Thursday, September 29

OUR 7 MONTH OLD LITTLE BUNNY....GRACIE ANN LUSTIG


Dear Gracie Ann,
One thing I can tell you, without a doubt, is that multitudes of the faithful have prayed so much for you, and for that, I am so grateful. These prayers to our Sweet Jesus are the only reason why you (and mommy) are here today. Your fragile brain suffered quite a trauma when I stopped breathing that day and I am so sorry for not keeping you safe inside of me like I promised you....But Jesus held us both so tightly and close to Him, as the doctors decided what to do......we were both asleep and daddy said that it did not look good.  But, our Mighty and Eternal Creator is bigger than all of the strength that “impossible” can muster up!  He is the Alpha and the Omega and He loves us so much that He heard all of our cries and the cries of our loved ones and granted us our petition, as He saved our lives!!  It has been a long and tedious road, but you have beaten every odd and God has been truly glorified through your tiny little life!  Daddy and I along with your two brothers and two sisters (you’re #5 kiddo) love you more than you can possibly imagine and we promise that we will always take care of you.

We are learning so much about you every day, so that we know how to care for you. 
(my brave little girl during her EEG)

Your doctors say that you have something called "Trauma Induced Infant Spasms" and "Bi Pelagic Cerebral Palsy", as well as "Partial Cortical Blindness". My sweet little bunny.....these terms are bigger than you are!! Your daddy and I continually lift you up to our Lord as we prayerfully discern each and every decision that we make for you…as God has entrusted us to be your voice and your advocate!! 
(we have never seen you smile but one afternoon Jesus blessed me with this special opportunity to gaze upon you as you experienced a sweet little dream) 

 Gracie Ann, we just cannot express how much happiness you bring to our family!  You have the most adorable little baby sneezes ever heard on this earth! You are so cuddly and sweet!  We love to put you in cute outfits and kiss your soft belly and play with your tiny toes!  Even though you cannot understand all that is going on around you, Daddy and I will continue to fervently pray for our little bunny and work with you to give you every opportunity possible.

BUT PLEASE KNOW THIS…. Daddy and I are certain, without a doubt, know that you were absolutely and perfectly created in the Hands of our Mighty God exactly as He desired you, in order for you to fulfill the ministry that He intended for you on this earth. 
(you look like a yummy little cupcake)
(I just had to add this second picture because you had just scared yourself sneezing and got upset)

Right now you continue bringing our family bounds of joy and peace. Gracie Ann, you ARE peace personified. You radiate our Lord's Perfect Love to everyone who looks upon you!! You bring a powerful healing to the hearts of everyone who holds you. You are mysteriously amazing, because God made you that way!! We can't even explain it. 

I love you so much, Gracie Ann
Love, mom



Thank You Jesus for our sweet little blessing!  Thank You for all five of our sweet blessings....We just love them each with our entire heart.....Please help us to guide them home to You

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAVANNAH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAVANNAH BANANA

Dear Savannah,

(Hey! That is MY shirt!! It is the shirt from the 1980's Wham video "Wake me Up Before you Go Go"  It looks good on you though and I love sharing clothes with you)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY.....YOU ARE 14.....WOW!! YOUR ZEAL FOR LIFE IS CONTAGIOUS AND YOUR VIRTUE IS INSPIRING.  YOU ARE A GREAT SAINT AS YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE AS A TRUE SERVANT OF GOD

You are a wonderful friend and teammate!  I LOVE watching you play volleyball, God blessed you with an amazing gift and I love the joy that volleyball brings you

This picture embodies "All that is Savannah"  Of course you are the school mascot! I cannot help but smile seeing you dressed as the Faustina Falcon

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAVANNAH BANANA LUSTIG
DADDY AND I PRAISE OUR LORD FOR YOU EACH AND EVERY DAY



HOMESCHOOLING NICHOLAS

GOD ALWAYS SPEAKS

My sweet Lord always talks to me and tells me all that I need to know to follow Him and to be a good wife/mommy.......I do not always HEAR Him because I am too busy talking myself.  Sometimes, I am so busy ASKING Him for His guidance, that I totally miss His gentle and loving answers.  This is what happened to me recently during a period of great discernment concerning my sweet Nicholas.
(Nicholas and his sweet friend Christopher...they are inseparable and all around best buds)

Dear Nicholas,
Mommy and Daddy always pray for you, constantly reevaluating your life, making sure that daddy and I are putting you into situations where you will thrive in holiness.  This year, our Lord was really tugging at my heart to consider homeschooling you.  You worry about mommy so much and really thrive when you have the security of being close to me, assuring yourself that I am okay.  Of course (selfishly) I always want my children near me.  I was sad to see you unhappy leaving the house each morning....worried.  Daddy and I both want you to be happy above all.....and with God as your Center, you will ALWAYS be guaranteed happiness in life.  So we always start there....in prayer.

I fervently prayed for our Lord to reveal if homeschooling was His Will for you or if it was simply something coming from within myself (because I miss being a homeschooling family) not seeing His Will clearly.

After praying and praying and praying some more (crying out for answers) and not feeling like I knew for sure what to do, God sat me down for a moment of clarity, because I just wasn't "getting it".  I am sure that He sees me as one of His more difficult children, who has a very hard time listening : )

  God chose one afternoon in July and greatly blessed me as He spoke to my heart asking me a series of questions:
I just had to record this beautiful discussion that our Lord blessed me with.....mainly for you, Nicholas to read about later when you wonder how mommy and daddy made choices for you and for your siblings

HERE IS THE DIALOGUE BETWEEN GOD AND I THAT TOOK PLACE IN MY HEART

GOD: "Do you want to pull Nicholas out of school?"
ME: "No, I absolutely LOVE the beautiful Christ centered school that my children are so privileged to attend!"

GOD: "Do you feel up to the challenge of homeschooling Nicholas again, right now?"
ME: "no"

GOD: "Do you want to take on the stress of homeschooling right now?"
ME: "Not even a little bit."

GOD: "Is your family situation in a good and stable place to pull Nicholas out of school right now?"
ME: "Absolutely not!"

GOD: "Are your friends and family going to think that you are crazy for making this choice when you are so sick?"
ME: "Most Definitely!"

GOD: "Will people look at this decision as irresponsible because of so many red flags in your life right now?"
ME: "Without a doubt"

GOD: "Do you dread what people will think when you tell them?"
ME: "I know that I should not, but I do dread it so much!"

GOD: "Does it bother you that your family and friends might think that you and Jeremy are stupid for making this choice?"
ME: "Yes, it does....Maybe it shouldn't, but especially with everyone praying so hard for my health.....I don't want them to think that I am making silly choices."

AFTER A MOMENT OF SILENCE, GOD GENTLY WHISPERS

GOD: "Then kerry, I must ask you....looking back at all of your answers, why do you think that this calling to homeschool is coming from you?"  "Why do you not see that it is Me?"  Not one part of you desires this scary leap of faith...."  "I desire this for you and I desire this for My son, Nicholas"

ME:  (As tears begin to roll down my cheeks) "Oh Jesus, I am so sorry for not hearing You leading  me as I am so busy "asking" for guidance over and over, while You are guiding me the entire time!"

GOD: "kerry, do you trust Me?"
ME: "Yes, I trust You completely and with everything that I am!"

NOW WHAT
So here begins a new journey.  With my body trembling, I accepted His Will and went to Jeremy (Daddy) with my revelation......and as the beautiful and faithful spiritual leader of our family, your Daddy took my hand and we made this leap of faith together.

ONE MONTH IN
(Nicholas and his "Little Chubbers" and he calls her)

We hired a wonderful and holy Catholic homeschooling teacher to school Nicholas as I am still too sick to be able to do it on my own.  He is learning so much, serving at daily Mass, and is growing in confidence with each passing day.   What a blessing Mrs. Lewis has been for our entire family!  We are just so grateful to have her as a part of our life!

Oh Nicholas...my sweet son,
You are thriving!  You are happy!! You reflect a true sense of security now that you are at home.
For now, this is exactly where Christ wants you to be.....He is always faithful to us and He will let us know when He desires you to return to school. Until then, I am going to soak up every bit of this special time that we have been blessed with.  I love you Nicholas.
Love,
mom