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Friday, April 3, 2009
Be Still and Movement
While I was in the hospital for 4 days, I had a lot of time to be still (which is not in my nature) and be inside the four walls of our room ... I had a lot of time to pray, think, and wait for the Lord to speak to my heart (since Maggie was watching Space Buddies and HSM3 non-stop)... By Thursday I was feeling restless and ready for MOVEMENT ... Today at home was a day full of movement ... I had fun picking up my house, doing dishes, and just re-organizing ... I was full of joy and putting into action somethings God had spoken to me about ... It is such a great parallel of our spirit life ... Our spirit needs time to be still and refresh and refuel and hear the Lord clearly, so that when it is time for MOVEMENT, we have heard the Lord and processed His calling and then we can go forward into the work the Lord has for us with JOY ...
I will be spending SATURDAY and SUNDAY working on THE BOOK ... God has truly spoken to me that it is time to dig deep in and trudge into this project and FINISH IT !!! I also had time to spend thinking about what Maggie must have endured in China the 6 months she spent in the hospital ... Yes, you heard me, 6 long months in the hospital ... As the little girl in the room next to us weep and no one was there I was broken at the thought that my daughter was probably in that same position for over 6 months enduring burns, surgery to remove bone, skin graphs, infections, and so much more .... I almost choked on my heart as I allowed myself for the first time to go there ... It was very cleansing and I am thankful to the FATHER because it showed me once again WE HAVE ENOUGH here in the Oatsvall house to give to two more children in AFRICA ... The AMERICAN DREAM is not God's dream ... God's dream for our lives is to live out the truth in scripture ... We need to believe Him when He says to care for the LEAST of these !!! I know I am preaching to the choir now, but I had to spit it out, so I could move forward ... God has called us to great things that are often hard, but I can tell you even on my worst day here, I feel more peace and my faith always seems to find a way to grow and I wouldn't want to miss that opportunity to grow !!!
I can't wait to see what MIRACLES God accomplishes through all of us ...
I will be spending SATURDAY and SUNDAY working on THE BOOK ... God has truly spoken to me that it is time to dig deep in and trudge into this project and FINISH IT !!! I also had time to spend thinking about what Maggie must have endured in China the 6 months she spent in the hospital ... Yes, you heard me, 6 long months in the hospital ... As the little girl in the room next to us weep and no one was there I was broken at the thought that my daughter was probably in that same position for over 6 months enduring burns, surgery to remove bone, skin graphs, infections, and so much more .... I almost choked on my heart as I allowed myself for the first time to go there ... It was very cleansing and I am thankful to the FATHER because it showed me once again WE HAVE ENOUGH here in the Oatsvall house to give to two more children in AFRICA ... The AMERICAN DREAM is not God's dream ... God's dream for our lives is to live out the truth in scripture ... We need to believe Him when He says to care for the LEAST of these !!! I know I am preaching to the choir now, but I had to spit it out, so I could move forward ... God has called us to great things that are often hard, but I can tell you even on my worst day here, I feel more peace and my faith always seems to find a way to grow and I wouldn't want to miss that opportunity to grow !!!
I can't wait to see what MIRACLES God accomplishes through all of us ...
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29 kind words.:
You always lift my spirits up..
you are AMAZING..
Can't wait to see the book finished..
Love ya..
6 months of hospitalization! I have tears streaming down my face thinking of such a thing. Maggie is a miracle child and I can't wait to see what's in store for her. God definitely has BIG plans!!!
Excited for your movement!
God bless you and your family!
Amen!
So glad you are home. Ahhh I like movement too.
Big love so glad our girl is home.
Connie
So glad you guys are home...enjoy the movement around your house and enjoy being with your whole family again.
Still praying for you guys...
Erica
Welcome home! What a journey your hospital stay was...I love your thoughts on being still...praying for all of you!
I am so glad that you are home & getting back into your routine. I'm looking forward to owning a copy of your book so I can see how God has moved so many to care for the orphans of the world.
If you would sometime, I would love for you to share how Maggie's burns came about while in China. (& if you don't want to that is fine too.)
Thank you for being such an inspiration to so many. What a blessing it is to have you in our lives!
Once again, thank you for your always right on inspiration. I love you beyond words my dear friend. Praying. . .
Go Girl!!! You can SO handle two more kids from AFrica...Maybe even 10 more!!! :) I'm already prayin for more African treasures and i don't even have #5 home yet...We can all do it together through Christ!! I'll still invite ya over with your 10 kids on your hip :) kristi
I have been praying for you, your daughter and your family. I am so happy you are home and your little girl is doing well.
I have also been praying fervently for the little girl who was in the room next to your daughters. I have also been praying for that girl's mother. It must be so hard to be away from her little one in such a difficult time. Please, could you let me know if that girl has gone home...if she is alright...Is someone there to look after her? To hold her when she is afraid? Is someone there with her at night? Do the doctors see that she is fed and has toys with her? I just am really worried for that child and her mother.
Continuing in prayer for you and your family! Praying for your daughter's swift recovery.
Your post about your being home and in the movement of your family is very comforting for you, I'm sure :)
It's very difficult to comprehend Maggie being in a hospital for 6 months unduring all she had to go thru.. :( But I think it's vey important to share that side of her life to inspire us deeply
I am thinking about the last line of you post... :) .....what is it to be?? I'll await impatiently...
Hmmmm....preach on! It cannot be said enough, Gwen!
I know you're relishing the sights, sounds, and smells of HOME! Praise the Lord!
Doesn't it feel good to get home!! And move? And work? So glad for you all. Still praying for Maggie and you guys and will. And love your faith and spirit that yeah, the American dream and standard is not God's....not so many can see that and see the riches in the NON standard, but the TRUE standard: God's.
Lovely. Can't wait to here more about the irons in the fire. M
Maggie is home, now:) Welcome home!! Praying beside you for the rest of the Team to journey home...
So great to read this morning. Had one of those lonely days yesterday........wish you lived next door.
Oh, Gwen. 6 months. That boggles the mind. I asked once what happened to the babies in the orphanage at night. The answer from the agency rep was "You don't want to know." I said I did. The answer: mostly they were all alone, as everyone went home. That just freaks me out, and these were relatively "healthy" kids. My baby may have cried at night and NOONE was there to comfort her. Totally shatters my heart.
Our Maggie is such a testimony to the power of the human spirit AND the power of the Holy Spirit! Welcome home! Soak it all in. I am sorry you will have to go through Maggie's surgery AGAIN, but know that God will sustain you and continue to grow you through it.
Love and hugs...Nancy (Shaoxi's blessed mama)
i cant wait to buy the book!!
how is maggie doing?
Hey there- I found your blog and wanted to say hello. You and your family have been in my prayers and I will continue to remember you all!! I hope Maggie gets stronger everyday! Your children the ones here and the ones to come are so blessed to be in the Oatsvall family! Your faith and will are so strong and I admire you so much! Maymie saw one of your pink shirts and loved it- next time I am up at school I will find Scott and see about getting one! I am glad that you all are FRA! Hope today is a good day!
One word: AMEN!
Love all my O's!!
~Rhonda
Hi, Hope Maggie is feeling better. Thinking of you.
Take care, Sherri
www.caringbridge.org/oh/kara
I too cannot imagine the life of children in an orphanage...breaks my heart beyond words. So grateful to God that Maggie now has a wonderful mom and dad...siblings who love her and a God she now learns. We will continue to pray for healing and comfort to sustain you through the times ahead with more surgery in the future. God is ever present!
Blessings,
Connie
What a heart-wrenching thought.
God is so good, and gives us those glimpses into ourselves to know how deeply dependent we are on Him.
I look forward to miracles everyday!
Robbie
Just stopping by tonight to let you know that I'm saying a prayer for you all tonight...You've been on my heart...
Thinking of you and sending good thoughts and warm vibes from California to you, MAGGIE and your family!
Oh my sweet Gwen. Your words spoke deep to my soul. In a different way but the words were perfectly applicable to what we're facing. God is a GOOD GOOD God and greatly to praised. Praying for you all.
you preach girl friend, i'min the choir and i'm listening!!!!
good, sound words
xxx
s
Gwen, I'm so glad that Maggie is doing better. Yan was in the hospital exactly 6 months from the time she was born in Hong Kong...she had massive open heart surgery and many feeding issues. When I let myself realize that, I wept too.
I have often asked God why I couldn't be there then, to hold, love and protect her. I don't have the answer...but trust that He had her wrapped in His protection and love.
It makes every moment with her sweeter!
Hugs!
I have been praying for Maggie and you, and am so thankful that you are both home again! But I am also thankful that you had time in the hospital to be still with God. I long for more stillness with God, and yet, I have to admit, I often don't long for it enough to come away from the busyness of life and be alone with Him for enough time to really quiet my heart and hear from Him. Thanks for reminding me that being quiet and alone with God is so important, and actually enables us to be ready for what comes next. I am excited to see your book when it comes out!
You can check my sign-in and see if it gives you any clues to why I can't sign in on Katie's blog. Thanks!
Blessings,
Kathy