Chris Carpenter

From Vacation To Real Life

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 10:27:15 -0500

I’ve been on vacation with my Hannah and the kids for a week now. It’s been a time to laugh with friends and family, eat good food, drink good drink, read a book, play Mario Kart Wii and just generally relax. It’s always hard to go back to real life. I think the images above say it all. We weren’t in a tropical locale, we were staying with my parents. Still, it was a vacation. I will miss you vacation.

God’s love

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:53:02 -0500

This is an entry from a caring bridge site of close friends of mine. Their son Levi has been struggling since birth with health issues. I read the most recent post and cried tears of sorrow and hope.

Yesterday was a rough day. It took 5 times over a period of almost an hour to get his IV in. It was so stressful! To watch your child distraught and in pain and only be able to say "Mama's here, it's okay" is heartwrenching. I had to walk away numerous times to get control of my emotions. I thought, " How much more can I take?" If only I knew what later in the day would hold...

The MRI took longer than expected. He was in there for two hours. We are wondering if they chose to do extra images because of what they saw. JC ( a friend in orthopedics) called last night to say that they saw abnomality in his bone marrow along his spine. It appears as leukemia would, but the blood work he had done 2 weeks ago wasn't consistent with that, so they are unsure. Today we wait for oncology to call for the next test or appointment, probably a bone marrow aspiration. Is this even statistically possible? Could God ask us to go down the cancer road again?

I was laying in bed early this morning unable to sleep. I was filled with anxiety and emotion, tossing around, wondering if there was any possible explanation they could give us, that didn't involve the words "disease" or "cancer", when...

Levi woke up (much earlier than nomal) and was talking in his bed. When he called me, I got him and pulled him into bed with me. I kissed him and breathed in deeply by his cheek. (you mothers would understand that!) and said "I love you Levi."
A few moments later he said, "You love me?"
"Yes Levi, I love you. And God loves you."
"God loves me?"
"Yes, He made you."
"Oh. Why?"
I paused for a short second and answered, "for His glory."
"Glory? What's glory?"
"It's how amazing God is." I replied.

Just then the sun was shining brightly in the window through the side of the shade. Levi said "Oh, the sun in you bedroom." And I said, "Yes, that's God's glory too." Levi said, "God's glory in you bedroom?"

And I answered, "Yes Levi, God's glory is in my bedroom."

God's presence and love and goodness was in my room this morning. Truly it fills our home and hearts. We pray that it's brightness would overrun any despair and fear. God is good all the time! Oh, that I would trust Him, and follow Him wherever He leads.

Loving, living, learning, leaning on the Everlasting Arms,
Lana

Ignite - The Deuce

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:01:47 -0500

Christ Community Church, the church where I work, is having our second live worship recording this Sunday night. We have already given out 3000 tickets to an auditorium that holds 1900. Get there early if you want to get a seat in the main auditorium. The place is going to be rockin’ with the praises of God.

It’s Been a While 2

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:20:14 -0500

I know I said this last year but I really mean it this time. I am going to do better with this whole blogging thing. I have thoughts and I like to share them. It’s really as much for me as it is for the two of you who check this page a week. Tons of stuff has happened since December when I last wrote. Solomon has gotten so big, he is no longer a baby. He is looking and acting like a kid. It is exciting and sad all at the same time. I won’t try and catch you up with this one email. I am looking forward to catching you up. If you have any questions along the way please let me know. I would be happy to answer best I know how.

It’s Been a While

Mon, 8 Dec 2008 17:35:09 -0600

So, I’ve been meaning to update. Life is flying by. Jonah turns three years old next week! Solomon is pushing his walker toy which means he will be walking any day. I can’t wait for Christmas. My whole family is going up to Rhinelander. Hannah and the kids and I are going up for a WHOLE WEEK. Is there anything you are looking forward to over the Christmas season?