"Once we clearly acknowledge the soul, we can learn to hear it's cries. - Dallas Willard, Renovation Of The Heart."

It takes courage to pursue our dreams. It takes time and patience to unearth buried treasure. But I believe with all my heart that we must do both.

12.21.2009

A glad heart


This is our precious unexpected gift 18 years later. Of course she likes the second picture best. I think the second is beautiful, but the first is especially beautiful to me. I love the joy in her face.
She has had a couple of difficult years. The years that should be a joy. She came down with mono her freshman year. She had a really severe case and was not able to continue school on a full time basis that year. Thankfully, she was able to keep her grades up and passed, with high grades I must add. But the mono which is an Epstein-Barr virus has turned into chronic-fatigue. She struggles with severe fatigue and migraines. She continues to keep her grades up, and has even been accepted to three colleges. I know God will use her struggles, but that does not make them any easier in the day to day living with them. Please keep her in your prayers.

Advent reading for Monday: Psalm 33:1-5, 20-22; Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Luke 1:39-45

Our souls wait for you LORD; you are our help and our shield. For our hearts are glad in you, because we trust in your holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you. Amen (Psalm 33:20-22)

20 comments:

thekathrynwheel said...

She's a beautiful girl - she must be your pride and joy :-) Hope she feels better soon, although I think it can be a long process. BTW I like the first picture too!

Art by Darla Kay said...

She is so beautiful Mary! For sure, a prayer just went up for her and I hope she regains her full strength very soon!

Anonymous said...

what a beautiful free spirit..I can see that..!! My best to her..that is an awful virus...it just depletes you fully..Congrats on her colleges...!!

Diane said...

What a beautiful daughter you have, Mary. My son Nick had mono when he was only a few years into his college life. It pretty much wiped him out for the whole college year. He's okay now, and hopefully she'll keep getting stronger-Merry Christmas!

Megan Hoover said...

I had mono in the 9th grade and struggled so much. My grades suffered but I was able to pull them up the next quarter...I still graduated highschool with an overall A average. It was such a hard time and my prayers go out to you and your daughter to get through it. YOU WILL get through it. YOU WILL.

Anonymous said...

Mary,
Thank you for your information. She is beautiful and I agree with you.. JOY is truly spelled out in the first picture. I love it!
What personality shows too!
She will be in my prayers.
Hugs, Darlene

S. Etole said...

The joy of the Lord is our strength ... and she is bubbling over. Blessings of health and healing for her.

Sharon Tomlinson said...

A beautiful precious gift. You know that the two of you have the exact same big smile. Don't you?

Martha Lever said...

Oh Mar, what a beautiful gift she is! I will keep her in my prayers and keep us updated on what this precious gift does! Merry Christmas to you, Mary. Love you.

Anonymous said...

She is truly beautiful and shines so much, she's beaming!
She shouldn't have to suffer like this and hope she picks ups sand soon. What a bright lady to still pass high grades, she is certainly a true star!

Check see if she eating and drinking any foods with aspertame in? Diet or low fat foods usially have it in. So she can cut these foods out, this may help reduce some tiedness? Bless her! Aspertame is bad, look it up on the net!

You probably eat really well though and all good wholesome foods. I wonder if honey could help? Bee propolis maybe?

Have a great week!

Julie

The Charm House said...

Mary, She is so beautiful! I love both pictures! I also had mono my freshman year of highschool! I was dating a junior and invited to prom. I was so sick.... I will never forget it. Sick and had the time of my life that I will never forget! LOL
Have a wonderful Christmas dear friend!
HUGS and love sending to you!
Yvette

Anonymous said...

Your blessing is certainly a joyful young lady!! I will keep her and her future in my prayers. HUGS!!

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

She is so beautiful! What precious photos... I love the first one too! :) Amazing that she kept everything up even though she was sick, that is great! Bless her heart!!

sara said...

LOVE that first picture!!!!

CountryDreaming said...

Happy Birthday to your daughter! I like both pictures ... her enthusiasm really shines through each one. Praying for a full recovery.

Wanda's Wings said...

What a beautiful young women. I will hold her up in prayer that she will recovery.

Teri Leigh said...

What a beautiful daughter you have. I will say a prayer for her. Struggles do tend to bring out either the best or the worst in us. Sounds like she is finding the best and making it work.

LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagious said...

Oh Mary your daughter is beautiful and so is the joy in her countenance. You must be proud.

I have a friend who has Epstein Bar virus. It's one of those things most people don't understand when someone says they have it. I will say a prayer for your daughter and that God will guide her down the path he has planned for her future.

Lee Ann

Brandi said...

mary mary I love the first one too! Your right .. it is the joy that captures my attention, a true capture of a moment in time. She is a true beauty!!

laurel said...

Poor sweetheart! To have so much to struggle with at such a young age. I'm sure her strength is inspiring to all around her. I'll keep her in my prayers.

I agree with you that the first photo is the best. It shows so much beauty and character although I can see why she likes the second one.