SIX THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FIVE DAYS

HAPPY BONE MARROW ANNIVERSARY STEVE AND HEIDI!
Nineteen years is 6935 days! Psalm 90:12 tells us to: "number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." So while the Psalm's theme is about a God who should have poured out his wrath on us, but instead gives us a dwelling place and unfailing love, may we remember to thank Him for each day he has given Heidi (and each one of us). May our hearts be filled with awe at God's mysterious plans that we see "but a poor reflection as in a mirror; (but) then shall see face to face."
Kim Gropp

God Doesn't Sleep

WOW...is this legal to do 2 posts in one day? I wasn't expecting to log on and find a post today! Thank you Whitney for reminding us of "the road" and that our citizenship is in heaven, and that is our goal!Whether we are worried about the economy, our health, or what tomorrow will look like, God is leading us!

Well, after talking with Heidi on the phone several times this week, and hearing her many God-sitings of His care and blessings with her visit to the new cardiologist in Chicago, and how God is giving her strength in the student teaching classroom, and how the body of believers is such an incredible support to her in Illinois, I had a wow today as well!

I had a patient come into my office today with a sinus infection, and she said that she was "run down". I asked what was exhausting her, and she shared that her sister (mid-life) had died 2 weeks ago of a brain aneurysm. She said that the one "redeeming" part of it all was that she was an organ donor and that it was very comforting to my patient and the siblings that they could help their sister fulfill these wishes, despite the gruesome process that organ donation is for families. Honestly, I had been feeling overwhelmed with the whole heart transplant prospect. While Heidi and Steve's bone marrow transplant 19 years ago on February 21st was a very difficult process, it was not at the cost of a life, and it turned out to be very exciting and wonderful event and outcome. So today, just when I needed God's voice, I evidenced His mercy through this suffering patient of mine. I was clearly reminded of what the psalmist says in Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills-
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip-
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you-
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm-
He will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

This evening I received a call from Heidi's new cardiologist in Chicago. While Heidi had done a great job at reviewing the visit with me from earlier in the week, it was such a blessing to hear from this physician personally, explaining what his thoughts and plans were, and assuring me that he was pleased to be part of the "team" of guarding her health. Heidi is in God's merciful hand, and as Steven Curtis Chapman has put it: "these are the finger-prints of God". God, working his purposes out in many jars of clay. Amen.

Gratefully,
Kim Gropp

This Road

As I was driving to work this morning I was singing along to one of my favorite CD's- a Ginny Owens CD. About three quarters of the way through the song, "This Road" I realized I had become so familiar with the lyrics that I did not realize what I was even singing about (sound familiar? Happens to me frequently!)

All of a sudden I found myself singing, "and I ask why this road?" and I stopped in my tracks and thought of my sister, Heidi. While it is a common occurrence for me to think of Heids, thinking of her situation in light of this song created an opportunity to praise the Lord for her circumstances once again, which in turn caused me to reflect on my life circumstances (and praise the Lord). I thought I would share the song lyrics below for anyone interested. Ginny Owens is an amazing vocalist and pianist with an amazing story (her website is www.ginnyowens.com, however, it is currently not loading).

"This Road" (Ginny Owens)

A million miles away from anything familiar
a thousand places I would rather be
so I choke back the tears and try to find the bright side
though I find it hard to see beyond my suffering
in my heart I know your plan is so much bigger
but this small part is all that I can see
and I believe you haven’t left me here to wander
still I can't help but ponder where you're leading me
(chorus)
and I ask why this road
why this way
and this load
tell me how far must I go
till I see
till I know
why this road
A million miles away from anything familiar
what was it like to be so far from home
though you came in love
the world misunderstood you
there must have been some days when you felt so alone
but you endured, cause there was joy before you
joy that came because you sacrificed
Since you gave yourself just to spend forever with me
surely I can trust you'll lead me through my darkest times
when I ask why....(chorus)
From here I can not see
why you'd choose this path for me
but I don't have to understand to believe
that you know why
You know why this road
why this way
and this load
you know how far I must go
till I see
till I know
why this road

(I thought I would include a pic of Heids from Christmas break just because it's pretty ;))

~Whitney

First Days

"Many are the plans in a Man's heart,
but it is the LORD'S purpose that prevails."
Proverbs 19:21

"May He give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and will lift up our banners
in the name of our God."

God has given me one of the largest desires of my heart, to serve those with special needs! His plans are filling me with renewed joy each day and I praise Him for that!

The First Days back in Chicago have been SO full of God's blessings!

Not even 48 hours after arriving in Chicago I witnessed God working through my circumstances to glorify Him at Trader Joes's....YES, Trader Joes!

I cannot thank all of you enough for all of your prayers! My first days back in Chicago have been so spectacular! I am so joyful to be back in my ELEMENT! Upon arriving at my apartment door step with a friend, the best tears of joy filled my eyes and cheeks--Just so thankful to be BACK!

I have never been so thankful to be somewhere or doing something in my entire life! God's timing is SO perfect, even when I didn't think it was! God has been preparing me for a very special journey--my Student Teaching.

My first day of my Student Teaching experience arrived today at Southwest Chicago Christian School working with K-8th grade students in a Resource Academic Support classroom. I will be teaching a variety of learners (more updates and details to come on this later). I am so thrilled to have this opportunity and I am excited to see how God will use my gifts to serve these students. I have waited so long for this and God's timing has officially been revealed to me today! Praise the Lord!

I am continuing to learn to take everyday one step at a time literally and I am beginning to follow God's timing--NOT my own! Yes, that is very hard, but I am willing to follow as best I can!

My left shoulder and upper left chest area are still very sore (and now more sore with all of the activity I am doing at school, etc.) So please continue to pray for healing and more range of motion. I am struggling to be patient with the healing/recovery process...I would like to just get going as best as I can! Please also continue to pray for strength in the rest of my body, I have really lost a lot of my strength since the surgery and cardiac catheterization procedure.

Once again, I thank you ALL for ALL of your continued support and prayers. I have experienced so much support, encouragement, and help out here in Chicago as well and it is so helpful (I could not do it without everyone)! Thank you ALL for everything you do for me!

In Christ,
Heidi