Mandy's Lesson 6 - We are all a work in progress.

      Mandy does not look anything like this picture right now, but I am praying that I will get to see this bright and smiling face again soon. This picture makes me think about how God has a picture in His head of the woman that He wants me to grow into.  I am making very slow progress (just like Mandy) most of the time, but at least I am striving to move forward. It is hard to be patient, especially in times of uncertainty.  However, I am thankful for God's patience with me, and I know He won't stop helping me or Mandy grow until He has reached His finished product. We are all works of art in progress, in the hands of a loving and wonderful artist.
      Although Mandy will always be my #1 role model and I will continue to learn from her and this situation, after today I am going to return to my regular blogging.  Mandy loves that I desire to encourage and equip other moms, and she really does not like to be the center of attention.  However, if you want to keep up with her progress, see the caring bridge website: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mandywhite. Thank you for your continued prayers for our family.
       Is God molding you in a certain area?  What has He been teaching you lately? What do you think we can learn from Mandy's life and this situation? 

Mandy's Lesson 5 - Mom sets the Mood

       When people are sick or dying everyone always talks about how amazing they are like they could do no wrong.  Well Mandy is not perfect, but it is actually hard to find anything negative to say about her (and I am ashamed to say that I usually have no problem at all thinking of negative things to say about people).  All I could come up with for Mandy is that she is sometimes a little cranky in the morning time. So I am going to talk about mom moods today.
        We have quite a bit of moods in my house because there are four girls and only one boy.  I had not realized until yesterday that my girls were really feeling the emotional strain that I am currently going through.  They expressed feeling down, worried, and overwhelmed.  So I realized that my girls were mirroring my moods.  Not only do I need to do a better job of reassuring them and not neglect my family as add Mandy's family to my list of things to do, but I also need to trust God more in this situation so that I am not so worried and overwhelmed. He will not give me more than I can handle and He is holding Mandy's family in his hands.
      However, more than anything, that if my children are starting to really feel this crisis that we are in, then I can't imagine what Mandy's kids are feeling.  Although they seem to be doing all right and they have a huge support system, nothing can replace having a mom to set the mood in the house. Please pray for Mandy's sweet children by name - Hannah, Matthew, Michaela, Hali, Hope, Hudson, and Moriah (the two youngest are missing from this picture).  They miss their Mom, who is a joyful servant most of the day.
     What kind of mood are you setting in your house?  What are some ways that you have learned to trust God more to control your emotions?

Mandy's Lesson 4 - Take the High Road



Sleeping Baby Moriah (1month) and my daughter Summer (6)

        Exactly a week ago, Mandy was still her normal self (It is weird to think about that). She had about 100 things that needed to be taken care of before her surgery the next day, but her top priority was working out all the details necessary - talking to the Lactation consultants, doctors, pumping, researching drugs, etc. etc., - to make sure that baby Moriah would get all the breast milk that she needed.  I supplemented formula with all three of my girls, and they all turned out beautifully.  However, Mandy firmly believes that nursing is best for her baby, so she was not going to take the easy road. Unlike me, Mandy is willing to be inconvenienced for the best of others. Mandy is faithful to complete what she has started, to follow through with what she has promised.  There are times that it is acceptable and expected and even best for everyone to change your original plans, but I am inspired by Mandy to stay on the high road more often (even when it gets a bit bumpy) instead of turning around and taking the easy road like I normally do.
       Thank you for your prayers. Mandy is doing much better and on the long road to recovery.
        Have you taken the wrong road lately? How did you know it was time to turn around?

Mandy's Lesson 3 - "Uptown Problems"

      I can't remember exactly what I was worrying or complaining about today when my husband tried to bring me back to reality by telling me that I was having an "uptown problem". He then had to explain to me that an "uptown problem" is referring to something that is really not a very big deal, but is viewed as a problem by someone whose perspective is out of wack.  For example, if you were really upset that your seat warmer in your new Lexus did not warm your bum to just the right temperature - that would be an "uptown problem." What I have been learning this past week with my sister, Mandy, being in ICU, is that most of things that upset me daily are "uptown problems", and that I need to seek Christ to give me an eternal perspective for daily life.
      "Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to stop being so self-centered and focused on small daily issues that I miss the lives of those around me that need to be shown your love and your light right now in this dark world."
        Do you have any "uptown problems" that you want to confess? What helps you keep your eternal perspective?

Mandy's lesson 2 - Enjoy the Daily Grind!



Mandy and family (minus 1 month old Moriah)

       My sister, Mandy, continues to teach me things even when she is in a coma.  She had a rough weekend and so did we.  Her brain became so swollen after her brain tumor removal on Thursday, that they had to go back in and remove her skull cap and put her in an induced coma for 48 hours.  Normally, on Mondays, I feel a little down because my husband has to return to work, and I have to return to the "daily grind". This is not a good attitude, but one that I have to combat with the power of Scripture and positive perspective every week.  Life as a stay-at-home mom is very busy, very important, and can be very fun, but most people would not describe it as exciting. Hopefully, the next time I am craving more excitement in my life, I will remember this time in my life when I am just praying that Mandy and the rest of our family will be able return to the "daily grind."
      What are the things in your "daily grind" that may bother you when facing them daily, but you would really miss if you never got to experience them again? For example - my friend Elaine has a son who used to spill his milk everyday:).

Pillar Sister, live like there is no tomorrow!

         Today I just want to thank God for my oldest sister Mandy who honestly is one of the best and most amazing moms that I know. I like to think of her as my "Pillar Sister". Psalm 144: 12 says, "May our daughters be like corner pillars cut from the structure of a palace"- strong and beautiful. She is my inspiration, because on days when I think I don't know how I am going to be able to do everything, I look at her and know it is possible. Just yesterday a surgeon successfully removed a tumor from behind her left eye. Praise God! Through this whole ordeal, she continued to be the pillar of strength that she always is because of her constant reliance on Christ. Calmly and methodically she made arrangements for her 7 children - 5 of which she homeschools, and her one-month old baby girl whom she continues to nurse during her hospital stay in ICU! Let her life encourage you that you can be a "Pillar Sister". God can help you through anything big or small and help you love your husband and children like there is no tomorrow- everyday!

         Do you have a "Pillar Sister" (in the faith or in the actual family)? We would all love to hear about her.