Holy Space

Today Chad survived yet ANOTHER round of cuts at Duke.  He is now 1 of 2 people left from the original Duke Creative Services branch that he started working for 9 years ago.  This past year has truly been one for the books...or at least the blogs...or something like that.  Let's just say the last time I agreed to see a therapist was in college...now I freely admit I need one, how's that?!?

2.5 years ago I was in a car accident that still has not been resolved financially- and seems to have no end...helloooooooo credit card hopping.... how fun is that?!?

1 year ago I was rear ended by a 19 year old who slammed into me after skidding 60ft. with non-anti-lock breaks, ridding up under my car and throwing me into someone else.

In that time, I've taught in three schools, 4 grade levels, with no curriculum and a major overhaul from state standards to common core.

My mom got breast cancer.

My builder shorted us on several ends, but the worst was the plumber, who cost 100K in damages between a burst pipe in the kitchen, a pipe that rusted shut under the house that had to be replaced, a pipe not tightened in the wall of our son's bedroom causing a leak in our bedroom ceiling, putting a bladder in that was 1/4 of the size we needed that had to be replaced and nearly burning out the well pump...and then there was the roof that was never finished (how did we pass inspection)... that also started leaking.  So we lived in a hotel for 65 days...yeah...that happened...did I mentioned the kids were taking violin lessons then...that was fun....and there was the day they over fried the pizza in the microwave and shut down the hotel....and then the hotel overcharged us...and and and and and and and .....

I have chronic nerve pain in my neck, back, shoulder, permanent sun poisoning and UV light reactions that will never allow me to go in the sun again.

I have migraines that have been so bad there have been multiple days and nights with no sleep...and months with over 20  migraines.

Ashlyn had surgery, I had surgery.

Caed and Ashlyn both had to be seen at Duke behavioral.

Ashlyn was identified specific LD in reading and writing.

And the list goes on....

What's my point, because this is all insane... Tonight when I was telling Ashlyn to be sure to thank God for saving daddy's job once again, she said, "Oh I will... I'll be sure to pull my covers over my head and go to the "holy space" and thank Him so much."  I love that child.  As time goes on she has had more dreams and visions, about heaven, and Jesus.  About us going to meet him, about how much He loves us, and how he is waiting for us...and isn't that just the point?  My life hasn't be "easy" for the last while.  It's been racked with pain- more than ever.  But I wouldn't take it back.  It's given me perspective.  It's made me love deeper, care more.  It's brought out patience I didn't know I had and it's created mercy that I know I didn't have. Life is precious...we don't know how much we have here...so remember to smile, do what you can to brighten the lives of others, let go of offense...there's no time for it. I look forward to pulling up my covers tonight and going to my "holy space." I hope you go there too.