Happy Thanksgiving

We are so thankful this year for our little Ellie and for all of you! Thank you for your support and prayers.

Ellie continues to make little improvements that make us thankful each day. Lately she has been moving her tongue, puckering her lips, and moving her jaw up and down! It is amazing to watch, and we continue to work towards her being able to suck.

This is our Thanksgiving testimony that Adam shared at church:

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
(1 Thess 5:18)

During these past few months and as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches we can’t help but be reminded of this piece of God’s word. It has special significance for us because of the tragic start of Eleanor’s life. Consider how effortless it is to give thanks when life is good. We give thanks when we receive a promotion at work or receive a good grade on the test we took in our toughest class. But what about when circumstances do not go as planned, when providence covers the brightness and warmth of the sun. How does one give thanks for an unhealthy child? How is it humanly possible to give thanks when everything looks so grim? It is at that point we are challenged the most to give thanks and not curse. What we have learned is that we cannot give thanks on our own for such difficult things. That which God has asked of us he also provides in abundance. Like a skilled artisan he weaves thanksgiving in our hearts, patching and repairing what is worn and damaged. It is through Christ that we are able to give thanks in all circumstances. We can give thanks because he works faith, hope, and love in us, and we receive his peace.

As a family we have so much to be thankful for. The very fact that our daughter is home with us breathing on her own is enough. But our prayer has been during these past two months with Eleanor that God would be glorified in this circumstance. We are so thankful to witness that glory appearing around us each day. Many have shared with us that through Eleanor’s story their faith has been strengthened, lives have been changed, and hope has been renewed. What a joy it is for us to hear of the positive fruit God is working in others through this. Truly God can work through the weakest and frailest of us all and accomplish his good purpose.

Family, friends, and our church family have been so dear to us this year. Family and friends have been so selfless in their willingness to help. Even complete strangers have blessed us, leaving us staring at one another in shock. What a blessing Harvest Church has been to us since becoming members one year ago. We can now see God’s providential hand in bringing our family here to this church. The meals, the support, the prayers, and the time spent, have been such a blessing. At Harvest there is a genuine compassion for those in need and willingness to love broken people, which brings glory to God. We have been touched and have learned so much by experiencing this first hand. The kindness and support of all believers around us is something for which we are truly thankful to God.

Giving thanks in all circumstances is possible amidst frowning providences. We have found that the question of ”why is this happening?” needs to be tucked away for later, and we need to move forward in faith. The more appropriate question for our family now is, “God, how might you be glorified in this circumstance?” We are just beginning to learn and see that he will show us more than we can ever imagine. May God be glorified even in the darkest of times!