A year later

What a difference a year makes!  It is so hard to believe that today marks the one year anniversary of the kidney transplant.

For the past few weeks, I have been thinking a lot about the transplant, seasons in life and what a year can bring.  Several weeks ago at church I was in tears.  We were singing the Desert Song.  A song I love.  A song that we sang almost exactly a year earlier.  At that point a year earlier, we were in the desert, in the battle and fully dependent of God to get us through.   It was at that point that we were still waiting for insurance approval and a surgery date.  I remember the stress and anxiety about getting up to NC.  We (and I mean mostly me), wanted to make plans and know when the surgery date would be.  It was a tough time that really required Jeremy and I to fully depend on God.  

And now a year later, our scenario is completely different.  We are on the mountain top.  We have great things to celebrate and many more blessings to come.  We are awaiting the arrival of our twins.  And now our lives are consumed with making plans for the nursery, buying all the baby gear and preparing for two little lives to become part of our family.  

 

Desert Song

But that song at church a few weeks ago reminded me that our life circumstances shouldn't determine our dependence on God.  A year ago I needed God to help me get through every day.  And now I look forward to every day.  But do I declare that I will depend on Him, praise Him and trust Him in every season? God does not promise a trial free life, but He does promise to never leave us.  We are just required to trust Him, even when things get tough.  So my prayer for myself is that I remember that.  Sometimes it is easier to have full dependence on God during the hard times.  The times when you know you can't do it on your own and the only reason you have peace is because of God.  But I also need to remain dependent on Him now during the good times.  And know that He is the only true source of Hope.   

So now that it is a year later, there are many things to celebrate!

The biggest one is that both Ashley, Jeremy and Jash are healthy!  At Ashley's one year post op appointment, they said she is doing far better than they ever expected.  Her kidney functions are amazing.  Of course she has had a few physical things come up - after all this is not a cure.  But overall, she is doing Great!   

Jeremy had another follow-up appointment about a month and a half ago.  They had to do a 24 hour pee test to get a more accurate result of his kidney function.  That test came back that his kidney function is at 84% - their goal for him was 80%.  So he is also doing great.  Really, you would never know he gave up a kidney a year ago.  

And of course, the other happy news is that I am pregnant.  Right now I am 27 weeks, almost 7 months along.  The babies are due May 24^th, but we expect them to come a little early.  They are both doing great and are healthy.  We are beyond excited to be pregnant and to be having a Boy and a Girl just makes it even sweeter.  

As we celebrate the one year anniversary, we are reminded of all the people who supported us and cheered us on during the process.  Jeremy, Ashley and I are so thankful for the support system and friends we have - really we can't express enough how much it means to us.  Thank you to everyone who prayed for the insurance approvals, gave words of encouragement when things looked bleak, held our hands during surgery, cooked us meals and kept us company.  We love you and could not be celebrating this year anniversary without you all.   

Kate