February at Our House
The past few weeks have been cold and wintry. It was actually a welcome change at first, since last year we hardly had any snow at all. We rejoiced at the appearance of the fluffy white snow, and spent a great deal of time playing in it.
The first snow we had was actually like little balls of ice, and it didn’t stick together well. You couldn’t even make a snow angel in it! But we did manage to make this little snow person, and we let her wear this favorite scarf my mom made for me (made of sock yarn and so soft and cozy!).
After playing in the snow, we would come inside for some hot tea or cocoa. The children kept themselves busy by painting, drawing, reading, dressing up, playing dolls, cooking, and all kinds of other creative (and messy) pursuits.
We picked up a nasty sore throat around mid-January, and as it continued to develop and not go away, we were all puzzled about what it could be. And then I looked at my throat. My tonsils were covered with white streaks and there were red bumps in the back of my throat. Hmmm…that didn’t look good. I also noticed that my lymph nodes were extremely swollen and painful.
My daughter (who loves studying about health and medicine), suggested strep throat. Why had we never thought of it before? For some reason, it had never entered our minds. I guess because in the fifteen years of our marriage, we had never had strep throat here before. None of us.
So, I looked at everyone else’s throats, and all but two had the white-streaked tonsils and red bumps, too. By this time we had already been sick for weeks. Two of the children were pretty much well, and their throats looked fine. But the other five of us were still showing symptoms.
In the midst of all this, my husband was experiencing excruciating pain, and we couldn’t figure out what could be causing it. Finally, after much missed sleep and days full of discomfort, one night he said the pain was so bad that he was ready to go to the hospital. I sure didn’t want to go to the hospital at 1:00 in the morning, especially when we were getting sleet and ice. Oh, how I wanted to just stay in my warm bed and sleep! But I did end up driving him to the emergency room and staying there until after 3:00 AM! After x-rays, blood work, and Morphine in an IV, the doctor announced that he had a kidney stone.
(honey-butter popcorn balls)
They sent him home with a prescription for pain medication and told him to wait for it to pass. We stopped at Walmart on our way home for some needed supplies, and drove the thirty-minute drive home through the freezing rain. We didn’t get to bed until after 6 AM.
I thought all would be well now that he had seen a doctor, but it wasn’t to be. He continued to have the painful attacks, and the pain medication that was prescribed caused him to have difficulty breathing. He reached a point where he was in pain most of the time. So, he went to stay with his parents, where he would be closer to a hospital and urologist.
.
We were without our husband and daddy for a couple of nights and days. I was so incredibly tired from months of sickness and now here I was alone. Everything seemed gray and discouraging and dark.
My husband wasn’t even here for my birthday! He was at the emergency room again (in another city), with more prescription pain medication and more tests. I tried very hard to keep a positive attitude during the whole thing, but a lot of the time I just wanted this trial to end.
Around this time, I was sweeping the kitchen floor, asking God to help me not to despair. Begging Him to give me some hope and help me make it through this difficult time. Just then I looked down and saw a slip of paper with a Bible verse on it. It said, “Everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” -Matthew 7:8
Then I found another one, and it said, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” -Hebrews 4:16
As I continued sweeping, I found yet another one! It said, “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” -Psalm 37:5
A couple nights after this, I was cleaning up vomit (again!), after our three-year-old threw up in the middle of the night (not sure why), and I really felt like despairing. I was praying and asking God to help me. I looked down and saw another Bible verse, on our bedroom floor this time, and this one was, “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” -John 14:14
Now, before I give the impression that God was sending these little slips of paper down from the sky in response to my prayers, let me say that these were from a little Bible verse box my mom had brought over this summer, and Ezra found it and claimed it. They got scattered all over the place. But I hadn’t even noticed them until that night when I was asking God for help. His word does not return void, no matter how or where we find it. I was encouraged with the knowledge that none of this had escaped God’s notice, and that He was there, carrying me through this time.
On the day my husband came home from staying with his parents, I had to drive through rain, which turned into sleet and then snow, when I went to pick him up. When we got back home, a package had come in the mail for me from my sweet friend Sarah, and in it was this lovely cross-stitched verse and some of her beautiful handmade soap. It made me smile, and I was so encouraged by her thoughtfulness (thank you so much for thinking of me, Sarah!). Sarah and I share the same birthday, which I have always thought was very special. 🙂 Every time I look at this cross-stitch, I am reminded to rejoice always, even when it’s hard.
That same day I was so happy to receive some new Lamplighters in the mail, too! We have been building up our collection of these, slowly, over the past few years. Each one has been a blessing and an encouragement to keep the faith and live for Jesus. I have made it a goal to read as many of our Lamplighter books as possible this year. I tend to read mostly non-fiction books, so I have to challenge myself to read fiction, no matter how God-honoring it may be.
We were surprised to get more snow, this one bigger than the one before. One morning, we woke up to this beautiful sight:
We made snowmen and snow angels, fed the birds, and made snow ice cream for days! Now I think we’ve satisfied that longing for snow that we all were feeling, and we’re ready for spring once again.
So far I’ve been able to cross three books off my reading list for this year. Last week I finished Bruchko (my older daughter read it right after I did, and she finished it in a day!). I was so encouraged by missionary Bruce Olson’s commitment to spreading the gospel, no matter what the cost, and the way he continued to love and serve others despite his own loneliness and pain.
As I was reading Bruchko, I was struck by how similar Christian motherhood is to missions. We experience hardships, sorrows, pain, love, joy, and a desire to spread the gospel and nurture young Christians in their faith. It isn’t easy, but it’s so very worth it, and such a high calling!
I’m so thankful that my husband is feeling better now, and that we finally seem to be over the sickness we were dealing with for so long. Unfortunately, all this sickness has caused much disorder here. We’re farther behind than ever before, and we’re slowly working to get things back in order. I’ve been making a list of areas that need attention, and working on each area as I have time. It will probably take me quite a while to make it through everything, but there’s such a satisfying feeling in having things neat and orderly again. And even though it doesn’t stay that way for long, each time I organize an area, it makes it easier to clean and put things away the next time.
I’ve decided to try something new with my blog. I’m planning (Lord willing) to post the first week of each month (or around that time), and then take the rest of the month off. So, I’ll have a week of posting, with about three weeks of time away from this space. I’ve noticed that when I get away from the computer for longer periods of time, I’m able to really get into my homemaking so much better. I feel quieter inside, and I’m able to be more meditative while I work. Not to mention that I get more done! I’ll try it this month and then re-evaluate next month. I’m praying for wisdom and grace as a wife, mother, and homemaker.
“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” ~Proverbs 24:3-4
I loved this post, Joy! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your heart and all of the wonderful photos. I am glad you all got enough snow to enjoy! It looks like your children had a lot of fun out in it.
Are those Abby's paintings? She is so talented!! I really enjoyed seeing them.
It was encouraging to read how the Lord answered your prayers and specifically ministered to your heart through those scattered Bible verses. How great is His tender love and care for us! I am so glad that you all are prayerfully seeing the 'light at the end of the tunnel', and hope that sickness will be able to be put behind you.
It made me smile to see the photo with the cross-stitch and soap! I am glad that you like them and that the cross-stitch could be an encouraging reminder to you. And what a blessing to be able to get more Lamplighters! I have read Amy and Her Brothers and Little Threads before and really liked them. They are wonderful for children!
Thank you again for sharing, Joy, and I pray that your March will be one full of refreshment and rest in the Lord!
Thank you so much for this sweet comment, Sarah! I'm a little late responding to it! 🙂
Yes, those are Abby's paintings. She LOVES to paint!
We're so thankful that we've had a week or two (I've lost track of the days!) without sickness! Hoping and praying it stays that way.
And yes, I love the cross-stitch and soap you sent me–thank you again!