Raven

I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them.

Isaiah 42:16

That is the very first thing that came into my head when Raven was diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis. That was about 7 years, 2 braces and many many Dr appointments ago. Most of you have known our story. I have asked you many times to put her (and us) in your prayers and on prayer lists and so on. Well I'm asking again.

On June 7th we went in for our regular 6-month appointment with Dr Madigan. Even though I noticed that her back had changed a bit, and I noticed she has grown a bit taller I expected it to go like every other appointment. I expected him to come in, tell us to continue wearing the brace, like she has, and go on about our business. But when they asked us to do our 2nd and 3rd x-ray, I then kinda knew what was next. surgery. (No I didn't make a mistake. I know I typed that with a lower case. It doesn't deserve a capital letter.) Dr Madigan had always told us from the beginning that it was a 50/50 shot. Raven has 3 curves in her spine. They are measured by the degree of the curve. The top curve only changed by 1 degree. 25 to 26. The middle and the bottom is where we ran into problems. The middle went from a 30 to 44 and the bottom went from 21 to 41. We knew once she crossed 40 degrees the brace would no longer work. So thats where we are now.

Here is what we know.

Her surgery is scheduled for the end of September. There will be 2 surgeons working on her while a neurologist will monitor her spinal cord at all times. The surgery will consist of her getting 3 vertebrae fused together with a bone from her hip. There will also be 2 metal rods and a few screws attached to her spine to keep the fusion area stable and stationary. She will be in the hospital anywhere from 3-5 days and out of school for 6 weeks, but FULLY HEALED in 6 months. **Praises God** The one thing that she loves about this whole thing is she will *instantly* grow 2 inches! She is almost as tall as me and I'm sure this is what she will need to put her over the top.

I know God is with us.

He says it in his word.

Joshua 1:5 says

".....as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you."

I know this is going to be a journey for us. But with promises like that, I know we will not only get through this, but it will strengthen us as a family. This is where YOU come in.

I am asking that you Pray for my daughter Raven, and that you pray for us, her family. Please feel free to add her to your prayer lists, pass her name and story off to any prayer warriors, churches, pastors etc. Next, I ask that you comment down below and let us know you are in agreement with us on this. I would love to show Raven all the people that care about her and that is praying for her.

I do want to end this post with a thankful heart. I Thank God for the comfort of his word, and for giving us Jesus, I thank God for Raven and my girls and hubby, I thank God that she has insurance and that we live in a country where medical care is available and ready, and that she has a doctor the really cared bout her well being and only sends his patients see the best of the best doctors. *Special thanks to Dr. Madigan* I am very thankful that once this is all over, its over. No more dr appts, follow-ups and my baby girl can go back to her regular self. I thank God for a job that understands, and lastly a family that is willing to step up and help us, and friends that are taking there own personal time to support me while she is in surgery.

OK I am now closing before I turn this into a novel. Thanks so much for your prayers. I will post any updates about Raven here as it gets closer and after surgery.

Take care and God bless,

Chasity

Thats how I made it thru...

When I went to church on Sunday, I took my bible. We went back to our old church RCI and I knew Pastor King would have us turning this pages like leaves blowing on a crisp autumn day. I picked it up and dusted it off, *Yes, I said dusted it off* and took it with me. Once I got to church and opened it, it was like I had opened a time capsule that had been closed up since 2007, date to be opened: unknown. 2007 was the worst year of my life. I can say this without a shadow of a doubt. I look back now and wonder how I made it thru. I got so angry at the world, and at God for the things that happened to me. I mean since I was a church goer and a Christian..I didn't understand what was happening to me.(Just a back ground, My hubby lost his job without warning, my 17 year-old brother drown, a month later we lost our house (due to the job), and soon after there was some martial problems that caused a separation.) As I sat in church I wondered. How could I turn my back on my most valued resource? How can I turn my back on Jesus? and yet I realized even though I acted like a child, throwing a temper tantrum stomping off to my bedroom slamming door shut and locking myself in, I realized God never turned his back on me. He sat and waited until I was ready to come out and show my face again, once my tears were dry and I stopped feeling sorry for myself. He was there. He heard the door unlock and when the door opened he was standing there with open arms. Just like a Father. *That's how I made it thru* His Grace **That's how I made it thru** His Blood ***That's how I made it thru*** his protection ****That's how I made it thru*** and most of all...his Love. *****THAT'S HOW I MADE IT THRU!!!!!*****

It is now 2011. I feel like my heart is healing and I feel God with me everyday, I have a new Home the Lord has blessed me with that is bigger and nicer then the one I lost, My hubby and I are back together we are still working on our marriage, we have come along way with still a ways to go. But I can feel God rebuilding me. Its the greatest feeling, I still stumble but I know that God is there for me when ever I need Him, all I have to do is close my eyes and I can feel his loving arms around me, comforting me, and for that I'm forever grateful.

Why I work a 2nd job...

Crafting loot! Simply put. My hubby always tells me that I dont need the 2nd job, but my response is always I need more stuff...he doesnt understand I am trying to build a major crafting empire in my lovely art/craft room. Yeah, I orginally got the job for the brushes, canvas' and painting supplies but since starting there in March my world has been flipped upside down with the card making and paper crafts that are available, not to even mention the Cricut...It sends goosebumbs up and down my spine just thinking about it. I have yet to purchase one art supply. How can I pass up the chance to buy a pack of clear Inkadinkado stamps that are regular $10.59 for $2.11. (I also used a 50% coupon and bought a pink and green tape gun for $7!) It leaves me wrenching my hand while bellowing that evil laugh we all know as the mastermind contemplates taking over the world...baahaawaaaa!!

Hello!

Im new to this so dont expect anything great...yet! Once I figure this thing out expect greatness. :) No really, if anybody can help me please give me a shout.