Update for October 25, 2014

Parent-Teacher conferences for Creed’s school were held this week. I feel much better than I did last week, but wasn’t sure my energy level would allow me to attend the conference in person, so his teacher, Darla Landers, graciously arranged to have our conference via phone rather than in person.

I couldn’t help but smile as I listened to her recount what she has been teaching those sweet third graders this year. I love knowing he’s “growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord” (2 Peter 3:18), while also learning math, spelling, and reading.

I have no doubt that God divinely arranged Mrs. Landers to be in Creed’s life this year. She, and all the other teachers who interact with him everyday, have been so wonderful to show the love of God to my boy. He is happy and learning and looks forward to school everyday. Makes my heart smile.

We have been a part of Conway Christian School since 2004, when Maddie enrolled in pre-Kindergarden, and I am so grateful God has allowed both of our kids to be educated in the elementary school there.

There is something special about doing life with others in the body of Christ. Many different churches and denominations are represented within the families that are a part of Conway Christian, but we all serve the same God.

We have been so touched by the love and support we have received from the precious families at the elementary school this year. It is full of quality people who know how to love on and pray for those who need it, and we are incredibly thankful to be a recipient of their prayers and kindness.

Although I desperately want to be up there helping and contributing, like I have enjoyed doing for the last 10 years, my health has prevented it so far this school year. However, those incredible teachers and sweet parents have not missed a beat. They have watched over Creed, nurtured him, and taken care of him in a such big way.

And they’ve done the same for me. So much love has been poured out onto my family and me from these dear followers of Christ. I will never be able to thank them enough for all they have done for us.

Recently, Sommer Holden, a parent in Creed’s class, sent me this picture she took of the elementary faculty, staff, and third grade students all proudly wearing their Team Tina shirts (that my sweet CCS teacher friends, Stacey Gallaher and Amy Garrett, made and sold for me as a fundraiser) and their Team Tina bracelets (made and also sold as a fundraiser by my dear friend, CCS parent Becca White).

This picture is one of my go-to pick-me-ups when I’m feeling discouraged. I love it!

It is a poignant reminder to me that I am not fighting this battle alone. God is with me, and He has put some of His best soldiers right along side me to help me persevere and come out on the other side victorious.

Accepting the help of others has never been a strength of mine. Prior to my diagnosis, I think a lot of my self worth hinged on my doing, rather than my being. Without the strength to do, I have struggled with my lack of self-reliance and not being the one to bring help and blessing to others.

One of the many things I am learning through this season of dependence on God, is that I need to be willing to accept the support of my dear friends and precious family.

This picture is a physical reminder for me to work on that. It brings to memory the story in Exodus when Moses executed that very characteristic.

I always think of Moses as very heroic. He confronted the pharaoh and then led the Israelites through the desert. He stretched out his hands to part the Red Sea and led his people to safety. He descended into Mount Sinai with stone tablets that contained God’s laws and showed his displeasure when they disobeyed. He was a strong leader, always doing, always in control, and didn’t seem like the kind of guy that ever really needed that much help.

However, when the Amalekites attacked the people of Isreal, it was Joshua who led the troops into battle and Moses actually just observed the battle from a nearby hill.

Exodus 17:11 reads, “So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed.”

Eventually, Moses became weary, as we all sometimes do when the circumstances of life hit us hard, and so Aaron and Hur responded by holding up Moses’ arms until the Israelites were able to finally defeat the Amalekites.

They won the battle, but only because Moses accepted help when he was too weak to do it on his own.

If heroic, self-sufficient Moses could accept the help and encouragement of those who God graciously put along side him, then surely, a regular person like me can learn to do the same.

This sweet picture of these lovely teachers and precious friends of Creed’s remind me of the many Aarons and Hurs that God has sent to come alongside my family and me, who have lovingly and prayerfully held our hands up in this battle.

That’s what God’s people do.

If you are not already, I gently encourage you to find a Bible-believing body of Christ to do life with. And when you are able, be intentional about using your strengths to lift up the hands of others who cannot do it for themselves.

You never know when the day might come when you and your family may be the ones who have to rely on the prayers and support of others to get you through a battle of your own. If, and when, that time comes, be willing to allow God’s people to minister to you and help you through that season of your life. Allow them to hold you and your family up in love and prayer.

Sometimes I am a Moses, and sometimes I am an Aaron and Hur, but all the time, I thank God for those in my life, both at my church, First Assembly in North Little Rock, and at Creed’s sweet school, Conway Christian, that serve as Godly examples of both.

I cannot adequately express my love for all of the amazing families at Conway Christian who are loving us through this season and upholding us in your prayers. I look at your faces often in this picture, and I thank God for you.

Please know we love you and will never forget the kindness you all have demonstrated and the love of Christ you have shown.

Thank you to all of our friends and family, both near and far, for being our “Aaron and Hur” during this season. With each card, you are holding our hands up. Every text I receive reminding me of your prayers and encouraging me with a Bible verse, is holding our hands up. Every time you wear your Team Tina shirt or bracelet, you are holding our hands up. Each gift and meal, every hug you give Creed, every ride you give Maddie, each prayer you pray on my behalf; you are lovingly and faithfully holding our hands up and helping us win this battle.

Your love, support and prayers are making all the difference. We are so very grateful God has blessed our family by putting you in our lives. Much, much love to you all.