The many blessings with miracles in my life this year

I just don't know where to start. I have so much to be thankful for this year. I know Thanksgiving is gone, but everyday I have something to be thankful for. So, the holidays aren't just occasions to say what we are thankful for or what blessings came our way. This is something that should be done everyday. Whether it's something someone did for us, what we did for someone else, what God did, a unexpected blessing that came our way, whatever it is, be gracious to give God the glory. Without Him, we would not have had those blessings and miracles.

Speaking of miracles. On November 23, 2009, my first grandchild was born. Allison Joyhannah Leigh Brown. Above is a picture of her a few hours after birth.(The one on the left) She was born a month early because she had hydrocephalus which means water on the brain. She had a couple of seizures and almost died twice after birth. A couple of days later, she developed jondis so the doctors put her under the lights. WELL....they kept her under there too long, and she got slightly burned. She developed a chest cold and did somewhat better after a few days. Then comes surgery when she was a week old. Doctors put a shunt in which went from her brain to her stomach. During this, she stopped breathing so she was put on a ventilator, went into a coma, then of course put back in the NEO NATAL unit in ICU. This was on a Monday. On the following Weds, the shunt did more work than what it should. It drained more fluid out than what it was producing causing her head to collapse. Boy she has been through so much. Now she is 3 weeks old and now the shunt (after yesterday, 12/14/09) is leaking. God will keep on healing this child. He has brought her this far and WILL continue to do so. (the pic on right is an updated pic of her)

Yesterday, my son was shot. I didn't know all the complete details but now he is ok and at home resting. The devil is just trying so hard to bring everyone down in my life that it is unreal. As soon as we give him that advantage and give up, then we are done. I don't know what caused the situation for my son to be shot, but to be honest, I really don't care. I do know he is fine and resting. That is all I care about. I'm glad he isn't laying on a gurney in a morgue in a funeral home or a hospital waiting on a family member to come there to identify his body. I love my kids regardless whether they live for the Lord or not. I have one that is and I am so grateful for that. (that's coming up in a few minutes) and 2 children that have strayed. I pray each and everyday that they all live for God and one day when this world is just a memory, we will all be together in Heaven rejoicing with the Lord and being one, big, happy family.

Jennifer, (which is my oldest) is a miracle child herself. She is 21 years of age and recently got married this year in April. When she was less than a year old she got real sick. She wasn't eating, mostly sleeping and I had no clue what was wrong. I took her to the local hospital and boy they were idiots. They sent her home with a big fever and said she had a head cold. Her dad and I was not satisfied with that. So, we took her to another hospital, they ran numerous tests on her and immediately put her in. They told us she had spinalmengidis. They also said if we were 2 hrs later, she would have died.She was in ICU for 10 days, hooked up to a heart monitor, wires, oxygen, you name it. I mean it looked bad. We did not leave that hospital until she did. The tests they did on her were like every hour on the hour, spinal taps, blood work, caths, I mean how many tests did they have to do? The doctors thought that she may have some brain damage or her sight be gone. Now, you can look at her and not tell she was even sick. She is my miracle child to this day. I love my beautiful daughter (inside joke) but yes she is beautiful. She has come a long way in the Lord. She and many others have prayed also for her husband to get into the church and find the truth. FINALLY it happened. On November 11, 2009 he got baptized in Jesus name and boy everyone was so happy...even her. Prayers were answered and it was taking alot of prayers, patience and dedication to make this happen. (pics will be posted)

My church family is somebody else I am thankful for. Gulf Coast Assembly of God in North Port, Florida is awesome. I know I have had some trials, made mistakes (of course no one is perfect) and going through some things right now, but they are ALWAYS there for me no matter whIat. Without them during some things, I would have gone crazy. I have become so involved in the church and I hope to continue to do so. I do it not for self gratification, I do it because its the work of God. I love Him and want to continue to do things for Him. He is what makes my days brighter, have more hope when I'm down and out, helps me put the devil in his place, and helps me bless other people when I'm able to do so.

So, after reading this, sit down when it's nice and quiet and list the things that you are truly thankful for. See also what you can do for someone else. If you know someone that is homebound, send a card or a phone call to brighten their day. Know someone that is in a resthome like a family member or friend? Go by and visit if you haven't in awhile. I'm sure they will enjoy the visit from you. You will be suprised just how much of a blessing this will bring to them.

God Bless You,

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm