One year ago this week was Steve’s diagnosis.  I’ve told you a lot of times how he talked with our kids and asked them what they would like to do with him and those conversations led to this trip and this one and also this one here.

Perhaps you’ve noticed that none of those posts include this girl.

 

 

That’s because as we were planning her trip, she felt that God was nudging her to do this trip.  It felt a little risky at the time – not knowing how long we had to get these memories made – but we were so, so proud of her for choosing to serve her world, even knowing that it might cost her something precious.   She’s a good one, that girl.

 

The happy news is:  this is the week of her trip.   We’re going to Orlando to see this place again.  Last time, Victoria was the only one who had read any of the books or seen the movies.  This time, I’ve done my homework and I am ready to rumble  in Potterland.  And you would be wise to never underestimate my rumblin’ skillz.  Heh.

 

 

Another happy surprise?  My Christmas gift to Steve was tickets to see Andrea Bocelli in concert in Orlando.  Mr. Bocelli is Steve’s favorite, but he’s only playing three dates in America in 2012 and I was astounded when I saw that one of them was in Florida on the very date we were already planning to be there.  So, good things this week.

 

This is our last big family “wish” trip.  I have mixed emotions about that.  It has been lovely to do them and I can’t believe we’ve been able to pull them off – but they have been weighty with meaning and heavier to carry in my heart than I anticipated when this whole journey began.  They’ve also been very expensive.  I’m not complaining – it’s worth every penny – but I’m just ready to go back to regular, gather- around-the-family-table living, you know?  I’m also more than a little ready to have a certain baby boy present at family dinner and he is at this point, just over three weeks from his scheduled eta.  Eeek!  I have Grandma gear to buy!

 

God is good.  That’s what I know for sure.  He is good and He has done great things for this little tribe I loosely call “mine”.  He has given us a chance to really live out some dreams and to see each other in both brand new and comforting old ways.  He has provided miraculously and has confirmed every step, making a smooth path beneath our feet (and I really, really needed one.)  It deserves to be said again: He is good.

 

I think it was sometime in March or April of last year that Steve ran into this song while shopping for new music.  He listened to it over and over again, tears streaming down his face.  It moves him.  It moves me.  I really believe that it moves the heart of God.  His kingdom…come.  His will…done.  On earth, in heaven, in us.  Enjoy…

http://youtu.be/aEplqV0scyo

5 Comments

  1. You always grab me from my day and bring me to the right place. Love you. Love Team Stern.

  2. And tears streaming down my face as well. It is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. It is triumphant. Love Susie

  3. Oh man, I can’t wait to have that certain baby boy at family dinner EITHER! My goodness, that’s gonna be fun.

  4. Bo, Thank you for sharing your walk. May you all be richly blessed on your trip To Orlando and Andrea Bocelli concert.

  5. “Deep cries unto deep…” makes a little more sense now. Love you.