The other day Dw came home to talk to me about what the surgeon had said. The kids and I had been sitting on the porch talking and sipping coffee. We try to sit together and talk everyday on the porch because summer is so short in our city.
Anyway, Dw and I went inside our room to talk.
Jubilee’s situation is very concerning.
We finished up talking and he went outside to sit with the kids.
All of a sudden, it hit me.
I came outside crying.
Hard.
Everyone was like, “Are you okay, Mom?”
I said,
“Karl is in Rehab with a traumatic brain injury.
The accident alone was so horrible. Autumn is so affected.
We all are.
Ruby Grace needs to be home yesterday, yet the paperwork in Africa is not moving at all.
Jubilee’s tumors are more than concerning
and the surgeon said they should have come out yesterday.”
At that point I sat down and started to cry even harder.
And through my muffled sobs I managed, “My head feels like it’s going to blow up.”
Dw softly said, “I can’t believe you didn’t remember the other thing.”
I looked up at him, ‘What other thing?”
“If you don’t remember, I’m not telling.”
I tried to think, but was unable.
“Tell me now!”
“Tyler depl*ys tomorrow.”
Sobs and more sobs.
Yes, the yellow ribbon is up again.
His 5th time over there.
Someone once told us that it gets easier each time.
They were totally lying.
So proud of you son, so very proud.
You could have chosen an easy path.
But you didn’t.
You love America way too much.
And we love you with all our heart.
Pleading God’s protection over you and
your fellow special forc*s team.
Dear sweet Linny, Dw. and family
You have been carrying around so much lately. I heard a quote today that was a comfort…."It may not be well with our circumstances, but because of Jesus all is well with our souls."
Praying for all of you…and adding your son to my daily list…Sending lots of hugs your way.
Praying for you Linny ~ you & your family. God put you on my mind earlier today & I was praying then also.
((hugs))
Praying for each and every situation and need, and especially renewed strength for you. Isa 43:2
Linny, A friend directed me to your blog because of how beautifully you live out the love of Jesus with your children. I pray that you would find rest and quiet in our Savior – I can't imagine the weight of the burdens for your loved ones! I am praying for you and yours!
Oh my heart goes out to you. Enough is enough right? I've been saying the same thing and my stuff does not measure up to your stuff. I am so sorry and will continue to pray for you and yours.
Oh my. I am so sorry Linny! You are one incredibly strong woman, and with all you have going on… YIKES! It's no wonder you need a big ol' cry!!
Will be lifting you up, sweet friend 🙂 You, and your Ruby Grace, and Autumn, and Karl, and Jubilee, and Tyler!!
oxoxox,
Stefanie
There are no words to offer you, just prayers, and more prayers and more prayers, I think sometimes reading your blog that God wanted you to share your faith with the world but God also knew you were going to weather many many storms and the more voices storming heaven on your behalf the better. SO PRAYING TYLER HOME SAFE, and the same for Ruby Grace, Sarah, and Jubilee, and praying for sanity and grace through the tears.
God Bless Your Family.
Linny, I'm praying for you right now. May our God of all comfort and strength bolster your spirit and help you to "just do the next thing" and take one step at a time, following Him. We cry out to Him, He hears, He loves. Your bloggy friends love you, Linny. Thanks for sharing so that we can pray along with you.
my heart breaks for you and your family. praying for His peace and strength for you. 'watching' your journey thru your blog has strengthened my faith more than i could tell you… i know in return all i can give is my words of encouragement and prayers from afar. but one thing i have learned recently is that prayer works and so this i will do for you. soli deo gloria (all glory to God)- haley in florida
I only know you through your blog but I'm praying for you and your family tonight. What trials you are going through but I know that you are keeping the faith and God is with you each step of the way. Thanks for your encouraging blog.
Lifting you all up in prayers:)
may the God of all comfort be with you and your precious family during this time of struggle, strain, and stress. LORD JESUS, BE WHAT LINNY AND HER FAMILY NEED YOU TO BE RIGHT NOW, DURING THESE HARD DAYS. YOU ARE ENOUGH- LET THEM EXPERIENCE YOUR DEEP LOVE AND COMPASSION AS THEY WALK THROUGH VALLEY AFTER VALLEY. AMEN.
Bless your heart.
I wish I was near to bring a meal, to sit on the porch and hug, pray, whatever, all I can do it pray. And trust, Trust that the God that knows the hair's on each of your head can handle all of this even when the weight is simply too much. I know too much but God isn't surprised. Come Lord Jesus, Come Lord be near. Amen
Oh Linny! I can't even begin to imagine how hard it is to see him go each time.
I am praying with you through this battle you guys are in.
lifting you up in prayer. you are an amazing woman. hoping your tears have slowed down a bit and that you hear some good news soon about all of these concerns sititng so heavily on your heart.
Tears for you, Linny. And prayers. Prayers for Karl, for Autumn, for Jubilee, for Ruby Grace, for Tyler, and for YOU.
oh linny,
a hug across the computer line!
life is so hard
God knows.
we are yearning for heaven are we not?
this is not our home,
we are not home yet.
Lord, we need you to draw us in and overwhelm us once again.
be so big for Linny tonight Father.
comfort her, Lord.
Press on my friend.
Praying for your family and all the trials you are facing at the moment. Will keep Tyler in our prayers for the remainder of his deployment. Thank You for your service to our country Tyler. Thank You for your sacrifice Sarah and all the family.
Praying for you
xoxo
Jesus will fix everything!
Oh Linny, so much, too much. We will be lifting you and your family up in our prayers. God will bring you through this, through it. He is able. Hugs!
You are right to say that it never gets easier! Praying for your Tyler along with all the other troops! It always helps me to remember that they are trained to do what they do and they are the best at it. It doesn't get any better than the US Army!!
You have so much on your plate. When I feel that way i ask myself "When have you felt this way before and not gotten through it?" "When has God NOT brought you through it?".
Nope, can't think of a single time.
God bless,
Brooke
http://www.TheAnnessaFamily.blogspot.com
Sometimes the sad things just happen in bunches and it's hard to take it at the time. Be strong and of good courage. It's all in God's plan! He is there with you and will never leave you nor forsake you. You and your dear family are in our prayers. Hang in there, my friend across the miles. Hugs to you!
Praying….
Tell Tyler that we are sooo appreciative of his willingness to serve our country. Have been watching 9-11 stories and George W. Bush's interview…feels like yesterday and while I hadn't forgotten, I'm reminded anew to pray for and appreciate our servicemen AND their families…so THANK YOU!
Continuing to pray for Karl & Ruby Jane & Jubilee and the rest of you too!
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…" AMP Isaiah 43:2-3 May the peace of our Lord Jesus flood your heart this night and may His compassion and love for you be tangible. May you become even more aware of how He truly holds you up. In the name of Jesus I pray this for you tonight.
Sweet friend,
Praying for your overwhelmed head and heart, praying for those you love who desperateley need His healing touch, and praying for your Tyler's safety as he goes yet again to defend our freedoms.
Love you, may the Lord give you strength step by step.
Tina
(((((hugs)))))
I was painting most of all day today making bookmarks for the orphans. There were a couple that I made which had this bible verse:
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy Psalms 126:5
I pray that all this will pass (everyone safe and well) and that you will have much joy coming your way.
Praying for it all…as are many who may or may not always post.I know I don't all the time that I read and pray.((HUGS)) to you and your sweet God loving God fearing God obeying family.And for you Linny,I pray in Jesus' name the peace that only He can give washes over you and you get true rest and refreshing through it all,that His joy continues to pour from you.I pray Karl continues to heal and amaze all with God's healing,that Ruby Grace gains weight and becomes well,that Jubilee's surgery is annointed by God in every minute detail,so only He can be exalted through it all.That Tyler is protected mentally and physically and that he can minister to others while gone and lead others to Christ.
know that so many are praying for your family…as Ty heads out one more time…know that he goes with people all over the world praying for him.
Surely, if He orchestrated how Karl was taken care of in those first moments after the accident, He will also protect Ty.
Rest and soak in the Word. ((hugs))
Oh Linny it's all so much. I wish there was something I could do right now to make each of these hard situations better. I will continue to pray for you and for your entire family.
Oh, Linny, so very sorry that you have so many heavy things to bear, so many unbearably heavy things to bear. I am praying for each of these situations that your tears are for today, and I know that many other people are, as well. May God hold you and comfort you with His peace that passes understanding.
Oh sweet friends.
I am so glad you were able to spend time with him before he d*ploys. Thankful for the bond that you have.
And continuing to pray for his safety. For God to put a hedge of protection around him, around his team, around his mind. For God to be present in the middle of pain and suffering and bravery.
Praying for your precious Jubilee… that God will MOVE to heal her, to bring glory to Himself with the way He does this.
Praying for Karl, and thanking Him for the provision, protection, the absolute engineering of his survival.
And funnily enough… I LOVE LOVE LOVED seeing a comment from your Autumny on Facebook on a snake picture that Tiff had commented on. Her deal with Karl that he kills snakes and she kills spiders – makes me smile. (And goshdarnitall, if she were my Facebook friend, I'd tell her 🙂
Linny,
sending you hugs from the southeast.prayers going heavenward for ALL of you!
Praying protection over Tyler, over Jubilee, and health over Karl, Jubilee and Ruby Grace
love you,
Alycia
PRAYING and more PRAYING for Tyler and all the family. The yellow ribbon is still on the bedside lamp and other are going up around the house, on my car/home keys and one in the car. You are all never far from my thoughts and prayers.
With a big hug, lots of love and prayers, Becky xxx
Crying with you. . .and praying-really.
Oh, Linny…prayers for you. It's when we are at our weakest that God is at His strongest!
Linny, Your plate is very very full!! Hugs from me and may you feel God's arms wrapping around you to be able to bear all of these intense things. Much love from Illinois, Ellen W.
Praying for all your concerns. God doesn't dish out more than we can handle, although sometimes it does seem like He is testing us.
My heart goes out to you. I appreciate you always being so real. God is good and He is faithful. This stuff is hard and it hurts as we walk this stuff out. Jesus be with Linny and her family as they battle so very much. They trust you, comfort them and hold them close to you. Amen sister amen. Lori
And I can't believe you didn't remember the other thing… surrender your burden and God will carry you. His love is bigger than all of it. Blessings.
There are so many things right now of concern. So many challenges- it must feel so overwhelming.
Saying prayers dear friend for you and your family.
Praying for wonderful outcomes that will shine all glory on our Father.
You can do this and God will help you through every moment.
(((Big Hugs)))
Wish I could be there to give you a big old <> and cry with you! In the meantime, I'll pray and cry with you from across the country.
Oh sweet heart, I am so sorry for everything going on at the same time. Lifting each and everyone of you to feet of Jesus.
Praying for the paperwork to MOVE thru and for the right people touch and process the paperwork for Ruby. Standing in FAITH that all the doctors and sergeons that come into contact with Miss Jubee to be annointed with the Lords hands. Praying for Tyler to be blessed and protected by our Mighty God and that people that Tyler comes into contact with that do not know the Lord become belivers. As always praying for Karl and Autum as they walk thru this season and that their testiomony lead others to Christ. Praying for your mama's heart. I love you.
Your constant praises of/for GOD in this storm is an AMAZING tesitmony!!
I know you know that God knows what we need even if we momentarily have a lapse. Yes, He is ever interpreting our groanings to the Father. What a sweet Daddy He is. When I opened your blog, "My Deliverer" was playing. Just remember that not only is He your Deliverer but Ruby Grace's, Sarah Jane's and most assuredly, Jubilee Promise's, Karl's and Tyler's. We are so blessed to be able to just sit on His lap and rest in His sweet fragrance. Sistah chickie, I understand your tears; I've been there and done that more times than you could even imagine. As much as I understand, He undertands much more and saves each one in a bottle. Your tears are an offering to Him. Blessings on you, DW and all your littles as you have so much on your heart. Know that I am praying for relief from some of the stress…wish I were there to help you. I love you more than you know and amazingly more than anyone else I've never met :-). Take care and prayers for blessings are yours. ~Martha
Praying for you! May you feel the Lord's arms wrapped so tightly around you….there is not one tear, nor one groan that He doesn't count. May His mercy and compassion for you wash over you today, like balm for your soul
Oh so much on your plate!
He IS BIGGER!
Praying for your daughters, Karl and your son's deployment. Just went through that one myself.
Praying His peace overflows…
Donna
Linny,
I am so sorry…God IS in it all though…with you…there for you…the Great Comforter. I know you KNOW that….just reminding you and lifting up your arms…
Praying for peace for you!
Love,
C~
Oh Linny, I have no words. Just know that I am praying for you. Love you, friend.
Kids and I prayed for you and family this morning.
Peace. Rapha.
My sweet Friend…
I'm loving you from Kenya to Colorado. Did you feel that? It was the biggest hug ever! My prayers follow after you and yours ALWAYS.
lisa
Someone told me it gets easier too, they definitely lied. Hugs. Praying for Tyler, Jubilee, Karl, and Ruby Grace. Also praying for God's comfort upon you. We can't survive under these burdens alone, but through Christ, all things are possible!
Oh sweet Linny ~ I have so many tears for your aching heart right now. Know that we are praying for God's grace in all of this. For Karl's continued improvement, for Jubilee, for Ruby Grace, for Tyler and for God's amazing grace to sustain all of you as you are hit with the realities and heart-aches of today. May His mighty hedge of protection remain over ALL of your children and all of these situations, in Jesus' name!
Love and Hugs to you, Linny! Praying, praying, and praying some more!! <><
OXO,
Tanya
((HUGS)) and prayers for you and yours.
oh honey – hugs to you all
I'm praying for your precious family!!
Big, huge hugs, Linny. Love you and am praying for you, yours, and all of these HUGE situations in your lives. Any one of them would be overwhelming on it's own, much less all at the same time. Praying for God's peace, comfort, healing, and protection!
I am so PRAYING for all your Precious Treasures and all their needs! And PRAYING for Karl. Also you DEAR SWEET BLOG FRIEND! Janet
Praying for you and sending huge hugs! Linny–the path YOU have chosen is not easy—but your faith has blessed so many through your adoptions and through this blog. Wishing I lived closer to give you a hug in person.
Praying for your ENTIRE family <3!
Linny,
I am so sorry! I am crying with you! I, too, feel very overwhelmed with life and many things right now. I pray for Karl, Jubilee and Ruby Grace regularly. If there is nothing else I have learned from you the past 1 1/2 years I have been one of your followers, is that it always comes out OK. I just know that there are times I just need a good cry too…
Carrie T. in NC
I can't remember how I cam across your blog, but I've been following you since right before Karl's accident. Yes, following you also means praying hard for you and your family.
I wanted to tell you how much I admire your heart for orphans. My heart beats the same way, but I don't have direction as to what to do YET. God is preparing us for the future.
On another note, I also wanted to let you know that you and your family, especially Jubiliee, were the focus of my fast today. You are facing a deep spiritual battle right now, but God is victorious!
With the love of Jesus,
Aletta Cherry (Indiana)
Oh, Linny!
I can only imagine how you were overwhelmed. You will be in our prayers all the more.
My husband and I have been overwhelemd with many things…..none of which are as critical as what you face.
And, I've lost it more than once!
May you feel the sweet peace that only Jesus gives.
Robbie
I have been in the shoes of a wife whose husband is leaving for deployment and wouldn't wish that on anyone. I can't imagine being the Mother of one of those brave soldiers. Praying for peace for you and your family. The feeling of literally falling down and being held up by friends is still so freshly with me 4 years later. I pray that angels and friends are ministering to you and your family right now.
Thank you for sharing the good with the bad. I sometimes picture you as having it all together and handling anything that comes your way. I love that you are so strong in Christ, but share your fears and weaknesses. Praying with you.
Praying for you, sweet Linny and for all your treasures. God holds each one in His loving hands and His grip is strong and sure. Lifting you and DW up before His throne and praying that He fill your heart with the peace that passes understanding. Romans 15:13
Love you guys so much. Praying that the Lord will sustain you and strengthen you for each day.
Linny and family,
Praying for all of this and the other unspoken things in your lives. HUGS!
Praying for you with love for all of these weighty issues in your life!
Lorisa in Greeley
Linny,
Thank you for being so transparent, not only to share the good stuff, but the hard stuff too. It isn't always easy baring your heart for others to see the sorrow, the overwhelming burdens (sometimes), and sometimes the feeling of "this is just too much!" Know that I am keeping everyone in my prayers…You and your precious family, Karl and his family, Tyler and Sarah through another deployment, Ruby Grace and Sarah Jane. Did I forget anyone? I hope not! Anyway, just wanted to send a note to let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers. And now…a verse/prayer over you…
"May your unfailing love be Linny's comfort, according to your promise to, Linny, your servant." Psalm 119:76 Much love to you and yours, Emily
praying for your precious family as satan attacks you all so hard.
you must be right in the middle of God's will and doing some seriously amazing work!
Thank you brave Tyler for what you do to keep us free.
praying for you and all of yours. God is so good and He knows all of your fears, all of your worries and He's catching all of your tears. bring him your burdens sweet linny ~ for His yolk is light and He has such amazing plans to prosper you and give you an even more abundant life. =)
I pray for y'all daily. I just wanted to let you know I also put out a prayer request to my church on Sunday for y'all. I know things are hard, very hard, right now. When you are weak, He is strong. God bless you and your family!
Praying for you……
Hugs,
Teena
Praying for you.
Hugs,
Teena
I so do not have a lot of words, it is HARD,
but i bring you and yours before the throne,
expecting EVERYTHING from HIM.
A big virtual hug {{{}}}
Adriana
Praying for Tyler's safety, karl's healing, protection and great outcome for Jubilee, endurance and peace for Autumn, Quick processing for your two treasures in Africa and for peace for you!
Blessings,
Julie 🙂
I am so thankful that those babies, both small and grown, have you to love them!
OK, surgery for our kids stinks. I didn't type what I thought. It also starts with the letter S.
Our little girl just had her 8th surgery since coming home from China almost 3 years ago. It never gets easier.
I can't think of anything else to say. Sometimes it is just too much. Let God have it!
{{{{{{LINNY IS HERE}}}}}}}}}
That was me giving you a big hug!