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Thursday, March 11, 2010

Josie Love's MRI

I have heard from quite a few of you that you love to hear "Josie stories" so I thought I'd try to describe our trip to Vanderbilt for her MRI. Although, I will NEVER be able to do it justice....

First, I have to tell you that every black man she sees, she hollers "UNCLE!" Strange men turn and look our way continuously. When our pastor makes his way to the pulpit she screams "UNCLE!", when our infectious disease doctor comes into our room "UNCLE!" In the beginning Mike and I looked at each other in dismay and now we both belly laugh, OUT LOUD every time!

We went last week to have the procedure done. Now that she is walking, she wants to walk everywhere ALL OF THE TIME (i don't blame her, she waited for 4 years to take the first step) I dressed her in her cute little Poppy Dips skirt (thanks Sallee!) and we headed to the hospital. While waiting, she touched every persons knees, checked out every gameboy that was being played, and talked jibberish, giggled, pointed her finger in faces, and talked jibberish some more...all the while her eyes NEVER opened. For the life of me, I cannot figure out how the child sees to get around. The women at the front desk were calling her by name after the first few minutes of our arrival. A man came to the door and called "JOSEPHINE" and off she went! Mike and I were gathering bags, coats, etc...and girlfriend was outta there! While walking to our room, she stopped at each door, spoke to every nurse, every doctor..... hand in the air "HIII" she hollered all the way down the hall. Once in our room, she pulled my ipod out and listened to music. At one point, I realized that there were about 6 nurses gathered around her bed just talking to her and laughing....much to the other patients dismay that had been left behind for a few moments. They ended up sending us home because her tonsils were too enlarged to put her on anesthesia without a specialist there to administer a breathing tube if needed. So, on our way out, once again, she stopped at every door...but this time to give each and every nurse a hug goodbye. Mike and I stood at the end of the hall laughing. She cracks us up EACH and EVERY day.

Fast forward 1 week.

We went back to Vanderbilt yesterday to hopefully have her MRI done (with an anesthesia specialist on hand) and the women at the front desk said "well good morning Josephine!" Once back in or room, the nurses from last week came by to say "hi" and on our way back down the long hall the nurses called her by name..."goodbye Josie!"
I am waiting to hear what the doctors have to say about her MRI results. They checked the puffiness over her eyes, sinuses, and tonsils and adnoids. Step by step we are getting healing for her little body. I had two different nurses tell me yesterday after reading her chart..."you have a little miracle child..do you know that?" and I smiled and said "I serve a mighty God!"

I believed without doubt, that she was going to run through my yard and call us all by name. I am watching it happen right before my eyes! If I am honest, there are days when my alarm goes off and I think "do I HAVE to get out of bed and chase these little ones AGAIN today? Mama is so tired! But once I lift my head and feel their little warm bodies up against mine...I'll do it everyday of my life if I need to! I will admit that I haven't mastered taking my four youngest to target alone yet. MillerAnne tries to help, but Caleb and Josie are CRAZY QUICK and what one doesn't think of ...the other does!
This is what the Lord promised me this morning.
Walk by faith, not by sight. As you take stepsof faith, depending on Me, I will show you how much I can do for you. If you live your life too safely, you will never know the thrill of seeing Me work through you. When I gave you My spirit, I empowered you to live beyond your natural ability and strength. that's why it is so wrong to measure your energy level against the challenges ahead of you. The issue is not your strength but Mine, which is limitless. By walking close to Me, you can accomplish My purposes in My strength.
Those very words are what I live on day by day. I KNOW that it is NOT in My strength that I am able to get out of bed each morning but HIS!

29 comments:

Lisa Kindred said...

Oh Suzanne, keep trusting our Mighty God for every step of the way. You are doing an incredible job as a mama to all these little ones and older ones too. After reading the post from Grace, the fruits are flowing out of that girl. What a wonderful sight job you are doing in your first-born...

Just want to say how proud of you I am for answering the call to bring your Josie Love home and for loving all these kiddos. You are a such an amazing example. Wish we could enjoy some sunshine with our kiddos together. Thanks for sharing the lafs and joys of your JL. WE are praying for continue healing.! Miss you guys!!

Love ya, LIsa

Kristi J said...

beautiful...and I'll meet ya at Target any time..I take my 5 and people look at me like I"M CRAZY!!! They can destroy the store in a minute flat!! :) I took my five plus Kelly's Nathan to Puffy this week (yes, 6 by myself)...You would have thought I was up for the next NObel Peace Prize by the way people stopped..hilarious!! kj

Mrs. McGoo said...

You and your family are a DAILY encouragement and a daily conviction about our responsibility as believers. Thank you for reminding us to GO as the Bible has commanded!

Unknown said...

AMEN SUZANNE! AMEN!

Oh how I loved hearing about precious Josie Love!

What a perfect name for this miracle girl!

Praising Him for the joy she constantly brings all that meet her!

Praying for her healing!

Hugs and much love - Jill

Anonymous said...

Stumbling upon Katie's blog, which then led me to your blog and Gwen's, has been such a blessing! My husband and I are praying about adopting. Thank you not only for your inspiring words, but your inspiring life! I think so many would adopt but don't feel safe enough to step out of the boat. I pray that, when the time is right, we take that step, knowing that our loving Father is there to hold our hands every step of the way. God bless you and your family!

"Are These Kids All Yours?" said...

AMEN- Praising God for HIS miracles- daily! May HE continue to give you strength.

Abigail said...

This is my "theme" verse:
"If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ..." 1 peter 4:11.
I was reading a book recently in which a lady said she tries to get backed up against a wall every day of her life now, because when she is up against the wall, she NEEDS the help of Jesus, she can't get out on her own strength. Your entry reminded me of those words...What a challenge your faith is for me! I pray that I NEED Christ with every breath, to get out of bed in the morning. Thanks for sharing the cute stories!
ASH
www.faithdare.blogspot.com

April said...

Still owe you a "thank you" from the last post. Thanks for challenging us. The Lord is speaking thru you in a mighty way!

Robinsons said...

I regularly read your blog and have been so ministered to through it but today it is like God used you to speak exactly what I needed to hear! Thanks for sharing your journey.

theheartofachild said...

What an awesome testimony! Thanks for the update! It is inspiring!
Jenny
(waiting on Abby in India)
www.needhamfamily5.blogspot.com

Diane said...

Such a sweet post about sweetie, Josie Love. I don't think I will ever be able to hear someone say "Uncle" anymore without smiling and thinking of sweetie Josie Love!!!

Abbie and Kendall said...

ooooooo sista!!! haha hilarious!

LOVE,
Abbie :D

KT said...

sweet words suzanne
thanks for sharing JL's story,

Gran said...

What a Mighty God we serve! It is a blessing and exciting to see what He is doing each step of the way not only in Josie's life but each of yours, as you walk by faith. I'm thankful to be a small part of it. God is good! All the time! (Have a great vacation)
Love to all of you,
MaMa Gaye

sara @ it's good to be queen said...

This is so good. thank you for reminding me of God's limitless strength.

Vashti said...

AMAZING! I just know that God is going to use her in a powerful way.

Julie said...

Beautiful!!! He IS able to do IMMEASURABLY MORE, girl! Praying for Jlovie. So enjoy reading your blog. :)

Mandy Harvey said...

Suzanne, I just read this post and laughed and then cried. I remembered what I said to you about Josie Love being a hidden treasure. I cannot imagine you all not finding her...not bringing her home. She just makes me chuckle to myself and I am not even around her. I am thinking about all of this with tears in my eyes as I am walking into the coffee shop for a little early morning me time. I am wearing my necklace this morning thinking about her and about you all wearing my gear and sporting my big 'ol orphan bag. I'm a sight. But I kind of half way hope somebody will ask me about it so I can have the privilege of sharing our stories. Just want you to know I prayed for you and Mike and all the rest of you. Tell Josie Love and all the other ones their "Auntie" loves 'em and give 'em all a big hug from all of us. Can't wait to hear about all the miracles God continues to pour out on and through her! I am believing you will see her running and laughing and one day sharing her side of the story with the world :-)

Mary Ellen said...

Beautiful!

laura said...

:o) Hmmmmm....

I'm thinkin you're reading Jesus Calling, too?

Thought so.

Josette said...

I LOVE hearing Josie stories. It is easy to see what a blessing she is. Some of the things you said about Josie make me think of things about Jessie, my 8 year old daughter with Down syndrome. She never meets a stranger, sometime to my dismay, sometime to my delight. The word God gave you, I needed to hear. Thank you for sharing your life and your faith with others, ME!

Kristy said...

What an awesome and beautiful promise! Thank you for the reminder. :)

Meredith said...

I love this post. I was laughing and crying the whole time. I just ordered my first 147 million orphans shirt and I cannot wait to get it! Praying for you.

Joe Heikes said...

Thank you! First for being honest that you too wonder how you will have the energy and that Target by yourself is too much. Your honesty then makes your words of truth and encouragement so much more meaningful and believable! Thank you for ministering to me today. -Kay Heikes

Andy Ashley said...

She needs to see her "Uncle" Bruce at the next family reunion then! What a wonderful story, Suzanne -- thanks for sharing Josie with all of us!

Over-Caffeinated said...

Hey there, I am behind on all my reading. What were the results of the MRI?

Unknown said...

LOVE this post! You are always such an encouragement to me!!!

DeDeandMatt said...

I love reading about your life with Josie and your other children. Your words are inspiring to continue to fight the fight. The Lord is faithful, despite our circumstances, He is always with us. You communicate that clearly and joyfully. I pray for Josie often..

Anonymous said...

I do love the Josie stories! Blessings and strength to you and you wonderful family.

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suzanne
I am a lover of Jesus. I have the most fabulous husband that anyone woman could ask for. The Lord has blessed us with 7 beautiful children. I started this blog so that friends and family could follow our trip to Uganda to visit Katie Davis. I have decided to keep blogging to help bring orphan awareness to the world around me.
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