Hibbets' Happenings

2006 was a year of spiritual growth for me -- for both of us. We began the year with "revelations" about health, and following God's plan (what the Bible says) about nutrition, rest, and other health-related principles. It was a fantastic year of discovering eye-opening truths and learning to trust God in new ways we hadn't considered before. God radically changed our lives through applying words we had heard and read many times before, but never took to heart in the way we began to that spring, and so had never actually applied to us. (And the Dr. Phil test, "How's it workin' for you?" -- was, and is still, -- GREAT!)

2007, however, was a maintenance year, a year of stability -- but not of growth. After 2006 was so exciting to experience, 2007 was a little disappointing. We did have some neat life events in '07; we began the year in Hong Kong, in the summer we moved to "our little house in the country," and we ended the year with a new baby on the way. But it was not a year of discovering new truths; I felt like I was the same person in December as I was in January. I was a little frustrated, but I also knew God has plans for those times, too. I also knew I hadn't "backslidden," just stayed the same -- and deep down I knew that's important, too. As far as the health part goes, it was important to me to see that over a year later, and really almost two, we were still living and applying the principles that were so fresh at the beginning of '06. I believed all along it was a "real" change, but continuing to live it after a lot of the "hype" was over showed me it really was real to us.

And now for 2008:
So far, 2008 has been exciting -- it has been a new time of growth for us. The Lord began opening doors for growth right at the very beginning of the year, which have just escalated. The main tools He's using to grow us right now, in addition to His Word of course, is the book "No Perfect People Allowed," by John Burke (eye-opening! life-changing! very challenging!) and Beth Moore's "Breaking Free" Bible Study. I literally feel like my eyes are open a little wider, that my heart is more tender, and I can't help but feel a little regret for living so differently the past 30 years. I wish I could have known these things all along! But I also know God's timing is perfect. God shows us things as we're ready to handle them. I have to admit, though, all this change and new thinking is a little overwhelming -- in a good way, but overwhelming none the less. Partly because I know the Lord is not showing us all this for our knowledge or even primarily for our benefit, but for His glory and to benefit His kingdom. So we both know "God has something up His sleeve" for us -- we just don't know what that is right now. But we're not scared, we're excited! And trying to be patient (not our strongest suit). In that, too, God will show us when He's ready. And that's fine.

There's so much more I could write, but this is probably enough for now. All I can say is, based on what God is teaching us through these two resources, I highly recommend both "No Perfect People Allowed" (primarily for church leaders, but applicable to every Christian) and "Breaking Free." Get a copy of one or both of these and see for yourself. And please, let me know if you do! I'd love to hear your thoughts and perspectives. God has changed us so much, and I like the person I am now so much better than the person I was a year ago through these changes -- that I want to share with everyone and give everyone the chance to experience the same!

I had my 32-week checkup yesterday. Everything's fine and the same as it has been. No news either way, really -- which at this point is fine! So we're still on track for May 12. My weight didn't change from my last visit at 29 weeks. I've gained a total of almost 30 pounds, but it all happened in the first 5 months or so, because the last 3 appts I've been down 1 pound, then down 1 pound again, and then no change. A girl doesn't like to think about gaining 30 pounds, but I know that's a healthy weight gain for pregnancy, and I do like the fact that at least for now it's not continuing to increase. (Not that I'm trying to lose weight, but neither the dr. nor I are worried about it. I know I'm eating well.) The dr. says I'm measuring right and that everything looks great. I'm trying to just focus on eating right and doing the right thing, and let my body respond how it wants and needs to. I feel good, I'm still sleeping well, I'm not unreasonably uncomfortable -- things are good!

I should try to post some Easter pictures. The weather was beautiful and I got some good pictures this weekend. I'll see if I can remember to do that sometime.

For a while now, we've told Jayden our wedding rings mean we love each other. If you ask her, what does Daddy's ring say? She'll say, "LO-VE Mommy." (It's so cute!) Well, last night after church, we took her in the sanctuary to see the big cross in front for the Easter service. David told her the cross says, "Jesus LOVES Jayden." It took just a second for her to understand what David was telling her, but then you could tell she liked that. It clicked, because we've asked her since then, and she'll tell us, "LOVE me," or "LOVE Jayden." It's precious! And what a wonderful lesson for her to begin learning now. We tell her, Jesus loves you even more than Mommy and Daddy do. One day I pray she'll fully understand His message of love for her and all of us.

http://tuscaloosanews.com/article/20071222/NEWS/526784029/1005/SPORTS0106

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8385854117099227098&q=Michael+Wesch+kanas+state&total=33&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=1

Joshua's surgery Wednesday morning went great -- as well or even better than expected. His recovery has been smooth sailing so far; they've observed him for 24 hours, he's doing great, and he gets to go home sometime today. We'll keep him at home tomorrow to rest, but we expect him to do fine. We have a little road trip planned for Saturday and should be back to "life as usual" by then. It's always a little stressful to have something like this going on, but we've made it, he needed this done, and it couldn't have gone better. And now it's done! Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers for him and us.

"If thou wouldst be happy and easy in thy family, above all things observe discipline."
— William Penn, 1693

WHAT DO THESE WORDS HAVE IN COMMON?

Banana - Dresser - Grammar - Potato - Revive - Uneven - Assess

Don't give up yet!

Okay, here you go:

Answer: In all of the words listed, if you take the first letter, place it at the end of the word, and then spell the word backwards, it will be the same word. Did you figure it out?

The Lord sent us another blessing this week! Yesterday, we were GIVEN a new wheelchair for Joshua. Okay, technically it's not new, but it's new to us, and it may as well be new, because it's in perfect condition. It belonged to a special boy here in town which we never got to know and who passed away about two weeks ago. He was older and taller than Joshua, and severely disabled -- like Joshua and probably even more so. The family donated his chair and other equipment to our therapy place, who thought of us and offered the wheelchair to Joshua. Joshua was outgrowing his chair, and we knew we would be facing replacement soon (though we hadn't started the process yet). Yesterday Joshua's PT adjusted the chair to make it smaller for Joshua to fit in it now, which means it has plenty of growing room as Joshua gets bigger and we need to go back the other way. It is very similar to the chair we already had (the same brand and very similar features) which means we're already comfortable with the way the chair works. So it is exactly what Joshua needs! This is probably at least a $2,000 gift to us. (That's several van payments!)

Joshua's other big news is that he's scheduled for surgery next week to have his trach stoma closed. Apparently the stoma usually closes on its own after having the trach removed, but Joshua's has not. So the doc has to re-open the wound so that the body will heal it and it will close. It is actually out-patient surgery, but they will keep him in the PICU afterwards for observation, probably for 2 days. I feel really good about it and know this is what Joshua needs. Still, no mom wants to put their 5 year old in the hospital, much less the PICU! Next week will be tough mentally, emotionally, and logistically, but we'll make it. It's what we need to do.

We've had the van a little over a week, and the odometer is quickly headed to 10,000 miles! (It was under 9,000 when we got it last Monday.) But that's the story of our life!