THE SERIOUS SIDE
One of the constant desires of my heart is to be authentic and real in my thoughts, beliefs and feelings expressed on this blog. 
If you've read my blog much you know that I consider myself a very blessed woman. Usually "Goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life" as expressed in Psalms 23:6a I am so thankful for that and believe that with all my heart. I also know that we can not just pick and choose what scripture we will believe and stand on. I am just as aware of "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecutions, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" Romans 8:35
Our family is certainly not experiencing persecution, famine, nakedness, peril or sword. Although we are fully aware MANY in this world are. What we are experiencing is for us tribulation and distress.
Our beloved 12 year old granddaughter Oksana has made a very difficult decision for herself and everyone else involved. Her father is her custodial parent but when Oksana began voicing the desire to go and live with her mother he told her she was free to make the choice SHE felt was best for her. Both Aric & Oksana traveled to visit their mother for 2 weeks beginning July 31st. As late as Tuesday, August 7th, she was speaking to her father on the phone about things she was planning to do upon her return to Tulsa. Then, after much agony on the part of all of us, she made the decision on Thursday, August 9th that she would remain with her mother.
It had previously been decided that where ever she began her current 7th grade school year, here in Tulsa or there with her mother, she would complete the school year where she started.
Marc picked Aric up on Monday, August 13th, and took up the remainder of Oksana's clothes, her computer, her TV, school supplies and some other items. One of the bad things is that school began there on August 6th so she will be starting school 2 weeks behind. She is very smart and can quickly catch-up if she applies herself.
Yes, there is a big hole in our hearts and in our lives right now with her not being here in Tulsa with us. BUT all of us have perfect peace about the matter and know that God is, and will, have HIS perfect way in all our lives.
"Who shall separate us from the love of God?"
NO ONE & NOTHING!!!!!
Please keep all of us in your prayers. Especially Marc, Aric & Oksana as this transition takes place and normalcy is established.
I surrender ALL
I surrender ALL
ALL to JESUS I surrender
I surrender ALL
40 comments:
I surrender all, easy to say and not so easy to live out. I love that hymn, but I cannot sing it without tears falling.
The tears fall now as I see her precious face posted here on your blog. We know God is with her and if his eye is on the sparrow, surely he is watching Oksana. He loved her first...
Great is His faithfulness!
Amen to what Ginger said. Know your heart is sad - I'll say a prayer for all of you!
She's a beautiful girl-looks alot like her grandma!
I know that you (and MArc) must feel very sad, but yes, God will watch over her, and He does a better job than anyone!
:-(
Praying for all of you.
"I surrender all"....my most favorite song! Just keep leaning on Him right now. God's got it all figured out. He is totally and completely in control of this situation. And He has a way of making things all work out even if it doesnt look right or feel right, right now. Big hugs to you.
Love& prayers,
Candy
What a reminder to us all. I am praying for you all.
Thank you for sharing this with us and remember that we love you!
Oh Susan...my heart broke for you and your family when I read this. I'm sure this will be a huge tansition for all of you.
I will be praying for all of you.
I'm saying a prayer for your family. And for your granddaughter's protection, wherever she is. I do know that it leaves a huge hole in your hearts.
One of the hardest things to surrender to God is people, especially children and grandchildren!
i'm so sorry, susan. i know how sad all of you must be. your whole family will be in my prayers. try to take some comfort in knowing that God has it all mapped out. He knows what the bigger picture looks like where we can only see a little piece of it.
Susan,
My heart goes out to you, and your son. I'm praying for all of you, especially your beautiful granddaughter! Sometimes they have to see both sides before making a final decision of who she will live with permanently. It could be a hard year for her, and for all of you, but the Lord is in control! My favorite verse in times like this is Romans 8:28.
Thank you for sharing your pain with us, as well as your joys. Your blog is one of my favorites!
Katherine
that's the secret surrender all to JESUS ;o]
Hi Susan,
She's a beautiful young girl.
I know your heart must be heavy with this big change in your lives. My prayers are with you all.
I'm sure this has been hard for you and your son. Hopefully she will be a blessing to her mother and her relationship with God and her dad will grow stronger. I'll say a prayer for all of you.
You know that I am praying. You are an encouragement to us all in your time of distress.
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
Oh! Susan I am so sorry foryour current tribulation. I know you are in faith and trusting God but that does not cancel out your anguish. So my prayers and love go out to you and the family.
I will be praying for all of you Susan! I know this is a very hard adjustment for all.
Dear Susan, Mickey, Marc and Aric. ginger and barbara express my feelings. Here I sit in anguish for you all, with tears rolling down my face hurting for you knowing God will enable and support you thru everything and anything. I had hoped that this would not become a reality. But as you have told me God has a plan and he will work that plan for our ultimate good. Our trip cancelation was so disappointing but you were able to spend time with Oksana that you would have missed and now you can cherish. Barbara and I will be praying for your strength, comfort and her protection. Luv u all Don and Barbara
Oh, Susan. I feel for you and your son and your family. I see my husband struggle with this (and my heart aches along with him) as his daughter expresses her dislike for coming to our house. Right now she doesn't have a choice, but at age 14 she will. He thinks she will choose not to visit. I choose not to try to predict the future... but it's still hard. I will keep you all in my thoughts, dear one.
These situations are always so hard and children have to grow up faster than we'd like. I hope things will go really well for all of them.
So sorry you all have to go through this, keep praying for all involved and trusting the Lord.
What a beautiful granddaughter you have, Susan. I will be praying for your family as you adjust during this difficult time. I think Ginger's note above is so beautiful and comforting. ((((Hugs))))
Kelli
I'm so sorry Susan. That would be hard to go through. I agree with the others...God will watch over and take care of her.
I will keep her and all of your family in my prayers.
Those are precious pictures of her.
I'm so sorry Susan. That would be hard to go through. I agree with the others...God will watch over and take care of her.
I will keep her and all of your family in my prayers.
Those are precious pictures of her.
I'm so sorry Susan. That would be hard to go through. I agree with the others...God will watch over and take care of her.
I will keep her and all of your family in my prayers.
Those are precious pictures of her.
I will be praying for her and for all of you...everyone else said it all so well. Just know this situation will be in my prayers...(((HUGS)))
This is a hard decision for sure. My husband's son came to live with us two months after we got married. He was 14 at the time. I know it killed his Mom and I felt for her. We knew in our hearts it was the right thing for him, but it's still painful...for everyone. Praying for you.
Hugs!
Kat
Susan, believe me, I really feel for you all. I don't voice this on my blog at all, but the single greatest fear of my heart, other than death itself, is that I might lose custody of my kids to their dad. Not that he's a bad dad, just that I feel it's best they live with me. Who knows what my kids would decide if it was up to them. These kind of situations stink and everyone suffers. I will be praying for you guys to make it through this transition.
oh yikes, Poor Aric...this is going to be soooo hard on him!!!
my prayers are with your family.
My prayers with you too, I'm just heading off to bed, will pray tonight. I just did my post a few hours back today and it was this same verse that I shared on Rom 8:38-39.
I am so sorry to hear this. I pray that our good God will help all of you see his plan that is bigger than ours. It will not be easy, but God is still good. Take care.
Your granddaughter is beautiful!
Your family is in my prayers, stay strong.
God Bless,
Amber
Susan I echo what the other women have said please know that I am praying for your family you grand daughter is beautiful.
I too cannot sing "I surrender All" without the tears rolling down my face
Susan, how hard this must be! Even knowing that God is sovereign, that He is in control, that all things work together, knowing these truths doesn't make the walking of it easy. But we can still have peace, we can still have joy as we rest in the knowledge of who God is and He is watching over us (and your grandaughter.
I'll pray for you Susan... and for Oksana and her family.
Praying here. It's so hard to be a single parent...and I know it's difficult feeling torn between two places. Hugs to you all.
:-) Susan
Oh I know this must be so hard but God is still in control and there is a reason for everything.
Thank you so much for sharing your heart with us. You will all be in my prayers.
Hugs, Lyndy
I'm so sorry, Susan. I can only imagine the ache you all feel. I will be praying for you all. God works ALL things out for the good of those who love Him.
praying for you and the family!
I'm late getting around toeveryone--So sorry to read about this.
I will be praying for all of you, and especially for Oksana.
This must have been so hard for Marc, and for all your family, Susan..... But what a blessing your granddaughter is , and how fortunate she is to have a father who puts her needs ahead of his own. I am praying for you all too, of course.
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