The middle of the story

Friday evening my dear niece, Hannah, posted a link on Facebook to an Ann Voskamp photo and message.  I am already an 'Ann fan' but what I read Friday night really hit me.  Here is a link for you to check it out for yourself.    However, I'll copy it here for you, too.

Ann Voskamp

... so look, there's a whole bunch of us who are up tonight and sorta stuck here in the middle of the story, God, and we don't know what the next chapter holds.
We've got no idea how our hearts are about to get broken or when, what the doctor could end up saying tomorrow, how the kids will turn out, or what's on the next page or the one after that.
And when you're stuck in the middle of the story? Well, honestly, it's easy to feel at the end of your rope.
And You pull us close, real close: "I’d never forget you—never.
Look, I’ve written your names on the backs of my hands." Isa49:16(MSG)
You've etched the very letters of our name, of who we are, right into You.
You haven't forgotten us or this chapter or this story, and if You haven't forgotten us, we're not about to go forgetting that Your stories always work out in the end -- and if things aren't working out quite yet, it just means we're not quite yet to the end. We'll literally practice our faith -- we'll practice saying thanks in the middle.
Faith thanks God in the middle of the mess,
Faith thanks God in the middle of the night,
Faith thanks God in the middle of the story --
Because it believes in the relentless goodness of Him who will not stop writing till there's good at the end of this story. 

You see, I was sitting at my computer at the bedside of my dear husband, Marvin, who had been unable to really eat or drink all day long.  In fact, he was in bed sleeping fitfully, as he had been since shortly after 5:00 that morning when I awoke to the sound of his dry heaves.  He was in the midst of another 'liver episode', as we have come to call them.  I don't have the time or energy, frankly, to go into great detail about it all.  But, the short story is that he has been having trouble for a couple of years now and so far we have not really gotten a diagnosis.  However, the 'episodes' are increasing in frequency and also in intensity.  In fact, this was the third one he had in the last month.

I realized how true those words were.  Life is often 'not easy'.  And lately, I have definitely felt at the end of my rope.  But, God sends blessings to us right in 'the middle of the story' and I am so thankful.   I clicked 'Like' under my nieces post and went to bed.  But, I thought about those words for a long, long time before I fell asleep.

By Saturday morning Marvin was in worse shape.  He was having horrible, unrelenting pain and a new fever to go along with it all.  After fretting all morning I finally got him up to take to the Emergency Room.  The fact that he didn't argue with me spoke volumes.

This is where I need to really brag on all the folks we encountered at the hospital... from the receptionist on up.  All were kind, competent, and efficient.  It was a great experience - given the kind of experience we are talking about.  :)

The short version of the story is that Marvin was admitted to the hospital because of some of the test results.  We have an appointment tomorrow (Monday) at Boone Hospital for a procedure that we hope will both diagnose and also provide treatment/relief for this issue he has been struggling with for so long.  We would absolutely appreciate any and all prayers for Marvin as well as for those caring for him.  We don't know exactly what the story is going to be for him, but we truly believe that Marvin is going to be okay.

Now, you may be realizing, as we are, that this timing really stinks!  I mean, we are having a wedding with about 350 guests out here at Willis Creek Ranch THIS COMING SATURDAY!  There are LOTS OF THINGS TO DO this week!!  Oh my.  As various thoughts have been raging through my head the last several days I have kept coming back to the Ann Voskamp post that Hannah shared.  And you know what?  It is good.  It is all good.  Because God is good... ALL the time.  Even in the middle of a story that I really don't like very much right now.  :)

Right now our primary goal is to get Marvin better and to be sure that we are both able to be in good shape at the wedding.  All the rest is gravy!

I want to take a few moments right now to thank God in the middle of the mess... in the middle of the night... in the middle of the story that we are right now living through.  I don't know the ending, but I know that we rest in the palm of God's hand.  And I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Glimpses of God's grace...
Dear friends who offer coffee, hold my hand, laugh & even cry with me.
Doctors who listen and respond in positive, caring ways.
Med techs who are really good at drawing blood from arms that have had a lot of blood already drawn.
Kind nurses.
Family and friends who show up at your house and say, "I am here to help!"  Then climb on a mower, grab a paint brush, weed flower beds, build platforms and repair playsets, power wash barns and fences, wash dishes, cook food.... the list is endless.
Hugs
Friends and loved ones who pray with us and for us.

This is a list that keeps growing and growing.  I truly want to thank all of you for your prayers and your love and your steadfastness.  What a miracle to have you all in our lives!

Jackson and Jonathan rebuilt the ladder for the playset.

Jeremy, Jackson, and Jonathan built these platforms for the wedding party.

I don't have photos of all of the amazing work and helpers we have been blessed with.  But truly, we are blessed and we are oh so thankful.