The past six weeks have been some of the most challenging that I have ever had. After returning home in January, I began not feeling well with a constant headache that wouldn’t go away. A few days past, and I started to experience other symptoms like face and hand tingling, heart pain, and more. I ended up going to the hospital, to find that my blood pressure to be extremely high, along with some inflammation, but I went home with no answers of why. Unfortunately, this was the beginning of a roller coaster ride with my health. Fluid retention and chest pressure increased, and it became hard to breath daily. Everything tends to increase at night and it can be very difficult to sleep. For a while I had to sleep sitting up, because it got worse when I laid down. My blood pressure would fluctuate up and down drastically, hitting hypertension crisis levels at 194/119, which brought me back to the hospital multiple times. The hardest part has been having to say goodbye to my babies and not knowing what was going to happen. Not only is this a battle physically, but also spiritually. Many test have been taken, but the cause has been very hard to pinpoint. They think it may have something to do with my adrenal glands and post pregnancy hormones. However, I am believing and standing on God’s word, that no weapon formed against me will prosper! The Lord has me in the palm of His hand, and I can testify that he is literally carrying me through this. I ask that you would please pray with me. We are on the front lines of ministry, and definitely need the extra covering and support right now. Please keep my whole family in your prayers as well.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” -Psalm 23:4
Yesterday, I had another shock to my system. But this one came with great peace, knowing the hope that we have in Christ. I got word that my beloved grandmother went home to be with the Lord. Not only was she one of the greatest faith filled woman that I have ever known, she was a best friend to me. Her care and unconditional love helped me to grow into the person I am today. It is so hard, knowing that I won’t be able to see her for a while. But I am truly thankful that she gets to be with our precious Jesus, whom she has been talking and singing about for so many years.
As I wrap up this newsletter, I want to leave you with one of the most important things that God has given me through this very difficult season. It is called, hope. When we don’t have any strength left, when life is a battlefield and things don’t seem to make sense, or when we think our faith has failed, remember this… God has given us hope. This is not the end. He is not finished with us. When doubts arise and our hearts condemn us, the bible says that God is greater than our hearts and knows all things. (1st Jn. 3:20) Therefore, may hope be the anchor for our soul, that is sure and steadfast. Remember, faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. So, where there is hope, there is faith. Even when it is small, like the size of a mustard seed, it has the power to move mountains. Together, let’s stand in our faith, believing, hoping and trusting that God is in control. He will make a way and he will make us whole.
“…we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost…” (Romans 5:2-5)
By the blood of Jesus and his resurrection power we have hope in this life and into the next. I have hope that says, I will recover soon! I have hope that says, Jesus conquered death, and by his stripes I am healed. I have hope that says, someday I will see my grandmother again, and we will worship the Lord together. Thank God for hope! Thank God for truth! Thank God for love! And thank God that He is good. May the Lord fill you with all peace and hope right now for whatever you are facing. Hold on tight to it and never let it go. I love you so much and hope to see you soon.
In Christ love forever,
~Kathleen
“But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.” (Psalm 71:14)
