A New Perspective on Strength

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26

The last few weeks have been VERY busy with my student teaching...and as a result my updates have not been quite frequent! I do apologize!

Over the past four weeks I have been journeying through my student teaching experience. This experience has been a fully packaged deal in a way I never could have imagined!

First, the individual's I work with are a complete blessing and gift. I could not be more fortunate! Second, I am learning so many new things about teaching that I had not yet experienced. Third, everyone is so helpful, generous, supportive, and accommodating. Fourth, and MOST importantly, I see God at work EVERY DAY! I have never seen God at work in my life in a more vivid way than now. Each day I step into my school God's plans, timing, faithfulness, graciousness, and strength are revealed and unfolded in every single detail.

A couple weeks ago, I met with a new Cardiac specialist in downtown Chicago. This first time meeting went very well and I felt very confident that this doctor is a good fit for while I am out here in Chicago. Our next appointment out in Chicago with this specialist is in mid-April.

About a week ago, I received notice that I would be continuing the "heart transplant process" by having some of the pre-testing done downtown Chicago. These tests and other procedures must be done in order to get me ready to be placed onto the heart transplant list. This past Friday, March 6th I spent the day getting some of these tests completed. Though there were some frustrating complications with the scheduling aspects of these tests, they were completed on Friday in good spirits! (We do not have any updates on these tests yet. We will update these results when we know more!)

Most recently, in the past couple days, I have been having some pretty severe shortness of breath. The best way I can explain it is that I feel that I cannot get enough air to satisfy what my body needs. I also feel like my body is just exhausted physically after activities that take a lot of energy like showering, using stairs, erasing the board at school, and other random times. This can get frustrating for me because I feel that it sets me back on what I need and want to get done! I had been doing fairly well considering all of the busy schedules with my teaching until a couple days ago, so your prayers for continued strength are so appreciated!

In spite of the last couple days, it truly is incredible the strength God provides me with each second of the day. I don't even ask for it and it is given to me as a gift! We are so undeserving and God gives us SO much! God knows our EVERY need and provides us with these needs at the PERFECT time. 2 Samuel 22:33 says, "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." Just when I am feeling like I cannot go up another stair or another stroke while erasing the board--God provides me with that strength in such a PERFECT way and in such a PERFECT moment. I praise Him for these things.

So whether my heart is literally failing, spiritually failing, or emotionally failing I choose to claim God as my strength for HE IS strength. His strength is perfect.

His strength is perfect for ALL of our needs, so remember to praise Him for the ways in which He has given YOU strength on a daily basis.

I am learning that through my physical, emotional, and spiritual weaknesses I may better see my need for Christ. God has revealed to me my desperate need to rely on Him daily for everything--even strength to shower in the morning.

For when WE are Weak He is made STRONG. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

So I thank you again for continuing to pray for me and journey ahead with me even when we cannot see the road ahead. I am so thrilled with where God is using me for His kingdom right at this current moment and I look forward to what He has for me ahead in my future.

Prayer Requests:
- Pray that we find out or control what is causing this worsened shortness of breath
- Pray that I am not retaining fluid (I have had a rapid weight gain)
- Pray that the "weird circulation sensations" in my legs improves (sometimes I feel that my legs are giving out on me as well as my arms)

In Christ,
Heidi


Here is a praise and worship song that has been ringing through my thoughts constantly...titled "Salvation is Here"

God above all the world in motion,
God above all my hopes and fears,
Well I don't care what the world throws at me now,
It's gonna be alright!


Hear the sounds of the generations,
Making loud our freedom song,
All in all that the world will know Your name,
We're gonna be alright!

Cause I know my God saved the day,
And I know His word never fails,
And I know my God made a way for me,
Salvation is here.

God above all the world in motion,
God above all my hopes and fears,
Well I don't care what the world throws at me now,
It's gonna be alright!

Cause I know my God saved the day,
And I know His word never fails,
And I know my God made a way for me,
It's gonna be alright!

Cause I know my God saved the day,
And I know His word never fails,
And I know my God made a way for me,
Salvation is here.

Salvation is here,
Salvation is here and it lives in me,
Salvation is here,
Salvation in God means to set me free,
Salvation is here,
Salvation is here and it lives in me,
Salvation is here,
Cause you are alive and you live in me!
Salvation is here,
Salvation is here and it lives in me,
Salvation is here,
Cause you are alive and you live in me!

Cause I know my God saved the day,
And I know His word never fails,
And I know my God made a way for me,
It's gonna be alright!

Cause I know my God saved the day,
And I know His word never fails,
And I know my God made a way for me,
Salvation is here.

Salvation is here and it lives in me,
Salvation is here,
Cause you are alive and you live in me!
Salvation is here.

Special Needs

I thought I (Whitney) might take some time to journal some of the ways in which God has been teaching me throughout Heidi’s more immediate health journey.

As I have prayed for Heidi over the last several weeks, I have of course been praying for her very life to be preserved, however, much of my focus has been on her speedy return to school so that she can get back to what she’s wanted to do for so long. Heidi’s desire to serve others with special needs is so evident when you speak to her. In fact, her desire to serve others with severe special needs is all the more evident as you get to know her.

Initially, my prayers for Heidi focused on asking God, “Why?” “Why now, God? She’s at the climax of her education and future career! How could this possibly be your timing?”

God has answered my prayers by providing his Holy word for me to read, meditate on, and share with others.

We are a “sinful nation” (Isaiah 1:4) in need of a gracious savior (Romans 3:23-24). Yes, we are a people with one severe, special need. Although it wasn’t a part of Heidi’s plan to undergo these trials, God is working it out for good.

Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Our idea of what is “good” is not always in line with God’s idea of Good. God is using Heidi to serve others with special needs in all circumstances-whether she is in the classroom or in the hospital. It is my prayer that no matter where she goes or what she does in life (and I do hope for her return to the classroom), that she would be clay in the potter’s hands (Isaiah 64) in order to become a vessel that first and foremost desires to spread the word about our greatest and most special need.

Heids, with God’s help and strength, you are doing a great job. I praise God for your life and for your circumstances because of the testimony that it has been for so many.

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone the Glory),

Whitney