My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.
Psalm 119:5

I am not sure what blog etiquette is regarding the length of an entry, but I'm sure that I am about to break every rule in the book...or is it every rule on the web.

Today I was sharing with a precious friend of mine about my struggle with having Kathryn in a nursing home. She responded like any loving friend would with "I am sorry you are having to go through this". This entry and maybe several to come will address why I am so grateful for my struggle and suffering. I would not change a thing as God blesses me and draws me closer to him as a refuge in my pain and brokenness. I am blessed because of;

• miracles I am able to witness
• I do not take the little things for granted with Kathryn
• I can see God work in situations that seem hopeless
• Kathryn and I are able to share with those around us God's mercy, grace and love

My first blessing I want to blog happened about 11 years ago when Kathryn was 9. I was sitting with Kathryn singing to her, stroking her cheek and telling her how much I loved her. An emotional wave of sadness washed over me as I was talking to her. Kathryn is hearing impaired, I am unsure of what she hears and understands and she is non-verbal. My sweet Kathryn has never been able to say "I love you mommy". I started crying and pouring my heart out to God. Like I said in my last post I can relate to David in Psalms as he pours his heart out. I asked God why, I prayed for him to let me hear her voice and to tell me she loved me just once. Well God's word promises he will hear our prayers and answer them and he did. While I was still praying Kathryn reached up her fist and stroked my face just like I stroke hers as I told her I loved her. I was overwhelmed with God's amazing attention to detail as every stroke was just like mine. This was truly a miracle as Kathryn at that time had started to loose the use of her arms and could not have done that on her own.

I think that was the best "I love you" ever!! Not only did it come from Kathryn, but my Heavenly Father was sharing with me his love too. Had it been any other way, I would have missed my God hug and to witness a current day miracle. Thank you God!