Count your blessings

I ventured on a road trip this weekend to Geneva Illinois to visit an old friend (she’s not old, just our friendship…24 years), with 4 kids in tow. I had my three chickadees and just for added adventure, I chauffeured a sweet 9-year-old Donavon, Donna’s nephew, as well. I know how much I love visiting with my nephews and niece, who live about 500 miles away, so I will continue to offer a ride to the sweet, kind, funny, and a bit ornery, little boy, as long as we’re making the trip, too. It’s always nice to visit with good friends that you don’t see often, and this weekend proved that fact, even more. Thanks, Donna, for the hospitality, laughs, and girl talk! Despite our slightly cranky little girls, we had a very enjoyable weekend!

After returning home last night, I quickly recognized a name that was listed as someone who was injured at the State Fair Grounds on Saturday night, in the terrible stage collapse incident. Immediately, my heart fell heavy. I quickly began thinking about her contagious smile, kind spirit, and sweet little daughter. I don’t know Andrea really well. In fact, we first met when I was waiting tables at a local restaurant. We quickly learned that we both had babies that were allergic to dairy, and immediately began sharing stories about the hassle of changing our diet, but how thankful we were that they were healthy otherwise. We saw each other about every week or so, either at the restaurant or at church, when her, her husband, and daughter attended with her parents. I’ll say it again…I don’t know her REALLY well. But, there’s something that connects mothers, especially ones that have children that share allergies! It was always so nice to hear that someone else was going through what we were going through with Gabe.

I do know that she’s a believer in the healing power of OUR AWESOME GOD. I also know that many people in her family share in this faith. So, please, if you have just a second, please ask that she be healed and her family be surrounded by His peace. I’m certain that she can’t wait to give her sweet little Lydia a big Mommy hug!

I’m including a link to a letter written by her brother, as well as a blog post from a friend of hers.

Update on Andrea, by her brother, Tyler

We love you, Andy

I sensored the details a bit and shared the situation with my kids. We sat on the floor in our living room and I explained to them that we needed to pray for Andrea and her family. My sweet hearted Gabe, was worried about Lydia. He knows her well because we often see her at story time at the Library with her Grandma and she is in his Sunday School Class. He wondered if we could send anything to her at the hospital so that she wouldn't be bored. "Cuz hospitals are boring, unless you go to one that has snacks." He also wanted to make sure that her Daddy was able to miss work so that he could take care of her. I assured him that Lydia has a lot of people surrounding her with love and providing her with everything else she needs. Nate asked to pray for her. "I know you can heal that little girl's Mom because you put a baby in my Mom's belly when I asked for one, and that's a lot harder."

My kids think God can do anything, and so do I! If you believe that, too, pray for Andrea, her family, and all of those injured on Saturday night!

I haven't been able to let my kids out of my sight today. I can't get enough of their hugs and kisses. I'm more patient with them than I've been in months, and I'm actually a little sad that Nate goes back to school tomorrow. I can't help but think of how quickly circumstances can change and how many blessings I have been given.

Now...go hug your babies and count YOUR blessings