Lindsay

For those of you who regularly read my blog, you may remember that a few months ago one of my good friends, Lindsay Lewis passed away. She left behind her now 2 year old son Brody, 1 year old Cash, and her husband Gabe. Gabe started a blog sharing stories about Lindsay, and the way the Lord was working in his life. Everytime I read it I get a new understanding of the depth of true love not only from a spouse, but from a God who loves us all unconditionally. The last post just really touched me- the power of God is truly amazing!
Please continue to pray for this wonderful family.

http://partofthemiracle.com/2012/01/31/you-never-did/

Heaven's New Angel

Lindsay Alice Lewis

1983-2011

*Pictured with her two baby boys, Brody & Cash*

Heaven received a beautiful new angel last Friday, my dear friend Lindsay Lewis. Lindsay was the sweetest friend anyone could ever have! She always went out of her way to make everyone feel comfortable, was a friend to all, never said a bad thing about anyone, and was one of those people who always found the positive in everything. She was one of my friends who even if we didn't talk for awhile, we could just pick right up like it had been no time at all. Lindsay shared in many of my special days- my wedding shower, baby shower, many Christmas parties through the years, and the list goes on and on. I was lucky enough to be able to share in her wedding day, and baby showers as well. The list of memories just keeps filling my mind, and I realize how lucky I am to have known such a special person.

Lindsay was hospitalized about a week and half ago with double pneumonia. The pneumonia quickly turned from bad to worse and developed into ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) and Lindsay had a very hard time breathing. She ended up developing an infection and passed away the same day. So many people have pneumonia and are just fine, why did this happen? It just seems like a bad dream, one you want to wake up from and hope that it isn't real. Lindsay was a devout christian, so we know she is in heaven and free from her pain. It just makes me realize how short life really is. And to love like you may never be here tomorrow, and to let your friends and family know how much they mean to you. God needed a special angel in heaven and Lindsay was the one he chose.

Lindsay leaves behind her husband Gabe, her high school sweetheart. She also has two precious baby boys, Brody (2-1/2 yrs old), and Cash (11 months old). Lindsay absolutely loved being a mommy and I know she loved her boys (and husband) with all of her being. Please keep this family in your prayers as they continue on with their lives. I cannot even imagine how hard this will continue to be for them as the days go on. They are truly blessed to have their angel, Lindsay, watching over them each step of the way.

I love you Lindsay, thanks for being an amazing friend and an inspiration for us all. God Bless you always, can't wait to see you again in heaven someday.

***A trust fund has been set up to help this family. If you are interested in contributing please let me know.***

Lindsay and I at my Baby Shower

Me, Courtney, and Lindsay at Courtney's Baby Shower

Girls night out!

My bridal shower

Me, Ashley, Liz, Lindsay and Valerie at Courtney & Zach's Wedding

Dancin' it up!

Answered Prayers

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead: but he laid his right hand on me and said, "Don't be afraid! Though I am the First and the Last, the Living One who dies, who is now alive forevermore, who has the keys of hell and death- don't be afraid! - Rev 1: 17-18

Well, what a weekend. On thursday after I ate lunch, I started to get a shooting pain in my abdomen again! PANCREATITUS- my first thought! Oh please no, not again, this can't be happening. I called my doctor and he had me up my steroids and only drink liquids and call in the morning. On friday I still felt sore, but felt better, so my dr wanted to only have liquids all weekend. I got labs drawn to see if I had pancreatitus, but since it was the weekend, I would have to wait until monday for results. I just "freaked", how could this happen, why, why me??
I prayed for God to heal my body completely!
I decided that if I did have it, we were flying to Mayo clinic this week to get answers, I just can't keep living like this and not knowing why!
The dr called yesterday morning, Labs were normal and I did NOT have pancreatitus! Praise the Lord!! So for now, I am enjoying every single bite of food that goes in my mouth since I hadn't eaten since Thursday.
I learned a big lesson here, do not be afraid, God has it all under control and will take care of each of us!
God bless you all!

Carson Family Update

Sorry, it has been a crazy last few weeks. Thank you all for your prayers- the healing power of God's grace is just amazing! I just wanted to update and thank everyone for the sweet notes, flowers, texts, and cards. I got out of the hospital last saturday and have been feeling great! Lets just say you never realize what a blessing good health is until you are sick! I followed up with a dr here in Austin last week and got some good news too. My condition is very rare (none of my drs in Dallas had seen a patient with it before), but the dr here has dealt with several patients with auto-immune pancreatitus so I think I am in good hands! For now I am just taking my steroids, feeling better, and enjoying time with my wonderful husband and sweet Crew! We are continuing to work with the drs to try to make sure this does not happen again! Oh, and since I could not eat for almost 2 weeks I am so glad to be able to eat again! No more sugar, candy, or sweet though. Pretty much just trying to eat only fruits, veggies and whole grains to nurish my pancreas. That poor sweet tooth has to go away- only Ensure (ha I feel like an oldie) can help a little with my sugar cravings!=)

Also, I did get out of the hospital the day BEFORE my birthday. Lets just say it was a birthday I will always cherish- one of great health! We just drove back to Austin and went to eat a healthy dinner at a little restaurant here in SoCo! I was thrilled to be able to eat. No cake this year- maybe that means I get 2 next year?

We spent the weekend watching football, relaxing, grilling out, and looking at a few houses. I think we may have decided to build a house. We found a plan, lot, and builder we LOVE, and the neighborhood is right by Lake Travis. We will keep you updated on what we decide!

On a side note, I was originally in the hospital for 5 days (then came home for 3 days and was readmitted for another 10 days), and got out on Crew's bday. We did have a celebration in Dallas the day I got out, so I will post pics soon (I took a ton so still editing and getting them in order). We pushed Crew's party back until next weekend so we are super excited to finally be able to celebrate too! Watch for pics soon! I feel like I have been planning his party for MONTHS so I am finally ready to see everything put together! Will update more soon!

Thank you all for your endless prayers! Love you!

Happy Anniversary

Happy 4 Year Anniversary!!!

4 years ago today!

Our anniversary celebration (papa was taking this pic) but he was here too!

Our family 4 years later!

Yum- Wish I could have tried this!=)

My mother in law made this adorable sign!

Crew had fun!

Four years ago today I married my best friend, and it has been a dream living our happily ever after! We welcomed our sweet son into the world last year, and this been a crazy year of trying our hardest to be the best parents we can be! Brett has been my side through thick and thin, through sickness and health (rough hospital stays), through adventures we didn't think possible (selling our house in 2 weeks and moving to Austin), and just through daily life! I couldn't have made it without him!!!

I am still in the hopsital, but lets just talk one minute about the power of prayer! I can feel all the power radiating from my prayer warriors! I know I could never have gotten to where I am without all of you! The last week has been really really rough, but my dr started me on steroids yesterday. It was a miracle in action- I got those steriods (IV drip) and not 30 minutes later I was up walking around (Side note- I hadn't been up in about 4 days and couldn't even walk 1/2 this floor)!! I got the second dose of steroids in the middle of the night and my dr came in this morning- my pancreatic enzymes were 60!!!! (60 is normal- mine were 700 when I got here). WHAT?? My dr is in complete shock, saying I am the craziest case he has ever seen. This may mean a trip to Mayo Clinic is in the works sometime! But, for now I started clear liquids, broth, jello and popsicles this afternoon and feel great! Lets just say with no food in over 3 weeks its a big step!!! What a huge anniversary present!!!

Our parents (and Brett's sweet Aunt Sandy) came up to visit tonight and we went down to eat dinner. We walked into the kitched at the hospital with a beautiful bouquest of happy Anniversary Balloons, and adorable sign, black and white checked tablecloths, and a huge table filled with Brett's favorite (since I can't eat)- good ol Rudy's BBQ. They also went to Zoe's and got his other favorite- Greek Salad! We had a wonderful dinner followed by a cookie cake for dessert! What a wonderful anniversay present- the perfect suprise! And lets just say, our parents are the absolute greatest in the world! There is no way we could have made it through this whole situation without Grancie and Grammy and Papa! Thank you all for being such an inspiration and help in our life, we love you!!!

P.S.- Sorry the post is AFTER my pics- my comp wont let me cut and paste in blogger- any suggestions?

Pancreatitus and Prayer

Well you guessed it, I am STILL in the hospital. I got out 2 saturdays ago- just in time to celerbate Crew's 1st bday! (I will post pics soon!) I felt fine, so we headed back to Austin on Sunday morning. Monday I started getting shooting pain in my abdomen again and went a saw in dr in Austin. Ok, bad choice- this dr was telling me to stay at home and eat whatever I want and just rest. Anyone who has had pancreatitus knows this is a big NO NO. Brett and I just didn't feel comfortable with the dr or the care we were given, so wednesday we drove back to Dallas and I as admitted yet again. This has been the roughest go around yet. The dr thinks this is from the same pancreatitus episode as last week, I just wasn't completly over it! I pretty much complelty rely on constant pain meds to make it through. Thanks to everyone for your wonderful texts, message, flowers, notes, etc. I know that the Lord is healing me from the inside out and this just takes some time. Please pray for knowledge of the drs to figure out how to treat me and my crazy case, for the pain to decrease, and for me to be able to eat again.

God has taught me a major lesson through all this, I sure do take my health forgranted. There are people who wake up in constant pain everday just trying to push through it to smile, sit up, walk around, or even hug the ones they love. This is all just normal to me so I didn't think much about it until you can't do those things. I have not been able to see Crew in 2 days (since I have had a fever), and it just makes me want to hug and kiss him non-stop! I just take my time with him forgranted! And my sweet husband has been by my side constantly through this while episode. One nurse made a comment no how sincere his love was - "in sickness and in health"- wow, I truely am blessed! And our parents, Brett and I can rest peacefully at night knowing that Crew is in the loving arms of his Grammy and Grancie! My dad also left an assignment in Lousiana today to be here by my side and help with Crew. Jeff came in this weekend to help with Crew, and John stopped on his way to Lubbock to give me a get well hug!

Lord thank you for such wonderful family, friends, and blessings! Please continue to heal me from the inside out and continue to put my trust in your healing power. Pray also for those who suffer and are in constant pain. May they find relief in your healing touch!

Prayer Request

I had posted last week about my old co-worker's 1-1/2 year old son, Walker Jack, who had cancer. He earned his angel wings yesterday morning. He is free from his pain and suffering and sitting at the feet of Jesus. Please continue to pray for his parents, Missy & Chad Rainey.

Playing with Angels

My heart is heavy today for my old co-worker's little boy Walker.
Walker was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor on Sept. 11, 2009 when he was only 6 months old. What an amazing christian family they are! And such inspiration on how to live our lives focused on the Lord and enjoy each and every day on earth.
May we all be so lucky to "play with angels."
Please keep the Rainey family in your prayers as they enjoy their time with their precious Walker Jack.
Thanks and God Bless!

www.caringbridge.org/visit/walkerrainey/journal