Day 188 Painful Preparation

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12-13

Sometimes it is difficult to understand the things that happen in our lives.

Why are there hurting people?

Why are babies born with disabilities?

Why is there sickness and disease?

Why didn't you get that job?

Why were you chosen in the lay off?

The "Whys" can drive one crazy.

When our son Gabe was born with multiple congenital birth defects the "why" questions swirled through my mind like a tornado.

I learned from a letter I received from my friend Dianne Bratz that it really is best to trust and give my "why" questions to the one who replies "Be still and know that I am God."

I realized early on that God gives me the grace to handle everything that comes my way. I may not understand why it is so but I receive the mercy and grace from God to handle it. He gets me through every trial.

I can't do it on my own.

I think back through the past twenty years of raising our Gabriel. I know that everything that has happened in my life has been used by God as preparation for the work He has laid before me.

Our nonprofit ministry – Gabriel's Foundation of HOPE - to families dealing with disability would not have been created if not for our personal experience with disability. I learned from my mom's disability that resulted from a high school accident. I learned from my brother Bob who was born 70% deaf. I've grown up with a compassionate heart for those who suffer. My own suffering is helping others through my ministry and my writing.

http://www.gabeshope.org/

I pray today that you will let God use the fiery trial you face as preparation for the work He has in store for you to serve others through your story.

I pray today that we will bring Glory to Christ as we choose to seek Him for the grace to carry on. He'll give you the power to overcome the trials as you trust and obey.

God Bless your heart with a vision of how God will use you to help someone who may benefit from your life story.

Gigi

http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

The theme for this blog came from the July 7 entry in the God Calling book by AJ Russell.

Day 79 Help from Everywhere

I delight to do your will, O my God. Psalm 40:8

Cease to function except through God's will.

Why not just obey God? Do it in the same way as you expect to see an employee carry out the duties you assign them.

I wonder what would happen if God showed up as the undercover boss? Would He find you a valued employee?

If the only choice you allow yourself is God's choice then life is smooth. It's when we choose our own selfish way that the road gets rough and we meet with consequences of our choices.

God will use people in our lives to supply us with everything we need.

He will bring delight when you operate in His will. He sends help whenever we need it to help us carry out His will.

God Bless Your Heart,

Gigi

This blog post idea came from the March 20^th devotional in the God calling book.

A shout out today on March 20^th to my beautiful niece Sara Devine Pepin who celebrates her birthday today! Happy Birthday Sara!  We were at the Northwest Ministry Conference all day enjoying getting to know some of the other ministries.  There is a deep need for what we are doing so it was good.

Summer Fun

Today is July 11th. I can't believe it. Someone told me that if you walk in to a 7-11 Store at 7-11 on July 11th you get a free Slurpee. I don't really like Slurpee so I'm not even sure I care. But maybe you could try it?

Kanale and Megan Rhoden will remember this day for the rest of their lives. They got married today in a beautiful ceremony at St. Catherine's Church in Seattle. Megan looked beautiful in her beaded flowing gown. Her hair was pulled up behind a crown with a veil tucked under her curls. The beautiful red roses in her bouquet created a nice contrast. Kana wore a black tux and looked very handsome. Liam was adorable in his little vest. Congratulations Kana and Megan!

It was nice to see Zane and Kelsey today. They zipped in for the wedding. They are spending the evening sailing with Tom and Dana and then they'll leave early tomorrow morning. They have been married one month tomorrow. This summer is flying by already!

Our 4th of July was lots of fun at Georgetown Lake where we participated in the annual 4th of July parade. This year my family created a theme "You can take the kid out of Anaconda but you'll never take Anaconda out of the kid". My sister Kathy and brother-in-law Denny created a big stack and had it smoking by using dry ice. Kathy dressed as Sister "Can't StandYa". Denny came as Bill Hill - former Parks and Rec director. Denny was the hit of the parade. Judy came as The Kennedy Commons. Marilyn was an Anaconda bar fly.

Since my family headed to Montana as a last minute decision, we were not prepared for the parade so Steve and I wore signs that read. "P-burg guy looking for Anaconda girl." Mine of course read "Anaconda girl looking for P-burg guy." Our son Gabe wore a sign on his wheelchair that read "P-burg guy found Anaconda girl." Not very creative but it worked.

The full moon over Georgetown Lake was amazing as dark clouds hid it for awhile during our fireworks show. Then it slowly poked out and sent light across the water. The rockets red glare of the fireworks sparkled in the sky. As the smoke cleared the big dipper was shining brightly above our heads. Everyone was snuggled around the camp fire because the Montana summer evening air was cool. I love Montana in the summer!

This will be a very busy summer. I hope to get much writing done. In early August Gabe and I will be in Santa Rosa California at Canine Companions to pick up his guide dog. We are very excited. We are looking for a new van for the trip. I'm still in sticker shock as we contemplate the cost of this vehicle. Why does wheelchair accessible equipment have to cost so much? And it isn't covered by insurance! We're looking at over $130,000 if Gabe wants to be able to drive this van. We'll have to wait for that. In the mean time we'll get the standard wheelchair access van and that alone will cost over $50,000. Yikers. Donations anyone?

I know God will provide. I trust it will all work out. It always has. We are blessed. We are privileged to live in America where they make vans like this so we can easily transport Gabe's chair. We are blessed to be able to provide him with a wheelchair. So many are not so fortunate.

This is why we started Gabriel's Foundation of HOPE. Check out our website at http://www.gabeshope.org/ We are not able to use these funds to buy Gabe a van because he is our son, but the donations we receive are used to by OTHERS what they need because of their disability. You can donate on line so that we can help others. I think it's a great cause.

Enough said on this 7-11 day. Have a fun summer.