Keep Looking Up To God For Our Help, He is Faithful!

Luke had a great night, he only alarmed twice, compared to what he was doing that was excellent! I am thanking the Lord that he came through this surgery so well, I know many Dr.'s thought there could be some major problems. God is so amazing, he truly answers prayers!

What are your plans for Easter? We will be going to church in the morning and then over to Jill and John's home, which is my sister and her husband after church for Sunday dinner. On Saturday we plan to color eggs and Gordy's sister Pam and Husband Hal are coming over for a visit. It's so good to feel like a "normal" family this year, with the stress of Luke's surgery over and his sickness we can actually take a deep breath of relief. I remember all to well 3 years ago when Luke was on the Ventilator in the PICU during this time of the year, I'm so thankful we haven't back there since then.

Love in Christ,
Luke's Mommy Suzi

P.S. I realize this is long but I wanted to share with you something that has greatly ministered to my heart lately. I went through one of the darkest depressions in my life last month and it was only with God's help I can say that my focus is back to where it should be, in Christ alone. On April 2nd, I read this in the The Streams in the Desert devotional book, that I love, the bold part is what has ministered to me the most:

They looked. . . and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud. (Exodus 16:10)

You should get into the habit of looking for the silver lining of storm clouds. And once you have found it, continue to focus on it rather than the dark gray of the center. Do not yield to discouragement no matter how severely stressed or surrounded by problems you may be. A discouraged soul is in a helpless state, being neither able to "stand against the devil's schemes" (Eph. 6:1) himself nor able to prevail in prayer for others. Flee every symptom of the deadly foe of discouragement as you would run from a snake. Never be slow to turn your back on it, unless you desire to eat the dust of bitter defeat.

Search for specific promises of God, saying aloud of each one, "This promise is mine." Then if you still experience feelings of doubt and discouragement., pour your heart out to God, asking Him to rebuke the Adversary who is so mercilessly harassing you.

The very instant you wholeheartedly turn away from every symptom of discouragement and lack of trust, the blessed Holy Spirit will reawaken your faith and breathe God's divine strength into your soul. Initially you may be unaware that this is happening, but as you determine to uncompromisingly shun every attack of even the tendency toward doubt and depression, you will quickly see the powers of darkness being turned back.

Oh, if only our eyes could see the mighty armies of strength and power that are always behind our turning away from the hosts of darkness toward God, there would be no attention given to the efforts of our cunning Foe to distress, depress, or discourage us! All the miraculous attributes of the Godhead are marshaled on the side of even the weakest believer who, in the name of Christ and in simple, childlike trust, yields himself to God and turns to Him for help and guidance.

Keep looking up -
The waves that roar around your feet,
Jehovah-Jireh will defeat
When looking up.

Keep looking up-
Though darkness seems to wrap your soul;
The Light of Light will fill your soul
When looking up.

Keep looking up -
When worn, distracted with the fight;
Your Captain gives you conquering might
When you look up.