Joel's Journey

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Friday, May 10, 2013

It's just plain hard to see them go!! But it has to take place! Children grow up into adults! Fact!! I'm especially moved with gratefulness to The Lord because for a time, a season, things were very tough in Daniels life. I didn't know what future he might have or if he would have one in this world. God has been so faithful to see Daniel through his depression and dark time that he walked through. For me, the mom, I was comparing that season that Daniel went through with Joel and his death and I have to say I felt more heartache with Daniel because I literally didn't know what to do except pray. With Joel it was over and I didn't necessarily have to "do" or "fix" something. It was done. So as we have come to the other side, we are very very grateful to The Lord and are super excited for so so many plans/opportunities that God is giving Daniel! Now, he lives passionately with lots of crazy ideas that he wants to do for The Lord! Some people are a bit skeptical! But hey, each one has a passion and his is music for Jesus!! I'm thrilled for him, his dreams his visions! So today, he is flying the skies back to Maryland to take on the world for Jesus!!

Monday, May 6, 2013

imagining....

There is not a day I don't think of Joel! Something reminds me of him every single day. Whether something in nature, the profile of Siah, a smell, a sound, something here in our house but every single time I hear the song "I can only imagine" instantly reminds me of Joel. I guess I have declared that "our song" while he is away. It makes me wonder and envision him doing marvelous things in heaven. Is he dancing today, falling on his little knees, is he chasing other little boys surrounded by His glory, is he shouting hallelujah with his little chubby arms raised and standing tall upon his tiptoes? I am sure I cry every time I hear it. I can only imagine.....

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

somedays...

I have to work really hard not to get bored! I run out of things to do! I don't really have a so called hobby that takes my time. I really like working on projects about our home, inside and out but that's not happening at this time. Soooo I have to find things that don't cost and basically have to do with staying here because I rarely have a vehicle. Such a sob story I know!! Somedays it's busy and full other days I twiddle my thumbs, and today was starting out as a thumb twiddling day! BUT I have been wanting to go on a pasture picnic with the children and today was lovely so we did!! We have many neat little places on our land! I love that about the country, it's just right out the door! Of course we had a few visitors....dogs, donkeys, cows but hey we didn't mind a few on-lookers!! I hope all we do on our farm will be a story book to tell their children one day.....

Monday, April 29, 2013

my day...

my day started off with walking with my friend Natalee around the Masonic temple in town. Then we switched gears and headed to our coffee date at Hoboken!! I had to drink water first and then after awhile I got cool down to have my hot drink!! Our topics ranged from kids, to cooking, to food, to fears, to grand children to children's future spouses, to school, to weight, to the crazy futures of our kids, to schedules, to summer, and
much more but I can't remember it all!!! It's never dull no matter how many times we have coffee!!

Then......since it was a most glorious sunny day, meaning I have to be outside in the 89 degree weather....sun time!!!

Then.....Natalee told me about this bread recipe and I made it today instead of waiting til June!!! Heheh!! Artisan bread! It was very good, but I'm not a big bread eater, but the fam loved it!!!!

Then.....it's time for coffee and my evening walk!

How's your day been!?!

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.