True Beauty!

Well, one of the best things about living in Colorado by the mountains is the short 45 minute drive to Rocky Mountain National Park. We officially went up there last weekend and got our park permit for the year. We decided to drive a little ways in......I stress the word LITTLE! The park ranger told us that some of the roads were a little slick so drive with caution...he was not kidding! I had permenent white knuckles half way down one of the trails and finally turned to my husband and said I am turning around. We did that on two trails....I remind you, that there are no guard rails on those trails, so one spin out on the ice and we were toast.....HOWEVER, we did manage to get some beautiful pictures. Some of these were taken by Kaitlyn so some of our heads are cut off...I apologize. I hope these give you an idea of why we call this country out here GOD'S COUNTRY! We miss you all and hopefully all of you will be able to visit and we can take you up here to see the beauty for yourselves because pictures do not do it justice.

Loss of Words!

http://themcclenahans.blogspot.com/

I have neglected to write for a few weeks now, not because we have not had some crazy things happen in our daily lives, but because I have been sadened by a story that I happened to read on a blog site that I regularly read. I am not one to read other peoples blogs, but there is one that always catches my eye. She always has fun little stories, but on this particular day, my life was changed by the story she shared.
A small little family in Kansas was taking their 10 month old daughter to a routine check up for an ear infection that would not go away....they left the doctors office with news that would change their life forever. Their 10 month old Cora was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma. They took her to a nearby hospital where she was going to receive chemotherapy. One thing spiraled into another, and two weeks after arriving, their sweet little Cora left life on earth to be with her Heavenly Father! The faith that these two young parents showed during all of this was beyond what I think I could have! Here is a young couple, blindsided with devistation, and still, they looked to the Lord for comfort. I think most people would maybe be angry at the Lord, but instead, they never questioned his presence!
I have continued to read this blog DAILY! Since reading this, I have had a different outlook on my life. I don't seem to "sweat the small stuff" anymore with my kids. I don't really care how many spelling words Kailtyn got right on her spelling test as long as she tried her hardest, or if Kysen slops up his shirt while he ever so diligently tries to get the spoon of spaghetti to his mouth. This stuff just does not matter anymore. This could have been my family that this happened to...this could have been any of us learning this devistating news. Cancer does not have favorites. Instead of worrying about these little things, I pay close attention to hug and kiss my kids more everyday. I make it a point to tell my husband that I love him before rolling over and going to sleep. WE just don't know what God's plan is for us, but we have to make sure that we treat each day like the last.
Joel and Jess' hearts are so empty right now learning how to cope with the new "normal" as she quoted in her latest blog. I cannot imagine having to go through this. The one constant that is pulling them through is their faith in God! They know that she is not sick anymore, that she is not in pain anymore. As they put it, God DID answer their prayers, maybe not the way that they would have wanted him too, but when they prayed for Cora to not be sick anymore, he took the sickness away by bringing her to her heavenly home where there is no pain and suffering!
The other really cool thing that has happened, is the support they have gotten. They have received 1000's of emails on their blog site from people they don't even know, from people overseas who stumbled across their blog and have been moved just as I have. Each one of them has prayed for Cora and her family just as I have. A Cora Playground is being built in this little girls honor and people are selling really cool things on a website where all proceeds go to this cause.
I know that you don't have any idea who this family is, nor do I, but I ask you to go to their blogsite and read about this brave girl and this awesome family. I ask you also to pray for the family as they try to continue on with their lives! I have been changed by this story as I am sure you will to. Cora will never leave my mind or my heart!