2010 CHALLENGE 7: THE LONG HAUL

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Perseverence and endurance or not easy. Yet, what better way to endure than by hanging on to the hand of the Living God, who is good all the time!!??!!!! I am so thankful for His goodness that sees us through the long haul!
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Over the years, I have come to know some of my own personal heroes and heroines of faith. They were people who chose to persevere and endure through extremely difficult years and years and years:

• Margaret cared for her son, Terry, who had polio and had to sleep in an iron lung for 50+ years
• Sue is still caring for her son, Curtis, who has cystic fibrosis and turned 40 this year.
• Woody and Katherine cared for a child they had to carry everywhere.
• Many parents of children I have taught over the years are committed to a lifetime of service to that child with special needs, whether it be, down's syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, etc.
• Others, like my brother, Steve, and his wife, Sandi, care for adult parents who have Alzheimer's and must live the "36 hour day".
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Some of you may already know about the story of a soldier who was severely injured last month in Pakistan. LeGrand, called "Grand", has been in a coma, had both legs amputated, and contracted meningitis. The last month has been horrific for Grand and his young family. They know that they are in for a "long haul".
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Family members are chronicling the daily unfolding of this remarkable story on a site that Grand's in-laws have set up. Last Wednesday, his wife, Carrie posted this:
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"He ate applesauce, and he gulped down a cup of water.

He drank half a can of Dr. Pepper

and also took a few bites of pureed turkey,

mashed potatoes,

and pureed green beans.

After the trache came out,

he was talking clearly and giving orders.

As the day went by,

Grand told Major Sturm and me that

he was having Phantom leg syndrome.

This surprised both of us,

and we wondered how he knew about that.

Apparently he had been really listening in his sleep!

We also asked him if he remembered what happened,

and he said, "I got shot or something."

We discussed the incident with him a little,

and he asked who was with him.

We just said we would talk about that later,

and he was okay with that.

I told him God loves him

and saved him for a reason and he said,

"I know!!"

He really came alive today

and everyone that came in to see him

from Doctors, nurses, therapists -

EVERYONE was amazed by what they saw.

That Phantom pain really is bothering him right now

so please keep that in your prayers....

your prayers are carrying us right to the Throne Room,

and I thank you with all my heart that you love him

that much to pray day and night.....

GOD IS SO GOOD, GOD IS SO GOOD,

GOD IS SO GOOD, HE'S SO GOOD TO ME."

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Please click the picture to connect with this family's story and leave them some encouragement to endure:

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GIGATTAATTGIG