Trials

You will probably notice that I will once again be in a mask on Sunday. It will be my last day of possible virus symptoms. What we thought was severe pneumonia, turned out to be a virus that attacked my youngest son’s heart and the “wet lungs” were a symptom of that virus. After emergency heart surgery on Tuesday of last week, he has slowly been healing everyday. We were told that he could die during surgery from the first hospital. Paul and I both reflected on the love that we had for Andy Mayes (his best friend at the time) who died during heart surgery when she was eighteen. It was from this place that we were asked to trust the hospital and the surgeon. He was released after 7 days and Jon has been with him for the transition home. I returned home on Monday evening exhausted from being bedside and the emotional roller coaster that we had been on. I was told that this virus is highly contagious and to wear a mask for 6 days after being near my son.

One thing that you will all understand is that there are certain moments in your life that redefine what matters to you. Often the things that you worried about or fretted over seem trivial in the face of real trials. These experiences shape how you react to things in the future. They remind you what really matters and who really matters. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful team of support that keeps things going around here when I am in crises. And I feel like God brought Rev. Dr. Sherri into my life at the very time that I needed the help. Pastor Seungrok stepped up and did my job and his and I am so grateful for his lovely spirit in which he leads. To know him is to appreciate him. I never worried about the church while I was at the hospital. I never worried that I would come home to emails telling me what a disappointment I was. I knew that this incredibly gifted group of professionals would take care of what needed to be done. That includes the staff and the volunteer leadership.

Despite the many trials that my personal life has been in lately, I am still good. I am not angry or frustrated. I am thankful. I am tired. But I have never doubted that Jesus has been with me in the midst of this. I give thanks for all the prayers for my family and especially my son. We can feel the love.

Thank you so very much,