Wednesday, June 29, 2011

A Long Three Weeks...Week 1

  I said in an earlier post that I did not fully understand the "peace that passes all understanding" until the 3 weeks following our doctor appointment. God had granted Jarod & I a good nights sleep Sunday and when Monday morning came I listened to praise music all morning while I got ready.  I left early, and headed to school to prepare for my first days with my students.  When I arrived at school, I had both 5th grade teachers come to my room to check on me and make sure I had everything I needed.  Jim, my division head, came and found me to check on me and let me know he was there if I needed anything and then Julie, admission director, but more importantly the lady who would be my "mom" in Nashville over the next few weeks came to pray with me before we started the day.
  Monday afternoon, I gathered the 5th/6th grade team of teachers in a classroom and filled them in on what had happened.  I worked so closely with all of them that I felt they should all know what was going on.  As I spoke, I felt calm and confident that God was with me as I described to them the past few days.  I remember a couple of them saying "how could you sit there and tell us that without tears?"  For me, that was the first example of God's peace over me.  I sat in that room, explaining to all of them what was happening with no tears! 
  Tuesday, after school, I went out with 3 teachers to talk.  I broke down in tears in the restaurant, having no idea how I would handle the stress of the first weeks of school. I had just finished conferences with parents for each of my students.  The parents came in describing their child and giving me some insights into their children that could help me as I teach them.  I was feeling so overwhelmed.  I wanted to be the best teacher I could be for those students, but I didn't know if I would have the emotional strength to give to those kids like I should.  I worried I couldn't give them everything they needed.  My friends encouraged me to ask my mom to come up for a couple of days.  I wanted to think I could handle everything myself.  I did NOT want to have to ask for help.  I wanted Jarod and I to "be normal."  I felt like I was being swallowed by a wave and could not come up for air. So, my mom came up for a couple days, cleaned the house, stocked the freezer with food and did all those comforting things that a momma should do.  I don't know what I would have done without her those days.  Not having to think about dinner was a tremendous relief!  She went back to Birmingham, offering to come up ANYTIME we needed her and all we had to do was call.
  Jarod had an interview scheduled for this week as well.  He ended up delaying the interview as he tried to gather his thoughts and prepare for the interview later the next week.  Jarod had graduated from MBA school at Vanderbilt, and was still trying to get a job.  This was yet another "faith thing" for us as we found out about Harper Kate while Jarod still did not have a job.  
  As the week wore on, Jarod and I received more cards, texts, emails and phone calls checking on us than I could ever imagine.  Many cards contained scripture that we clung to over the next few weeks. The body of Christ served us in ways we couldn't possibly imagine that week.  Wednesday morning I came in to my classroom where there was a card that said "Cast your cares on God & your dinner plans on us."  Love, St. Paul.  There were 3 $50 gift cards in there for dinner.  Two of my best friends live in Nashville and both of them invited us to their houses for dinner.  We went and were able to relax while our sweet friends tried their best to distract us or help us talk through what we needed.
  This was an incredible week of learning for me.  What I learned through this waiting period deserves a post to itself.  I'll leave you with a passage of scripture that in the end spoke volumes as we made our decision of what to do.

Psalm 139:13-16
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

6 comments:

  1. wow, I didn't realize how emotional I would be just remembering watching you guys have so much strength through the whole thing.....even now. Love you both so much and can't wait to see what God has in store for little miss.

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  2. Thank you for Sharing your story! It is a blessing to all who read! You so clearly express your love for God in a beautiful way! I miss you!!! Love you!!

    Jennifer

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  3. I love how you are able to praise God through all of this. Thank you for being an example to us for seeing God through tough times. Love you!

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  4. Courtney--I am in tears reading and learning of these details for the first time. You all are such strong and faithful servants of God! As painful as this must be for you to write, I appreciate hearing your testimony of God's power and grace. Our hearts and prayers are with you!!

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  5. This brings back a lot of memories! I love you and miss you!

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  6. Thank you all so much for your comments, love & encouragement. I pray it is an encouragement to all who read. If God is going to lead us through this journey, I trust He will use it for His glory. Love you all--

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