Whispers

A brief medical update: Kaitlin did have to have her right lung drained today, but they are confident this is the last time that will be necessary. She is feeling good today, and we are thankful. Today was a day of education...she went to class, met new friends (she already has 2 younger girls from out of state that she calls her "babies") and continued her therapy.

The post below is an e-mail sent to me by Kaitlin's Aunt Kathy...the family thought it appropriate to share with all as it is full of beauty, raw emotion and desperation to find purpose from The Lord in all of this. We are certain that many of you will identify with where Kathy's heart is at. We do!

Know that we as a family believe that we serve a God who saves by faith alone. We also believe that the Spirit leads us in unique and powerful ways to bring His name glory...whether it be amidst chaos or effortless joy. James says, "so also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." Ephesians 2 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." We trust that our prayers are heard and that they are powerful in calling on The Lord of the universe to bring healing and peace. Hebrews 10:24 says, "and let us consider how to stir one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." 

Enjoy the sweet gift of reading the words below! (Thank you, Aunt Kathy-we love you!) 

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I had a little revelation this morning (at least a revelation for me) and I wanted to share it. Maybe it could be shared via the blog or maybe people could use the kaitlinandjohn email to let them know 

what they are doing with goodness from Kaitlin. I don't know.

I think about Kaitlin all of the time. I told my sister Sue, I have never thought about someone this much. I think about her in the morning, after classes, in my car, at the market, on my walks,
EVERYWHERE. I think of her and I pray. Sue says it's the Holy Spirit in action... I don't know. I just know that I think about sweet Kaitlin all through the day. I told Sue, 'there must be something that I can do other than pray??' Praying isn't enough for me right now. I am in Pennsylvania and I need to do more. Sue said, "just prayer Kath, that's what we need". My revelation this morning however was ... no...actually I CAN do more. I can. I can do good works in honor and thought of Kaitlin. I can use her goodness through me. You know how we get these little whispers in our lives sometimes...almost like the Holy Spirit whispering..."you should work at the food bank when you can....you should volunteer to coach troubled teens...you should sing for the elderly....you should make food and take it to the shelters..." many many more. Most of us hear these whispers and we don't act because we are so busy. We mean well, but we just put it off. Well I got to thinking about how many people are praying for Kaitlin's recovery right now. Hundreds and hundreds, probably thousands...people in many states and across the country are in prayer for her and for John.  What if ALL of those  people listened to one whisper and fulfilled it? What if we did even ONE good thing -- one good thing that would please God.  Hundreds and hundreds of good things would happen. Fulfill a whisper for Kaitlin, I thought. Just pick one single thing that I've been meaning to do for years, and go do it. Let her goodness work through me.

Well I found one. I am going to volunteer to sing and lead music classes for the Easter Seals children.  Many of them have special needs.  Some are autistic, some have down syndrome, etc. I have a music business doing this, but I have not yet made time to do outreach for the children and families who really need it and can't afford it. So when my afternoon job is off (school vacation days), I am going to go in and do outreach music at Easter Seals in honor of Kaitlin and in a fulfillment to a whisper from the Holy Spirit. It will be a win all around!  Easter Seals will win. The children will win. I will win because I will feel SO GOOD about doing it. The Holy Spirit will win because joy will be created. Kaitlin will win, because the Holy Spirit will credit her for this accomplishment. I will do this in honor of her and I will let God know that.

Could you share this with Kait and John through their email or any way appropriate.  I am feeling really good about doing this and I know I will think about Kaitlin the whole time I am doing it.  It will be her spirit working in me while she is busy getting well.  I'll even try to send her some pictures...this I do for you Kaitlin!

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