Joel's Journey: one rose again......

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

one rose again......

I have mentioned this verse before but I can not help to share it again especially when I "see" Him comforting my heart as I still miss Joel. John 14:18, I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. I look forward to our roses blooming each year but especially the one rose bush that some friends gave us in memory of Joel. It has one bloom on it again this year. As I have been watching that rose unfold from a bud to a bursting beautiful flower, it reminds me that God still unfolds His purposes even after years are passed from such a trial. I think one of the most hopeful things this trial has brought to my heart is that because Joel is up in heaven, I think of heaven often, I think of what its like to be there, amongst heros of faith, but mostly I think of what will it actually be like to finally see Jesus face to face. By Joel being there, it reminds me that I am just a sojourner here and this is not my home! I am thankful for the one rose which stands alone on that bush, He comes to me through that piece of creation to comfort my heart.

I really haven't heard much from Caleb in Maryland, guess he's busy!! haha!!! I know there is lots to do and see there and I know he has the "best tour guide!!!" :)

I actually found the new vehicle in the parking lot today!! A BIG white van really sticks out and this Expedition blends in well with all the other cars, but I found it with no prob!! I am looking forward to my grocery day this week!!!

This weekend we have them scattering out in all different directions!!! Terry and Bethany are heading to a dairy goat show for the whole weekend!! Elijah, Micah and Daniel are going camping, and of course Caleb is not here, so that leaves me and Anna and a few littles! Maybe we'll find somewhere to go! Can't go too far, Hosanna is in charge of feeding the baby goats!

We finished all the Little House on the Prairie episodes on DVD. Nine seasons and then the Farwell episode. An estimate of about 180 hours. We have been watching them in the evenings for over 2 months. We watched all of them except one on season 7. For the most part they were all fine. I think it was good for our children to get a visual of how people lived in a different era and how their faith was demonstrated in the good times and the bad. Sooooo, like Jeremiah said, "maybe I can get into bed earlier now instead of like midnight!!"

I think this coming week is about the only week that nothing is on the calender until August! But that could change faster than I know! What do you all have planned for the summer???

1 comment:

Teena said...: hi. catching up. Seems God has me in a different direction and sometimes coming here and some other blogs... makes me long for the "old days" with littles and all. Our family of 6 children is thinning out... 3 graduates and 3 more still to go. I figured out the other day as this is our 20th yr of hsing ... I have 10 more if God's will... so 30 total. Wow. Makes me sad. just this year Wesley finally learned to read. So all of my children now have learned to read...

God has given me a new vision working with Compassion International (just as a volunteer, do not have to work outside the home). I do sometimes miss the old... but not much has changed.. it is a family thing and the kids love Compassion International too. Just different. Hope this makes sense.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog. Love reading about your family. Always thinking about Joel. How your testimony keeps his legacy alive. How others are reached by the testimony of Joel.

I love the one rose.

much love, Cindy.
Teena; May 21, 2011 at 8:19 PM

Post a Comment

Joel's Story

Joel, our 11th of 13 and a twin of Josiah, at age 3 was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer, on December 6th, 2006. Joel had three perfect years of health and he and Josiah celebrated their 3rd birthday Sept. 13th, 2006. The first of Oct. Joel started having unexplained fevers for a few days and would return to active play. After the fourth round of fevers we took him to our family Dr. which they said his iron was low, so we treated that for a few weeks and took him back only to have his hemo. showing lower than before. We were referred to a hematologists and saw him a few weeks with blood checks twice a week. At a visit on Dec. 4th we showed the Dr. the bumps, (which were tumors but we did not know at the time) on Joel's head and he was very concerned and we were told we needed to admit him immediately and start extensive tests the following day. Joel went through rigorous testing and then the dreaded results were given. Joel was at a stage IV the most extensive stage, but we were hopeful that the Lord would use the means of Chemotherapy treatments to restore Joel's body. Joel endured 8 1/2 days in the hospital, came home for Christmas, and returned for his second round of chemo Jan. 3, 2007. Joel had a seizure that night after midnight and went into a coma due to a tumor bleeding in his head area and causing his brain to swell. After tests the following days, the Dr. declared Joel "brain dead" and took us to court to force us to take Joel off life support, as we did not agree with the medical field's definition of death. Our family sought to stand with the scripture, "life is in the blood,"and until Joel's heart quit beating naturally, he was living. We were making arrangements to bring him home and on January 23, 2007 his little heart stopped beating and he went to be with the Lord Jesus in heaven. Our lives are changed forever. God is faithful in the midst of this trial and we look with great hope to be with him someday.