sometimes it's true, you need a job to support your wife but it is rare that, that is the only barrier. At times marriage is seen as a last resort, even held off so a person can "have fun" before they are tied down. Our culture has men who are adolescents with nice toys, money, and a plethora of ladies to choose from (at least in the secular world). 

Our sex drive is to push us to get ready to have fun in the marriage bed and Lord willing make babies :) Sure it should be suppressed but for the right reasons (not currently dating/courting anyone, too young, no job), I don't think it should be suppressed 'because I need X amount of years of getting to know this person,' that you won't even fully know until you get married! That's the beauty of marriage-- you won't fully know who you are marrying until you're married. Of course choose wisely, but marriage is a blessing and hard because your own individual sin begins to surface like crazy (this can easily be another blog post)-- At the same time marriage is a blessing and I highly recommend it :)

3. Killing Lust Now, Helps Later

Killing sin in this realm strengthens your future marriage and protects the marriage bed even after marriage. Let me explain...

If you are fighting, and I mean really fighting to try to stay pure before marriage (having strong accountability to the local church family, asking forgiveness of each other when you both fall into lust with each other, etc), this "killing of sin" strengthens lustful actions after you get married. 

You see, currently all the lustful focus is on your boyfriend/girlfriend, but once you get married those particular sinful temptations don't stay on your wife/husband, unfortunately it moves on. This was completely new to me... Your husband's desire is still for his wife but now because we are sinful creatures, your husbands temptation now is to lust but after someone not you. Now those sinful temptations have morphed, now the temptation is to lust after other women, not your wife! Sorry boys to blow the lid on this, BUT sin is crouching at your door waiting to devour  you (Genesis 4:7, 1 Peter 5:8) Whether the temptation is online images, movie images, commercials images, personal memory images, the fight is present, and it's up to the individual to fight! Now if they've regularly given themselves in the past to sinful lust, then it's a no brainer submitting and fulfilling the desire that God has forsaken--They didn't "train" their bodies to fight (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). They're use to submitting to the call of sin before they were married, and that ONLY weakened them. 

One thing that PJ and I recommend after marriage, is keeping a strong accountability between spouses. Nothing off the table, including lust issues that the spouse struggles with. Because of our male/female sexual natures, many times it will be the male who struggles with lust issues in this way. Women struggle with lust but usually in another way (this can also be a whole other blog post!) which a husband can ask questions about. Warning: these talks will NOT be easy. A whole lot of crying, sinful bitterness, feeling inadequate, sinful anger, etc will be felt but the point of helping our husbands fight is a blessing. I see it this way, if my husband has strong accountability with his brother's in Christ at CrossView, because I'm his wife, I want it stronger, since I am his best friend, and bff's share everything, I feel I'm cheated if I'm not shared this information to. I want all of PJ--the good, the bad and the ugly. He'll in turn get all of me. Also, some couples won't be able to share as much as others, but I think as long as he has brothers in his church to confide in, that will encourage him and rebuke him when needed, then that is extremely helpful. I guess this is just one step further in accountability with your spouse, but perhaps not all need it or even want it. The point of your husband opening up to you is not so we discourage him but encourage his fight. Yes, it will be hard to hear and help but as you (and I) grow in humility (because really a self righteous attitude begins to emerge in most wives) we can begin to hold our husbands accountable and have them fear God, not us. If they just fear the consequence of us being mad at them then the fighting of the sin will only go so far. The reverence they have for God will push them to fight and then their love for us, of course will be very helpful. 

As I've spoken and speak to different ladies and keep them specifically accountable when in a relationship, this harsh reality surprises them. I know it surprised me after I got married. I felt so bitter, and broken and thought out loud (and to myself) "Am I not good enough for you?!" but the sad reality hit me. No, I alone am not good enough to keep my husband from sin. Don't forget that having sex with your husband is indeed helpful on many levels, one being: helping him to fight lust but it's not all he needs. Our husbands need to cling to Christ Jesus so that he can fight his sin (in this case lust) AND be happy in Jesus as he does it-- this will benefit our marriages! 

If you are not in any relationship, remember to keep fighting any sin, and make it a regular routine to fight your sin for the joy of having more of Jesus Christ. Train your body to have self control. Self control is not just for self control sake, its so you stay away from sin so you enjoy God through Christ Jesus far more then if you had that particular sin! 

Remember future grace-- this helps to remember that killing lust now will help your walk with God in the days, months, years to come. Test it now. See how good God is in helping you fight sin and see how much more you can enjoy him with a pure heart. He'll give you grace to fight when you're married, but you got to make it a habit now. Don't be sloppy, lazy, sinful with fighting now, because when you're married you can't expect yourself to know how to fight off your sinful desires after years of falling into sin. FIGHT NOW. Get strong accountability in your local church now. Prepare yourself for marriage now. It's never to early to prepare for marriage. Of course it has to be under the guise "if the Lord wills." PJ and I are trying to raise our kids in light of the gospel, and with that, teaching them now how to be godly spouses (if the Lord wills). 

I pray and hope something from this post can be deemed as helpful. Fight brothers and sisters, fight for your joy in Christ Jesus! Grace be with you!

Frances

Surgery

A few weeks ago Key had surgery to remove her appendix.  God was kind in allowing everything to go well. 

praying for Key Hava

Snowman sure did help in calming her :(

Now we are just trying to serve her and love her as she is fully physically recuperated, but NOT emotionally recuperated. She doesn't want to look at her belly button (one of three incisions), and she has to close her eyes as she changes. She cries bloody murder for bath time because she says her "surgery" which we don't exactly know what that means--maybe she thinks it will hurt?

God is definitely testing our patience. PJ and I are praying we love her during her whininess, serve her, and still have discernment when she needs correction. We love her so much and want her to be better.