Re: The house that God built

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

I am thankful that I too was able to read your story told to .

I must admit that it brought me to tears, but I believe God is speaking to

me too!

Your story reminded me of another story I read a couple months ago which was

forwarded to me;

I copied it below in hopes that it too may help you and your husband, or

others.

Like " The Little Hut " story is told, we certainly don't always know God's

plan or direction that he

taking us. The " Foundation " sounds like an exciting road that God may be

leading your way,

but whatever it is, keep looking to Him!

God Bless You

Ray M. Freed

Souderton, PA 18964

P.S. I too have joined this website because my mother-in-law, who is 70 yrs

old and the youngest parent,

has Dry Shragger. We have gone through the last three months with about 5

weeks hospitalization/skilled nursing,

at which she received a " Trake " and feeding tube. My wife Nance, along with

her Dad, have now become the primary

care takers. She has the hospital bed at home now, with a wheel chair, and

because of her paralyzed vocal cord, she has

been unable to speak; Nance can read lips well, or she writes. Anyway, I

believe it is safe to say that Nance spends a good

50 hours a week with her and her dad the remainder. We too have had these

recent life changes, but we continue to look

to and trust our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Little Hut

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small,

uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him,

and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed

forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of

driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his

few possessions.

But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to

find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The

worst had happened ~ everything was lost. He was stunned with

grief and anger.

" God, how could you do this to me? " he cried. Early the next day,

however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was

approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.

" How did you know I was here? " asked the weary man of his

rescuers.

" We saw your smoke signal, " they replied.

It's easy to get discouraged sometimes when things appear to be

going badly.

But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our

lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next

time your little hut is burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke

signal that summons the grace of God.

For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a

positive answer for it.

You say, " It's impossible. "

God says: " All thing are possible " . (Luke 18:27)

You say, " I'm too tired. "

God says: " I will give you rest " . (Matt 11:28-20)

You say, " Nobody really loves me. "

God says: " I love you " . ( 3:16 - 13:34)

You say, " I can't go on. "

God says: " My grace is sufficient. " (II Cor. 12:9 - Psalm 91:15)

You say, " I can't figure things out. "

God says: " I will direct your steps. " (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say, " I can't do it. "

God says: " You can do all things in Me. " (Phil 4:13)

You say, " It's not worth it. "

God says: " It will be worth it. " (Romans 8:28)

You say, " I can't forgive myself. "

God says: " I forgive you. " (I 1:9 - Romans 8:1)

You say, " I can't manage. "

God says: " I will supply all your needs. " (Phil 4:19)

You say, " I'm afraid. "

God says: " I have not given you a spirit of fear. " (II Tim.1:7)

You say, " I'm always worried and frustrated. "

God says: " Cast all your cares on ME (I 5:7)

You say, " I don't have enough faith. "

God says: " I've given everyone a measure of faith. " (Romans 12:3)

You say, " I'm not smart enough. "

God says: " I give you wisdom. " (I Cor. 1:30)

You say, " I feel all alone. "

Pass this on, you never know whose life may be in need of this

today.

I believe there are some weeks that we all feel our huts are

burning.

The house that God built

> Dear ,

>

> Sometimes the parallels between your life and our lives are scary! Jeff

> and I were married in February 1998. His wedding present to me was a

house

> (2500 sq ft) that he designed and helped build. He laid over 900 sq ft of

> ceramic in the kitchen/dining, utility and bath areas. We moved in August

> 1998. A few months after the house was completed, he took the covered

> porch and enclosed it, and turned it in to a game room for the kids. We

> lived in the country on an acre and a half of land. Jeff was so proud of

> " his " accomplishment. In January 1999 Jeff started to have symptoms

> ranging from stomach disorders, disorientation, pain in the middle of the

> back, lightheadedness, stumbling. They would come and go, and the doctors

> were perplexed, to say the least. MSA was mentioned as far back as

> christmas 2000. He was hospitalized 4 times between Jan 2000 and July

> 2001. A trip to Mayo in Rochester in July 2001 ruled out internal diseases

> (cancer,etc,), and it took a while for the doctors to determine for sure

> that the condition was neurological in nature. Finally a diagnosis of

> probable MSA was made by Dr Jankovic in Houston Christmas of 2001.

>

> Due to Jeff's health problems, the mounting medical bills and our home's

> distance from the nearest medical facility, we put our house up for sale

in

> December 2000 and sold it March 2001. I was very sad to move, but it

> really broke Jeff's heart. He had put so much of his love in to that

> house. We moved in to a 3 bedroom apartment, exactly half the size of the

> house. And a very amazing thing began to happen. Jeff, who grew up

> thinking that " things " made the man, began to realize that things aren't

so

> important after all. We really have grown to love our home. It's a happy

> haven where Jeff can come and rest if he's tired (it's only a few minutes

> from work). He doesn't have to worry about a yard to upkeep, or

> maintenance. When life becomes a daily struggle just to get out of bed,

> appearances and material things just don't mean much.

>

> On Sunday, I came in the living room and Jeff was sitting on the couch

> sobbing. He made the mistake of watching the movie " Ghost " . It really

> tore him up inside, and for the first time he had what I would call a

" Job "

> moment, where he cried out to God and asked him WHY was this happening?

> Why was he being punished? He was a good man, he loved God, he loved his

> family, etc. It gave me a chance to remind him that God does not only

> afflict bad people but good ones as well. It gave me a chance to tell

Jeff

> that his affliction and his courage in dealing with it has touched

> countless lives. He goes to work every day, and every day people ask him

> " How do you do it? " That's making an impact. His physical therapist

wants

> to start a foundation. Who knows where that will lead? I told him that

> his children watch him and how he deals with this adversity, and who knows

> how that is going to mold their future? I know I will never be the same,

> or look at life the same as I did three years ago. I told him that when

he

> goes heaven there will be no more tears or sorrow or pain. It won't be

him

> that misses his family. In the accounting of eternity, we will be with

him

> in the blink of an eye. It's the ones left behind who will do the

missing.

> I think when he realized that he was not being punished, he felt alot

more

> at peace with himself and God. So you see, God is still working, he's

> still building our house.

>

> Hang in there, Pablito.

>

>

>

>

> If you do not wish to belong to shydrager, you may

> unsubscribe by sending a blank email to

>

> shydrager-unsubscribe

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

I am thankful that I too was able to read your story told to .

I must admit that it brought me to tears, but I believe God is speaking to

me too!

Your story reminded me of another story I read a couple months ago which was

forwarded to me;

I copied it below in hopes that it too may help you and your husband, or

others.

Like " The Little Hut " story is told, we certainly don't always know God's

plan or direction that he

taking us. The " Foundation " sounds like an exciting road that God may be

leading your way,

but whatever it is, keep looking to Him!

God Bless You

Ray M. Freed

Souderton, PA 18964

P.S. I too have joined this website because my mother-in-law, who is 70 yrs

old and the youngest parent,

has Dry Shragger. We have gone through the last three months with about 5

weeks hospitalization/skilled nursing,

at which she received a " Trake " and feeding tube. My wife Nance, along with

her Dad, have now become the primary

care takers. She has the hospital bed at home now, with a wheel chair, and

because of her paralyzed vocal cord, she has

been unable to speak; Nance can read lips well, or she writes. Anyway, I

believe it is safe to say that Nance spends a good

50 hours a week with her and her dad the remainder. We too have had these

recent life changes, but we continue to look

to and trust our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Little Hut

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small,

uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him,

and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed

forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of

driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his

few possessions.

But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to

find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The

worst had happened ~ everything was lost. He was stunned with

grief and anger.

" God, how could you do this to me? " he cried. Early the next day,

however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was

approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.

" How did you know I was here? " asked the weary man of his

rescuers.

" We saw your smoke signal, " they replied.

It's easy to get discouraged sometimes when things appear to be

going badly.

But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our

lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next

time your little hut is burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke

signal that summons the grace of God.

For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a

positive answer for it.

You say, " It's impossible. "

God says: " All thing are possible " . (Luke 18:27)

You say, " I'm too tired. "

God says: " I will give you rest " . (Matt 11:28-20)

You say, " Nobody really loves me. "

God says: " I love you " . ( 3:16 - 13:34)

You say, " I can't go on. "

God says: " My grace is sufficient. " (II Cor. 12:9 - Psalm 91:15)

You say, " I can't figure things out. "

God says: " I will direct your steps. " (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say, " I can't do it. "

God says: " You can do all things in Me. " (Phil 4:13)

You say, " It's not worth it. "

God says: " It will be worth it. " (Romans 8:28)

You say, " I can't forgive myself. "

God says: " I forgive you. " (I 1:9 - Romans 8:1)

You say, " I can't manage. "

God says: " I will supply all your needs. " (Phil 4:19)

You say, " I'm afraid. "

God says: " I have not given you a spirit of fear. " (II Tim.1:7)

You say, " I'm always worried and frustrated. "

God says: " Cast all your cares on ME (I 5:7)

You say, " I don't have enough faith. "

God says: " I've given everyone a measure of faith. " (Romans 12:3)

You say, " I'm not smart enough. "

God says: " I give you wisdom. " (I Cor. 1:30)

You say, " I feel all alone. "

Pass this on, you never know whose life may be in need of this

today.

I believe there are some weeks that we all feel our huts are

burning.

The house that God built

> Dear ,

>

> Sometimes the parallels between your life and our lives are scary! Jeff

> and I were married in February 1998. His wedding present to me was a

house

> (2500 sq ft) that he designed and helped build. He laid over 900 sq ft of

> ceramic in the kitchen/dining, utility and bath areas. We moved in August

> 1998. A few months after the house was completed, he took the covered

> porch and enclosed it, and turned it in to a game room for the kids. We

> lived in the country on an acre and a half of land. Jeff was so proud of

> " his " accomplishment. In January 1999 Jeff started to have symptoms

> ranging from stomach disorders, disorientation, pain in the middle of the

> back, lightheadedness, stumbling. They would come and go, and the doctors

> were perplexed, to say the least. MSA was mentioned as far back as

> christmas 2000. He was hospitalized 4 times between Jan 2000 and July

> 2001. A trip to Mayo in Rochester in July 2001 ruled out internal diseases

> (cancer,etc,), and it took a while for the doctors to determine for sure

> that the condition was neurological in nature. Finally a diagnosis of

> probable MSA was made by Dr Jankovic in Houston Christmas of 2001.

>

> Due to Jeff's health problems, the mounting medical bills and our home's

> distance from the nearest medical facility, we put our house up for sale

in

> December 2000 and sold it March 2001. I was very sad to move, but it

> really broke Jeff's heart. He had put so much of his love in to that

> house. We moved in to a 3 bedroom apartment, exactly half the size of the

> house. And a very amazing thing began to happen. Jeff, who grew up

> thinking that " things " made the man, began to realize that things aren't

so

> important after all. We really have grown to love our home. It's a happy

> haven where Jeff can come and rest if he's tired (it's only a few minutes

> from work). He doesn't have to worry about a yard to upkeep, or

> maintenance. When life becomes a daily struggle just to get out of bed,

> appearances and material things just don't mean much.

>

> On Sunday, I came in the living room and Jeff was sitting on the couch

> sobbing. He made the mistake of watching the movie " Ghost " . It really

> tore him up inside, and for the first time he had what I would call a

" Job "

> moment, where he cried out to God and asked him WHY was this happening?

> Why was he being punished? He was a good man, he loved God, he loved his

> family, etc. It gave me a chance to remind him that God does not only

> afflict bad people but good ones as well. It gave me a chance to tell

Jeff

> that his affliction and his courage in dealing with it has touched

> countless lives. He goes to work every day, and every day people ask him

> " How do you do it? " That's making an impact. His physical therapist

wants

> to start a foundation. Who knows where that will lead? I told him that

> his children watch him and how he deals with this adversity, and who knows

> how that is going to mold their future? I know I will never be the same,

> or look at life the same as I did three years ago. I told him that when

he

> goes heaven there will be no more tears or sorrow or pain. It won't be

him

> that misses his family. In the accounting of eternity, we will be with

him

> in the blink of an eye. It's the ones left behind who will do the

missing.

> I think when he realized that he was not being punished, he felt alot

more

> at peace with himself and God. So you see, God is still working, he's

> still building our house.

>

> Hang in there, Pablito.

>

>

>

>

> If you do not wish to belong to shydrager, you may

> unsubscribe by sending a blank email to

>

> shydrager-unsubscribe

>

>

>

>

>