Saturday, September 27, 2014

Five-Minute Friday: Because


It has been a difficult season and I haven't always handled it the best.  I would like to be a woman who wears her circumstances well, but there have been days I have snapped at my family or had a melt down over something small.  Stress has ached across my shoulders and too many times I have focused on my own lack of strength and despaired because of my inadequacy.  But then there are those moments when God lifts my chin and lovingly reminds me that He is my strength and He is carrying me.  He reminds me to watch as He works everything out.

Today I am in a comfortable rented condo with my mom as she recovers from her kidney transplant.  And she is doing so well!  This mornings bacon is lingering in the air.  Although it still feels like summer outside in Tucson, an apple crisp is baking in the oven, and it smells like Thanksgiving.  Mmmm.  Scotty and Cel are sitting together on the couch watching a movie, and I am feeling so grateful because even though sometimes life is hard, God is always good.


I am grateful because my mom has received an amazing gift.  Because I have a loving husband who  rubs the ache in my shoulders.  Because I have four siblings who are my best friends.  Because I have incredible friends who love, pray and offer their support.  Because God is in control and His grace is sufficient.  I don't have to have it all together.  What a relief! 

Bad days will come and go. They are the exception, not the rule.  Better days are coming.  There will be more gifts.  More joy.  No matter the circumstances there is one constant: God and His goodness.



I know it's Saturday, but that's what I love about Five-Minute Friday!  It's all about just writing raw.  The ladies who write over at FMF don't care about mistakes or if it's a day late!

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

An Incredible Gift

In pre-op

After 5 1/2 years of dialysis treatments, 3 times a week; 3 hours at a time - my beautiful momma has a new kidney! The surgery went well.  Besides a couple of rough nights and fever due to her new medication (one out of what seems like a hundred!), she has been doing great!  Thank you for your prayers!  Keep 'em coming!

We could hardly believe it when we received the news that a kidney had come available for her.  We are so grateful for this gift, knowing that while we are rejoicing, another family is mourning.  Please lift them up in prayer.  Although we don't know who they are, we will forever owe them a debt of gratitude for changing my mom's life.


You can read more of my mom's story over at www.recovery4rae.com. My sister and her husband did a wonderful job setting up the website - please check it out! 

Speaking of my sisters.  I don't know what I would do without them and my brother. 


The past week and a half has been manic, to say the least.  Between setting up accounts, traveling 70 miles to and from the hospital, trying to figure out insurance stuff, making arrangements for her 24 hour care for the next 4-6 weeks and managing our own personal and work schedules - we all have carried one another.  Scotty and Celine also deserve a major award for putting up with the crazy lady (me) who has moved into our home!

Mr. Parker - A Christmas Story (Photo) 


Please continue to pray for my mom as she adjusts to new medications and the health challenges that come along with organ transplantation.  She is just at the beginning of her recovery journey.  Please pray that all will go well, without complications and that she will be home soon, enjoying her new life!

Thank you for your friendship!  I love having this space to share life together with you!

- Liv


















Friday, September 19, 2014

Five Minute Friday: Hold


Hold on guys!  Hang in there. These long tired days?  They're just a season.

Sometimes you feel like you've  been hanging on for too long. And you're just. So. Tired. You don't how much longer you can do it. Your grip is weak. You feel like you just might go under. 

Hold on to those promises that you are never alone; that everything is going to work out for good. Hold on to the promise that you have a hope and a future; that Gods got good plans for you. He is near the broken hearted; a Father to the fatherless; that He brings beauty from the ashes. 

This season will pass. Joy will come in the morning. And when you look back you'll  realize that although you felt as if you were clinging with all your might,  you were being held. The whole time. 

Linked up over here with other writers for five minutes - mistakes and all!

Friday, September 12, 2014

Five-Minute Friday: Ready


I don't know about you, but I'm so ready for cool nights and hot drinks; pumpkin pie and warm sweaters!  Summer has been lovely, but I'm ready for the change of seasons and snuggling up, safe and warm. 

And then there's those other changes.  The one's we're not so ready for.

Saying goodbye.
Letting go.
Sending our babies out into the world.
Growing up and aging.

We all face that one thing at some point in our lives.  You know.  The one we dread.  It rudely interrupts our blissful season without so much as asking if we are ready or not.  It just barges in, too soon.  Your one thing is probably different then mine, but we have this in common: a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).   
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. -Isaiah 41:10
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. - Isaiah 43:18-19
And there are a hundred more promises.  Verses we know well.  They are for you, you know.  It's so much easier to quote them and believe them for someone else. I'm telling you and I'm telling me - let's believe them for ourselves in the changes we may be facing ahead.  We are never alone and we are always loved.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. - Philippians 1:6

I'm linking up with other lovely ladies over here.