Sunday, October 30, 2011

5 Things--Monday Edition

1. Thanks so much for praying for Jack and the family. Monday is a marathon for them beginning early in the morning. Tonight (Sunday), Jack's older sister surprised him (and mom) by flying in to be here for the surgery. Pretty amazing. Not only did we hit and surpass our goal of 100 prayers for Jack, we brought a little taste of Ireland to Cleveland.

2. This is Chaia in her Halloween outfit. We bought this before she got sick. It is hard to believe we are in our 6th week of this crisis. And yet here she is...bumbling around.


3. Our church in Wadsworth wrapped up a series this weekend called CHANGE YOUR WORLD. Everyone in the church was given money, $5000 total...and we were challenged to go out and multiply that money for God's glory. Read Matthew 25 to get an idea. Well the goal was to triple that amount and the preliminary word is that we brought in over $16,000! This money will go to 6 different initiatives. 1. Rebuilding Joplin, Missouri ("For I was a stranger and you welcomed me") 2. Freeing 5 women/girls from human trafficking in Mali Africa ("For I was imprisoned and you came to me.") 3. Clean Water system in Bolivia ("For I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink") 4. Grocery gift cards to help the under resourced in Wadsworth ("For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat") 5. Medicine for a clinic in Sierra Leone Africa ("For I was sick and you cared for me.") 6. And bedding for under resourced families in northeast Ohio ("For I was naked and you clothed me.") At RISE: Bombarding the Heavens, we took Chaia's $5 and asked you to help her multiply it. She turned her $5 that night into $650!

4. We have a long road ahead of us here at the Clinic. If Chaia continues to hang on, I think we are looking at weeks if not months. Time will tell. We couldn't do this without you guys walking with us. This can feel incredibly lonely at times but then we see the support on this blog and on facebook and the visitors and the mail and we are able to hang on.

5. Jesus is LORD. A friend referred me back to this post that I wrote on here in February, while Shaina was pregnant with Chaia. He has been preparing our hearts for this moment for months and years and I say now with all that is in me. Jesus is Lord and His fame is our aim. No matter the cost.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

How beautiful Chaia's smile is!! I wondered if she would be a princess warrior or a yellow billed blue bird but the bumble bee is adorable! Chaia's smile would fill any costume with cuteness :-).

Continued prayers for the Thompsons and Kellys. May God bless you both with positive outcomes and hope for bright futures for Jack and Chaia.

Keisha Joy said...

She's just bee-utiful! Again, thank you for posting such a precious picture and keeping us updated on this phase of your life. Your family really is inspirational and the strength you're exhibiting is something they write movies about <3 (it doesn't hurt that Miss CJ is cute as a button either)

lawrence said...

Thought of you and Shaina.

:To love is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken.If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in a casket or coffin of selfishness, But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless- it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable,impenetrable, irredeemable.C.S.Lewis

Only when we are broken do we become whole Love South Africaxxx

Anonymous said...

Too cute for words! Great to see her smiling face without all the gizmos! Thanks for your daily inspiration. Praying for Jack and Chaia and praising God for His faithfulness, strength and love.
Love, the McGurks

Michelle said...

Loved the little Bee's Smile!We are praying for her and Jack this morning.Lot's of Love sent from Kentucky.:)

Amanda said...

Great pictures of Jack and Chaia this weekend! Thank you for sharing. Praying hard this morning for Jack, and praising hard for Chaia. Even with a long road ahead of you do not despair. Little positive achievements and successes will make that road a little brighter each day. We will continue to follow this story and pray with you and for you on your journey. Praying today for God to comfort us all and show us his strength. Lifting up the Kelly family today in KY :)

Christy Stanley said...

Prayers for Jack and Chaia today and every day.Love the pictures of both.Your blog is the first thing I check in the morning and the last thing I look at before bed.Thank You and God Bless

Anonymous said...

Your post from February continues to teach us, at least me. Amazing how unknown to you at the time, God was preparing you for the journey you are on now. He is AMAZING! Chaia looks adorable...those beautiful eyes! I am the same as Christy Stanley - your blog is the first thing I look at every day and last thing before I go to bed. I check all day as I continue to pray for all of you, and now Jack and his family, too. We'll all be anxious to hear how their day went today as well as updates on your little honey bee. Love, Sharon

Anonymous said...

Nothing is impossible with God!! A bumble bee definetly is
proof of that since it's not designed to ever be able to fly.............so Chaia's costume is the perfect one for her.

It is a priviledge to join you in praying for Chaia and Jack. I look forward to your daily updates.

Keeping the faith.............!!

Anonymous said...

Through this precious gift of God (your Chaia) you have reached so many people about the word of God and how with faith and prayers all things are possible. Thank You for sharing this incredible journey with us and I too wake up praying for Chaia, her beautiful parents and now Jake and his family. My day ends the same way, Praising God for all he has done and for all that he will do.

Anonymous said...

When I see pictures of Chaia, I see God's glory. His wondrous working power at hand. My God! Still praying with great anticipation. The blessings of the LORD is upon you and I bless you in Jesus' name.

God bless you Jack! Praying complete recovery in the name of Jesus.

Blaireli said...

Good morning, gorgeous bee. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, as always.

Cathy said...

What a beautiful Bumble Bee...Continued prayers for Jack and Chaia and family. What an inspiration....God Bless you all.

Anonymous said...

Ben

Little Chaia is so stinkin adorable. Her smile brings so much joy to my heart! I think about her and your family a lot. I have just recently heard about Chaia and her journey. I have been praying everyday for her and your family. It is not only Chaia's story that is so captivating it is also your faith hope and love throughout this process. Thank you for you words and your love for Jesus you are an inspiration.

Also praying for Jack! What an amazing kid!

Joanne Sadlon said...

6 years ago this week our son (then 25) was horribly injured in a fall. We had our own Caring Bridge website, and along with updates, I wrote daily that I placed my trust in Jesus' healing power for him, and I truly did believe that our son was in God's hands and that he would survive. We would accept whatever came our way. Friends and family wrote that they were so inspired by my faith. But they didn't hear me scream into my pillow at night, they didn't understand that I nearly lost my mind at the horror of watching my child suffer. How could I say that I trusted God but then cry and crash? Ben and Shaina, and Kelly family: God loves your expressions of faith and we are all so inspired by you, but God hears your cries of hurt and suffering as well. He loves that you come to Him in your weakness. We understand too. God will bless and strengthen you in your walk through this valley, and He rejoices with you when Chaia and Jack have their best days!

Praise to our Glorious God!

Wood said...

Very cute -- she looks great in black and gold!! just sayin....

Anonymous said...

Your daughter is beautiful and is fortunate to have two very caring parents. I have been following your blog for a number of weeks now. My daughter, Kristin brought it to my attention.We are from New Castle,PA and both our daughters went to Malone College in Canton. Kristin is currently battling colon cancer and started a blog (Blueskiesaresmiling.blogspot.com)to encourage others who are walking this same path. This experience has opened up the floodgates of compassion in me that I never knew existed. I pray for you and your family on a regular basis and trust that our loving Saviour will minister health and healing to Chaia. Blessings! Cheryl Wyza

Gramma2u2 said...

Chaia is a beautiful little bumblebee. Just checking for another update on her and on Jack.
Praying both have had a good day.
Praying Jack's surgery was a success and all will be fine with him.
Thanks for keeping us posted.
Sincerely
Judy in WV

Tracy said...

I keep giggling when I see Chaia dressed (like Pittsburgh) in her bee costume. Love it! We miss you- Ben and Shaina- but we know God has you right where He wants you. Keep your posts coming- you've impacted Oregon, Texas, PA, and Missouri. Love and prayers for Chaia and Jack-
T n T Penrose