Gratitude When It's Hard

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

   If "all circumstances" doesn't describe this past month, I do not know what does. We have had fun, we have been scared, we have seen fruit, and we have questioned a million things. I'm not gonna lie to you, some days it hasn't been very easy to be thankful, but many days this month it has been a challenge. Choosing thankfulness is an act of obedience, and it's not a simple one.

On November 1, Dean started urinating blood. Praise God, he as had no pain at all! After a few doctors' visits it was determined that he likely had a lacerated kidney and he was told to stay home and rest.

Dean's school allowed him to join his classes online. As a 9 year old little boy, he wasn't exactly excited about that, but he has made the most of it. It has been neat to get a glimpse into his classroom life via zoom!

After a month, and thinking he was pretty much all the way better, the blood came back. Living on an island has many perks, but access to specialized healthcare is not one of them. After asking God for wisdom, He sent three people to let us know that we need to take Dean back to the US to figure out what exactly is going on and how to treat it. Then our doctor here confirmed the exact same thing. Now we are in the midst of talking with the pediatric nephrology department at East Tennessee Children's Hospital and praying that God opens the exact doors that we need to walk through. 

Dean being essentially on bed rest for a month has had a profound effect on our day to day lives. One of us has to be home with him at all times, work is interrupted to help with what he needs, and Aaron has been running most ministry events on his own while I have had to miss them. We are tired, and we are ready for answers and for a plan!

While the stress of a sick kid has been woven through the month, there was still many beautiful and fun things as well! 

CCF had a lovely Worship & Bonfire night out at Major's Bay! What is better than singing worship songs while surrounded by God's creation?

Our friend, Blessed, played a SUPER fun saxophone concert! He is so talented, and the whole night was played out like a music student taking an exam in front of a strict professor. He played music from classical to country to 80's to now! 

Our CR leaders having been continuing to step up and teach the large group lessons! They are a huge blessing, and it's fun to watch God continue to grow them more and more.

Life Group has gotten so good, and it's so sweet, and we love these people so much! It's also Clover's favorite night of the week.

One of our favorite nights of the year is CCF Thanksgiving! We celebrate it on American Thanksgiving as a way to help students and expats far from home feel some love and connection. But we also use it as a chance to focus our hearts on the MANY things God has done in the last year that we can be thankful for, and to celebrate the anniversary of the church! We were shocked to have almost 60 people at the dinner!

So yes, this month has been stressful. And yes, it's been hard. BUT GOD has still been at work, still holding all things together. We would appreciate your prayers as our family navigates Dean's health care needs. Please pray for healing, and for wisdom, and for His peace.