Many days have passed since I last took time to write a post. The things that have transpired since have changed my life quite a bit. There have been major disappointments, difficulties, and changes; but thankfully also great reasons to rejoice in the midst of it all.
The main reasons that kept me from writing were, a crazy schedule that basically required me to commute back and forth during the week, and the arrival of our new addition to the family. It was the birth of my baby girl, that finally gave me an excuse to settle down and once again enjoy my time at home. With my month and a half baby I feel like I'm still on the road to recovery from the busy schedule, though now it is much different. My day revolves around my families needs, mostly my baby's. I'm working my way back to homeschooling my younger children while trying to get into my routine of keeping our home.
Some weeks ago this happened. I received a phone call from my oldest sister announcing my mother had just had a mild stroke, followed by others soon after. Eventually she was admitted to the hospital, and then in a rehabilitation center for people recovering from these types of health problems. My mother has since returned home and is doing much better.
Once again another phone call was to bring us more bad news. This time it I received the news that another sister was having health problems, and after an appointment with her doctor and then a specialist, they confirmed she had a tumor. The thing is they could not tell her at the time if there was any cancer involved, but said they would let her know after the surgery. Immediately they set a date; if I'm not mistaken it was within a week. To our shock the surgery revealed that although there was no cancer, the tumor wound up measuring something close to a foot and a half. The good news is she is now recovering from her surgery and thankfully there was no damage caused to her other organs.
Amidst the various health issues in our family, financial hardships, and other things I won't mention here, there are blessing also. For instance, I'm so glad for my mother's recovery as well as my sisters. It helps me realize how blessed I am to have them around. Also, I'm extremely filled with joy, when I look at my baby. She is such a sweet blessing I can't help but smile when I hold her in my arms. One more thing I'd like to mention, is my second born just began attending collage. She has always been such a great helper and great company that we'll be missing having her around during the day. Still. I'm so happy for her, as I've witnessed her hard work pay off and am definitely proud of her achievements.
All these things have been, to a huge extent, a great source of gratitude toward Hashem for His goodness; and an enormous motivation to draw closer to Him through prayer.
All these events bring this Scripture to mind. (Ecclesiastes 3)
1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
9What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
10I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
11He hath made every thing beautiful in his time
