Day 128 - October 21 - Counting Blessings
OK, we are officially having our socks blessed off. That's the only way to describe how God continues to provide for us in every way possible. There is no way I can even tell you about all the ways people are helping us out, much less describe each one. Meals, money, prayer, labor, construction materials, services of all sorts, and hospitality only begin to scratch the surface of how the Lord has laid Connor's situation on so many hearts. I praise Him for taking such good care of us in this way - it overwhelms us to even think of it.
That's only one part of His blessing to us, however - we are also growing leaps and bounds in our efforts to a) keep our heads above water, b) faithfully follow where He leads Connor and our family, and c) learn what we're supposed to be learning through this trial while also not going insane. None of us are the same people we were four months ago. I was going to say "I don't know if that's a good thing", but I know that it is. God promised that it would work for good in us, and so even though so many things in our life feel damaged or destroyed, we cling to the promise that they actually aren't.
Finally, we got another blessing this past Saturday, when Joélle and Alan returned from their trip to San Francisco to announce they are engaged! In a stunningly romantic gesture sure to garner him admiration from the females and some goodnatured ribbing from his male friends, Alan dropped to one knee out on the middle of the Golden Gate Bridge and popped the question. No dates have been set yet!
I came home today to find Connor surrounded by friends, watching a movie while also picking out his new cat. Apparently we're going to try to have the first assistance kitty on the planet. 8-)
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posted by Eric Williamson @ 5:09 PM
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16 Comments:
That's awesome! God is so good, and I'm so happy to see you all blessed in so many ways! Rejoicing with you in all this good news, and continuing to pray and watch for God's continued provision and blessings! Can't wait to see the new cat! :P
~Amy
His mercies are new every morning--warmest wishes for Joelle, praise for growth in the midst of trial, and thanksgiving for even the sweet comfort of a furry little cat! God's love is amazing.
So glad to hear that things are settling down. While the changes that needed to be made to bring Connor home have been tremendous, just having him there and the ease of not having to go back and forth to a hopsital and deal with that environment must already be providing some comfort. I can only imagine how good it felt to come home and see Connor surrounded by friends, a sight you used to see regularly. Is Tank the "assistance dog"?? Congratulations to Joelle and Alan too!! That's great news. Thinking of you always.
Lisa S.
Eric - It's been the end of a challenging day for the Starkes, and one of my strategies for renewal is to look for evidence of God's power when mine has run out and I want to snap at my kids and yell at Phil. God's never-ending, never-changing power and love is all over this post. Thank you brother. God used you to preserve our dinner time from becoming total sinful anarchy.
Phil is hoping for an opportunity to help out with the construction, and me with dinner/breakfast, whenever it's needed. We'll get in touch with Brad re: schedules and what kind of help is needed when... God bless.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!AWESOME NEWS!!!!ROMANTIC TOO!!!!!!!!!
What amazingly, exciting news!! Joelle and Alan, CONGRATS!!!
Connor, glad to hear of more movement! Just keep moving! Also, my kitties may have something to say about yours being the first assistance kitty. The world could always use more. They are wonderful! What will Tank have to say?
I am so happy for all of you. Joelle, congratulations, I'm so excited for you. I will pass the news on to Sarah-she will be thrilled.
Michele for the Harveys
What a wonderful thing it is when Christ's Body comes together and serves! It would be wonderful to see a piece done on what is happening to you all in the media. Whenever the "church" messes up...it seems to make front page news. What a great testimony to "the world" if "the world" could see what God is doing. God is present, God is here, God is now. We are all a witness to it in your lives! thanks for sharing!
The Derendinger Family
Praise God for the "showers of blessings." and
Congrats Joelle
Bonnie/Fresno
Welcome Home Conner! The pictures will be shared with everyone at the firehouse up here in Washington State where your Uncle Dan serves the Lord and our fire family. We hold you and your family in our thoughts and prayers (yah, even the kitty). We also want to say congrats to Joelle and Alan...WOW on his knee on the bridge, eh? That's pretty awesome. We all love ya, Connor! God be with you and give you and your family rest. Carol Harrington, Dist. Adm. SCFD5
Wade and I sure join in the chorus of CONGRATULATIONS to Joelle and Alan. We enjoyed meeting him this summer and give the thumbs up from what we could see. :) We'll be praying for all of you.
Also, I have been praying for His mercies to be new EVERY morning to all of you...GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS. I thank God for all the people coming around you for all the various needs. Connor, we love you--and Eric, Cherie, Joelle and Alan.
Kristie and Wade plus family in Fresno
Not sure why, but felt God saying to send this to you . . . or maybe someone who's reading the blogs? Known by Name
The bird also has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, . . . even Your altars, O LORD of hosts.
Psalm 84:3
I heard the story recently of a couple who, by their tenth anniversary, had been unable to conceive any children. Those of you who have experienced this heartbreak can readily relate to the frustration they felt, the void that remained so senselessly empty in their lives.
On days when they allowed themselves to think about it, they'd ponder what they might name a child if they were ever to have one. They had always been able to settle on a boy's name, but they both had a different favorite for a girl. The wife liked the name Autumn; the husband preferred Amanda.
But still, no child came. Boy or girl. So they went to Plan B and decided to adopt siblings.
You can imagine how they prayed for this opportunity to develop. They asked God to work His perfect will, to bind their hearts with just the right children from just the right situation. One day the adoption agency called with the news that two sisters--ages three and five--had been relinquished by their mother. Though she wasn't a believer herself, the woman had requested that her daughters be placed with a Christian family. That had moved this couple's name to the top of the list.
When they asked the social worker to tell them more about the girls, here's what she said: "They're both green-eyed blondes. The five-year-old is named Autumn. The three-year-old is named Amanda."
How amazing it is when God mends a broken heart and parts the curtain at times, showing us beyond the shadow of a doubt that He hears our prayers and knows our hearts. If you've been praying for a similar answer to your need, know that He never loses sight of you, that He knows where you are . . . that He knows your name.
Discuss
Be honest about where your faith level is right now. Are you discouraged? Fearful? Encouraged?
Pray
Even when it seems and feels like it's getting you nowhere, keep praying. Keep praying.
Buy Moments with You
Congratulations Joelle! What blessings have been poured upon the Williamson's! Praise God! A service cat? I like that - God does work mysteriously!
That's so awesome! We are so excited to read your blogs, as they daily reveal new hopes, joys, and specific requests! please , where can we send cards...my class made some for connor!
Connor-
Once you've picked your new cat, you NEED to watch this video. It's the funniest cat video ever. It's the first one on the YouTube playlist I put together with you in mind: The Mean Kitty Song:
http://www.youtube.com/my_playlists?pi=0&ps=20&sf=&sa=0&sq=&dm=0&p=04A328026CD9444F
Donna Hamilton
Tumwater WA
Best wishes to Joelle and her beau on their engagement!!
Life rocks!
Donna Hamilton
Tumwater WA
Praise be to the ever Good God! It gives me great delight,
Connor, to picture you with your new kitten. Satisfaction runs deep with animals. Congratulations to you for a cat and your sweet sister and fiance for being in love.
Blessings-
Jane Renz Schleich
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