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Island Grace

Well, we are back from Kauai. I will post photos soon, with more details about the fun we had hiking and snorkeling on this beautiful island. It was almost the site of tragedy for us – my sister MA nearly drowned on Sunday afternoon. None of us were nearby, we were all snorkeling farther out, so we don’t know exactly what happened. God in his mercy sent a team of wonderful people who performed CPR and delivered her to an excellent EMT team who brought her back from the brink of death. She was in the hospital for 4 days, 3 of those in intensive care, and though it soon became clear she was out of immediate danger we were worried about permanent damage to her brain or lungs, and wondered how she could possibly be recovered enough to fly home on schedule that Thursday.

One of the worst moments for me was when we were driving back to the condo to break the news to my mom who had stayed home to rest and have some quiet time to herself. It took me back to the day, when I was 8 years old and my mom was pregnant with MA, when she came home and collapsed in desperate weeping after the routine ultrasound that revealed grave health problems for the baby. At that time, we had no way of knowing whether MA would survive and what her life would be like. The Lord has worked mightily in her life, and she has become a wonderful young woman, who while fragile in many ways, has a strength and spiritual toughness that never ceases to astonish us when tests and trials come into her life.

Just 4 days – almost to the hour – after the accident, we were assembled with MA on the fateful beach, praying and thanking God for her miraculous recovery. I am deeply shaken to think how close we came to losing her, and wishing that one of us, that I, had thought rationally and unselfishly and stayed with her so that all this never happened. But I am trying to instead focus on the joyful result that God blessed us with. All glory to Him!

“…but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31

9 comments

  1. Thank you so much Katie! You included the last part of my favorite bible passage! I can’t believe how much that one has been “Popping up” in my life!

  2. Hi KTB – we miss you guys already! I slept the whole way from LAX to SFO and that felt pretty good.

    Thanks for your reflections – it was such a miraculous time – and your thoughts about those very “early days” bring back the memories – bitter, but sweet in the long run, just like our more recent ones.

    A minor correction – our prayer time on the beach was almost exactly 4 days to the hour after she was pulled unconscious from the water (96 hours – Sunday 3 pm to Thursday 3 pm – amazing recovery, non-the-less!

    Love to you…

    dad-e

  3. Oops – fixed it. Thanks, Dad. Mary Anne – we were praying this verse for you before we even left the beach after the accident.

  4. Katie- I’m so happy to hear that your sister is doing well. What a frightening and horrible thing to happen. Thank God for showing up big time and bringing her back to you guys. Amazing story.

  5. KT, so glad to hear that your sister is okay and recovered.

    But can you tell me why God only answered certain people’s prayers but not everyone’s? Does He only answers to those believe in Him? How about those who don’t but still good people? ……..

  6. Thanks, everyone, for your comments! Tungtung, thanks for your question. I have been thinking about these issues a lot in the past year or so, especially since we talked in July, and even more now that I’ve had my faith tested by my sister’s accident. I think I will write a new post with my thoughts about this… look for it soon!

  7. God is Good, and never leaves us alone, whether we are on this small blue planet or not. I am so happy to hear of the provision for your sister. She is very blessed to have such a loving, embracing family.

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