We took him back to the doctor the other day, and they believe he has pneumonia.  Different medication was prescribed.  Philip has missed a few days of school as well.  Santhosh has also returned from India, with a high fever.  He was taken to the doctor, and was diagnosed with the flu.  The doctor was amazed that even before the official flu season began, he was diagnosed.  Well, the desire to be first in everything can sometimes go too far. 

So I am home this long weekend, destined to get everyone back on the road to recovery.  I love being home with my family.  I think that they may get tired of me.  After I ragged Philip for only drinking one jug of water today, he asked if I was going to work tomorrow.     Yes, I feel the love.   My sweet babies.  I cannot bear to see them sick.  

Thank you so much for your prayers on their behalf.  We want them well so that I can get more of the LWR updates.  God is faithful.  God bless you all!

Susan

His  radio commentary discussed  Corrie Ten Boom, a brave woman whose house was a safe refuge for the Jews during Hitler’s reign.  He mentioned that recently one of Corrie’s nephews who was a great speaker, had a speaking engagement  in Israel.  Sometime during his stay in Israel, he suffered a massive heart attack.  He was cared for by the cardiovascular surgeons in Israel.  One of them asked Corrie’s nephew if he was in any way related to the “Ten Booms” of Holland.  The nephew explained how his aunt had rescued and hid many of the Jewish people from Hitler’s regime.  The surgeon exclaimed that as a baby, he had been one of those victims rescued by Corrie Ten Boom.  How amazing that years later, the same person whose life was saved, now was saving the life of his rescuer.

Talk about goosebumps!  Mr. Stafford ended the commentary by saying we do not know what kind of a difference we are making in the lives of the children, but we do know that whatever bread is cast, it will return to us.  We know the verse “reap what you sow.”  I pray that we all would unabashedly sow into the lives of every child that we can.  It will never be in vain.  Pray that God would help you and me to do so.  May God use us all.

Because every child matters!

My roomate, Lovely, and myself prayed together over the city of Antigua.  Lovely has a great passion for the trafficked victims.  After spending our last day touring Antigua and seeing the people, and after reviewing what I had learned of the city’s trafficking problems, we came together to pray.

Prayer changes things.  The unanticipated theme of our mission trip was “Nothing is impossible with God.”  This was reaffirmed to us on many occasions throughout the trip, and even after we returned home.  I believe God is working already over our precious children in Antigua, Guatemala City, and Guatemala.  May God show us the way to rescue and restore young lives who are victimized in the country. 

Because every child matters!

What a long way we have come since 2000.  If I only knew then what I knew now, maybe my life would’ve been different.  Maybe I would have trusted God more.  Maybe I would have more faith.  I am not really sure.  I just am thankful to God for His mercy, and for second chances. 

We had our family over for supper, and I reminded Santhosh that Philip’s first birthday party was in our home also.  We had decorated the house and because it was his first birthday, Wal mart gave us a small special cake for the ‘baby.’  As the entire youth group and family gathered around to sing to baby Philip, he began to cry.  He refused to touch his special cake, as we wanted him to lick the icing or touch the cake.  He cried and refused to touch anything.   I began to cry myself as I remembered that day, and to think about where he is today.  How far he has come!!  He loves to eat almost anything now.  He is talking so much better now.  How great my God is.

Friends, I know you may also be struggling through a difficult time.  Remember He is in control.  Our God is faithful.  His purpose will be fulfilled.  Please pray that you fall into His perfect will for your life.  We love you so much and pray that God give you His perfect strength.  That strength will carry us on in our weakness.

Because every child matters!

susan

In the midst of struggles, pain, trials, tears and questions, I can only look to God and say, all my hope is in you!  Santhosh had given a message a few weeks ago on ‘ The God who saves.’   When we look at the struggles and pain and trials that we all go through,  there is only so much that we can physically do about those situations.  Yet when we  walk by faith, we will see the impossible and believe.

We must know that ‘I am limited in what I myself can do about this problem. ‘

 Only God can help me resolve it.  This is the God whom we serve. 

No matter what the situation is, dear friends, remember this God who we serve.  He has a plan and a purpose for each one’s life.  His purpose WILL prevail.  In spite of what our concern is for others or the trials we go through, God’s perfect will must be accomplished.  Submit yourself to God’s holy will, and trust Him.

Love you so much and God bless,

Susan

Those who “walk by faith” confide in revelation for authority. In fact, our faith and the revelation of God’s word are so connected in the Bible that sometimes the gospel message is referred to as “the faith” (Jude 3). After all, the only way to “walk by faith” is to walk as Scripture directs (Romans 10:17). Perhaps the most pointed statement of the supremacy of revelation to experience is in 2 Peter 1, where Peter says that he believed not only because of the great sight he beheld on
the Mount of Transfiguration, but also be cause of the “even surer prophetic word” (2 Peter 1:19, NASB marginal note).

How difficult it is to close the flesh and to hope in what we cannot see.  I was reminded of Abraham and the promise of Isaac and the blessing through Isaac that was divinely revealed to Abraham.  He waited years for Isaac, and then in the flesh thought the promise could be fulfilled with his own “help” in having Ishmael.  Of course, that is the easiest thing to believe.  Having Ishmael is also quicker, yet it happens through our own sight.  When actually, in walking by faith, we would trust God, and not rationalize a way for the promise to be fulfilled through our eyes.

Wow.  What a difficult concept to understand.  I have to admit I worry for Philip and his health, because of the condition of his spine.  Am I acting in faith?  Or am I crazy for not pushing for a spinal operation?  Is that a lack of faith in God, or is it God’s answer and I cannot accept it?  I truly believe that God will heal Philip’s spine.  There will never be a spinal fusion.  If our spine surgeon says he could never make Philip’s back completely straight, and that is impossible, then I have the Word that tells me the things that are impossible with men, are possible with God.  One of the first verses we ever  were strengthened with was from Genesis 12, “Is there anything too hard for the Lord?”

No.  There is nothing too hard for the Lord.

Press on!    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-YISm700Pc&feature=related

I hear those questions a lot.  I tell people that what we have been told is the treatment takes time.  The results also take time.  No, we have not seen any obvious changes to his back.  The previous x-rays did not show any obvious change in the degree of curvature, either. 

However, even when I cannot see the results, I am placing my faith in the One who helps me down this broken road that leads me to His will.  May His word be a lamp to your feet and a light on your path.

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/walk-by-faith-lyrics-jeremy-camp/56b76be25c3136079c8e56b76be25c3136079c8e-70022989359?q=youtube%20walk%20faith%20jeremy%20camp&FROM=LKVR5&GT1=LKVR5&FORM=LKVR14

God bless!

Philip and Santhosh interviewed with the Malayalam Manorama yesterday regarding his testimony and Love Without Reason.  However, the reporter failed to mention LWR, or the miraculous healing by God that took place to give Philip life.  Not the most informative or accurate article; however, it was not written by a Christian reporter, either.

Next on the agenda was an interview with PowerVision, an evangelical television broadcasting company in India.  Basically, the testimony that Philip and Santhosh shared would be broadcast throughout India!  God works in amazing ways.   May those who need to know that where there is no hope, Our God is a God of hope.  For those who need to be strengthened, may they find the joy of the Lord as their strength. 

Truly, as was explained to us ten years ago through the example in John 9, “this child was born this way, so that the works of the Lord could be made manifest through him.”  We praise God for His faithfulness.  May God give each of us the strength to endure all that comes our way.   May God also watch over our children, and continue to pray for the safety and protection of the children as was mentioned in the WORLD CUP blog.

Because every child matters

Susan

You can read some of the stories, one in particular from TIMES magazine, showing the increase in demand of sex trafficking during similar large sporting events.  According to one pimp in the article, (paraphrased) “I’m looking forward to making more money during World Cup.”  (by using innocent children and young people for perhaps fifty dollars or less, all of which goes straight to the pimp).  They may be assaulted twenty to thirty times a day.   Read the article . http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1952335,00.html

Maybe this will make you cry.  I hope you will.  I hope the news causes you to intercede on behalf of our future generation.

Please stand in the gap for South Africa.  Like Shared Hope’s Linda Smith says, ” If there were no demand, there would be no supply.”  Pray for rescue and restoration of the young lives.  There needs to be a Holy Spirit revolution in that place.  Let it begin with our prayer.

Because every child matters!

He does miss his siblings and “everybody else.”  We miss him supervising his siblings!   Sara has been out of school for one week, and I don’t think Caleb can handle it.  They need Philip to give them their time-outs!!

Keep watching for more updates on Philip.  Thank you again for your prayers and support!

Because every child matters,

Susan

He is an inspiration for me.  I couldn’t help but think of that song…”we are pressed but not crushed, persecuted, not abandoned….struck down, but not destroyed….we are blessed beyond the curse…for His Joy’s gonna be our strength….”   and we circle back to Psalms 30!!!

God is so good.  He knows your name.  He knows your prayer and your desire.  He sees each tear.  Keep trusting, keep worshipping, until the breakthrough….

God bless you!!

I think I could add a whole new book of Psalms, couldn’t you?  The things that happen in this world called “LIFE.”       The good thing is that weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

I prayed that Philip would be breathing well before he traveled to India.  I could not imagine him struggling and sitting up and rolling all over the seat in the plane, like he does at home in his bed.  Even with the CPAP machine, he was struggling.  Over the past two weeks, however, he has made significant improvement.  In the middle of the night, he would pull off his breathing mask, and for a little while, sleep normally.  I felt that he was improving.  His speech is also clearing a little bit, and is a little more easier to understand, as opposed to the way it was in March.  

Now, you could ask me, well, why not heal his back in the same manner?  That way he doesn’t even have to go to India.  You are right.  The thought did cross my mind, but I will not let it linger there.  God is God, and I am not.  I know He is Sovereign.   We learned in Sunday School, God can create “something out of nothing.”  That is the original translation of Genesis 1:1.   That was just mindblowing to me.  I praise God for his sovereignity and trust Him completely. 

He heard me, out of the depths.

God bless,

Susan

I’ve given mothers a lot of thought this past week. I have been a mother for ten years now!! God is faithful and I’m grateful for the honor. I visited the Memorial for the Unborn last week and couldn’t help but cry as I read various memorials by moms and dads who were grieving over the children they had aborted. I had to stop and say a prayer for those moms. Then there is a memorial for the babies who were miscarried. So many women desire to be moms, yet have been unsuccessful. I had to remember those “moms” too. And then there are those women yet to be mothers. Pray for them as well, in faith believing they will one day be mothers.

You women give a lot of influence and hold so much in your hands in your daily ministering to your children. Never for a moment think you are just a “mom” or just a “woman.” God has entrusted something so precious and unique to mothers. So much of a child’s future and destiny is powerfully tied to the mother of that child. Speak positive words of influence to your children. At every available opportunity, guide them and instruct them on the ways of our God. Most importantly, be an example, a model of Christ’s love for them while here on earth.

God bless you this mother’s day and everyday!
Because every child matters!

]]> http://susansblog.lovewithoutreason.org/?feed=rss2&p=145 0 http://susansblog.lovewithoutreason.org/?p=128 http://susansblog.lovewithoutreason.org/?p=128#comments Wed, 28 Apr 2010 21:34:32 +0000 Susan http://susansblog.lovewithoutreason.org/?p=128 On Saturday, April 24th, Philip joined with many in Chattanooga for the annual Walk for Life to benefit Choices Pregnancy Resource Center. I talked to him beforehand about how some babies are “born” before their time and die because the mom and dad are scared or don’t know how to handle a new baby. I reminded him that every life is valuable and the Bible teaches that children are a gift from God. So if he believes that he can participate in the walk. He agreed, even when I told him the walk was two miles.

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Last Saturday, he did apparently get fatigued about every half mile. He stopped for a rest break and a back massage. The young women who came from church to walk all encouraged him to keep on walking. (shout out to my scribblers!!). Philip encouraged himself saying “I’m not giving up, I’m going to walk!” And he continued until he completed the two mile walk!

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He was an inspiration for us. His simple understanding of the importance of life and how we all are children of God was invigorating. To have that kind of passion and pursuit for the sake of the children is something we adults MUST copy in our lives. We must rise and stand in the gap for our present and future generations.

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Because every child matters!

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Susan

Dear anonymous, God used you miraculously to affirm and confirm God’s work in LWR. God is in control, I am not. God is God, and I am not. So many things I do not understand, but in the “small” things, pray that we are faithful, and I know the Lord will open up greater doors.

Thank all of you for praying for Philip. His ENT physician seems to be in agreement that Philip is suffering from swelling of the glands on the back of the tongue (due to allergies in part). If he does not respond to the new treatment, then surgery may be required.

But I believe Philip will be just fine. I will expect the unexpected, but not in the expected way. God is in control, and this battle belongs to Him, not me!!

Because every child matters!
Susan