This will not be long, because it makes me dizzy and i don't feel great after i'm on the computer for a while, but i couldn't resist getting on here today...a day of Thanksgiving and giving God all the glory for what you are seeing. I am typing this myself which means i have the motor skills in my left hand. i have to correct a lot, but who cares, right?! so, today, take some time to really look around at the little things and see what there is to be greatful/thankful for. There might even be some larger situations that seem like they are out of control, but i bet if you break it down, there is something in the midst of the "out of conrtolness" that you can be greatful for. thank you again to leigh ann who keeps posts on here for me. it truly is a blessing. i hope that all of you have a great day with those you love. if not, please know that there are so many out here that love you and would love to share with you the one who will never leave you and take you to a place where you will never feel alone.....Jesus....

love your guts:)
sarah

sarah beth is HOME!

when i went to visit her this morning before i started work, she was getting her shower done and kathleen had been starting to get things packed up in anticipation of going home today. sarah beth had some other tests to get out of the way before she could do that, but things were good enough for her to be able to leave the hospital. kathleen told greg that she insisted on stopping to eat at fazoli's on the way home, so of course they did. anything she wants, you know?! so now she is home and will be sleeping in her own bed tonight.

the plan this morning was to check into the possibility of staying at home and doing outpatient therapy, which will depend on insurance. sounds like a great plan to me.

we are already so grateful for what God has been accomplishing in sarah beth's life and recovery. and now we are thankful...beyond thankful, honestly...that she will be home with family and friends for thanksgiving. there is NO ONE like our God!!

please keep bringing sarah beth before the Lord Jesus. we are thankful for your faithfulness to her and to the Lord.

"who is so great a God as our God?" psalm 77:13

yesterday and today have been better days for sarah beth! she is still struggling with some post-op issues. but today when greg and i were with her she looked really good. her bandages are off and she got to take a shower today, which she said felt great to be able to do. she was awake pretty much the whole time we were there, which we loved - we got to really talk with her today (i've really really missed that!) instead of just talking to her or feeling as though we were wearing her out by having her answer us. God gave us precious time with this girl today, and we are so thankful to Him for that.

greg was talking to her about some things she is thankful for...blessings that God has given her throughout her journey this past few years...joys that have been hers. she said that i could share with you some of what she shared with us. so here it is.

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when he asked sarah beth what she's thankful for she said,
"there is so much...
my family..

just being able to live in this country..

prayers..

loveyourguts - the comments - completely overwhelming - support from people i don't even know...

my mom - she never leaves me. my dad too. i've never seen anything like it. even with simple things like help putting on my socks. she never complains.

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some of her blessings:
God has taught me a whole lot. #1, He is in control and at some point you have to let go. i still struggle with it. but He's been working with me. when it boils down to it, it's always, "do you trust me?", and it's "yes i do!" and everything works out.

looking back over things, there's always been a circumstance or something that has happened that always confirmed it was God, putting things in His timing.

patience is a big thing He's been working on. i still struggle with that. but i'm getting there.

when i'm in so much pain, the only thing that gets me through is thinking about Jesus and Him walking that road...the thorns...and them beating Him. and i'm not even close to in as much pain as he was. that was the ultimate sacrifice.

watching people who want to give and to help and to be united in the body of Christ. it's a different perspective when you're in it - you don't want any of this done for you. it's a natural tendency to want to do things on your own. but in reality, it's hard to do it on your own. it's very hard to receive. but it is extremely helpful. it's very humbling.

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some of her joys:
i'd say one of the biggest joys is...there's personal relationships and then there are personal relationships...the joy of this is, the past 2 years, is i've gotten to go deeper with my personal relationship with God. i guess i could've sloughed it off but i chose to really study and learn. to live it.

the whole depression thing - a major valley. poppaw praying for me every night. jeremy coming in my room at night when he got home and holding my hand, telling me about the kids from work. i'll never forget that about that time.

another humbling thing/joy/blessing has been the site visitor statistics on loveyourguts. it's crazy how many people are on that and read it. almost scary.

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pretty soon after this, she started to fall asleep again. we left her in great hands with her two brothers, jeremy and jason. good brothers. one on each side of their sister's bed - watching over her while they (loudly) watched football on tv. she looked like she'd sleep through the whole thing. she needed some rest so she could help celebrate her dad's birthday when he and kathleen got back to the hospital. joy in the midst of trial. God does bless.

she still has miles to go. and decisions to make. keep praying. and thank you so much.

right about here, sarah beth would say
"love your guts!"

sarah beth had a pretty rough morning but by this afternoon she was feeling better. she's been working with occupational therapy, doing things like brushing her teeth and putting her shoes on and tying them, all those "activities of daily living" types of things. physical therapy is also with her as she continues to work on walking some each day. these things really tire her out but she does them anyway! she continues to make improvements each day. we are so grateful!

we're now waiting for the final pathology report and for the report from the CT scan she had today. we'll let you know more as we know.

lift sarah beth up to the Lord - every time He brings her to your mind, please whisper a prayer for her.

greg (my husband) talked to kathleen a little while ago for our last sarah beth update of the evening. she said it has been a better day than yesterday. sarah beth was able to get up a few times today and walked to the door of her room a couple times. she was still a little nauseated today but not sick like yesterday. thank you, once again, for your prayers. she is being brought before the Lord in prayer more times than we can even imagine! i know that as we are seeking the Lord on her behalf, it is making an impact in her life and recovery.

psalm 27:5-8
for in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle, and set me high upon a rock. then my head will be exalted above my enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will i sacrifice with shouts of joy; i will sing and make music to the Lord. hear my voice when i call, O Lord, be merciful to me and answer me. my heart says of you, "seek his face!" your face, Lord, i will seek.