A message to me at 16...

I know this was the theme for last week and I missed it, but I still wanted to write about it

Hi, 16 yr old Staci...

There are so many things I could say to you...I would love to warn you about some of the hurts and disappointments you have ahead of you over these next few years, but really, those are the things that have shaped and molded you in such significant ways.

Actually, the hurts you have from friendships and relationships during your teens- prepare you for the priceless friends you have ahead of you and how to cherish them...so hang in there and KNOW God blesses you in ways you never dreamed with authentic relationships that challenge and inspire you. Oh yeah, and the "boy thing"- don't get serious with ANYONE- you have an AMAZING man waiting for you a few years after college...he's worth the wait!

There are so many little bits of advice to give you, too many to even write, but here are a few to think about 16 year old Staci...

-Believe God, and don't try to take things in your own hands or jump ahead as you are waiting on HIS timing...rest in knowing GOD loves you and has the best for you

-Finish what you start and finish strong in the things you do

-Join the track team, turns out you love running(maybe even more than cheerleading)...

-Be open to new possibilities that you weren't expecting...like some of those "non-TCS" girls at church...turns out they will be some of your best friends...and you will always have a blast when you are with them...who knew, right?

-Fall in love with the Bible- it's full of great wisdom that helps you make big decisions...

-In 1999, you will go through some craziness and actually almost lose your life- but turns out that God uses that to amaze you, change you, make you more bold, and give you certainty that God is Sovereign- yield to the process HE has for you...

-Be sure to ask questions about things you don't understand- I know you get scared to look dumb, but turns out if you don't know what something is there is probably someone wondering the same thing...

-Forgive quickly and move on- grudges only really hurt YOU...

-Allow God to mess with "your" plans...

-Love learning new things...also, read more...a great book is Stephen Covey's 7 habits of Highly Effective People...

-LOVE people and invest in their lives...

-Lastly, have fun being you-big curly hair and all!

Much love- 31 yr old Staci

Jesus in my heart...

My testimony begins at the age of 5 when my Kindergarten teacher, Mrs Branning helped me to ask "Jesus to come in my heart", and then I was baptized a few weeks after being saved. What is neat about my testimony is that when I was 2, my parents(who didn't grow up in Christian homes) decided to move to Anchorage, Alaska so my dad could be near his father there...in the 6 years that we lived in Alaska each of my family members was saved. So, we went to Alaska to meet Jesus!

My mom said that when I was saved, I couldn't wait to tell every person I knew about Jesus and what He did for me by dying on the cross to save me from my sins. I grew up in a newly Christian home, and went to a private christian school K-12- so I was surrounded by biblical principals. However, when I was 14 I went to a camp in Tennessee called Christmas Challenge and it was there that I really questioned my salvation- I had struggled off and on through the years about is I had really accepted Christ in my life at 5...which I felt like I had, but felt uneasy that I wasn't 100% sure. One night while I was at the camp, I just knelt down and asked God to save me from my sins and make me 100% sure about my salvation. After doing that, I told one of the counselors, Mrs. Hill about my decision- so that settled any lingering doubts. Later on when I was in college, I did get baptized again to signify the decision I had made at 14.

Overall, my growth as a Christian has been pretty forward moving- with a few detours...that the Lord has taken those detours and used them for good...thank you Lord for that! I thank the Lord for pouring HIS grace on me- what an amazing gift! To know Christ and grow in a relationship with Him is the sweetest thing...if you don't know Him- you should...life will never be the same!

Vacation is my love language!!!

I LOVE to travel...over the years I have been able to visit some fun places- so it's hard to say what my favorite vacation is???? So, I may have to include a couple of trips...

I guess my most memorable vacation is when I backpacked in Europe for 7 weeks- I was able to visit several countries...France, England, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Italy. I felt like it was the experience of a lifetime just seeing so many different ways of life and meeting to many different people from around the world during my travel. Each country had such a rich history and culture...even just thinking about my experiences makes me want to go back. I did go on this trip by myself and just made friends along the way at the different hostels I stayed at...some of the highlights were- seeing the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, kissing the Barney Stone, Hangliding in the Swiss Alps, Hiking in the Alps, touring the southern part of Ireland-amazing, touring the Colleseum in Rome, all the amazing museums- it was priceless to see so many works of art that I had seen in books right before my eyes...I could go on and on...it was an amazing vacation with lots of big moments and little moments that warm my heart to think about.

Another favorite vacation has been going to Kauai and Maui with my hubby. We have been twice and both times have been an absolute blast...in Kauai we did so many amazing things- hikes, ATV tour, helicopter ride, a luau, Na Pali coastline tours, and just spending time on the beach...it was such a lush and majestic place...

Maui was such an amazing place too...so beautiful! The Road to Hana was probably my favorite thing to do there- we just loved the drive there- such beauty! Plus, we were able to pull over on our drive there to take different trails leading to waterfalls. We also we able to see the 7 pools- which was priceless...we ate at Mama's Fish House- which was FABULOUS- it was such a treat to eat there...I could go on and on about our time there- it is definitely a place that is worth going to!

I can't finish this blog without mentioning my trip to New York with my hubby...we LOVED our trip there. There was so much to do- and we had so much fun exploring the city... there are so many things we enjoyed there...Greenwich Village, walking the Brooklyn Bridge, going to Brooklyn and attending a service at the Brooklyn Tabernacle, eating at Grimaldi's pizza, shopping, ice skating in Central Park- overall the amazing feel of the city just created such a fun trip for us.

Really, I could go on and on about vacations because I LOVE to travel- to just get away and experience something new...

The pictures above are of NYC, Kauai, NYC, Kauai

Something new...well sort of

Yesterday I tried something sort of new, that is- I haven't been able to do this in while, so it feels new to me. I got to take a REALLY hot bath for the first time in 9 months...it was fabulous! Since getting pregnant in September, hot baths have been on the no-no list. This has been a tough "prego" rule to follow because hot baths have always been my way to unwind and wash the day away. My doctor finally cleared me to presume normal activity- so this was first on my to-do list for today.

I love getting in the bath to where it stings just a little bit from the heat- yes, mam- and sometimes I go crazy and add bubbles...it really is such a decadent treat for me. So, last night I took my HOT bath and ate my almond butter and jelly sandwich while soaking the day away- it was yummy in several ways...

This brings me to another new thing, that is almond butter!!! Hallelujah, hallelujah...I LOVE this stuff- it takes pb&j's to the next level- like more of a grown up sandwich. You have to try it at least once...I can't seem to get enough of the stuff.

One more new thing is I ran for the first time on Monday with my new Garmin Forerunner 110 watch. (Hopefully the picture will show up below)

This watch has GPS capabilities that tracks your run, measures your pace and gives you your time. During my run on Monday, I couldn't help but smile every time I would glance at my new handy dandy watch to see my pace...it really motivated me to push harder and try to improve my run overall. I am going to be training for a 10K in September and a 1/2 marathon in December- so this watch will help reach my goals for each race...it's like my accountability partner in running- LOVE it!

Favorite places...

There are a few places that I find myself visiting pretty often. One place is Coneheads Snocones...this is one of the BEST shaved ice places I have ever had in the DFW area. Luckily, it is in Irving just down the street from where we live. The ice they use there is so yummy and the flavors are super fun- Randy and get so excited when they open for the summer...we visit there at least once a week. My favorite flavor is sour grape- even writing about it is making me crave one.

Another place I love to visit in the city is the Euless Public Library. Every Tuesday, the library offers a story time for toddlers, which is really fun for Allie. The teacher who leads the class (Mrs. Letta) always has really engaging activities for the toddlers, and it gives me a chance to expose Allie to community activities. I look forward to taking Allie every week.

Great Cookbook

Since we are posting about recipes this week, I thought I would write about one of my favorite cookbooks. It is the Better Home and Gardens Cook Book- I have been using the recipes from this book for the last year or so and every recipe I have used has been an AMAZING dish! Just a few of my favorite dishes so far have been the Chicken and Creamy Mushrooms(p. 468), the Meatloaf(p.377), Beef Stroganoff(p.369), and Spinach stuffed pasta shells (p.431)...I have added these recipes to my dinner rotation. It has been fun to find a great resource to keep things interesting at dinner time. Hope you enjoy cooking!

Staci

Anne of Green Gables

So, today for some reason I was thinking about the mini-series Anne of Green Gables...have you heard if it? It used to show on PBS channel 13 from time to time. It is basically about a young girl named Anne whose story set in colonial days that was adopted by a farmer's family, and the story evolves into a love story between Anne and Gilbert. It is just fabulous! The love story just keeps you in knots until the very end, really, which kind of reminds me of the twilight series...minus the vampires and wherewolves. There are actually 9 hours involved with the AOGG series- I actually have them all on VHS (yes, we still have a VHS player). So, if you haven't watched these in a while, now may be the time to dust off those VHS's and pop them in for an escape to Green Gables...enjoy!

Props to my man...

So, this time last week I was checking in to the hospital to have a baby. It's hard to believe it has only been a week since then, it feels like it has been a lot longer than that...in a good way, though.

So, Monday was our first day home as a family of 4. What a precious and surreal day to see my daughter and son's face at the same time-love it!

So, this week has been what you might expect with a new baby and a 2o month old- very busy with very little down time and no sleep...we'll in the midst of all the craziness I just have to stop and say what a rockstar my husband has been to me. Randy has just stepped in to pick up the slack where I am unable to do my normal stuff at home and with Allie. He has done so many things without me even having to ask- I have been in tears many times this week just feeling the blessing of his service to our family. That is pretty much all I have for now, I am functioning on about 4 hours of sleep from last night- so I better stop writing now before things stop making sense...see you next week!

Oh yeah, Chase William was born Friday, May 21st at 1:03 pm, he was 8lbs, 21 inches long...such a sweet boy- I am totally in love with him! He's a total snuggle bug!

Love- Staci

Grocery carts

I have always been a responsible shopper and returned my shopping cart back to the appropriate place- we'll that is until about 20 months ago. When I had Allie, I became one of those shoppers that leaves the basket next to my car...before you pass judgement...it just became a safety/security dillema for me to leave my small child in the car by herself so I could walk across the parking lot to return my cart.

I was mentioning this to one of my fellow bloggers, Amelia, and she said that she always tries to park near a cart corral as to avoid this dillema- and I actually try to do this as well, but most of the time find this approach unsuccessful...apparently other people have thought of this great idea too. Of course, now that I am about to have another baby(Friday, May 21st to be exact)- I definitely won't be leaving my car to put my cart away...I do plan to one day return to my responsible shopping ways when my children are older, but until then it is just a moral dillema that has a shade of gray in it...

See you next week! Staci

Amazing Grace

I was just driving today and I started singing that old hymn Amazing Grace. It is one of my favorite hymns and really can bring me to tears when I really absorb the words.

Here are the words to the song...thankful for God's grace...it really overwhelms me!

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...my heart to fear.And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me...His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...as long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil, a life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years...bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...then when we've first begun.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,Was blind, but now, I see.

Baby on the brain

So, I am about 3-4 weeks from welcoming our 2nd child, Chase William Hollar...can I just say I am so EXCITED to see my son's face for the first time...it just makes me giddy!

With that in mind, I definitely have baby on the brain- trying to take these last few weeks to get ready for Chase's arrival...thought I'd share some of things I am doing to get ready.

First thing, I am trying to read up on labor, baby schedules, breastfeeding, what to expect those first few days home and even a book on the ministry of being a mother...this may sound silly since this is my 2nd time around having a newborn, but it is funny how much you forget-especially when you are sleep deprived in those first few weeks...

The books that have been the most helpful have been:

-Babywise (to get on a routine)- this book really helped me to get my daughter on a routine that really worked for us

-What to expect the first year (gives development timelines)- this book has been a helpful quick tip resource

-The Ministry of Motherhood (to fill my heart up and remind me of God's design for mothering)- this book has challenged me to see the great job I have beyond just caring for the physical needs of my children, but being sure to instill spiritual truths in my children and look for those teaching moments each day

-Happiest Baby on the Block- this book has just given me an overall perspective on children's sleep and how important it is to teach your children how to have healthy sleep habits

-Husband Coached Childbirth- the Bradley Method- I'm not sure how labor is going to work out this time (my first child was a 30 hour labor,and then a c-section after all of that work), but just in case, I want to be ready to practice the laboring skills I learned in my Bradley classes with my first child if things go a different way and I can actually deliver Chase by a natural birth- we shall see?

Another thing, I have been getting all my cloth diapers ready for 2 children to be using them. I use an All-in-one diaper called Bumgenius- they are fabulous! I have been using these on my daughter since she was 1 month old, and the velcro on them have taken a beating- so my mom and I worked one Saturday to remove and replace the velcro on the diapers- so they will be ready for another couple of years of use. I get a lot of crazy looks when people hear I am using cloth diapers, but they are easy to use and it saves us a ton of money and with us being a one income family- anything helps!

Clutter control- I have been trying to work on little pockets of clutter in different spots of the house. It seems like they are everywhere...but I have tried to pick one thing each day to organize.

Also, I am just trying to take in each moment with my sweet Allie- knowing that in just a few weeks it will never be just her. I am ecstatic about our son's arrival, but I also want to really take the time to cherish these last days of having just one child and the dynamic that brings to our family.

There are many other things I have been doing to "get ready", but these were on my brain tonight...if you have any ideas or tips to add- please, do tell...I love hearing what others are doing or have done...

Blessings- Staci

Feeling saucy...

I have started to notice how at different food places I require certain sauces/condiments to go with my meal and certain amounts of that sauce too, in order to complete my meal...so, I thought I would share a little of my sauciness...

-Chikfila- exactly 4 BBQ sauces (I dip nuggets and fries with BBQ sauce)

-Chili's- 2 ramekins of Honey Mustard for my fries and a little for my chicken sandwich

-McDonald's- 2 Sweet and Sour sauces- just for my fries

-When I do use Ketchup - it must always have tons of pepper in it- like the same ratio of pepper to the amount of ketchup...it looks gross, but it's so good!

-Taco Bueno- 1 little plastic cup full of jalapenos to stuff in my party bean burrito(I always get at least one), a little cup of queso to dip my burrito in(this is a less frequent treat, b/c it costs extra to get it), and 1-2 cups full of the salsa, and 1 cup full of pico de gallo

-Pizza- any pizza place- I always have to have Ranch dressing to dip my pizza in...yummy! Of course, if it's Papa John's- I have to have the garlic butter too...fabulous!

Okay- all this food talk has got this preggie girl hungry...what is your level of sauciness?

Do tell...

Also, I tried another ALDI product called Lovin fresh bread- it is their version of the Pepperidge Farm frozen garlic bread...about a buck cheaper, though...I will have to say it was pretty darn good! I would recommend this item...my hubby and I ate the entire loaf within a few days with dinner.

See you next week...Staci

Everyone was someone's baby...

My neighbor just a few houses down died in his home just a few weeks ago. His name was Wes, he was a pretty strange guy- he suffered from bi-polar disease and had many health problems which made our (Randy and I's) interactions with him kind of strange and confusing. Plus, he seemed to have some trouble with the police from time to time- and his his son was in and out of prison- and when his son was out of prison he was staying at Wes' house...in fact, Randy had asked me not to answer the door if Wes knocked unless Randy was home.

So, when we heard Wes had died, I was thinking about his life and how strange things must have been for him and I was wondering what his life must have meant overall??

We'll that night, when I was rocking my child right before bedtime, I was looking at her face and praying for her little life and just thinking about all the possibilities God has for her- and then I immediately started thinking about Wes- and just thought, I bet his mother sat at night and rocked him and hoped and wondered the same things for her son when he was just a baby- or maybe she rubbed her belly as he kicked in her womb hoping the best things for his life. So, it took my thoughts to apply that principle to other people that may drive me crazy or I don't understand- that their mom thought enough of them to give birth to them and thought they were pretty special...and of course, God made him- and that means God loves them like crazy...anyways, I have thought about this several times over the last few weeks and it challenged me to see people(especially challenging people) with more compassionate eyes...

On a side note, each week I am going to be comparing a name brand item with a cheaper comparable brand from the ALDI stores and give a brief comparison of the items...so, this week I tried the comparable brand to the rockin' Velveeta shells and cheese. It is called Cheese Club Shells and Cheese...we'll it was the same texture and look of the name brand, but the taste was very strange. It took several bites to figure out what it was that was so different and what I could come up with is that it tasted like a cheesy butternut squash was added to the mix(yucky)...so, my overall assessment was that it was not good and I will be placing that on my my "do NOT buy again list"...it costs me an extra buck to get the Velveeta name brand, but it is well worth it!

A new store in town...

So today was my first visit to the new grocery store ALDI. It was fabulous!

Such great deals on produce...here is the breakdown of my savings...

10 lb bag of potatoes for $1.29

4 lb bag of oranges for $2.29

1 lb of salmon for $3.29

3 zucchini for $1.49

1 lb Strawberries for $1.49

8 Roma tomatoes for $1.49

1 Pineapple for $.99 each

Avacadoes for $.39 each (I bought 3)

1 Gallon Milk $1.79

So it was definitely worth my trip, because we eat so much fresh produce and it usually takes up a big chunk of my grocery bill...I didn't really shop an any other areas of the store, so maybe that will be another blog post...I do want to warn you that if you decide to go, either bring your own grocery bags or be prepared to purchase your bags there for $.06 a piece, and the grocery carts are $.25 to use, but you get your quarter back if you walk it back to the front of the store...

Another tip, is that is you don't want to go several grocery stores to get good deals- you can always take the sales flyer from ALDI (or any store, that is) and use it to price match items at Walmart.

Happy Shopping!

~Staci

Something a zebra finch taught me...

When I was 5 years old, I had some zebra finches(those are birds) and they had some babies. Of course, I was completely mezmerized by these new baby birds in our home. So, when the birds were a few weeks old, my mom let me hold one...but she said, be sure not to let it go or it may fly away...so I was making sure I didn't let my birdy go anywhere. I held my bird for about 5 minutes or so, and then went back to his cage to put him back and (as I am sure some of you are already predicting) my little baby bird plopped to the bottom of the cage, he had died because I was holding him too tight. This was very traumatic for a 5 year old to endure, in fact, the only way I really got over it was by my mom convincing me that he was in bird heaven(the things mom's will do to bring comfort). So, that story has always stuck with me- and the Lord has really used that example to remind about holding on to things too tightly. I think this is just a human thing we do- we hold on to "our" ideas, plans, things, relationships, etc... and forget to leave room for God to come in and mess with those things if He needs to...times when I am doing this very thing of holding on too tight- the Lord will just remind me of my zebra finch and how when we hold on to things too tightly we can kill that thing...whatever it may be...all things, all plans, all relationships, are HIS...it is my job to trust and obey HIM with those things. Easier said than done, I know, but I pray that this is an encouragement to remind you to hold on to things loose enough to where God can come be Sovereign over them... See you next week!

Stace

I heart 80's movies

It's so fun to flip through the channels on the television and find a little nugget of entertainment, that is, an 80's movie. I get so excited and find myself getting lost in the nostalga of the movie, it just takes me back. I also love 80's movies because there is a certain simplicity that comes from them. I feel like I can invest emotionally in the movie, knowing that there will be a peak in the movie, as well as, a great "feel good" ending.

So, you may be wondering which movies may I be referring to- we'll to list a few...Teen Wolf, Back to the Future(all 3), Big, Breakfast Club, Karate Kid(my favorite) 1 and 2, Say anything, Pretty in Pink, Weird Science, 16 Candles, Baby Boom, Girls just wanna have fun, Mannequin, I could go on and on...I guess I stay pretty close to the romantic/comedy genres in the 80's movies. My husband always makes fun of me about this, but I just love getting lost in them and feel almost like it is biting in to a piece of decadent chocolate- just kind of yummy and satisfying.

I do remember growing up,, my mom always watching movies from the 50's and 60's and I thought that was so strange- the movies seemed so outdated and even looked grainy on the screen, but now I get it- there is just something about certain experiences that just takes you back...

Underwhelmed...

My hubby and I went to the NBA All-star game for Valentine's this year. It was a fun night to do something different, and have a grown up night out (Allie spent the night at Randy's parents). As I was sitting there watching Usher, Alicia Keys, Shakira and, of course, the players all perform during the event I found myself underwhelmed...

I thought that the shows were great, and the playing was fine...but I just started thinking- what makes these people so great? At the end of the day, singer's sing and basketball players can put a ball in a basket.

I can't say that I have ever really been a "star struck" kind of person about anyone, really- I guess it is because I always think about how our humanness connects us...let me translate...all of our poop still stinks-doesn't matter who you are! (even the president)...we just all have different things we are made to do...During the show, I was reminded of how perception is what many famous people rely on from day to day, but really who are they? How do they feel at the end of the day when they are laying there in bed about to fall asleep? And of course, this isn't exclusive to famous people- it's to all people...at the end of the day what is it all about? Everything will lose its luster at some point, right? I am not sure where I am even heading with this blog, this may just be a "journey w/o a destination" entry...

Of course, I find hope in knowing that Christ is what it comes down to- not everyone knows or believes that, but once you come to know HIM and find purpose in HIM- you can't deny the power of that in your life.

Maybe I'll have something a little lighter to discuss by next week...Stace

Even in the details...

...God cares!

I was reminded just this week about how God cares about even small details of our lives. My growing little girl, Allie, once was again in need of some more pajamas because she has officially outgrown all but 2 pairs of her pj's...so, I was going to need to find her some more. So I needed to find 4-5 sets of pj's ideally, since I do wash just once a week for her that would cover her for a week- oh yeah, and we only had $30 in our budget this month for extra clothes for Allie...so it had to be in that price range.

So, I had planned on going to a resale store to look, but decided to stop at Target to see if I could find anything...I did find a set of 2 pj's for $14.99- and put that in my basket. I thought that was a pretty decent price and maybe I could get a few more things at the resale store...then I turned the corner to another rack of random clothes with a big 30% off sign at the top of the rack...so I started digging through the rack and came across a set of 2 pj's (the same type of set of pj's I had already put in my basket)...I thought, 30% off is better than what I had picked up so I took the $14.99 set out and put the other set in my basket- and I checked the price tag to make sure it was, in fact, discounted...only to see that the pj's were for $3.47. Wow, I took a double take to make sure, but that was the right price- so I looked back on the rack and found the only other pair of 18month pj's left(with a different design) for the same price...so there they were 4 pairs of pj's for my sweet girl- and for just $7.00...my little budget for her could handle that! So, I continued to shop a little- and came across some lined different colored khaki pants on sale for boys for just $3.00...so I was able to get our baby boy on the way, Chase, 4 pairs of pants(2-6month and 2- 9month) for just $12.00 bucks. As soon, as I found all of these things I couldn't help but start singing out loud to the Lord kin the middle of Target- Oh praise him, He is holy(a worship song)...it was such a great reminder of how much God loves me and knows what we need and wants to provide for those needs.

This one-income thing has been challenging at times, but I feel like the past 9 months since I resigned as a teacher to be "a stay at home wife/mom" has taught me so much about how creatively God provides for us. Which, in reality, He has been providing the whole time(even when we had 2 incomes), but sometime having access to extra expendible income can make you lose sight of that supernatural provision...I have come to realize that whatever the Lord places before us(or in our bank account) I am to be a good steward of it...I am thankful for the lessons learned this past year and find myself waiting expectantly for God's next provision for us...makes life fun!

PS- this is just the iceberg of stories of how God has provided a specific need/want for us...too many to blog about today...maybe in the future!

"Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life, more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Matthew 6:25-27

Blessings, Staci

Loving me some hubby time...

So, this week my hubby took off from work to hang out with me and Allie.

It has been such a fun week...usually, when Randy has taken off a week from work it is because we are going on a vacation- but, this week we stayed home and have just hung out, ran errands together, worked out, played with our baby girl, and just enjoyed "being"...it has been a nice week and one I would recommend to anyone, that is, to take time off work to just stay home...

Until next Thursday...Stace

Thankful...

This Sunday marks the 11 year anniversary of an accident that nearly took my life. Sounds pretty dramatic, and really it was...I was heading back (in a 15 passenger van) to Abilene from being in Sterling, Co for the weekend. I had been a youth leader for a Disciple Now that weekend, hanging out with 10 senior high school students- a fun weekend for sure. There were 8 of us in the accident, the van flipped 6 times and I was thrown through the windshield and was ejected 70 feet...my best friend, Kami was in the accident too, and as soon as the van stopped flipping- she jumped out of the van and ran to find me. She found me in a field in REALLY bad shape- I can't even imagine how hard that was for Kami to see...anyways, to make a really long story short...I was care flighted to Denver General and spent 3 days in ICU with internal bleeding(which led to the removal of my spleen that had burst), a broken shoulder bone, broken wrist, 2 broken vertebrae(t-7, T-8), massive concussion, a collapsed right lung, a few broken teeth, and shards of glass all over my body...along with receiving 3 blood transfusions. I was moved to a normal room once my condition was stable and spent another 7 days in the hospital- where I experienced 2 very scary pulmonary embolisms which kept on blood thinners for about a year. My ability to walk was compromised, and the doctor's told me that I may never run and that I may experience complications in the future with arthritis and with the possibility of having children. The future was looking bleek...so, I flew home Superbowl Sunday that year(1999) when Denver was in the bowl...upon coming home, obviously I stayed home that semester from HSU because I was completely dependent on my parents to dress me, bathe me, help me try to walk, get in bed, or out of bed, go to the bathroom-that was fun times to have your mom help you with that at 20 yrs old...I wore a turtle shell type back brace at ALL times- even in the bath...more fun time, I know! So, I had 6 different doctors that I had to visit to monitor my progress- and each doctor had a prognosis that my recovery would take 9-12 months and then I could discuss possible back surgery(basically sticking 2 steel rods up my spine- with a 50% chance of paralysis)...we'll it was about 4 1/2 months later that I had my last visit with my orthopedic doctor- he was in complete shock when he saw my x-rays that day- because he came back into the office to tell me that he couldn't fully explain it, but that my broken spine was healed...he even said, there must be something bigger out there to do such a miracle. All I could think was MY GOD IS SO BIG, SO STRONG AND SO MIGHTY, THERE IS NOTHING MY GOD CANNOT DO! So, I was actually back up and walking in no time and headed back to HSU by the summer to start classes and make up my time lost.In fact, when I graduated in 2000 I was just a semester behind... Fast forward to a few years later, and God blew me away again by giving me the ability to run my first marathon(in 2002), and the doctor's said I'd never run again...and then went on to run 2 more full marathons and 2 half marathons, and like 15- 5K's...My GOD is so BIG! And to add more to God's amazing ability to blow me away...my hubby and I welcomed our baby girl September 2008- and I was told I may never have kids? And to add one more thing- we are welcoming our baby boy this May...Praise the Lord, so amazing!

Before my accident, I had always struggled with the idea of God's sovereignty- that I wasn't in control of my own life- in fact if something didn't turn out my way it used to make me mad...and through this experience- I have realized how thankful I am that HE is Sovereign and in control of my life...and how much better life is with HIM in control and ultimately that God does all of this because He loves me and He can be trusted with the twist and turns of my life.

So, I almost lost my life, to realize that actually that is what is it all about...losing your life, to live for Christ...there are so many things that have changed about in me from this experience...it's too hard to even put in to words...one thing I do know is- I should have died 11 years ago, but for some reason God kept me alive...talk about finding purpose in that...He had a reason to keep me here(and for you too)...so each day is such a gift! There haven't been many days that I haven't been impacted by that...overall my health is great...I do have arthritis that in my spine and neck area that gives me pain everyday, but other than that I feel great(no back surgery needed). I have had such a miraculous recovery that trying to share this story with people-they almost don't believe me...so, I have a 13 inch scar down the front of my torso(from the internal bleeding) to prove this miracle is true(you can see my scar in the above picture-I'm 9 mo's preggo in it)...plus it serves as a reminder to me of how faithful and BIG my God is!

So, every year on January 17th I like to stop reflect on all those things- and thank the Lord for the last 11 years he has given me to see His power in my life. Thank you Lord- all the glory goes to You!

Blessings, Staci