Today is stroke awareness day. I guess you could say our family is well aware of how they can happen at any age, at any time. My stroke was almost 9 years ago. I still have some small lingering side effects. But honestly after Bella had hers 2.5 years ago,

mine seemed like a distant, irrelevant memory. I used to have panic attacks about having another one. Now I fight panic that Bella will have another one, or Eli will have one.. BUT I fight it, it doesn't overwhelm me anymore....this one terrible event that changed Bella and our

family forever brought a peace and freedom that I don't know I would have ever had. I find that most days I think about not what she lost but what we still have. We have her. And she is strong. She can't feel things with her hand the same way but she has complete use of her hand.

She works and is great at her job. She can eat and swallow and though it changed her ability to sing and hear tones she makes a joyful noise unto the Lord. And one of the greatest blessings to me is her smile. When I first saw her in PICU she had a blank stare.

She showed no emotions & when she tried to smile she couldn't. Her eyes didn't register emotion either. BUT now man...every time she smiles or laughs...pure joy fills my heart. I am changed by that experience. Our whole family is. BUT it has been a good change.

When you that KNOW that God is sovereign and that EVERY SINGLE that happens is for our good and His glory there is nothing to fear. Nothing can separate us from His love.

When I look back I can see so many moments in my life that prepared me to be able to say that I would praise Him in the storm, no matter how that storm ended. And we will sing of his goodness and mercy forever.