Blessings in the Storm - Part 1

I posted this on facebook a week ago, but I wanted to make sure that all of you who do not use facebook were also able to see all that the Lord has done:

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I pray God is more marvelous and glorious in your heart and mind as you read of the wonderful works of His hands in our lives. In this storm we see him clearer, we love him deeper, and we want even more for him to receive honor and glory for all he has done for us as we walk through this valley. In the very beginning of this trial, God impressed this verse upon my heart:

" 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

We know that our God did not create or send this trial upon us....but He did know it was coming, and being fully capable to stop it, He, in His mercy allowed it to come upon us, with every intention to redeem each and every tear, and to walk us out of this darkness, only to emerge more lovely....to resemble Him more. He has led us along every step of this road. He has made himself our light in this dark season. He has made the crooked paths straight before our very eyes! He has lived up to all His promises and He will continue to do so....we are confident of this...more confident than in the most tangible things of this life. Hallelujah!

1. God's perfect hand upon the 1st surgery. The Dr. was not able to map Cy's speech because he had a major seizure during surgery, which caused the Dr.'s to have to put Cyrus under completely. So, in order to get a portion of the tumor out, the Dr. made an incision in Cy's brain, and blindly removed 20% of the tumor, not knowing if he was damaging the speech center of his brain. After surgery, the Dr. was unsure whether Cyrus would be able to speak or not. Cyrus has had normal speech..God guided the Dr's hands perfectly.
2. We have been blessed as we've received warm dinners every night for the last 3 months, from the amazing body of Christ.
3. Lunches and dinners were prepared and delivered to the hospital for all of the friends and family who faithfully filled the hospital waiting room.
4. Countless friends and even people we've never met have supported us by coming to clean our house, do our laundry, mow our lawn, clean our cars, bring groceries weekly, care for our children and essentially take care of our every need.
5. Dr. Manning, the Neuro-Surgeon, and all of his assistants and colleagues wrote off more than $20,000 in surgery and office visit charges.
6. An unknown brother in Christ offered to pay for Cyrus's sister, Meredith, to fly to Boise from North Carolina, to help out during the second surgery.
7. After the 2nd surgery, we go to pray with/for Cyrus's nurse in the ICU.
8. After the 1st surgery, Cyrus was released to go home straight from the ICU...apparently this rarely happens!
9. After the 2nd surgery, Cyrus was released after only 2 nights in the hospital!
10. A friend payed for our mortgage.
11. The body at Calvary Middleton gave of their personal finances to help us out...the total amount that they gave matched the cost our our mortgage...exactly! No one knew the amount of our mortgage!
12. A man we've never met came to our door, and gave me an envelope with $900 cash in it.
13. Countless friends and family have gifted us financially...it is exceedingly abundantly more than all we would have ever asked for or imagined. (Thank you all!)
14. A friend spoiled us by buying all new, luxurious bedding, pillows, and accents for our bedroom. Little did she know I had asked the Lord in my prayers for these very things!
15. A stranger came to our door looking for a yard sale...and ended up asking if he could come in and pray over Cyrus!
16. An anonymous friend gave $100 to for a much needed date night!
17. An anonymous friend is paying for us to have texting on our phone plan...a feature that has helped us greatly during this season.
18. All of our monthly living expenses are being covered by the donations made to the Calvary Chapel medical fund. (Thank you!!!)
19. An anonymous friend has provided for Jackson to attend Calvary Chapel Preschool--all expenses and supplies paid for!
20. A nurse Practioner volunteered her time/expertise to help me out during a very rough time with anxiety and depression.
21. A Family Practioner volunteered his time/expertise to help me with medications and getting some sleep.
22. A Counselor has volunteered her time/expertise to help us during this time.
23.We were selected to receive the proceeds from a local fundraiser put on by Fabulessly Frugal. Many of you made this possible by nominating our family and donating items to be sold. We received a check for $2500 from that sale, as well as gift cards and many gifts and lots of food! (Thank you all!)
24. A friend has volunteered her time/expertise as a massage therapist. She has come to give massages to both Cyrus and me!
25. Many friends and family have spent countless hours helping us in our home, spending the night, caring for our children, etc. (Thank you all!)
26. The receptionist at the Neurologists office took it upon herself to get us signed up for free medication for Cyrus each month! His anti-seizure med's cost around $500 per month! This came after I prayed that the Lord would give us some good news at the Neurologists office.
27. A women's bible study raised money for us by putting on a yard sale. (Thank you all!)
28. An anonymous friend made jewelry and donated the proceeds to us.
29. A Family Practioner volunteered her time to attend Dr.'s visits with us..and help us seek alternative treatment.
30. Many friends have volunteered to give rides to Cyrus.
31. We have made many new friends..as people have we've never met have contacted us via facebook, or volunteered their time to do yard work, or bring us dinner, and pray for us.
32. Our lives have changed in ways we could never have come to unless we had walked this road...Learning to live in today...not worrying about tomorrow, loving one another more rightly, desiring to serve others in similar places, knowing and loving our Savior more, Trusting God more, etc.

I am sure there are things I've forgotten as I write out this list...this is only a partial list of all the amazing ways God has provided for us. I'm confident that these things will continue..so I will plan to update you on a Part II in the future.
Thanks for walking alongside us in this storm that is springing up many beautiful things!