Things I Remember

Today's Labor Day--in my memories, the official end of summer. In my day, the first Monday in September marked the day before the start of the new school year. Labor was a good name for this nearly last holiday before Thanksgiving. We washed, folded, ironed, etc., everything we owned in preparation for the new school year. Girls weren't allowed to wear pants of any kind, so dresses and skirts and blouses were the only selections we had. By Labor Day, my spring and summer Sunday clothes were worn enough that they were relegated to every day wear, if they weren't too "fancy." Cotton sundresses with jackets or sleeveless crop tops over a full gathered skirt were my favorite first-day-of-school outfits. Recycling Sunday dress clothes was fine. Wearing the white shoes bought for Easter months earlier was NEVER all right. We had rules after all...no white after Labor Day was a big one I never broke--and still don't. I would wear my worn-out summer sneakers while I waited until we could afford to buy my loafers or oxfords for the new school year.I remember that getting new school supplies was always a treat. I never took it for granted that I would have all the stuff on our school list. Everything always depended on when dad's pay day fell and how well my mother had thought ahead and prepared for sending three of us back to school. I learned early to keep my binders (notebooks) as clean as possible because it was likely that I would use them again. I remember that I was often embarrassed by not having new stuff for the start of school. However, I was even more embarrassed by coming up short when we had to write or talk about the dreaded, "What I Did This Summer."

My family seldom took what I would consider a vacation. We went to see relatives and every once in a while, we'd pack up our big canvas tent and Coleman lamps and stove, and camp out at the beach. At least those summers I had something to talk about when I got back to school. Today I can't imagine a week of sleeping on an Army cot, eating sand and getting sunburned. Yet, back then these were exciting days filled with adventure. It was on our beach vacations that I collected my getting-hit-by-a-car and being-bit-by-a-sting ray stories which wowed the "What I Did This Summer" crowd. A slight scar on a leg or arm enhanced the story telling and brought me my five seconds of classroom fame.You can imagine my embarrassment on those years when we stayed at home and the most exciting thing I did was attend two weeks of Vacation Bible School. How do you glamorize making tuna can paper clip containers or coffee can planters? Today, I treasure all the certificates my mother saved from the 15 plus Vacation Bible Schools I attended growing up.
The start of school did signal some really good things. I loved getting back with my girlfriends who I hadn't seen all summer. And, once school started, weekends became more important than ever. Only during the school year were we allowed to go to the movies on Saturday mornings. My brothers and I were allowed to ride a bus to downtown San Antonio and go to the Texas Theater to watch cartoons and usually a western. Who cared how many times a gun was used when everyone seemed to survive in the end, with the bad guys going to jail (with bandages and slings) and the white-hatted heroes singing a song at the end. Was there ever anyone as handsome as Roy Rogers, or as pretty as Dale Evans?

In my childhood I probably saw more movies at the theater than I do today. Movie going was an event to be planned for and anticipated with excitement. First run or re-runs were enjoyed equally. Television was just beginning to come into its own; and, it would take a long, long while before a really good movie made it to the small screen. Until my late elementary school days, there was never an argument at my house about staying up too late watching television. We didn't have one! We went to visit relatives on the evenings that favorite shows were on.

Today as I think about my yesterdays, I'm remembering that our social life was wrapped up in going to church, visiting relatives, and having relatives over to our house. Oh yes, and going to the grocery store where there was air conditioning and a small toy aisle. Mother went to the grocery store usually once every two weeks, right after pay day. One of the best things about going with Mother to the store was getting a nickle to spend at the end of the shopping at the cash register area where gum and candy occupied the check-out lane, just as it does today. I could make a bag of M & Ms last all the way home--sometimes all the way to dinner.

Right after a trip to the grocery store, there were usually treats in the house--at least for the first few days. On Labor Day and other holidays, we typically had soft drinks in the house. We didn't have soft drinks on a regular basis. They were reserved for very special occasions like a family barbecue or other important get-together. My favorite was always an ice cold Coke in the small glass bottle. There's nothing better! Even today I think this is the best way to drink a Coke.

How can I be so young and have such "old time" memories?! Living without a T.V. in the house? Letting children ride a bus to downtown to watch a movie? Growing up in the fifties and sixties was certainly and decidely different than today. The world has turned a time or two since then, and life has changed a million times over for all of us. Matter-of-fact, change is the only constant we know in this era when my cell phone has a shorter life and expiration date than the green beans on my pantry shelf. I do long for the simpler lifestyle of my past when family and church activities occupied the center of my universe. However, I know that there's no going back and no choice but to move ahead and face the ever evolving present and future. Some day soon, this Labor Day will be one of the "good old days" for all these young computer geniuses who seem to rule today. I have to wonder, for what part of their youth or past will they lament?

Time and change come and go for all of us. I'd be more than a tad depressed and concerned about all of this if it weren't for the eternal truth that my time and yours and even that of the modern young geeks rests in the hands of an everlasting, omnipotent, awesome God.

Fads and fashion fade because they are man-made and very temporary. On the other hand, "The heavens keep telling the wonders of God, and the skies declare what He has done. Each day informs the following day; each night announces to the next."(Psalm 19: 1-2).

We love our memories and long for the past because the news scares us. We hear every night how our world is changing daily as one nation rises up against another and there are rumors of war and fighting on many fronts. Yet we read in the Bible, "The Lord destroys the plans and spoils the schemes of the nations. But what the Lord has planned will stand forever. His thoughts never change."
(Psalm 33: 10-11).

Praise the Lord that we can trust Him to hold our past, our present, and our future very carefully in His hands: "Who makes these things happen? Who controls human events? I do! I am the Lord. I was there at the beginning; I will be there at the end." (Isaiah 41: 4).

M O V I N G--Not so much fun the second time around...

Yikes! Here we are again with cardboard boxes the order of the day. After personally moving from Ft. Worth, Texas down south 300 miles to San Antonio, combining two residences (our Ft. Worth home and my San Antonio corporate apartment) into one, AND moving a regional One by One office to San Antonio, I thought my moving days were past. Oh how incorrect can one be!

The year of the "perfect storm" is upon us at One by One Ministries: the point of our ministry where we have huge growth in ministry locations and numbers of mother/volunteer matches; AND, the point of our operations where our funding is stretched the most. In the middle of this very rocky national economy, individual and corporate donors are cutting back on their charitable giving. Large foundations are cutting back on how many non-profits they will fund and drastically slashing the amounts with which they will fund organizations. While we trust the Lord's provision and have great faith in Him, we are trying to be good stewards of the limited funding we already have. So, we're moving to a smaller Administrative Office and cutting our rent and occupancy costs in half. It's a real praise to the Lord for our finding a very suitable space at such a reasonable rental rate--and, get this, we're leasing from a Christian! Not just any Christian, but one whose wife was a mentor for One by One earlier before her health prevented her from continuing. All of this was an accidental find on our part, but well orchestrated by our Lord.
Today, I'm enjoying these photos of the office we're leaving as one more reminder of our pretty place. We have faith that we'll make our new location a lovely and welcoming space again. Right now there are stacks of boxes in both the new and old offices and disarray EVERYWHERE. It's nice to gaze at these pretty pictures and be reminded that order will reign once more--only not today nor for the week ahead.

Even as every joint in my body aches today, I have to lift up my hands to the Lord. He has brought us safe this far, and I know that He will not take His hands off of us. Even as we face our financial challenges ahead, it is with my whole heart that I say that God will provide. He is good every day in every way. We know that He loves these precious moms and babies more than we can imagine. We believe with everything within us that One by One comes straight from the Lord's heart. How can we do anything but love and serve Him more?!

Hebrews 13:5..."Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Things That Make Me Smile

I am one beat and tired puppy tonight, and it's only Monday. We've just turned in a major grant for a collaboration we've developed at One by One Ministries with four faith-based social agencies in Memphis, Tennessee. It's a great proposal that will help us minister to the inner city area of Memphis where teen pregnancy, gang violence, etc. runs rampant. We worked hours and hours last week and all through the weekend getting this ready. On top of this grant, we have another one to finish for presentation in a week. And, of course, we're moving our administrative office this week. After a long day of working and packing, I also stopped at the grocery store. Yes, you might say that I've been busy! Tonight I just want to veg and go to bed. I get the groceries put away and chef salads made for an easy supper, and I spot them again. The really cutesy creamer and sugar bowl that always make me pause and smile. The bright mixture of polka dots, stripes, cherries, and solid colors are a happy combination that just make me brighten up. Yep, that's a slight upturn with my lips. My mood is lifting just a bit. Just the right thing at just the right time.

I get the grocieries put away, and supper started. My mood is lifting ever so slightly. Gotta get comfortable so I limp off to my closet and change into something comfy. The shoes are definitely off and house slippers are on. Then it happens again, I spot one of the things in my house that always reminds me that I have much for which to be grateful...my family photo wall in the home office I share with Russ. While the pictures of my lovely daughters, great son-in-law and marvelous grandchildren are a feast for my sore eyes, it is the hand-worked sign in the middle of the photo collage that catches my eye. "All because two hearts fell in love!" Oh there it is, a real giggle and now there's an ever so tiny little bounce in my step. My stars but I've got a sweet life--tired or not.

After supper, my mind is back on my office and the overwhelming task of packing up curriculum, office equipment and supplies, desks, and furniture. I'm beginning to fret again and the frown on my face seems like it's becoming a permanent fixture on my face. Then our dog, Nicholas, comes bounding my way. He's determined that I will pay him attention and he does every trick he knows to get my attention. How can I not smile with my whole face when something as cute as him is begging me to throw a ball and play chase?

I'm still very, very, exhausted and aspirin for my achey muscles is high on my agenda. But by now, I'm also beginning to feel "human" and more like myself. There's tomorrow and the day after that to get the office packed and moved. Tonight, I'm going to make myself let go and relax. Wait, there it is, a tiny, tiny sigh followed by a deep breath. It's going to be all right. There are reminders all around me to lighten up and not take myself and life quite so seriously. I'm not sure that it's been a "holy" evening, but it's been one filled with little reminders of God's love and grace. I think I'll take my moments of joy wherever and whenever I can. What a moment of bliss to realize that God cares that I'm happy!

Zephaniah 3: 17..."The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

Thinking About Transformation

Just a few days ago, I was deep into the sweet place in my heart and mind that I reserve for the better and best memories of my life. I indeed shed tears as I wrote the post about my mother. Even as I think about Mom's life-long struggle with mental illness, I have to remember that in spite of her journeys into the "dark land" of depression, Mom lived a productive life. If she were here today, her words to me and to anyone who would listen would be that her life had purpose and was filled with good things. If you asked her or me how that was possible, we both would say, "Because of the transformational power of Jesus." Religion was never a crutch for my mother. It was the reality that brought her back to us from the brink of the dark abyss, time and time again. The fragile, yet strong wings of a butterfly are the perfect symbol for this transformation.

It was God's grace that brought salvation to my mother, and she never seemed to forget who she was--a child of God. Even with depression as her constant companion at times, Mom instinctively seemed to be aware that she had worth, and that there was hope somewhere on the other side of the black hole she might find herself in at the time. Consequently, my mother never attempted suicide as my brother did and other bi-polars often do. Somehow, her belief in God's love and mercy sustained her enough so that she never totally lost hope. Most doctors would tell us that this is very, very rare. For Lorena Moore Elmer, though, hope floated above the frey of all of her psychological problems. It was the life-saver she held onto with all her might.

As I think of my mom, hope, transformation, and butterflies, I'm reminded that Jesus' whole reason for coming to live among us was to show us that we could know the Father if we knew Him. He taught us that hope based on our belief in His love and power could and would lift us right out of our muck and mire. A straight forward dictionary definition of hope is desire accompanied by expectation. Hope is wanting something and believing it will happen. Sounds almost like the same definition as faith--having complete trust or confidence.
I guess that I will always wonder what life would have been like inside a normal household where bi-polar episodes did not exist. For Mom's sake, I wish she had had a smoother path to walk. Yet, in spite of everything, I realize that my childhood shaped me and made me who I am today. Seeing the transformational power of the Lord's love in my mother's life, made me want to know her Savior and Lord. Recognizing what the Lord did to help my mom have strong enough wings to fly out of depression made me want to experience the same power that at times transformed my mom's sadness into outright joy.

Who doesn't want a life where HOPE FLOATS!

Romans 15:13..."I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And by the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope."

The Birthday Queen

Isn't this just a lovely, lovely lady? Look at that hair and that gorgeous skin. Her name at the time of this portrait was Lorena Moore. She was somewhere in her twenties and living on her own in San Antonio, Texas. Even though War World II was starting in earnest, her world was still safe and untouched by what was going on thousands of miles overseas. I think this is a birthday photo--at least I hope it is because she looks happy. This person in just a few years will marry my dad, have my older brother, then me within 21 months, and then my younger brother within 27 more months. For all the years I knew her, my mother never lost her love of dressing up, getting her hair fixed, and putting on a pretty face. As pretty and hopeful as she looks in this picture, I know that by her twenties, my mom had already suffered several serious bouts of depression. If one looks at her eyes, they seem a bit wistful, though she is smiling. I wished I could ask her what she was thinking. If it is indeed her birthday photo, I would like to know that she was really happy that day. This is important to me today, August 16th, because today is the anniversary of her birthday. Somehow, I just had to honor the "birthday queen" in some way. No one that I've ever known loved her birthday as much as my mother did. For this one shining day every year, she was the ultimate center of attention. She adored Christmas as well; however, August 16th was HER day.
When the photo above was taken, the war was on everyone's mind and always the center of conversation. My mother's three brothers were all in the service and each one spent time overseas. During the war, Mom worked at a gas station, a very different occupation for a woman, especially for her generation. With so many of the men in uniform and overseas, who was there to keep things running except the women? She was always very proud of this photo, even though the uniform was miles too big on her and not very attractive. I can guarantee you, however, that there's lipstick on that mouth and red polish on those nails. You can see her style shining through in her choice of work shoes. No work oxfords or boots for her! She shared an apartment with a friend, Martha, who would remain the center of most of the stories Mom would tell about this time of her life. Mom once said that Martha was a "party girl" who loved to go out and have a good time. Mom often talked about Martha's fun-loving personality and bright, spirited dispostion. Even when I was young, I could tell that Mom seemed to long to have been Martha.

As far as I can remember, the photo below is right after one of Mom's birthdays. By this time, she's in her fifties and my brothers and I are all gone from home, either married with families or off in school. During her fifth decade, Mom found a third career and became a Physical Ed teacher for a private school. She took some classes to get her certification and she just fell in love with working with children in a setting that was different for her. I remember her celebrating her birthdays in the middle of getting ready for a new school year. She and my dad, who was still living at that time, celebrated with a party. All of us children helped her celebrate in one way or another. And, then all her co-workers and fellow teachers helped to celebrate with her. I recollect that Mom had several birthdays that also involved all our neighbors. Mom was not above celebrating in August and again in September when the children were back in school and in her class. Just look at that hair up-do and that almost flawless make-up. How did she keep those eyebrows so well trimmed? Her clothes were well chosen for the photo. Yet, again, there's that wistful, almost sad quality about her eyes. I do remember that it wouldn't be but about year from this photo, and Mom would start having longer bouts with depression with my dad taking her from one doctor to the next trying to find the magic bullet to help her out of the dark place in which she found herself.

Mom went into nursing care fairly early, in her mid seventies. She cycled in and out of such deep, dark depressive times that she was on life support at one point and we thought we would lose her. Just as she cycled into the dark recesses of her mind, she would also cycle back. And, almost always, she would cycle back in time for her birthday. I remember taking her to Olive Garden or any restaurant where the wait staff would come over and sing and make a fuss. The birthday queen never seemed to forget that at least once a year, she could make herself feel happy again.

The picture above was one of Mom's nursing home birthdays. She has on a new dress and pearls. We were outside by the pool and hot tub and Mom sat down, pulled off her shoes and stuck her feet in. She was playful and just full of delight. I remember that being one of our best days.

My mother passed away three days before Christmas in 2004. This post is the first time that I've written about her. My daughters and I talk about her often. They adored her and easily overlooked all her days of sadness. They each have happy memories of Mom as does my granddaughter who was in elementary school by the time my mother was in nursing care. If you ask either my daughters or my husband what they remember about my mom, they would say in unison without a moment's hesitation, "Her birthdays!"

Lorena the "birthday queen" loved the Lord and she never blamed Him for her bi-polar disease. She did have questions and she would say to me, "When I get to heaven, I really want to ask the Lord why He ever let mental illness exist in our world." In spite of her struggles with depression, my mother lived a victorious life in many respects. She had a great sense of humor and a marvelous dry wit. She had a multitude of friends all her life. No matter how deep or how long the depression would get, Mom would fight her way back to the surface and find something to hold onto. I think that her birthdays were always those life-ropes that brought her back. These snippets of happiness seemed to remind her that happiness WAS possible, even if just for a short while. And, her great anticipation and celebration of her birthday seemed to bring her a sense of normalcy when life around her was uncontrollable and chaotic. How could life be so bad when your birthday is just three months away...two weeks from today...or tomorrow? My mother lived a grace-filled life in spite of or maybe because of her battle with mental illness. She certainly claimed God's mercy and held on to His outstretched hand all her life. How can I do less? Life can be hard, but God is good. And to think, it's just 9 1/2 months to my birthday!

Isaiah 57: 18-19..."I know what you are like! But I will heal you, lead you, and give you comfort, until those who are mourning start singing my praises. No matter where you are, I, the Lord,will heal you and give you peace."

Psalm 117:2..."For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever."

"But, first..."

It's Saturday--the next best day of the week, only beaten out by Sunday. I tend to fill my Saturdays to the very brim with activities and things to do. Working fairly long days all week, I'm ready to unwind and get a few projects accomplished. My well organized list is ready to go.

I'm up today by 4:30 a.m. ready to begin the tasks for the day. I know what I want to get done today, I begin to get into my list of things to do.

1. Have a longer prayer and Bible study time. Seek the Lord in prayer for a number of special prayer requests.

2. Catch up blog...write three to four entries/posts.

Praying and study God's Word are really good tasks for this morning. But first, I feel that I need to set up my Blog Notebook I've been meaning to create. So I start archiving a list of blog posts with their date, title, subject, and scripture verse used. I fill pages in my notebook for two months worth of 2009 posts and am plugging along. Then I hear the voice in my ear. But first, go back and read comments, make notes about them, and put them at the right place in the Blog Notebook. I start on this pursuit, get five sets of comments recorded and am going ahead to other postings. But first, let me get out my Bible and record appropriate Bible verse which fit future blog entries. By now I'm writing something on practically every page of my Blog Notebook.

But first, I look at the office clock and realize the work out room of our apartment complex is now open. I stop what I'm doing and put on my exercise duds and walking shoes. I'm almost out the door, but first I need to clean out my exercise bag, put in some more bleach wipes, a fresh hand towel, and a bottle of water.

2. Exercise at least two times this weekend.

I'm out the door, get nearly 40 minutes of walking in. I'm back home ready to take a shower and get back to have a quiet time and do the blog work. But first, let me start the dryer with the clothes I washed last night and get something else on my to do list done.

3. Fix breakfast and cook for Russ.

4. Bake bread and share a loaf with a neighbor.

I reach for a bowl to mix the eggs for a quick omelette for Russ. But first, while I'm at the bowl section of the cabinet, let me get out a bowl and start the yeast mixture curing for whole wheat bread. I get out the ingredients I'll need. But first, let me check on-line for another, maybe better bread recipe. Fast check and I'm back in the kitchen (still in my exercise clothes) deciding to use my favorite recipe I always use. Russ is tired of waiting for an omelette and is fixing a bowl of yogurt and granola. I encourage him to use some of our fresh fruit and I move on with the bread. But first, I stop and cut up the strawberries and fresh pineapple and blueberries left in their packages on the counter and make up a salad for lunch later.

Oh yes, stop and start the yeast mixture and get the bread going.

Yes, bread is now mixed, kneaded, and in the bowl ready to rise. The counter is covered with flour and ingredients ready to be put up. I start this clean-up process, but first, let me wipe off the entire canister set because it looks dusty. While I'm at it, let me straighten the baking ingredient drawer and update the grocery list with what I need.

It's now heading towards noon and after nearly seven and 1/2 hours of work in pursuit of my to-do list, I'm still in my sweaty exercise clothes back in my home office at my desk trying to finish the first thing on my list: have a quiet time filled with prayer and praise and Bible study. And, I'm frustrated and exhausted by all my "but first" jobs!

I'm frustrated mostly because I know better. I've studied time management and even taught seminars on how to gain back control of our times. I also know that giving the Lord my time first seems to multipy my investment of minutes into enough time to get the rest of my stuff done. My intentions this morning when I started were so good. I put in the effort needed to get something accomplished, but I let myself get distracted--a lot. I think I got some good things done along the way, but what I started out to accomplish in the first place somehow got lost along the way...or at least got sidetracked and even postponed.

Why do we think we can get it right without putting the Lord first? Getting good things accomplished isn't nearly as wonderful as getting great things done. I definitely need a "do over." No ifs, ands, or but firsts about it--my grace-full life depends on my getting this right.

Psalm 143:..."Each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you. I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance."

Proverbs 16:3..."Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."

Seeing Truth

There's another woman in my husband's life. I kid you not. This beautiful hugger and heart-stealer is none other than our great granddaughter, Lenzy Allyse. I've posted about her before: born to a 16 year old mom (our granddaughter); moved and tossed around until she and her mom landed at our home where they stayed with us for almost two years; currently living with our oldest daughter and her husband. Lenzy is five now and a real live wire. The photos below are last spring's school photos,one with her glasses and one without. Either way we think she's a doll, of course. About those glasses. Lenzy was diagnosed with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia(ONH) just this spring. She is blind in her left eye and the glasses are mostly there to protect her one good eye. Her doctor had diagnosed "lazy eye" when Lenzy was just a toddler. Her left eye seemed to move independently and Lenzy seemed to have a hard time focusing. While we were concerned, we knew that this condition was treatable, usually by strengthening the muscles of the "lazy" eye. For at least 18 months, the doctor had us put a patch on her good eye in hopes that this would force her "lazy" eye to become stronger. Lenzy would usually have quite a melt-down when we put on the patch. She got around all right and even seemed to play once she calmed down. We thought that the fits over the patching were just preschool temper tantrums. The amazing thing is that because of the ONH, Lenzy's left eye has an under-developed optic nerve, actually there's no optic nerve attached to that left eye, and she was born with this condition. How she managed to get around and function when the patch was on is still a mystery to us. She may have memorized her environment thoroughly enough that she was able to get around by touch and feel. How cruel the patching seems now because we were in essence blinding her totally every time we put the patch on.


It's ironic that I wrote a post back on September 27, 2009, entitled "Through a Child's Eyes" and used Lenzy's photos. I used that post to ask questions about what children are thinking when they look certain ways--pensive, happy,etc. I never imagined how important the whole subject of eyes and vision would become.


You can imagine how shocked and grieved I was when my daughter called me right after their appointment with the Pediatric Opthamologist in April. I asked about a million times, "How can this be? There has to be some sight in that eye." And, the answer was that there had never been sight in that left eye, EVER. You have to understand that Lenzy rides horses like an adult. She plays with the tiniest things in her doll house. She does everything any other five year does. If you didn't know about the ONP, you would never suspect that there's anything wrong with Lenzy. For her, there are no limits. She's never known anything other than seeing her world through one eye. She's steadily compensated for her lack of depth perception and doesn't seem limited like you and I think she might be. While our world turned upside down the day we got the ONH diagnosis, Lenzy's world was exactly the same as it has been the day before and the day before that one.


Below are photos we took week before last when Lenzy stayed with us for a week. We took some vacation time and played with a five year old all week.

Lenzy climbs anything and never seems to have any fears of height. She's really pretty graceful in her movements and never seems to fall or stumble as one might think she would.

Lenzy loves to play with paper dolls. She can choose the neatest outfits and match up tiny accessories better than me. Again, she has compensated for the sightless left eye.

Lenzy is a girly girl who loves clothes and all things pink and purple. Praise the Lord, she is an auditory learner who can memorize very long Bible verses and song lyrics simple by listening to others saying or singing them. God is gracious to give her this learning style which will be so important as she goes through school and life. And, as you can tell from her photos,she has the most amazing blue eyes with long, thick eyelashes. The beauty of her eyes often keeps folks from noticing the left eye's disorientation with the right one. There is nothing disfiguring about eye at all

As a realist, I know that Lenzy's life will have its challenges because of the ONH. Matter-of-fact, she has to undergo frequent tests and MRI screenings to monitor the other complications that can accompany ONH. Growth, development, and other things can be compromised because of the optic nerve's proximity to the pituitary gland. So far, Lenzy is growing normally and doing very well in meeting her developmental milestones. However, I know that these potential complications are in the background, shading the parameters of Lenzy's life, both figuratively and realistically.

Because of the ONH, the truth is that Lenzy's life will not be exactly what we had dreamed for her. Driving a car and sports are big "ifs" as well as some other activities. Yet, as I look at this child with a difficult beginning and a challenging future, I know that God's hand is on her. For Lenzy, the truth is her life can be a grace-filled one. Through the eyes of this child, I pray that many will see the Lord's love and mercy and know that His grace--unmerited favor--can be theirs. Some forms of blindness are indeed in the eye of the beholder. The words of the favorite hymn, Amazing Grace say it well,"I once was lost, but now I'm found. I was blind, but now I see."

Psalm 146:8..."The Lord sets prisoners free and heals blind eyes. He gives a helping hand to everyone who falls..."

Matthew 6:22..."Your eyes are like a window for your body. When they are good, you have all the light you need."