Sunday, October 13, 2013

I TOLD MY KIDS ABOUT MY BRAIN DAMAGE

A while ago, I wrote to my children about my brain damage and the effects it has on me.  I am just now receiving letters talking about that very letter.  The sweetest one I received last month from Daneisi, my newest correspondent in the Dominican Republic.  It was also my first letter from her.  Yesterday, I received a letter from Anabell, my now 15 year-old girl in Honduras.
Here is what is Daneisi's letter:
God bless you more!  How are you and your family?  As you have told me in the letters about your disabilities buy you know, sometimes I think really big is happening to me when as a fact is something very simple.  You know, I want to let you know that I am very happy that even with your disabilities you have such beautiful thinking, and you know, it does not matter what you might have, the Lord has allowed it and has given you the opportunity to be alive because He has something wonderful for you and He wants you to keep getting your goals.  I am sure God has much hope in you.  I thank you very much for trusting me and telling me about your life.  Here it is already summer and it is very hot, in a couple days I am going to the river, and i want to send you some pictures of the place as you told me you like the sea and the rivers and I want you to see some places of my country.  I will be praying for your health.  God bless you!

This still makes me cry.  I think she and I are going to be very close.  And this is just her first letter!  I haven't felt like this since I lost Fadeline (from Haiti, she left the project and wrote the longest, most informative letters) and Anongnard (from Thailand, her letters always made me smile, she even drew me a picture of a mouse on a birthday cake for my birthday; her project closed).  Those losses hurt me much worse than any of the others.  I had a special relationship with both girls.  And Daniesi is a gift from God (they all are, but this one especially).  Every time someone posted on here about Compassion needing more correspondents, I would always sign up for one more.  Each time, I prayed for a girl.  Each time, I got a boy.  Until Daniesi.  When I saw her, I knew she was the one I was praying for.  And, strangely, I have no desire to add any more.  I wonder if my family is complete.

Okay, onto Anabell's letter (have I mentioned I love this girl?):
Hello, appreciable sponsor (love that, by the way!)
I'm very happy to write you.  I have received all your letters and gifts that you have sent me and I like them very much. Thank you for being such a special friend.  I'm fine and I keep working very hard in my studies.  My family is also well and happy.  I think that Christmas is a very special time to share with the family and that is what we do.  Early in July I had a week off from school and I spent time with my mom because I only live with her and my sister. I didn't meet my father. I like to attend church because I learn many nice things and I also share with my friends.  I have never seen the snow, but I hope that one day I will be able to watch fall in the United States.  I have heard from your country and it is a developed country with big cities and that it is very pretty, maybe you want to tell me more about it.  I will pray for you.  I think of not as a disabled person but as somebody with special abilities.  I imagine that it must be difficult everything you are going through, but if God has not left you until now, I'm sure that He never will.  I hope that you pray for me and my country.  Honduras is a beautiful country but with lots of problems and only God can set us free.  Give my regards to your family.

Oh, my goodness, I just love that girl!  Just like Daneisi, Anabell and I have a special connection. I was meant to be her sponsor. 

Sunday, October 6, 2013

STRUGGLING TO ENDURE

STRUGGLING TO ENDURE


Philippians 3:14

I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

I do not have endurance.  When things get too hard, I tend to quit.  However, God is building endurance in me.  I have learned to endure through financial struggles, emotional healing, and through physical pain.  I must develop endurance to survive this life.

One of the hardest things to do is returning to school as an adult.  During this time of my life, I am sometimes tempted to give up.  I simply cannot succeed in school.  At least, not by my standards.  My grades prove otherwise.  However, I am committed to finishing it.

I keep in mind my goal, that this is what the Lord has called me to do.  I want to be in His will.  He is guiding me, and He will continue to sustain me.  Everything He has promised will one day (pretty soon I hope) come true.

I am going where He leads me.  And, one day, I will gain the prize that the Lord has promised me.

Are there times you feel like giving up?  Keep your eyes on the prize, the promise Jesus has given you.

Lord, sometimes I feel like giving up.  Sometimes, it is just too hard to continue.  Lord, fill me with Your assurance.  Lead me and sustain me.  In Your  name, Amen