When God Makes You Wait

   For many of us the waiting room is not a pleasant place to be, we grow impatient, aggravated, annoyed, all the above, but maybe we are here because it's exactly where we are supposed to be. There is a purpose to all the waiting, sometimes we don't even know why but God has a purpose and He will move the mountain at His appointed time, He doesn't work on our schedule, His deadlines are not our deadlines. He is long suffering but one thing for sure is "He will never leave nor forsake us. "And we know that all things work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28. That's right,  not some things, not a few things, not most things but ALL things work together for our good.  
 
   Anyway, enough of my rambling, here a post on waiting that I did not write but am using with permission. It is my prayer that this will be a great blessing to your life that it was to mine.

When God makes you wait...

Written by: Anna Bachinsky

Jesus could have come and healed Lazarus when he was still alive.

Instead, He waited to raise him from the dead when he was already in his grave.

God could have made David become king the day after he was anointed.

Instead, He waited 15 years to rise to the throne, many of those years spent fearing for his life, hiding out and running away from his own father-in-law.

God could have spoken to Moses in the desert about sending him to help free His people from slavery 40 days after he ran away from Egypt.

Instead, He made him wait for 40 long years.

God could have gotten Joseph out of prison one year after he was sentenced there.

Instead, he was stuck in that dungeon for 10 years before he was finally set free.

God could have given Abraham the son He promised him when he was still a young man.

Instead, He waited until he was 100 years old and because of physical reasons would have a more difficult time conceiving at that age.

God could have answered prayers and met the needs of these men of God much quicker, but He didn’t.

He made them wait instead.

And He often makes us do the same.

He makes us wait for healing to come after we’ve been praying for years and there is no sign of recovery.

He makes us wait to fulfill His call in our lives after He puts the desire and passion in our hearts to serve Him in a certain way.

He makes us wait to give us the desires of our hearts, whether it’s a baby, a spouse, or a new job.

He makes us wait for direction when we are stuck at a dead end and we don’t know where to go or what to do.

He could answer that same prayer that you’ve been praying for years every night in a millisecond.

That same prayer that has been bringing you to tears.

That same prayer that the longer that it goes unanswered, the more it makes you question whether He even hears.

But He doesn’t.

He kept Moses in a desert for 40 years.

Joseph in a prison cell for 10 years.

Abraham without a child for 100 years.

David on the run for 15 years.

And maybe He is keeping you right where you’re at for the same reason He kept these men for so many years: to build your faith.

To build your faith in a dungeon cell, during the valley in your life where it’s too dark to see and too hard to believe.

To build your dependence on Him when you are barren and empty to see if He is truly all you desire and all you need.

To see how well you will trust and serve Him when you are still stuck in the background somewhere, doing seemingly nothing too significant for Him.

To build your trust in Him when the storm keeps raging, the battle keeps going and breakthrough and victory doesn’t seem near.

See… sometimes the waiting period of our lives is the most important time in our life.

It is during this period when nothing seems to be happening, when prayers seem to go unanswered, when God seems so far away that the most spiritual growth takes place in our lives. That we learn to become more like Him.

It is during this time that we build spiritual “muscle”.

That we grow in faith.

That we learn to only depend on Him.

What are you waiting for today?

What longing do you have that seems so far from ever being fulfilled?

What prayer do you keep on praying that seems to never reach God’s ears?

I want to remind you that God is not deaf to your prayers.

He is not blind to your constant tears, to your desires, and to your needs.

If He is making you wait, there is a very good reason for it.

If He is telling you “no” today, maybe it’s because He has a better “yes” waiting for you tomorrow.

If He is keeping you in the same place you’ve always been today, maybe it’s because He’s helping build your faith before you enter your Promised Land tomorrow.

If He is not healing you or bringing you victory today, maybe it’s because you will have a greater testimony when He waits to help you be an overcomer tomorrow.

Wherever you are at today know that God is right beside you and that there is a purpose for you. Even if that purpose is to wait.

Don’t give up just because you don’t see anything happening today.

Maybe there is nothing physically happening that your eyes can see but there is definitely something happening in the spiritual realm as you learn to rely on Christ.

Don’t allow your waiting period to make you hopeless about what tomorrow will bring.

Instead, let it build your faith and give you even greater hope for what God has prepared for you.

He made some of the greatest men of faith wait.

Don’t be discouraged if He makes you wait as well.

He will come through for you, just like He came through for them.

“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” – Psalm 27:14

Georgia is 5

   All the glory to God, we celebrated Georgia's 5th birthday this past weekend. First, I cannot believe I have a five year old...where has the time gone? I have been a mommy for 5 years, shut the door!!! This is a huge feat, I can remember a time not so long ago when I didn't even know if Georgia would make it to five, yet here we are and Georgia is seizure free to boot!

   We decided to forgo a birthday party this year because Georgia usually hates them anyway, too much noise, too many people, and too much stimulation. The four of us went to SeaWorld, I could not have had a more perfect weekend. The weather was beautiful, the crowds were minimal and the kids smiled, laughed, played and were really well behaved. Almost like divine intervention ;)

   At the breaking of Sunday I was so hopeful that Georgia would say something to me, anything to me, she did not but I do believe that the day is coming that she will talk to me. I am so thankful to be here in this place in my life. There is nothing I would change about my life. There is nothing more precious to me than two very happy children.

   God is still in the business of answering prayers, there is nothing too big or small that He will not answer. As I can attest, "Weeping may endure for a night BUT joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5 Dawn is breaking...

  Georgia loves her brother, even if she doesn't always appreciate His antics.

With a Thankful Heart

   "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Matthew 7:7-8 

    I know what I know; I know that the Lord is not finished with Georgia and that one day His miraculous work will be finished. I know this because I have had this confirmed for me by more than one person and at different points along the way with Georgia, usually when I'm at a low point. 

   

    I also know that God has me in the waiting room, I am waiting to see the physician for the word, waiting for the nurse to take my vital signs, I am just waiting. And I get impatient at times and get aggravated but I know that God has me in this holding spot for a good purpose because, "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28. 

   While I wait upon the Lord I will draw my strength from Him and lean on Him and learn from Him. One thing He has shown me lately is that I need to be thankful for all things, big and small. 

   So for this Thanksgiving post I would like to tell you all that I am thankful for,

1. Jesus Christ who died to give me salvation when I did not deserve it.

2. Allowing me to be Georgia's mom, which has brought me closer to the Lord and given me a stronger walk in faith.

3. My husband and children.

4. Our home and all the material possessions that make life easier.

5. My family

6. Sean's family

7. Our church family and pastor who is the epitome of what a good Shepard is.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Mountain of Laundry

  "Draw nigh to me and I will draw nigh to you." James 4:8 

   Sometimes God uses the strangest things to speak to us. I had a mountain of laundry to fold yesterday and let me tell you it was enormous, I would like to you to believe that I never let laundry get out of control but that wouldn't be truthful. This time it wasn't entirely my fault but that's another tale for another time. I was sitting there, looking at this huge pile and thinking to myself, I just gotta do it, no way around it. So I started folding, one piece at a time. God has given me two arms, two hands,and the sense to do it. So I could wish the laundry away or I could simply start folding and watch the laundry sort into smaller piles meant to be put away.

   I said that to say this, God has given me to the tools;  take Georgia to therapy, make sure she is getting the best education that she can, involve her in activities outside of the home, and take her to doctor appointments and ever so slowly the mountain will shrink in size.

   This mountain that I am climbing won't always be here, soon I will look around and see smaller hills. I see how far we have come and I know one day we will this as small speed bumps put in our path to grow our faith.

What is your mountain of laundry???

Playing in the Mud Puddles

   My goodness! So much has happened since my last post. Georgia has blossomed into a beautiful, active, seizure-free 4 year old. I was unsure of how this first year post-op would go, a little nervous if you will. She is very vocal when she doesn't want to do something or be bothered, she follows me around saying "ma ma, ma ma, (not quite mama yet but making progress). She watches her brother and laughs and giggles. She does this hoppy, dancey thing where she taps around in her shoes, she loves to do this around the house. For Christmas we decided to get her a floor piano (never too early to start thinking about gifts :)) I know she is going to be over the moon for this gift because it plays music and she can dance on it. A good way to learn cause and effect too.

   The McCauley household has been so busy! With two very active children, watching my niece 4 days a week, Georgia in school and therapy and Mommy starting a new business, it can be very hectic. But it is great being busy, I would much rather have too much to do than too little. After all an idle mind is the devil's playground.

   Our quality of life has improved exponentially now that Georgia is doing well. I had an epiphany this past weekend, it has been one whole year and Georgia has not been in the hospital at all, this has not happened since her birth. I almost cannot believe it. It is almost as if God has breathed life into our family, I was talking to Georgia's therapist and you really don't realize how bad things are because it's the life you have gotten used to, but now it's like I said, new life. We make plans and we get to enjoy those plans because Georgia is able to enjoy the things we are doing. It's fabulous!!!

The last time it rained hard here I captured these pictures of Georgia playing in the mud puddles. It's the most precious thing ever!!

Good things come to those who wait. Praising God every step of the way. 

One Year Later

   One year has passed since Georgia's surgery, can you believe that? One year!! A lot has happened since my last posting, we had our Disney trip, Georgia got fitted for a leg brace and she started a new therapy, Constraint Induced Movement Therapy.
  First, our Disney trip was amazing. Words cannot begin to describe the trip and the Give Kids the World Village.Georgia had the best time, I believe we could not have taken this trip at a better time. She loved riding on the carousel, the big jacuzzi tub, her big girl room with a nice bouncy bed. The food was great,  the parties spectacular, everything!
   When we got home it was back to our "normal" life, therapy, waking up early, mommy having to cook the meals and keep a clean house. It was hard to adjust after being spoiled for an entire week. Georgia got fitted for her leg brace which her physical therapist thinks will only be temporary and Georgia also got fitted for a cast that she has to wear on her good arm. It is kind of a cool concept, we cast the left arm (which she primarily uses) to induce functional movement from the ride side. So far she is making good strides and I believe she will regain at least some usage from that ride side. But in no way am I limiting what God can still do. Her new leg brace is nice, it keeps her hips more forward and she no longer kind of drags her right leg. It is nice to see her walking more evenly. Her physical therapist is really pleased with all the progress that Georgia is making, as are we.
   Yesterday, we celebrated Georgia's one year post-op. We took her to eat at TGIFridays and then to Cold Stone for a yummy treat. We feel so blessed to be here, we always hoped but could never be sure we would be. God is so good and if you do not believe we serve a Living God you need to look no further than my beautiful, precious daughter.
   As I get ready to celebrate Mother's Day tomorrow I cannot help but reflect on last year, sitting in the hospital not knowing what the future held for Georgia, watching her struggle to even keep her head up and having a hard time swallowing. Now she is a walking, big bag of laughter and smiles. I owe everything to my blessed Lord and Savior and all of you who have kept us in your prayers. Thank you.

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." Psalms 139:13-16.

   Thank you Georgia, for without you and your brother I would not have the title of Mother, the most blessed and beautiful title of all. It is not always easy to be a mother, it is very hard work at times but at the end of the day when I look at your innocent, sleeping faces, dreaming sweet dreams I know that it is all worth it. Mommy loves you!

Disney...Here We Come!

  

  
   So while we were at Brooks Rehab Georgia was nominated to get granted a wish from Dreams Come True. I have kept this trip under wraps since we have been nominated, I am not sure why but alas the time has come for us to travel to Orlando and embark on this adventure with Georgia. It feels like the end of a very long chapter, and this book has a very happy ending! While we still have many miles left of the rehab road we are so much better off now, our life has improved exponentially. Georgia has never been on a ride outside of a carousel. We are so excited!

   The biggest blessing of this trip other than the obvious, Georgia being seizure free for almost 11 months, Praise God!!! is that it is completely paid for. We will have park tickets to all the Disney parks, both the Universal parks and Sea World. Also, tickets to other attractions in the Orlando area. We will be staying at this village (Give Kids the World) made just for special needs children, it is not open to the public. We have been told so many great things about this place and I'm sure words and pictures cannot do this place justice. All of all meals well be included as well as entertainment at the village, including meet and greets, pony rides, a playground that resembles Candy Land, a pond for fishing, a carousel, putt-putt, a water park and many more things for us to do while we are guests there. This place is made just for kids, all the food there is kid approved, the tables and chairs are kid size and the kids get the bigger bed and bath. There is even an ice cream palace.

   The Panallentic Sorority House is sponsoring our trip, last night we got to meet them and be presented with Georgia's dream. On top of all the great things that await us in Orlando, the girls presented us with spending money. I was speechless last night as tears rolled down my face. I cannot believe that this terrible journey is over and we have such a sweet ending.

   Georgia continues to improve daily, I'm so proud of her. She truly is a walking miracle. Last night I was thanking God for all that He has done for us and all the doors that have been opened at just the right time. It just amazes me to think of all we have been through in such a short period of time. I have spent a lot of time reflecting, just last week I was thinking of that day that we found out Georgia was a girl, Sean was in Iraq and he kept calling during the appointment to see what we were having. He was so excited and so was I, this is the first time I have thought about that moment and I don't have tears or doubts but I have hope. Hope for her future, hope to dream for her again. I know I have said this before but as I see my daughter evolving it just makes it more concrete to me.

           Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him, to enable them to fulfill the purpose for which they are called.

Big Girl

 
 "Answer me Oh Lord, out of the goodness of your heart; in your great mercy turn to me. " Psalm 69:16

  Out of the goodness of Jesus' heart my prayers were answered. Georgia is doing better than ever. She has mastered the stairs, as seen below. When I come into the room she lights up and makes this screeching noise, it is the cutest thing !ever! And when her Daddy comes home she runs to him and hugs him tightly. I know this makes his entire day. Such a big girl. I know we still have a long way to go but this gives me hope that she will make a full recovery. It is simply one day at a time.

 

 

   I wanted to share some quirky "brain facts" with you.



• The brain is made of 75% water.
• The brain cannot feel pain.
• The brain is considered the fattest organ in the body, may consist of 60% fat.
• At birth your brain is almost the same size as an adult brain.
• The capacity for emotions, joy, sadness, anger, fear, ect are already developed at birth. The specific type of nurturing a child receives shapes how these emotions are developed.
• The old myth that you only use 10% of your brain is simply not true, every part of the brain has a known function.
• Excessive stress can alter brain cells, brain structure and brain function.
• You cannot tickle yourself because your brain distinguishes between unexpected external touch and your own touch.
• Scientists have discovered men and women's brains react differently to pain.
• Every time you recall a memory or have a new thought you are creating a new connection in your brain

I just found those facts interesting. The brain is simply fascinating and I see it playing out everyday in front of me through Georgia.

"God doesn't give us what we can handle, God helps us handle what you have been given."

Georgia Found Her Voice!

"Even miracles take a little time" Cinderella.

 I am so happy to say that Georgia has found her voice. Started last week with her "mmming" her food which she would only do during dinner time, not lunch or breakfast. I was so excited, I was like she must be picking that up from Conerly because he does it all the time. Which in itself is pretty awesome, she is mimicking her brother. Then Monday night she was "mmming" her food and then she said "mum" and she said "mum" again. I almost started crying, we were in Sonny's so I had to contain myself. I have waited to hear her voice for so long and was not even sure that I would hear her voice. Dr. Lee could not guarantee that she would talk because the left side of her brain was completely disconnected and that is where our language is stored. God is so good, He has started this miraculous work and I know He will continue to work until it is completed. "I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

   Georgia loves the song Itsy Bitsy Spider, she loves the motions that go along with the movements, her favorite part being "washed the spider out". She grins like crazy when we get to this part and loves using her arms to wash the spider out. It's cute. Her life parallels that song. The spider starts going up the spout and then gets washed out when a storm comes. Georgia is just like that little spider her life was going and she was headed up that spout but then a storm came and set her back a little but now the rain has passed and she is headed up that spout again. We are headed for higher ground and I could not be more excited.

 

In this video she is "mmming" Makes me feel validated now that I have come video graphic evidence.  

                                    

Her walking is also improved, Lord help me, she loves to go as fast as her little legs can take her down the stairs. I am like a Nervous Nellie when she does this :)

 

 

   Thank you once again for all the prayers, we owe all the praise to God who has seen fit to give us this beautiful miracle that we call Georgia. Love to all.