How Blessed We Are!

This morning, Bro. David Langerfield retold the story of an experience he had while on a mission trip in Ecuador. I have listened to this story before, but today I truly heard it...

(paraphrasing Bro. David's story) "There was a mother of 7 children that we met while on a mission trip in Ecuador. She came to us for medical assistance. I asked her where the pain was and she pointed to her kidney area. The team and I immediately knew that she had an infection and I asked her how long she had had this pain. She told me it had been about 6 months. I asked her why she hadn't already gotten the medicine she needed to clear up her infection and she told me that her husband had died on the job at his work and it was up to her to take care of and feed her 7 children. The children were wearing red shirts- I found out that the shirts they had on was the only shirt each one of them had and the mother washed them in the river each night. She told me that she was not able to get the medicine she needed because it would cost her around $4 and that she could feed her 7 children on $3 a day. If she bought the medicine she needed, her children would not eat for the day. This mother was also barefoot. She would not accept money from us, but did accept the shoes that we went and purchased for her. Within about 2 days we saw her again and she was already feeling 150% better since the medicine had started to work..."

I listened to Bro. David tell this story and wanted to sob. How blessed am I that whenever I am sick, I can immediately go to the Dr. and get medicine to cure me? How blessed am I that I don't have to worry how I am going to feed my (2) boys each day, b/c I have food in the pantry, freezer, and fridge? How blessed am I to have not 1, but around 7 pairs of shoes? What about the number of shirts that my boys have to wear each day? Air conditioner, electricity, a nice house, a husband still alive who loves and provides for our family?... I could go on and on...

My prayer is that I would be reminded of that story each and every time I feel an attitude of ungratefulness for all that God has blessed me and my family with. And thank you to all the servicemen and families of servicemen who have sacrificed so much for our freedom so that we (America) can enjoy all the MANY, abundant blessings that God has given us!

I encourage anyone who takes time to read this to also read Luke 21: 1-4. It is the story about the widow's mite and a great encouragement and reminder for us to give sacrificially. After all we have been given, after all Jesus has sacrificed for us, it is the very least we can do.

I am SO proud of Cade! He is finally trying new (healthy) foods! :) Since Sat. he has tried a cheeseburger, raw carrots w/ranch dip, corn, a green apple, a turkey and cheese sandwich, tomato bisque soup, salad (w/spinach leaves) and ranch, and dark chocolate and vanilla yogurt covered raisins. This is the child who has lived off of chicken nuggets, fish sticks, pizza, and about 2 or three other items his whole life! You cannot imagine what a blessing this is! He actually likes everything he has tried (except the cheeseburger, oddly). And he is excited about trying new foods and learning about eating healthy!
I have to thank my husband, Keith, for this. He determined last Fri. that enough was enough and literally threw away some unhealthy food out of the freezer and set this into motion. In addition to Cade trying all these new foods, we have eaten our last 5 meals at our dining room table as a family. You cannot imagine the difference it has made in a mere 2 days! I would encourage anyone who doesn't eat at least one meal a day at the table together as a family to just try it. You will be amazed at the conversation and bond in creates! We go around the table before eating and all say a prayer. Cade has been so honest and precious with his prayers. And after we've eaten, he thanks Keith and I for the meal and helps clean off the table. This may be "the norm" for some or most families, but it has not been for us. What a blessing it has been already! :)I honestly look forward to meal time now with my family instead of dreading it. Before, I would fix something for me and Keith, something different for Cade, and something different for Dalton. Now, we all eat the same meal together! And it is nice having help cleaning up afterwards! I am SO THANKFUL! :)