I spoke yesterday but spent the last two weeks thinking and preparing.
I thought about all of the little lessons God has taught us along the way. I read through emails I sent out starting from the day Brayden was born. I read through the blog from the beginning. I started to outline major events, tests, 911 calls, doctor visits, etc. Looking at it on paper, it was a lot. Almost every month (almost every other week) we have had significant things happening with Brayden. It was exhausting to read through it.
I also looked through tons of pictures and in case you haven't noticed I take pictures of everything and I am glad I do, it helps me see where we have been. Some of the pictures are taken with my nice camera, some with a little digital and some with my phone. Some of the pictures are of happy times others of difficult times. I came across pictures of his seizures and the countless days of bloody vomit (I took them to show the doctors so they knew what we were seeing at home). I cringed at those.
It was hard looking back. Feeling those moments when we heard bad news and more bad news or found Brayden is in yet another delicate state with his seizures or GI problems. It brought back deep emotions that I have to admit I rarely think about and try my hardest not to dwell on.
I spoke. I choked back lots of tears and did my best to share.
I did notice when preparing that I have written a lot about expectations over the past few years...the next blog will be about that...
For now, here are some of pictures I passed around yesterday as I shared our story. Each picture has a story behind it...each picture is worth a thousand words, some good, some bad.
A little bit in pictures from Carrie Jenkins on Vimeo.
To the Moms group, thank you for having me there and letting me share. I am ready to get together with each of you for some coffee!
7 comments:
So glad you were able to share your story and the lesson's you've learned along the way. What a great support network!
I loved the video. How cool that you have a pic with George W!
Let me know if you'd also like to share your story on kidz.
Thank you so much for coming and sharing your story and your heart with us. It was such a blessing to hear how God has brought you through each moment. I also love how you document everything in pictures. What a great way to remember in detail the difficult days as well as the good ones.
I was so encouraged to hear how God has helped you adjust some of your expectations in life. I am currently praying for Him to grow me in that area as well. I look forward to reading your next post on expectations.
Thank you so much Carrie, for being so open and real with us!
That took a lot of "bravery" to share...you should be proud of yourself...
I think it is one thing to share by blogging...another to share by standing among other moms...way to go!
Love the pics!
Beautiful photos, Carrie. I am so glad you were able to share your story with other women. You have such a unique perspective and I am sure Brayden's story touched everyone's heart. xx
I am so glad that you had the opportunity to share with other moms. I have no doubt that those ladies were blessed by it! The pictures are great. Brayden is getting to be such a big boy!
I'm so sorry I missed it, I wanted to send you an email to tell you I was praying for you when I found out you would be speaking at the mom's group, and of course life got in the way (I just got back from a trip with Michael out west), bu I am so glad you chose to share your journey and for people to see not only what God is doing in your life but what an awesome Mom, woman and gift you are to so many people. I hope it went well and I hope to catch up with you soon.
I am so behind on life right now, and I am just spending the evening catching up on my blog reading hobby. And I just found this post.
Thank you so much for coming and speaking at Mom's Connection! We were so blessed by your story and hearing what God is doing in your life, as well as the testimony of how much he had done in Brayden's life to this point. He has brought you through each seemingly insurmountable task and issue and continues to do so now. I am sorry in preparation that you were forced to go through deep emotions in regard to your journey, but I pray you were also encouraged by the obvious role God has played in Brayden's life to date. You surely encouraged the fellowship attendees that day. There was not a dry eye in the house through parts of your talk, and I believe we were all humbled by your confession of faith when asked at the end how having a special needs had affected your faith in God.
We were blessed to have you as a speaker that day. Thank you so much again, Carrie!
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