tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933812550305714351.post7058112503584016245..comments2023-09-29T12:11:46.071-07:00Comments on Tales of Wonder: Be in a Novel! And an Excerpt about Infertility and SinglenessMarlo Schaleskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04690265597462589967noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933812550305714351.post-45170557534903267852009-05-31T17:03:20.993-07:002009-05-31T17:03:20.993-07:00Wow, Jody, that's a heartbreaking but amazing ...Wow, Jody, that's a heartbreaking but amazing story. Thank you so much for sharing. Your words really touched me.<br /><br />And Caleb's Momma, thank you for sharing too. God continues to make me catch my breath in wonder at how he turns the ugliest, most awful things into something purposeful and meaningful - testimonies to his wonder.<br /><br />Wow.<br /><br />--MarloMarlo Schaleskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04690265597462589967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933812550305714351.post-2183794518343604062009-05-31T14:01:07.276-07:002009-05-31T14:01:07.276-07:00I've been learning this lesson of surrender as God...I've been learning this lesson of surrender as God allowed the "gift of tragedy" to turn my life upside-down in July of 2001. I sat with my young family (husband and 3 kids, ages 7 mos, 2 1/2 and 4) at a restaurant for Sunday brunch. We had just gone to church and were about to start our meal when a suicidal woman drove her car into the restaurant where we were dining. My life literally cam crashing down around me and my 4-year old daughter was killed. The rest of us sustained serious and life-threatening injuries. It was the worst day of my life. Yet I had a peace in my heart and knew God was holding the pieces of our broken lives in His hands.<br />It's been a long, hard and painful journey. I never would have raised my hand and volunteered to walk this path of grief and heartache. But I can honestly say that there have been gifts and blessings and I have found joy all along the way. God has been SO GOOD and faithful to me and to my family. I do not know why He allowed this tragedy to happen to us, but we have been able to turn some of our pain into opportunities to glorify God. We made statements of forgiveness to the woman who drove the car (and didn't have a scratch on herself after the crash, nor has she ever said she's sorry) and have shared our story many times in various venues.<br />God's ways are not our ways. But I've learned to accept and trust Him more, and I have a longing in my heart for Heaven that I didn't before all this occurred. <br />I've been blessed with 3 more children since the death of our daughter and I know that each of my kids are a true gift.<br />Wow. I didn't mean to write a mini novel here myself! =) I just know that God is so much bigger than anything that happens in our lives and He promises to walk through the vallies with us.<br />So there you have it.I used to see my grief and suffering as hardships and the questions around them were burdens to me each day. Now I am seeing them more as God intended them in my life- through grief and harships I am learning God's mercies are new every morning. He truly has "rewrapped" my sorrow and turned it into joy. That's just how amazing God truly is. One day I'll see it all from His perspective and I just know I will praise Him and thank Him for the harships in my life!Jodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01338865463777681078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933812550305714351.post-35205873305720559812009-05-28T15:45:45.997-07:002009-05-28T15:45:45.997-07:00Hmmm... I won't say on the blog, but the package w...Hmmm... I won't say on the blog, but the package was almost as ugly as it can get, and God has taught me so much. For one, about how he can use anything for good. Also, how so much in this life is not about us, but if we allow God to use us, WE can be about God's purposes and bring comfort, healing, and hope to others as we walk with them through their difficulties, hopefully showing them God's love on the journey.Caleb's Mommahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02403891943812948949noreply@blogger.com