That Time of the Year

It is happening this weekend!
Unless you live in England...

Thousands will celebrate this. 

But I also remember those who are struggling to conceive. Those who are having to cope w multiple miscarriages. This will be a difficult weekend for them. I know because I was once like them.

The sense of hopelessness, sadness, and a lack of fulfilment. The pain of watching those dear to you get married after you, and are now either pregnant or holding lovely babies in their arms. Your own arms feel so very empty. It was worse for me when I was working as a midwife. I watched women giving newborns away for adoption. I saw women signing forms to consent for abortions... I felt the love and loss of the women as I grieved for their fruits.

It took a while. Finally, I got to a point where I could agree to be present at the birth of one of my best friend's baby. What joy. Three months prior I hated the sight of her. Her distended belly made me feel even more inadequate and I entertained unreasonable thoughts like "You did this just to spite me!"

It was a process. Finally I could say honestly that I was at peace with whatever God had in store for me. I had what I thought were promises of sons before I even got married. But God is sovereign. And I could enjoy going traveling with my husband at the drop of a hat.

It was a triumph! I could laugh at the enemy. I could celebrate, worship and adore God despite my circumstances. Who I was (and am) is defined by HIM and HIM alone! Hallelujah!

And then the Lord opened my womb.

He indeed works in mysterious ways.

While I dont feel the pain of the past, I remember the difficulties. While I no longer shed such tears, I shed them when I pray alongside and for those who do. 

You know who you are - Hannahs with wombs waiting to be filled by Samuels. Praying and standing with you at this time.

Instance of Inspiration

Who could blame her? She was probably tired. She was probably hungry too. Maybe she wasn't getting the attention she needed. So she got upset and refused to wear her shoes to go out. With the many people bustling about, lots of things to carry, I wondered if it was worth a show-down scene. 

So I offered to take a photo of her shoes. With her feet in them of course. 

She kept them on afterwards.....
And left with a huge grin.....
Thank You Holy Spirit....

Thankful!

It was two years ago when she told me about the pain.

I recall the shock upon discovery of the lump. What's more the size of it. I needed effort to keep a straight face and stay calm. 

Things moved swiftly and in less than a week, she is in the hospital, awaiting surgery to remove what we hope is large but benign lump. 

Two years ago she went in to the operating theatre. Two years ago when she came out, I sensed the person was different.  It was as if she changed. And so she did. For the better.

So thankful to the Lord for the way things worked out. Hallelujah!

Does She Know?

Foster son was home for a week. The week went by so quickly.

Before you knew it, he was due to fly off. He said his "Good bye be a good girl" and then got in the car to head for the airport. 

I came home and saw this. 

Do you think she understood?

Pressing On

It was time to build up for the national competition. Training began to intensify. Suddenly she has an injury. She seeks relief and tries to continue. 

She isn't the only one on the team having injuries. Oh dear!

Thankfully, a physiotherapist comes along and helps them out. 

She has a special strapping given to her. The physiotherapist teaches her how to put it on and how to rest and yet strengthen her leg.

When the team play they get the bronze, losing on point despite tying with the team which finally won the gold.

Glad that they pressed on with guidance!

Rallying Around

Amazing. I put one word out and the whole group rallies round. My former classmates did a relay specially for my Arrow and I. The only known "treatment" for dengue.

One collected papaya leaves. From her neighbour no less. Stripped the tree bare apparently.

Then it was specially delivered to another friend who put the leaves in a special wash.

From the wash to the special juicer. I have never seen anything like this before. Wow. No water added so pure juice comes out.

Behold the end product - special, pure, papaya juice. This goes into a cold pack because that's the way to make sure it lasts longer.

Then the passing on continues. It goes to yet another friend who then passes it to one more friend before it gets to me.

And all within a few hours. 

So that Arrow #1 can have this concoction which is supposed to help get the blood platelet levels up. 

Thankful. So thankful for this camaraderie... 

Unexpected Trip

It wasn't that long ago that I had made a trip across the South China Sea. I wasn't expecting to make another so soon. 

But conversations via text messages stirred something within me. I felt my first Arrow needed me and so I caught a flight. 

I arrived just in time to hear the results of his blood tests. He had dengue fever and was about to be admitted. Thankfully, the results were borderline high enough to be allowed to go home. 

So I travel back with him to nurse him. 

This was such what I envisaged - that he would not be admitted but that I would nurse him at his apartment. Somehow it felt the right thing to do. 

And so it was. The story continues....