Hello Love

Mother's Day 2009

2009-05-21T15:28:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful gift to celebrate Mother's Day 2009 and Thank God for the way He has poured out His mercy and grace over us as Mothers. During our Sabbath meal we were honored by the men in our families with chocolate covered strawberries...yum!! There were four mothers honored that evening. Rhonda Turner, Damon's oldest sister, Ailish Atkinson, our dear friend from Wallington, England, Lea Kelly (me), and Anne Johnson.

My mom, Anne, is gradually healing and we are thankful for the great report she received a few weeks ago at her check up! She has another CAT scan and check up on June 2. We are watching and waiting to see all that God has planned for her now! Thank you for your continued prayers for all of us! We have so so much to be thankful for!

Healing!

2009-04-14T14:23:00.001-07:00

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Today, Tuesday April 14, we went to see Dr. Killefer and he removed the staples from the 2 incisions that were in my mom's head where the Shunt was put in. She was anxious about it, but it didn't hurt her at all! She is very relieved to have those out. Dr. Killefer reminded us that we are still in the waiting process to see how, if at all, the Shunt will change the Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus symptoms. Mom is using her cane and relearning about walking.

We had a wonderful Easter day together and we were so thankful that mom felt like going to Celebrate with us at Cedar Springs.

Thanks, again, to all of you who are providing healthy & delicious meals for our family!!

She will have a Cat Scan in 2 weeks and see Dr. Killefer again to check that everything is in place and working correctly.

We are thankful that our God is a God who heals!

Lie down in green pasture...

2009-04-10T06:36:00.000-07:00

What a gift to be back home over the last two days! We are so thankful that God allowed my mom to come back to lie down and rest and receive healing over time. Waiting will be a gift of God as we watch to see if the Shunt will change any of the symptoms of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. She is practicing walking daily with her new cane. Yesterday she enjoyed time outside and walked up and down the driveway practicing. Dr. Killefer has told us that there are no guarantees about the surgery, it could take months to see changes. But we are so thankful that we know the Shepherd King who laid down His life for us. His Reign is Forever!

Home Sweet Home!

2009-04-07T19:01:00.000-07:00

A long day of waiting, but we are HOME! Grannie is settling in with JOY to her "Nook & Cranny" at Story Cottage! More tomorrow! Night Night!!!! And thanks for prayers!!

Beautiful Contradictions

2009-04-07T09:05:00.000-07:00

super wacky to hear the words, "It snowed!" as I was preparing to head back to the hospital this morning.

The dogwoods and tulips were wondering about the "beautiful contradictions" this new day as we have been having some April snow. see these amazing photos :) http://kimbowid.blogspot.com/

So by the time I arrived, Mom had already seen Dr. K and had her dressing removed on the incisions. He has said that after she sees Physical Therapy today she can head for Story Cottage (HOME)! It makes me smile to see her Beauty - even with incisions - these "beautiful scars" remind us that God is in charge and healing her! We are thankful!

investing....

2009-04-06T08:39:00.000-07:00

"Every work that is faithfully done is beautiful in the eyes of the Lord. We are great even in our leastness when we receive with gratitude what God has given us, and, in the power of the Lord Jesus, put it to work to create a return of glory on God's investment in our lives." - T.M. Moore

God is investing His presence, tenderness, and healing in Anne. We are receiving it with GRATITUDE! He has allowed her to walk through the last years, months and days with His unending presence. Today, as she is relearning about walking I see her moving toward this "work" with faithfulness.

Jason came from Physical Therapy to walk with mom this morning. He has given her a cane and wants her to practice strengthening her right leg and putting her heel down first with each step. These are things we take for granted every day, (leastness? in our daily rush around) but something to be completely thankful for. "Forget NOT all His benefits."

What a sweet gift of gratitude it would be TODAY, this Monday of Holy Week, to take the time to tell God THANK YOU for being able to take one step at a time. Jesus, took one step at a time toward the cross, with JOY set before Him!

We will continue to take steps toward tomorrow (tuesday) as mom's "going home day" to "Grannie Annie's Nook & Cranny" at our home Story Cottage.

If you want to send her a love note of encouragement you can mail it to our home address!

HOSANNA!

2009-04-05T14:57:00.000-07:00

What a gorgeous Palm Sunday here in East Tennessee! The day started early for my mom with Physical Therapy arriving at 8am. Mom told me that she walked all the say down the hall with the Physical Therapist Lorraine! My sister in law, Rhonda, as well as Damon and myself, have enjoyed sitting with her today.

Here's what she wanted me to write for today :) "Thank everyone for praying for me. I know that is why I am doing so well! God's desk must have a big stack of requests with my name on them!!!" She knows there are people ALL over the world in variety of time zones praying for her.

She has been sleeping and reading and preparing for a full day of more PT tomorrow.

Damon was here when Dr. Killeffer came by to visit with her. He said she is doing great and hopefully will be able to go home on Tuesday afternoon.

Thanks to those of you who are also preparing meals for our family. The hands and feet of the Body of Christ have blessed us much over the last months!

On this Palm Sunday, what a sobering and glorious reminder that HOSANNA means "Come Save Us!" God inclines His ear to hear our cries and our redemption is accomplished. We enter this Passion Week with great anticipation.

waiting.

2009-04-04T14:31:00.000-07:00

Waiting is hard work. Mom is wrestling with waiting tonight. She has found out that Physical Therapy won't be coming today. We are hopeful that they will come tomorrow - but it might, realistically, be Monday. When Damon and the boys came to visit, mom said "they are taking me home with them!" :) Please pray that as this special Palm Sunday Sabbath comes with the setting sun, that God will mercifully grant her the freedom to struggle with waiting and trusting Him in this recovery step!

HOSANNA!

Making Progress!!

2009-04-04T10:15:00.000-07:00

Dr. Killeffer came and said that my mom is doing great! He has moved her out of ICU and she is now in her own room. Physical Therapy will be helping her with walking. Please pray that she will be patient and cooperative when that begins. Her new nurse, Paula, just came in and said that she should begin Physical Therapy today.

She has some soreness in her abdomen where one of the incisions were and that is bothering her some.

Enjoy the beautiful spring day - we are looking at the sunshine out the window together!

Laughter!

2009-04-04T07:17:00.000-07:00

At 9:15am we were able to go in to visit mom for the first time on this gorgeous Spring morning!

She greeted us and shared that she had a wonderful egg, grits, and OJ breakfast already!
"But I was waiting for it since 6am!" I began to laugh, "you don't wake up anywhere near 6am at home - why were you so impatient for breakfast???" And she started laughing and said, "Well the nurse came in and woke me up at 3am to check me out - so I just had a long time to wait!"

What a good gift from God to hear her laughter this morning! It is a sweet sound!
Thanks to all of you who were praying for us over the last 24 hours.

Today will be a day of waiting for Dr. Killeffer to come and check her and move her to a room out of ICU. She also told us that she is eager to start walking - and her nurse reminded her that Physical Therapy will be the ones who will guide her into walking.

Mom has specifically asked that we join with her in praying that her walking will be "normal" very quickly! I know we are all longing for her to have restored walking for the next chapter that God has for her.

Serving the Lord with gladness this new day!

Time for Supper!

2009-04-03T15:09:00.000-07:00

I am in the ICU room with mom and she is wide awake and enjoying supper :) Her nurse, Jonathan, has been getting her settled and says she is doing great! I will go back to the waiting room and Damon will join me and we will both get to spend time with her at 9pm before she goes to bed - that is the last visiting hours of the ICU for the day.

She and I took time to thank God for his faithfulness to us today!
He is truly our ROCK! (Psalm 40)

"I have already had lunch!"

2009-04-03T11:41:00.000-07:00

While I was getting settled into the recliner in the ICU area at Ft. Sanders, they called let me know I could go down to recovery to visit with mom!

She greeted me with a smile and said, "I already had lunch!!" She has been waking up and is doing so well that they fed her lunch :) ICU has no empty beds and we are waiting for the afternoon hours to see if one opens up. Please pray that she will rest. She is in very minimal pain at the incision sites.

I am thankful for the intimate care that God has shown her today! Thank you for your prayers!

REJOICING!

2009-04-03T08:35:00.000-07:00

2 hours after Dr. Killeffer started mom's Shunt Surgery, we met with him to hear the good report that she is out of surgery and that it went well. She is in the Post Anethesia care unit now as she is waking up and then will be moved to Intensive Care Unit. She will stay there overnight. Dr. Killeffer said, "I hope this is really helpful for her." We know the GREAT Physician is in charge of her inside and out and we are trusting His heart for her!

Happy Friday!

2009-04-03T06:08:00.000-07:00

We awoke around 5am and arrived at Ft. Sanders Regional around 6am. Mom is glad that this day is finally here! She went anesthesia and her surgery began around 8:30am. Thank you for praying for Dr. James Killeffer. We will keep up to date!

Enter His gates with thanksgiving!

2009-04-02T13:28:00.000-07:00

As we move toward an early morning arrival at Ft. Sanders Regional Medical Center we are full of thanksgiving that the day for mom's surgery has finally arrived!

For over one year we have been watching and waiting on God to unfold His plan and perfect timing. All of us are resting in the way He has led us step by step!

We will update news here and want to thank you ahead of time for supporting us before the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:14-16)!

Dependant

2009-03-25T12:27:00.000-07:00

"Relying on or requiring the aid of another for support."

The last 3 months have been full of learning day by day, more, about relying on each other and mostly God for aid and support.

Our family is so thankful for the prayers that so many have invested in our waiting time. My mom, Anne, has had many changes in her diet, daily exercise routine, weight, and medications over this time. And God's mercy protected her from the brain surgery before her body was ready to recover in a healthy way. When we met 2 weeks ago with Dr. Killefer, he reassured us that addressing her diabetes has prepared her all the way around for a strong recovery with less chance of infection in her brain at the shunt site.

Next Friday, April 3, at 8am my mom, Anne, is scheduled for Shunt Surgery at Ft. Sanders Regional Medical Center. She will be in intensive care for the first 24+ hours and then in the hospital for at least 3 more days.

Thank you for helping our family learn more about being "dependants" on the guidance and strength of our King.

Thank you for praying for peace for all of us -
for blood sugar and blood pressure levels as we go for pre opp.
for the doctors & nurses, esp. Dr. Killefer
for our waiting and Anne's time of recovery
for the healing and favor of God over the way the programmable Shunt will change the effects of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus in my mom's brain.

We will keep this blog updated as next week and the surgery unfolds!

HOPE

2009-03-09T16:53:00.000-07:00

Since the day we found out, less than 24 hours before Mom was scheduled for Shunt Surgery, that we needed to give our FULL attention to her Type 2 Diabetes, we have been very diligent!

God provided the medication to be approved by Medicare and Dr. Williams told us that we were ready to reconnect with Dr. Killefer, Mom's neurosurgeon. Mom has lost weight and has really stayed focused on eating in the ways we have learned, exercising DAILY, asking for help and keeping a detailed daily food log.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 10, we will meet with Dr. Killefer to share updates about her blood sugar levels and to discuss the options for rescheduling her Shunt Surgery.

We are thankful that God has poured out His mercy and Hope over our family over exactly two months of radical changes and waiting. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.

"Hope makes you see God's guiding hand not only in the gentle and pleasant moments but also in the shadows of disappointment and darkness." - Henri Nouwen

Counting and Recounting

2009-02-17T10:40:00.000-08:00

Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will praise you forever;
from generation to generation
we will recount your praise. Psalm 79:13

Our family praises God for the way He is showing 3 generations of us His sustaining presence and fighting for JOY for our family!

Over the last 6 weeks we know that many of you have been praying for my mom, Anne. We know that God has used your intercession to strengthen all 6 of us.

We have attended 4+ hours of Diabetic education with a nurse and a nutritionist. Our entire family has had major food changes and mom is exercising DAILY now. With the help of her primary care physician and medications - plus these radical life changes - we are seeing her blood sugar on a completely normal level now. She does have type 2 Diabetes and we will deal with this from now on.

A current prayer request is that her Medicare would approve the medicines that she needs to take daily. We are asking God to show His favor and continue to make her steps secure. On February 25 we will go back to her primary care physician and then make plans to reconnect with Dr. Killefer in the Spring to talk about shunt surgery again.

Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement during these learning and waiting days!

Bedrock

2009-01-24T10:36:00.000-08:00

"God is the bedrock under my feet, the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight." Psalm 18:2 The Message

In Geological terms, bedrock is the unbroken, solid layer at the foundation. Over the last two weeks, our family has continued to trust the Bedrock God that is leading us in more waiting.

We have met with a nutritionist, diabetic training nurse, as well as my mom's general practioner. We are focused on nutrition changes, exercise changes, and testing blood sugar twice each day. Mom has lost weight and as of yesterday had her first under 100 blood sugar reading. We will continue for the next several months to focus on this major lifestyle change and regulating her body's overall health.

Thank you for your prayers as we wait. God is showing us in fresh ways, in the midst of waiting, that He alone is the castle we can live life in.

pressing on.

2009-01-09T12:28:00.000-08:00

Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Romans 12:11-13 the message

Today we thought that we would be at the hospital for mom to have shunt surgery. But God knew differently. The nurses at Dr. Williams office were surprised to see the 3 of us come in early this morning all bundled up! Dr. Williams took the time to walk through what the next weeks and months will hold as mom moves to regulate her diabetes type 2 through medication and diet and daily monitoring of her blood sugar levels. Much of this will be new for her - so please pray now that God will give her, as well as those of us caring for her, faithfulness.

Would you ask God to give our family cheerful expectancy and inventive hospitality toward one another? For those of you praying for us this morning, we had some real groaning and some real laughter together! Thank you - "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones"

waiting

2009-01-08T18:25:00.000-08:00

Three years ago when I began memorizing Psalm 40, I didn't know just how deeply the first three words would impact my life. "I waited patiently."

Today Dr. Killeffer canceled the shunt surgery for tomorrow (Friday) until my mom's blood sugar can be regulated. We don't know how many days or weeks or months that will take. Tomorrow (Friday) morning at 8:45am we will meet with her primary physician Dr. Williams and go from there.

We are all very sad about another postponement, but trust God's timing to be perfect for His plans for mom.

We are thankful that my sister, Nikki, has gotten to be with us and tonight we toasted one another and the Lord as Damon read the words, "He gives and takes away."

Thank you for your continued kindness and intercession.

prayer in the preparation

2009-01-08T05:21:00.000-08:00

This morning we are aware of the faithfulness of God as we trust Him more and more. Yesterday (wed.) afternoon we got a call from UT hospital saying my mom's blood sugar is too high and we have to get her in to her primary care physician before we can proceed with Friday's surgery. Since it was after hours when we found out - this morning we have called and her Dr. and/or a nurse practitioner are not in today (thurs.) - so...at 1:45pm we will be meeting with Dr. Emmitt (another dr. in the group).
Please pray for discernment on what is to be done and whether we are to proceed with the surgery or not.
Thank you!

He is in control!

2009-01-05T07:42:00.000-08:00

Last night Damon, Anne and I, had a wonderful time of prayer and reaffirming that we know that God is in control of my mom. This Friday, January 9, 2009, she will be having a shunt put into her brain because of having Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. We know that God already knows the results of this surgery. The three of us have watched God make every tiny step clear. We are filled with THANKFULNESS that we don't have the pressure of figuring out what is going to happen - or of worrying - or of pretending things are better than they really are.

GOD IS IN CONTROL!

This morning I read in John 2 about Jesus changing the water into wine. I love verse 9 and the secret it tells me that only the servants who poured the water into the huge jars knew about the miracle. They were the ones given the treasure of seeing Jesus' first miracle. I notice that Jesus is crazy in love with the radical life of serving. I notice how He models that for me. I notice that he is delighted in behind the scene things that "big dogs" (like the master of the banquet) don't always know about. I am looking around my life for some big jars and filling them with water to be ready for whatever He wants to do with them. I love Mary's words to the servants: 5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." As you pray for our family, would you pray that:
1) we will have hearts brimming with a sacrifice of thanksgiving for all circumstances and outcomes
2) we will have servant hearts, unified in ruthlessly trusting God's control
3) we will "do whatever he tells us"

My mother will be at UT hospital and her neurosurgeon is Dr. James Killifer. Thank you for praying for him as well. She will be in the hospital for 4 or 5 days. She will not be receiving visitors at the hospital so that she can fully rest and do rehab. Thank you for your support and prayers!

All updates on how surgery goes will be posted to this blog.

If you want to send her a word of encouragement or prayer you can mail it to
1412 Farrington Drive Knoxville, TN 37923

We REJOICE that Jesus is our primary intercessor and are so thankful as He prompts you to pray for us as well!

2009

2009-01-05T07:38:00.001-08:00

Happy 2009! Our family is so full of thanksgiving for all that God has done in 2008 and as we move into this new calendar year we are expectant about His power & presence in our lives!
We were so thankful to have mom (Anne) in her new home during Christmas and she enjoyed having her own Christmas tree too! We have named her home "Grannie Annie's Nook & Cranny"!! Thanks to all of you who have prayed for her and rejoiced with her about this place God has provided for her to live!

Friday, January 9, 2009

2008-12-10T10:44:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Dec. 9, we met with Mom's Neurosurgeon. He recommended that now that her home is ready and she will have full time care with us being near her that she have the Shunt Surgery in her brain to hopefully assist with the condition of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.

Her surgery is scheduled for Friday, January 9, 2009 at Ft Sanders Regional in downtown Knoxville. We are glad to finally know a date after one full year of waiting & wondering what direction God would take us in.

Thank you for praying that we would have a brief time of resting before we move into the next step of surgery for my mom. Your intercession is so sustaining as we struggle along. We ruthlessly trust our Servant King. May we know His Rule & Reign more clearly this Advent!

Thursday, December 4, 2008!

2008-12-10T10:40:00.000-08:00

After much waiting, praying, and struggling - Last Thursday night my mom, Anne, got to sleep in her new "apartment" home for the first time! Her new flannel sheets and quilt were ready for her and she was so excited! Her home is still not totally ready for visitors - (she is super excited about having some guests for lunch & tea parties) - but she has been able to start sleeping in her own bed again! Trey also had a fun weekend with Damon getting his room back to bunk beds and boy things!!!

We are continuing to wait on the completion of the shower in our downstairs bathroom for my mom to use - as well as this week the outside siding was being completed. (Rain can sometimes slow things way down!!)

Thanks for all your prayers and support!

Building & Waiting are Good Gifts!

2008-12-10T10:31:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful Thanksgiving we had at Story Cottage! We had many things to Thank God for! We had the amazing gift of having our friend, Lorna Stanley, from Wallington, England, join us for Thanksgiving and the 2 weeks following! (We miss her!!)

She (as well as so many others) has been praying for my mom, Anne - and wanted to help clean and prepare - AND MOVE some furniture in - when our builder, Chip - gave us the green light!! So Saturday after Thanksgiving we moved some furniture in. Matt Cassada came and helped us get the heavy stuff in (before the rain - yahoo!) VERY EXCITING for all of us!

PHENOMENAL!!!

2008-11-25T17:01:00.000-08:00

This was the word my mom exclaimed when she saw her new flooring that was put in TODAY! "Phenomenal!!" She was really thrilled to see how the building is taking on a more finished form. The cabinets donated by Will Ferguson look great with her laminate flooring. There is still painting to be finished and lots of final details - but it really is possible to envision her special spot now!

God has provided not only building supplies, but over $6000 toward the building of this new and special home for my mom. We have MUCH to be Thankful for EVERY DAY - but especially this week. This thursday, November 27, is also my parents 50th wedding anniversary - so we will be recalling her marriage to my Father in Thanksgiving!

We are especially thankful for the Seaman family and the way they have listened and responded to what God was calling them to do in their involvement with this building project for my mom! Scott, Ann, Sarah, Jennie, Allie, & Ben Seaman - we Thank God for you!

Thanks to all of you, mostly for your PRAYERS - we trust that God has raised up intercessors in the places and times where all 6 of us most need supernatural sustaining!

Please pray as we now wait on the preparation and tiling of the bathroom and shower that my mom will be sharing with Taylor. Also for God's perfect timing on the moving in of my mother to her new space! We would all be so thrilled to have some slowing and calming during Advent 2008.

Ordinary time is for Building & Faith!

2008-11-20T14:19:00.000-08:00

The longest stretch of the Christian year is Ordinary Time - it began back in May and ends on November 30 this year! Damon has been teaching us in the high school community that Ordinary time is a time for BUILDING AND FAITH - wow! That is EXACTLY what the last 6 weeks have been like for our family!

As our precious friend, Christine Davis, reminded me this week - God is ok with "watch & wait" as His invitation to us! We are watching things continue to take shape for my mom's new home.

Today many doors went on and the built in cabinet in the small toilet area was put in. Tomorrow the laminate floor is supposed to go in as well.

When it comes to building, though, we are learning that demolition is also often a part of that. This is the case with Taylor's shower (see photo) - they tore that out yesterday and a new tile shower will be built to replace it. This is so that if I ever need to roll my mom in a wheel chair into the shower it will be ready!

Cultivate Thankfulness. Watch and Wait. Building and Faith. These are God's messages to the 6 of us!

Moving Along....

2008-11-17T05:43:00.000-08:00

As the leaves are falling from the trees and November is moving along toward Thanksgiving, the new living space for my mom, Anne, is also moving along!
Last week we watched the sheet rock go up and primer for the painting go on and things taking shape more and more!
The top photo is of the stack of pine cabinets and counter top that God provided through Will Ferguson at Empire Construction. We are so thankful for the way we see God's provision!
This week we are projected to see doors go in - cabinets and counter top - painting and more.

Scripture calls us to "cultivate thankfulness" and God is really giving us opportunities daily to do that! Thank you for your prayers, your giving and your engagement of the Story God is telling in our lives.

2008-11-10T12:36:00.000-08:00

Building is Noisy at times - with LOTS to look at! We asked Chip and the other men working diligently if it bothered them that we liked to watch their progress! They assured us that we were very "low key" compared to some observers they have had before!

Transformation is exciting to watch! As last week closed out the walls were sheet rocked and the toilet area was set apart.
We know that God is up to the noisy work of transformation in our family too and we are so grateful for your prayers.

Some of you have asked about my mom, Anne. She is reading lots of books and enjoying the noise of our family (especially now with her hearing aide). She will be going to her neurosurgeon on December 9 to discuss Shunt surgery in early 2009. Thanks for asking!

Diggin' In...

2008-11-04T17:14:00.000-08:00

Happy November! One month ago, my mom was moving into our home to share a room with Trey! This week has started with major "diggin' in" as they have cut into the cement and worked on the water pipes for the toilet that my mom will have in her apartment! It was very loud and even Lacy, our border collie, was very nervous - but we are excited about the progress that is being made! Thanks for checking for updates!

2008-10-30T12:35:00.000-07:00

Tools + Wood = Wall!

Damon and I were so thrilled to walk into our garage this afternoon and see the wall that separates our storage closet from my mom's new living space. The sights and smells of construction seem to give us courage in the waiting. None of us knew we would be moving toward Thanksgiving & Christmas living together in our upstairs space and waiting on this apartment, but God knew! He is teaching our family so much about loving and sharing and serving and cultivating gratitude.

I read today in 1 Timothy 5 about Paul's exortation to Timothy about caring for widows and our immediate family members - how incredibly valuable that is to God's heart. I can't imagine what that all looked like in Timothy's day as a young follower of Christ, but I see it taking shape here at Story Cottage and in our hearts.
Thank you for your continued prayers, giving, and waiting with us.

Let there by LIGHT!

2008-10-27T13:04:00.000-07:00

Today is the first time for months that sunlight has shown into our garage! Our workers have completed putting in the two sets of doors for the apartment today! They completely tore down the garage door that was broken and built a new wall for the doors. The double doors will be the entry into my mom's apartment and provide sunshine for her! The other door will enter into the 1/3 of the garage storage area for our bikes and tools, etc. We are so thankful to have gotten to walk my mom down to show her the progress. "I like it!" was her response!!

Let the WORK begin!!

2008-10-27T05:26:00.001-07:00

This morning around 7:30am the men who will be beginning the construction of our garage apartment for my mom, Anne, arrived! I asked them if it would overwhelm them if I did a dance or stood in the driveway and cheered for them?? We are so thankful that the work has begun.
Or should I say...is continuing...the preparation of our garage, the storage barn, the packing, moving and cleaning at my mom's rental home - all of this HAS BEEN WORK - but the building phase is now underway!!! YAHOO! Thank you, Lord!

Back in the spring our garage door springs broke and we decided not to have the door fixed as we waited to see if God was calling us to move my mom in with us full time. Today they are beginning with the demolition of the old, broken door. The top photo shows the opening where they sawed through the door and the large bin/trailer for garbage. They will be adding a new framed in wall and doors today. Today will be a day of transformation. Intriguing that so often transformation starts with demolition.

We are so thankful for all the ways that God has provided for us. With the donation of doors and supplies for today's work as well as over $4,100! We are so amazed at all that God is up to. Thank you for your prayers as the 6 of us share space and wait!

Lifeline is a call away.

2008-10-19T18:27:00.000-07:00

One of the new adjustments for my mom, Anne, is her "Lifeline Pendant". She wears it around her neck and anywhere in our home or yard, she has a way to contact the monitoring agency who can alert us or an ambulance that she needs help when we aren't home.
The Kelly family has a full schedule and this new "lifeline" gives us all a way to know how she is doing even if she is in Story Cottage, our home, alone.

I continue to ponder that Jesus is so responsive to my cries for help. I continue to know that He is never busy or irritated when I need him. When I am in a bog and can't get out. I am more and more aware of my own weakness and His consistently strong response to my needs. Thank you, God, for your merciful responses to me, over and over again.

Listening...

2008-10-19T18:19:00.000-07:00

My mother, Anne, had the eardrum of her left ear rupture when she was under 5 years old. She has never been able to hear out of it, even after extensive surgery in the 1970's. In the last month, God has provided, through a gracious and generous anonymous donor, the $$ needed to buy an Oticon Hearing Aide for her right ear. It also has extensive hearing loss to it. For a couple of weeks now, Mom has been able to hear birds singing and cars passing by and Lacy, our new dog, chewing on her bone. These are Sounds that she couldn't hear before. It has also given her a huge gift in being a more present part of the singles group at CSPC because she can hear what is being said now!
We are so thankful that God has provided this HUGE blessing for her!

We serve a God who is so eager for us to LISTEN to Him! I am thankful our family is learning more about hearing and listening and ears open to His plans (not our own)!

2008-10-14T11:04:00.000-07:00

Our new storage barn for all the Kelly family "garage items" was delivered
in late September to prepare for the start of the apartment for Anne.

Packing, Moving & Cleaning out Anne's rental home was completed in the final
6 days of September.
We are so thankful for so many prayers
and help from Matt Casada,
Christine Davis, Ginny, Megan & Nathan Kitner,
as well as Taylor, Trent and Trey Kelly!

"The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous." Proverbs 15:29
Because of the righteousness of Christ, God is bending down and hearing our prayers.
Because Jesus is interceding for us, and the Spirit is interpreting our groans, we are confident that our prayers are being heard by our God!

2008-10-14T10:53:00.000-07:00

As we move toward a start time for construction next week, I continue to ponder what Scripture says about God's heart for widows. As a senior at Bryan College, I wrote a thesis paper on the church's call to care for widows. It is so compelling to continue to see how that call affects my own life in learning to serve and care beyond my own self absorption.

Last week while listening to Chris Tomlin's new CD, Hello Love, these lyrics were a strong call to what I believe God is up to in this season with our family and the men, women and children He has called to be a part of this "outpouring of His Love" to my mother, Anne.

When our hope is hard to find
And our faith is in decline
We need a cause to stand behind - LOVE
We all want the way it feels
Time it comes and time it steals
What remains, what is real - LOVE

[Chorus:] There is love There is forgiveness
There is love in times of need
When life is cold there is a promise
You will never go without... There is love

It heals the sick
Comforts the weak
Breaks the proud
Raises the meek
In this life no guarantees...

Love is the answer
Love will find a way
When we love one another
It's a brighter day

The one guarantee that God has given us is that His agenda is to be WITH US. His name is Immanuel. Because He is Love incarnate - Love is the answer. I want to be a woman who keeps on saying HELLO LOVE and I want our family and our home to be open to the reality of the unfailing LOVE of God to sustain us!

2008-10-14T10:40:00.000-07:00

The LORD will tear down the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow.
- Proverbs 15:25
What a JOY that we serve this MIGHTY CARPENTER KING! He is establishing boundaries for Anne, a widow in need!!

In late September, he protected her as 2 men attempted to rob her on a Sunday afternoon in her rental home! We are so thankful that He has again protected her life! Our family moved rapidly to care for her and get her into a more secure place immediately. Although we had not planned on moving her out of her home until her apartment at STORY COTTAGE was finished, God had other plans.

Rhonda Turner, my sister-in-law hosted my mom for a week while Damon and I packed, moved and cleaned my mother's rental home. We are temporarily hosting my mother in a twin bed sharing a room with our youngest son, Trey.

God is using the CK Construction group under the leadership of Sid Kemp, to turn our garage into an efficiency apartment for my mother.

Many of you are praying and giving and supporting us through this endeavor and we are overwhelmed with gratitude! We wanted to have a place where we can "Remember & Tell" all that God is up to and all the ways He is providing and establishing boundaries for Anne Johnson.

2008-10-14T10:16:00.000-07:00

"For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt. Fear the LORD your God and serve him." - Deuteronomy 10:17-20a

Over 23 years ago, God began giving me a glimpse of what it means for Him to be a defender of the cause of the fatherless and the widow, when my father, Jimmy Johnson, died of Lymphoma cancer at 49 years old. Over the last 2 decades I have watched God providing for and directing my own steps as well as my mother's, widowed in her 40's, in amazing ways. During these last 2 decades I have seen the way scripture calls me to care for my mother as one of the highest calls to serve the Lord.

In 2003 when my family moved back to Knoxville, TN, after being away for 5 years, God also called my mother, Anne Johnson, to leave Dallas, TX , and move to Knoxville. At that time she lived with us, temporarily, for what ended up being 1 1/2 years. In late 2004, God provided a small rental home for her and she lived there until late September of 2008.

During 2008, God has been leading our family to care for my mother as she has been diagnosed with a condition called Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH). In late July, her neurosurgeon let us know that she would need assisted care for the rest of her life. Damon and I made a decision at that time to open up our home, named STORY COTTAGE, to make room for my mother to permanently live with us.

As we prayed and considered this call to "defend the cause of the widow" we knew that God would stretch us all in many ways. We knew that it was an impossible task that God would have to equip us for. We knew that we didn't have the financial resources that it would require. We knew that God would have to raise up intercessors for our family.

We are seeing God do all these things!

We are thankful that we are getting to experience firsthand what James declares in chapter 1 verse 27: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

2008-10-14T10:11:00.000-07:00

Thank you for being a part of the BIG STORY that God is telling about Himself at STORY COTTAGE!