Thursday, February 21, 2013

Counting our blessings


You will be happy to know that we have had heaps of blessings this week. First off, we got the wonderful news that Jonah was allowed to come back to the hospital. After being apart for a month, my boys have absolutely mauled each other. When Jonah came in, he immediately climbed up in Caleb's bed and they just hugged and hugged. Then immediately Jonah pulled Star Wars guys out of his backpack one at a time to show Caleb; they had important things to catch up on.

Then yesterday, we were informed that an apartment here at the Ronald McDonald House was available. They have 6 of these apartments for transplant families. Normally you move in post-transplant, but we have been here so long that the staff is allowing us to move now. Unless you have ever lived in essentially a hotel room for 4 months, you can't even imagine how much of an upgrade this is. Don't get me wrong, we are incredibly thankful to have a place to stay together, but it has been a strain to only have a public lounge to spend time in together. Now we have our own bathroom, kitchen, living room with a tv.... It feels like we have the world! Having some privacy back, and being able to spend the days together, is heaven.

And it gets even better... As you may know if you have read my blog for some time, I have always dreamed of moving into a bigger house. Since we got married in 2004, we have lived in a happy little 900-square-feet house. And we have tried to move, but over and over it hasn't happened. We always felt like God was telling us to be patient and wait for His timing, and we have. And now that makes perfect sense, because we are getting ready to move into a beautiful home. It has 5 bedrooms, and it is down the street from my in-laws (who, incidentally, are going to be able to help with our boys when we come home). It is so wonderful that every time I walk through the house, I can hardly believe it's going to be mine. The amazingly generous people who are selling it to us have given us such a gift; because of Caleb, they are selling us a house that they have personally renovated, at their own cost, and selling it to us for a personal loss. Otherwise we would never be able to afford this home. You can probably imagine how it feels to be waiting in the hospital but have this wonderful new home to look forward to. God's timing is so perfect in every way! We are moving Saturday and I am so glad we waited for the house HE had for us.

God is so good to our family. We are growing and learning, and hopefully teaching our kids to have a thankful heart. As Jonah reminded me last time we stopped by the new house, "Mommy, we're really blessed." Out of the mouths of babes.

10 comments:

  1. This is awesome news on so many levels..so happy for you and your family I will keep you in my prayers and look forward to the day you post Caleb is getting a new heart....Our God is a good God and he will get a new heart like you said all in his timing Praise God!!! God bless the Richardson's.

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  2. Katie I am so happy for you all! God is revealing so much of the "big picture"! Love you guys so much! Miss Pam

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  3. Wow! What great news! You have been doubly blessed!
    Aunt Patty

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  4. Tears of joy flowing for you! What a testament to God's awesome care for us in all thing! Can't wait to watch all the great things He will do through Caleb and your family! God bless you every day!

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  5. God is good! Although I do not know you, as a friend of the Hales I have been following your blog. I pray for your family all the time and am thrilled to see God has begun to make some good changes in your life. As you are seeing, He does things in His own time, for His own reasons. You truly are blessed. I have no doubt God's sweet blessings will continue to rain down on your family.

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  6. Praise the Lord! This is some very heart-lifting news. And we will keep praying for you guys.

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  7. Great news! It's wonderful to hear the way God is working through your life.

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  8. God is great! His timing is the best.

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  9. I totally understand how wonderful it is to have an apartment at the Ronald McDonald house. As a child my brother had to have meny surgeries. He had to go to a different state and my mom would be with him for months at a time while I was staying with different relatives and my dad was working to pay bills. Finally, my mom was able to stay at the Ronald McDonald house and I was able to go and stay too. For me, it was a special time when we could all be together. I could see my brother and have time with my mom. It is a time that I treasure. So glad God is pouring his blessings out on your family.

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  10. This is Su on Woody's iPad rejoicing both about Ronald McDonald and your house! Wow!! I love your attitude.. An inspiration to me!!

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