Due to the heart’s familiarity in the window, I sometimes forget it is there. Hello, Friday! While I'm Waiting, an album by John Waller on Spotify. Faith is tested, tears are shed, and grief is shared, bringing readers full circle to the encouraging hope of God’s healing. God’s presence was so near to me at that moment, enveloping me, drawing me closer. In the waiting, God pursues our hearts more intimately and deeply. “TJ, knock it off. Because I had the same experience a couple of weeks prior, I knew what that meant: He wasn’t doing well. As we walked down the hallway to the waiting room, fear suddenly overcame me. In the spring of 2013, TJ was diagnosed with a heart defect requiring surgery, and the mini fridge was then the last thing on anyone’s mind. Some of the posts on While I'm Waiting contain clickable affiliate links. Yesterday I took a picture of the Valentine’s bouquet I received from my husband. This means that if you purchase a product from one of these links, myself or another blogger may earn a commission. “Kelly, come down here! As for Me and My House (Deluxe Edition) John Waller. I hurriedly ran down the stairs to the sliding glass door where my husband was standing gazing out into the backyard. China was the trip destination TJ chose for his wish from Make-A-Wish. 6 people found this helpful. “Psalm 34:18 says, ‘The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.’ I knew such things were not mere coincidences but rather felt they were strategically-placed love notes from God, reassuring me that I was not alone. I clicked on it, and it was the video Praise You in this Storm by Casting Crowns. He was very sick. Early in the year of 2014, while TJ was at the brain injury rehab facility in Iowa, he had his yearly appointment at Mayo for a heart checkup. Hebrews 10:23“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”. His entire body filled up with air. I drifted off to sleep. So the next time life becomes overwhelming and you’ve had just about all you can take, remember to laugh and place your trust in the Lord, and instantly He will give you a new perspective. Two and a half years later, TJ would also pass away at the age of 21. “I don’t know. At one time he whispered, “This is miserable.”. I will worship while I'm waiting I will serve You while I'm waiting I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord. To my surprise, there was a very large owl perched on the fence that borders the northern side of our property. Chandler was grief stricken to lose her brother and went home every night researching other hospitals we could transfer him to and different procedures we could try like lung transplants in hopes of prolonging his life. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. They raised hamsters together, planned practical jokes to play on their father, and spun cars in circles on Ashworth Road when they were teenagers, which I didn’t find out about until TJ’s funeral. “Since TJ’s brain injury, I had a more intimate relationship with the Lord than I had ever known. We had been through four months of uncertainty and unimaginable pain and suffering, but we had gotten through it. If we always feel God’s presence and know all the answers, then how would our faith ever grow? May the force be with you!” TJ would then throw his head back, make a loud humming noise, and shake his head back and forth. Do you sometimes feel God is silent and aloof while your heart is breaking? As I’ve been reading over TJ’s Caring Bridge posts, I came across a poem my husband posted several years ago. Many times while Chandler was living there, she expressed that she was homesick and wanted to move back to Des Moines but was unfortunately unable due to jobs and financial reasons. It was the last time TJ ever saw Tom. From across the room, Tom would yell, “TJ, work hard! Before/After - Master Bathroom Transformation! During our visit, we spent the weekend laughing, crying, and talking about our sons and the memories they left. Was I going to take what I learned and apply it to my life, or was I going to remain untouched? It was miserable for both TJ and the caregiver. While TJ was in Texas, Travis and I planned to surprise him with a newly remodeled bedroom in the basement upon his return. I am among all truly blessed. Although I had seen his family coming and going, I never spoke to them. I never forgot that. She took ownership of it and having her there gave me a tremendous break. At the time of their move, Julian was blessed with a work-from-home job, and only Chandler had the task of finding a new job. TJ and Dylan became very close during TJ’s time in Dallas. We were thrilled. 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