When we left Tucson eight years ago, we left some things behind in a
storage area underneath our house. Now, eight years later...it's been opened! There was my hair-salon
equipment, a
solar pool cover, extra house tile, etc. But what was really funny to find, was the kids' Little
Tike's slide. And why did I save this?? Was I thinking they could use it when we returned? It was one of their favorite toys. We kept it by the pool, and they would slide down "thousands" of times, so daddy or I could catch them in the water. I guess I thought, if we ever returned, the kids would have remained three and six. I only wish!! Unfortunately, I can't turn back time, but I am grateful for the memories I do have in this home. (Painting allows a lot of time to reminisce!) The precious memories of my children taking their first step....decorating our first Christmas tree....every inch of this house has a memory, where I rocked them....played with them....cared for them..... read to them ....oh, so many! Max and I took this old repo house, and made it a home. We worked many looooooog hours on it. Too many to count. And, it feels just like yesterday Max returned from Desert Storm, and we began our new life together.
But of course, the bad memories have also crept up since we've been back. Like the time I got home from taking the kids to a
miniature pony farm, and Max showed up early from work. With excitement, I started telling him about the fun we had at the farm. He stopped me mid sentence, (it's what you have to do when I'm excited about something, or you won't get a word in!). He proceeded to tell me that he got a call from his doctor, who recently had removed a mole from his back. The doctor gently gave him the news that the pathology report came back....and Max had stage three
melanoma! (The prognoses was about six months to a year.) I felt like someone shoved their fist in my stomach. I will never forget that day as long as I live. But obviously, God had a different plan for my husband. The short story is...after days of fasting and prayer, Max was cleared of
Melanoma! The doctor was shocked! We were elated, and our Lord glorified. We will never forget, "The Miracle for Max!"
A few years later, on a summer afternoon, I was reading to Landon when Max rushed through the front door with a dozen red roses and a card attached that read, "We have a healthy baby!" Backing up weeks before....a blood test came back
positive that my baby (Payton) had a high chance of having down
syndrome. (On a side note, if we could do that one over again, I would have NEVER gone through any testing to find out if she was healthy or not. What did it matter? We would have loved her with all our heart either way. She was our baby, a gift from God!!) When we finally did get the results, we were thrilled, but not
surprised. Backing up once again....the Wednesday prior, we were at
church and asked one of our pastors if he would pray with us after service. He knew we were burdened, so of course he agreed. We went into the sanctuary, sat down, and Max randomly open his bible and started reading. He opened it to a passage where Jesus was telling his disciples that if they had faith and would not doubt, they could say to a mountain go, and throw yourself into the sea and it will be done. If you believe, you will
receive whatever you ask for in prayer. (Paraphrased by me.) I thought it was amazing, since we had just asked for prayer! So, I asked Max what chapter and verse it was, so I could write it in my journal when I got home. Well...he turned back the page, and as he told me, Matthew 21:21...we both had chills run down our spine!! We had done lots of research on
chromosomes, and we learned that chromosomes "21-21," determined a healthy baby! Some might think it was a
coincidence, but we know that God communicates to us in numerous ways. And, on that particular Wednesday evening.....He chose Matthew 21:21.
The memories will keep coming, and I will keep smiling (and painting!)....and looking forward to making new ones! :)