Dear friends,
Have i ever told you i don't like roller coasters? Well, i don't . . .!! still!! (by the time we are home you guys will know all my secrets!) Not the ones at Six Flaggs and not the one at St. Pete. It seems every day is filled with ups and drops. But you know the Lord is faithful even during the drops to catch me.
Today started well, a really good nights sleep for both of us, maybe 6 hours, by far the longest since arrival. Aaron felt 'pretty' good, ate 1/2 his banana Popsicle, when you have had nothing for 9 days it does not take much to satisfy. We walked and he had instruction from the nurse about his new system (she is great). This is the first day he has at all felt up to communicating and comprehending. Actually had two sessions with her because she is going out of town next week and wants to be sure he gets all the info she has for him. Then he got his "bath" walked a couple of times, 2nd time rode the elevator down stairs and walked outside, (for 15 seconds) - it was raining so a 'little' cooler. Then back upstairs to bed. Had company from home that was a nice short visit. Then the drop. . . By 2:30 p.m. Aaron was shot. He spent the afternoon in bed completely warn out. It takes the least to completely ware him out. He gets frustrated with himself and i keep trying to reassure him, "my sweet you had MAJOR surgery. . . ." he is not very patient with himself.
Mail came during the 'class time' with the nurse so we did not open the cards when they came. I also did not check the blog during the day for we were 'busy' early and shot later. This evening Aaron is a little stronger so i opened the cards and read the post on the blog. And wow how we were ministered too. Your love is overwhelming. At times we have both longed for home - missing sweet days in Guntersville and thinking what if the Lord had never called us on to other ministries. Then i read the cards, the comments on the blog and opened the package . . . and the Lord says, "how many of these sweet saints would you never have known had you not left home." And how we needed your love today. Thank you for allowing yourselves to be used by my sweet Jesus to catch me when i dropped . . .
Thank you Jesus, for always knowing what we need . . . it is always a good plan . . .
good night
nise
11 comments:
I finally for the first time get to make the first post!!! I'm sooooo excited. We all have know for 2 years why God sent you to us, it took you this long to catch up :)! I'm glad your doing a little better and got to eat that wonderful banana popsicle. I hope you get to eat 3/4's tomorrow. In all seriousness, we love you lots and I'm sure lots of the members at Summit concur that we praise God for you guys. We will continue to pray for healing for Aaron and patience of you both.
With lots of love,
The Lang's
Never question God sending you to us!!! It may never have been for ya'll but oh how He has allowed you to minister to us. We are soooo blessed!!! Thank you for allowing us to walk this road with you (even if it is from afar). Consider yourselves hugged and loved on (prayer goes without saying).
The Ratcliffes
Pastor Aaron and Denise,
This blog thing is addicting. We won't know what to do when this is all over. Getting on here and reading your emotion-filled posts you leave for us and seeing all the words of encouragement others send back to you is so uplifting. As far as the roller coaster thing goes, I happen to love Six Flags but I definitely agree on the daily trials not being fun at all. I remember recently when I was on the roller coaster in my trial I felt like every time I praised God or bragged about a positive in my life is when Satan would throw me a negative again. I had days where I thought that I just won't share the positive and maybe Satan will let up a bit. Boy, he'd love that wouldn't he? To keep us from sharing the victories and praising our Savior. So, I just keep sharing the victories and know God will be glorified and help me through the next curve ball Satan throws my way. I was drawn to
2 Cor. 12:9 "But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me. So because of Christ, I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in catastrophes, in persecutions, and in pressures. For when I am weak, then I am strong." It made me think about God sending you our way and how He is going to use this situation your in to allow Christ's power to reside in you more than it already does so you can complete the tasks ahead. I know there are mountain-top experiences coming our way and we're gonna have one of the most powerful leaders because "when you are weak, He is strong." Praise God for our weaknesses!
God bless,
Dee
The most awe inspiring thing is that the body does heal itself. Amazing to think that just over a week ago Aaron had major cuts and changes made to his body and look at how far he has come in so short a time. Deep fatigue is God given to keep us from overdoing our limits during the healing process. Each day is another step out of the valleys and onto higher ground. Denise, you are living Proverbs 31. Notice also that rainbows only come in the rain. There is beauty in the midst of pain.
Be Still and Know that I am God. Ps 46:10 Tell Aaron to to be still--orders from God Himself.
Brother and Sister,
We love you, and we miss you. Aaron, God appointed you as the shepherd of the flock at Summit for a time such as this, and while we have been blessed with a very capable staff, something is missing when you are gone. You might think that God designed it that way...
Denise, the paths that God leads us on sometimes are uncomfortable and take us away from our "nest" and our loved ones. Missy and I have had major adjustments living in the metropolis of Atlanta, compared to suburban and rural MS. However, God has grown us, stretched us, and blessed us in ways that likely would not have happened had we remained where we were comfortable. Further, what we have discovered is that we can never "go back home", because even if we relocated back, the places we knew have changed, as have the people, and more significantly, we have changed. In the final analysis, our comfort must be in the love of our God and the hope of our future home, as Aaron so poigniantly taught a few weeks ago. One day we will go home, our true home with our Lord, and oh what a day that will be! (Aaron, you think I play my trumpet loud now... just wait until that heavenly orchestra and choir made up of the bride of Christ fills the universe with the praise and worship of our King!)
Denise, who in Guntersville or in Acworth, or anywhere else can know your heart, and give you your own personal rainbow, at just the moment when you need it? Who in Guntersville, or in Acworth, or in St. Pete can heal Aaron? Only the one true and living God, and He lives within us! Because of the blood of Christ, wherever we are, we can approach the throne of the Almighty and say, Abba, Father, Papa, Daddy, I need you! This doesn't make the hard times go away, but oh, what a difference... oh what a Savior!
Blessings,
Chris, Missy, and kids
Denise and Aaron:
Both of you have ministered more to my family than you could ever imagine. Even now, as my father lies in a hospital room in Vicksburg, having had a stroke Thursday morning, I find so much peace in the way you both respond to the dips and turns life throws at you (the Christ-in-you that is so obvious). Through your ministry I have learned so much about praising God in the good times and in the bad. The latest news from my dad is encouraging... no paralysis, only loss of speech, and a clot buster being administered tonight may restore his speech. But whatever happens... Blessed be the name of the Lord!
And blessings to you both!
Bill, Paula, and kids
Sorry to hear about the ups and downs, I hope things stabilize and that you continue getting reminders of God's love and ours.
I don't think I've told Aaron this, but I had an appointment with him about a year ago, my intent was to ask him what he thought about the chaplaincy and if he thought I'd be a good candidate. At the beginning of our meeting, before I even sat down or stated my question, Aaron asked, "When are you going to become a Chaplain?" That got the ball rolling and on August 15th I'll be half-way there. I don't know where I'd be if Summit hadn't found me. :)
Prayers continue,
Canyon
I keep saying how you've changed my life in ways you don't even know. I am not the same person I was 2 years ago and I praise God for that, but I thank him for sending you to minister to me and others. We need you with us; I need you. My walk with Jesus is closer than it has ever been and you share the glory.
Love you and hope you have a better day. Millie
I am glad to hear you are feeling better, 1/2 a banana popsicle is good but "what would you do for a klondike bar"? All kidding aside I hope you continue to build strength and have a speedy recovery.
Aaron Schnelle.
It was good to hear of your good night’s sleep and that yummy ‘nanner’ Popsicle!! Any who have been through the hills and valleys will know there'll be days like you’ve been experiencing...hang in there and hold tight for the ride. 10 years ago who much knew what a ‘blog’ was and look what it’s doing now…providing a venue to keep up with your daily progress and growing us all closer as a family…Wow! (James 5:13-16) I count it a privilege to pray for you each day and hope this day is a good one for you both.
Terry P.
"The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; HIS MERCIES BEGIN AFRESH EACH DAY. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!'
The LORD is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD.
For the Lord does not abandon anyone forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion according to the greatness of his unfailing love."
Lamentations 3:22-26; 31-32 (NLT)
I pray this morning that your day begins with renewed strength and hope. When He tells your body to wait, wait quietly. HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING.
By the way, when will we have the alter call? These blogs and comments have been amazing. It reminds me of the Pastor from the book "The Rescue" speaking to his flock from the submarine. Powerful stuff here.
Love you both,
Tamie
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