PRAYER REQUESTS

PRAYER REQUESTS

- Peace for Shawn and I, for Kyle and Miranda and Braden and Connor, for our parents and siblings and nieces and nephews and inner circle friends watching and hurting as we go through this
- that God would keep soft our children's hearts toward Him through all the emotions of this hard journey
- strength and stamina; physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually
- that the cancer shrinks to gone, gone, gone!
- gentle side effects to this second round of chemo
- family unity, harmony, love, strength, joy, happiness
- anything else you feel God puts on your heart


Sunday, March 9, 2014

One month ago...

It has been one month since Kristin's passing and I felt it appropriate to stop and reflect.  So much has happened, so much has changed.  Change is often not easy, particularly when it is not our choice.  So many thoughts and questions are faced daily yet as our family changes some of the ways we do things, we find it difficult but also understand that new opportunities emerge...to learn, to collaborate, to share and to grow closer.   Our present state stills sees us relying on what I will call "the three F's" - our faith, our family and our friends.  I am daily overwhelmed by the outpouring of love shown to us.  
So, how are we doing now, you might ask?  I am pleased to say we are doing reasonably well as we transition into our "new normal".  This last month has certainly had it's ups and downs, and we continue to take things one day at a time.  For this blog post, I'll share a few positive points as they relate to our kids.  

Connor has adjusted back to school and gets excited to play ball hockey at recess.  The other day he stated that he scored a "natural hat trick" and was very excited about that!  Braden is also doing well in school.  In fact this last week report cards came out and he made the honour role!  I was so proud to watch him get his award at the school assembly on Friday.  Miranda is part of an after school program called Destination Imagination where kids work in teams to learn and experience creativity, teamwork and problem solving.  Yesterday at the middle school challenge her team came in second place.  Way to go Miranda (and team)!  And last but not least, Kyle's soccer team played for the district championship and I am pleased to say that today they won! 

Over this last month, I have somewhat struggled to know how best to thank everyone for their kind words, prayers and generosity.  I have sent some cards, emails, texts, made phone calls, yet I know I have not reached everyone.  As a result, I am hopeful that this blog post will reach many more.  So to everyone, from Connor,  Braden, Miranda, Kyle and Shawn, we say "thank you".  Thank you for all you have done for us and continue to do for us.  While I won't capture it all, thank you for bringing us meals, for praying, for reaching out, for listening, for donating, for being there... I also have a long list of people who have offered assistance in any way, at any time - to you we say "thank you" as well.  Lastly, I continue to be asked "what do you need" or "what can we do for you"?  My answer is "pray".  Pray for our physical, emotional and spiritual health.
Going forward I plan to contribute to Kristin's blog to share her and our stories, keep people informed of how we're doing and perhaps also share some self reflective thoughts and perspectives.  I will not try to fill Kristin's shoes.  She had a gift; a gift to share her thoughts and to care and counsel others.  I hope that as you follow the blog, you will find it interesting, informative and of value to your journey.

Blessings,
Shawn

12 comments:

  1. Thank you Shawn for sharing your heart and lives with us. You and your family have been in our thoughts and prayers daily. I wish I could do more but that is hard to do from Oklahoma. Blessings to each of you!!

    Shelley (Oostenbrug) Gallope

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  2. Thank you for sharing, Shawn. You can be assured that you and your family are in my prayers daily.

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  3. Thank you Shawn for sharing yourself and your family with us so we can continue to lift you up in prayer. What a delight to hear how the children are doing. You also have the gift of sharing with the written word, as Kristen did. When I think of what you are facing I can only think of the words of one song 'one day at a time sweet Jesus is all I'm asking of you. Edna

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  4. Hugs to you and each one of your kids! My family prays for you all every day. It was my promise to Kristin to pray for her every morning when my alarm went off and I did and now it reminds me to pray for you and your kids. Its real to my kids because they are similar in age to Miranda , Braden and Connor and their innocent prayers with the words I might not use makes me thankful you are covered with childlike faith as well. Although I'm sure there are days when you don't feel it, you are strong, strong in your love for God and strong in your love for your kids and family. Thanx for sharing and I for one will be happy to continue reading and cherishing what God put on your heart to share. Chris and I both are inspired by you both...school ditch days and finding joy in the details of life even when its not easy. I reread Kris' words often and I'm thankful for the gift she left us all in her blog. The other day I read how she looked for rainbows and unicorns in life and here I had only been looking for rainbows and butterflies my whole life. I miss her being on this planet not that we saw each other often but the comfort of knowing she was here doing laundry and making dinners just like me felt normal. Knowing she isn't anymore seems empty somehow. Anyways, I cover you all with my prayers and love. This is far from easy but you are doing it.
    Cher

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  5. Thank you for sharing this update with us all Shawn. I think of you and the kids every day and pray for you all the time.

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  6. You guys are awesome as a family to keep the boat afloat! Kristin would be so proud as she looks down upon her wonderful family. I'm sure the 'new' will pose both positive and negative in this sort of adjustment but God will give you the strength as you go forward!! We continue to pray for you all....

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  7. FOREVER IN OUR HEART. FOREVER NEVER APART. Prayers forever. xo

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  8. Thank you so much for sharing this update Shawn! I only knew Kristin briefly from our time at Dunach. I didn't start to follow her blog until around Christmas but I'm so thankful she was able to touch me, and so many others so deeply through her words. I find myself thinking about her daily. In fact, this morning I had an urge to come to her blog looking for an update or just reread a past entry, and here one is! It would be strange to have such an ongoing, intimate connection with one we hardly know unless there was a supernatural element to it. I know that God is using Kristin even now, especially now, to speak into my own personal circumstances and to touch many, many people's hearts and lives. Sincerely, Julie

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  9. Thank you so much Shawn for taking the time to update on life at your home. It is so good to hear of the children's activities and accomplishments. You were a wonderful husband to Kristin, and you are a great, caring, loving, giving dad to your four gifts from God and He will help you one day at a time with wisdom and direction for all. I will continue to pray for you all as this is big adjustment in all your lives. God bless and give you favor. Love Aunt Judy

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  10. Thank you so much Shawn for taking the time to let us know how you are doing. I've heard a bit about how Braeden is doing through Zach but 10 year old boys don't usually offer much in the way of information! We continue to love, pray and think of you often.
    Love, Heidi and Sam

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  11. Shawn, my prayer for you and your kids is that each of you will feel God's comforting arms around you, carrying you through the especially harder days. Thank you for the update. I now have this blog saved at the top of my favorites, as a reminder to continue to pray for you often... Robin (Kaiser) Ediger

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