Thanksgiving in Hilo Hawaii

Here we are in Hawaii for Thanksgiving.  Who'd a thunk it a mere three weeks ago?  Eric's "dream" to work on a farm in Pahoa, Hawaii from October through February turned into a 10 day dream and a 21 day nightmare in the hospital.  Weird. 

Thanksgiving Day is tomorrow and that will mark one month for Eric being in Hawaii.  It marks day 12 for me.  Weird.  Eric is here fighting off what we believe to be aseptic meningitis from Rat Lungworm.  No one should ever get this.  No one.  Not your worst enemy, not for a day.   

But we do not ask why.  We do not question God on this.  We just say this much, "We will walk through this valley if He wants us to."  As a mom, I wish it were not so that my son would have to suffer like this.  As a mom, I am forever grateful that I was able to fly out to be by his side and that I am able to stay with him til he walks out the door with me.  I am grateful that Dad is here, too. 

This Thanksgiving will be the most unique and memorable Thanksgiving our family has ever had.  And we could bemoan the circumstances and focus on the situation as unfair or cruel.  But we are so very thankful.  Not because we are something special or have the ability to rise above.  Nope.   It is simply not possible for us to be content with grateful hearts on our own strength.  But with God's presence and the power of the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus, we are strong, we are at peace, we are content, we are blessed and we are full of gratitude.

Thankful for...

• family members who have our backs-- no matter what; no questions asked
• friends who give with such generosity -- over and over again
• strangers who have loved us with the love of Christ
• nurses and doctors who treat us like we are their top priority
• invitations to Thanksgiving dinner from new Hawaiian friends
• Becky and Noel, Trish and Eddie, Walter, Tony and Mary, Lana, Nancy, Father Samuel, Pastor Jack, Wayne and Roger and others from the area churches who have loved on us and prayed us through
• Facebook friends
• Caring Bridge followers-- you are such an amazing source of encouragement and strength
• Special pray-ers like Russell and messengers like Veronica
• Kay Howe and Dr Martell who take a very special interest in Rat Lungworm disease
• Sharon who visited-- a survivor of Rat Lungworm and an inspiration and a gift of hope to us!  
• People who have sent gifts, care packages, offered gifts of food and love to our kids back home and offered special care to Holly who is far away from all family
• Life and Love and Light and Hope in abundance from so many we cannot keep track
• a Fund for Eric set up at the bank, allowing us to breathe easier for the costs of this "adventure" and the recovery to come
• wonderful places of employ for both Bean and me (Lano's Equipment of Norwood and MAWSECO)
• warm Hawaiian weather and peeks of sunshine and some rainbows and beauty all around
• the opportunity to be a part of God's mighty purpose in some small way
• God with skin on for Eric and for all of us
• my writing conference friends and prayer warriors
• good food and good coffee at the hospital!
• Grace for the moment -- sufficient for every moment...truly!

I can not explain the content.  I cannot take credit for the calm spirit.  I cannot claim any special abilities or strength in mind or thought.  The only answer possible amid this "mess" is that God is present and with faith, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE- even calm in a bad storm, even peace amid a nightmare.  To God be the glory!  Let's all watch what He can do!

I am in Hawaii.  Dang that is unbelievable!  Thanksgiving in Hawaii.  Aloha!  Mahalo!  Mahalo!