Monday, January 28, 2008

...CLOSER TO HOME....

Because Stephen was doing well with minimal oxygen he was moved back to the hospital where he was born...closer to home.

Kathyrn was at this hospital also and she assured me that she would visit him as often as she was able. It was still difficult for me to make frequent visits since we owned only one vehicle and the other children needed care. What a comfort her presence there meant to me...God brought this young woman also into MY life.

Over the next few months Kathyrn grew to truly love my son as she visited and held him in her own arms. A special bond was forming in not only our friendship but in the witness of the LORD all around her. She watched us with the other children surrounding his crib and enjoying our time as a Christian family.

Now two months old, I did not know that the doctors had sent him back to this hospital expecting him to die at any time.

A Social Worker had been assigned to us and when I met her...a pleasant American woman; I wondered what dealings we would have with her? She and I went to the cafeteria to chat over coffee. Small talk at first.Do I like the hospital and the care Stephen is receiving? Is there anything I need help in understanding? ...then came the words that she sincerely wanted to use to console me...

"You know, Stephen is a very special child"
(speaking in reference to his Down's Syndrome)

"Oh yes, he is very special...because he has never known sin."

"It is so wonderful to know the innocence of a child."


and once again...I was able to share MY TESTIMONY! What joy filled my heart. This moment I knew was of God. He had put this woman in my presence so that I might once again have this blessed opportunity...to share the Gospel...exactly why my husband and I came to Switzerland!

Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

In the midst of this trial...blessings flooded my heart. Assurance that GOD was using us, using this time in our life for His Glory. To manifest who He is! The God of true salvation.

9 comments:

Pam--in America said...

I can picture your stack of crowns in Heaven! Your story is a continuing witness even to this day.

HOPE said...

Oh Thank you so much Pam. Humbly...I pray any crown to lay at my Saviour's feet. AMEN.

Truly my prayer...is that...that this story would continue to honor and bring Praise to God for all he has done and continues to do in our lives and others.

Hugs to you...

Heather said...

Wow....that is tremendous! I love it when doors are thrown wide open :)

HOPE said...

Thank you again for visiting Heather.
Yes, it is brings such joy to a Christian's heart when it is so very obvious that he is the author of the moment!
God bless you and the doors that will open to you while being a military wife! Traveling here and there as a "missionary to the wives of men serving"!
Hugs...

TO BECOME said...

I am so thankful that you even in your time of distress kept the Lord front and foremost. Not many can do that at all times, I am not sure that I could have. Your faith is great. connie from Texas

HOPE said...

I'm sure you could, Connie.You have this faith as well. When the LORD has made it very clear that he is working in your life at that very time..there is a confindence in his care that indeed as the Bible says...gives a PEACE that passeth all understanding. Sometimes even passing our own understanding. I can only testify that the GRACE of God was indeed working in our lives to give us strength of faith at such a needed time.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3
Thanks for visiting Connie..it's a blessing to know you stopped by.

Liz said...

I love reading your stories. It's amazing to see how God was using you at this time. Thank you again for sharing.

HOPE said...

Thanks so much for visiting again Liz. It brings me much joy in knowing that this blesses you...and that it might strengthen you in your walk with the LORD, knowing his great DETAILED care for his own.
As we yeild to him...all things work for the good. Amen.
God bless you as you endeavor to serve faithfully.

HOPE said...

For good reading on our walk with the LORD and the appreciation of God's creation...please take a look at my daughter''s blog..Trails of a Hiker. You will be blessed. Her post about Trails of Thoughts is excellent regarding our limited time on earth.