Miracles October 22, 2009
My dad’s cancer is the main thing on my family’s mind these days. We’ve spent hours praying, talking, and wondering what the future holds. But at the same time, life rolls forward. Since I got here three weeks ago, the leaves have changed colors and the air has grown cooler. “Your belly is definitely getting bigger,” I hear from someone just about every other day. Sky is fifteen months now, and since we arrived she’s learned to repeat names and say her first full sentence – “I don’t know” – which she says like a teenager, making us all laugh every time.
The other day Adam and I took Sky over to my cousin Johanna’s house. She has a two-year-old named Beck and a nine-month-old named Ruby. My brother Hans and his wife Katy were there too, with nine-month-old Nicholas. The kids ran/crawled around in a chaotic mess, and we all marveled to think that a year from now, there will be three more babies in the mix (our baby boy, due in February, and Hans and Katy’s twins, due in April).
I have to be honest. I haven’t spent much time lately thinking about my pregnancy. When I stop and give it my full attention, I’m excited, but there’s been so much happening with my dad that my thoughts have been concentrated on my parents. But as I watched the kids play, I was struck by the simple thought that one of those children is my daughter. And when Katy talks about her pregnancy, I can participate firsthand because I’m pregnant too. Me. The girl with a major hormone imbalance and just one fallopian tube, which is supposedly blocked.
My dad is struggling and it’s difficult for us all. But the God who gave Adam and me two “impossible” pregnancies is the same God who holds my dad in his arms this very moment. Sometimes His miracles are tangible – answers to prayer that we get to hold and hug. And sometimes His miracles are so deep in a person’s soul that only God is truly aware of their extent. But they are no less miraculous than physical blessings. God is at work in the heart of each individual in my family, and He alone knows what is most important for each of us.
WOW….I have no words – you said it beautifully. Thank you for the reminder…
Great, true words, Linni. The photo took me back to when it was your mother and me crawling around in a mob of kiddies!
You all have great kids and I loved the time I got to spend with you last summer =)… And you putting your thought down on a great way so everyone understands, thank you!!
You have a great way of expressing the miracle of God. Kids and parents look great in the photo. Thank you for sharing….
Thanks for the pic! I so desperately wish I could be there in that mix of pure bliss! You made my day.
Beautifully worded, Linnea! How encouraging to realize that our great God of miracles is holding your father close, along with each one of you. I can’t wait for the day when we get to look back from His side of reality and see all that was really going on unseen by us in our lives. How we’ll marvel at His tender and faithful love.
Thank you for reminding us how children can/do respond when their parents are going through deep waters…they are their also.
Which of your brothers is in the background who looks so much like your dad?
This is great…I loved having you all over and marveling over our kids together. They are such blessings and bring such a spirit of joy into a room!
Wow Linni – brings me to tears – this is beautiful
Linni,
This is so beautiful and such a testament to your Godly perspective that in the midst of the darkness, you see the miracle in it all. I feel so blessed to call you my friend! Love you and praying for you!!
linnea,
this is such a special blog you have. i love reconnecting with you on here. I hope to speak to you soon. I pray for you and your family everyday.
Thinking of you
Nancy