Is Somebody Filming This?

Ever had one of those moments where you're pretty sure somebody has got to be filming you? Remember that show, America's Funniest Videos"? I actually believe that I might have my own film crew. Somehow I get into the most precarious predicaments. So it's very close to time for Hero to come home off of mission. It's December 2008. My oldest daughter is in school. The three young kids are home with me. Bobby and Lena are home schooled while Caroline Rose takes her naps. It's apparently flu season. It hits Caroline first, early in the morning. Fever sets in, aches, all over just not feeling good. This lasts for the entire day and into the night. I am praying that the other kids don't get it and more importantly that I don't get it. If I get it, who's going to take care of the kids? So far not so bad. I can tell when we need the bucket. I have covered the couch, the floors, got buckets out, Clorox wipes, Lysol spray, you name it. I have separate towels out for the kids and us to use. It's winter in Savannah, usually not too bad. This winter however, it was very cold. Well, for people in Savannah. We had the fire going non stop, which wasn't too bad. We make it into the night, her sick spells are getting further apart. Are we getting near the end? 0420hrs, Lena walks down the stairs whining. Before she can even say a word, she got sick. Oh no! Are you kidding? Caroline still on the couch not feeling well. She wakes up and decides she is not quite over it yet either. Nichole comes downstairs at 0545hrs, goes to the front porch and waits for her bus. She's smart. Go outside and get away from the germs. Bobby wakes up and comes down. He wants breakfast. Nu huh, no way. First, you have to pass the test. I asked him how he felt, did his tummy hurt, was he hot, did his body hurt, what did he "feel" like eating? He seemed fine. So, I let him eat. So far, two girls down. So far God is being very merciful and letting them get sick at separate times. Caroline seems to be coming out of hers. Noon rolls around, Bobby gets sick. Wow. I believe I am in hell. I know for a fact the cameras are rolling. Instead of Caroline and Lena now it's Lena and Bobby getting sick. However, Caroline is still not acting quite right. She is starting to want to eat though. The old mother instinct, if she "feels" like eating it should be OK. Well, later that evening the other "side" of the illness kicks in. Caroline now has diarrhea and in the worst way I have ever seen. I think at this point we may now be into day two. I have yet to have a shower or eaten. I haven't had an appetite anyway. I got a phone call that Hero should be on his way anytime now. Oh no. This is not how I want him to see me. The house isn't clean. Who was I kidding? I wasn't either. The third day rolls around. The lowest point. Hero is supposed to be walking in any time. I am in the bathroom with all three kids literally all sick at the same time. This is just not even funny. OK, maybe now looking back at it is. But I have to tell you, at the time, I was very sad and frustrated, not to mention exhausted and probably starving. One kid was on the toilet, one had their head in the bucket, the other was leaning over the bathtub, I was on the floor, crying out..."God, are you kidding me? What could you possibly be testing me for?" Then, I actually started laughing. Yes, you heard me, laughing. I remembered a verse out of Psalm 30:5b "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." I knew that God would only test me with things that He knew I could handle. I wasn't about to let this beat me. So, I'm sitting there, laughing and crying at the time wondering about what God had planned for my future. Things began to get a little better that day. Bobby and Lena started their rounds of diarrhea and the vomiting ceased. This was about the eighth day, 0555hrs. All the babies were sleeping in the living room by the fire. I stepped out on the front porch with Nichole and the .40 caliber pistol in my robe pocket. Oh, I guess I could tell you the reason for the pistol. We had a rabid raccoon running about our yard and neighborhood. The little rascal would walk right up to you with no fear. Nichole was a little scared of it. So I'd go wait with her on the porch for the bus. While waiting that morning, Hero called to get clarification on directions to the house. You see, we moved while he was gone. Of course with his permission. We had moved off post out to the islands and it was a little tricky finding the house in the dark. He passed Nichole on the way in. He pulled up to the drive way. Shear relief just poured over my entire being. But I thought for a minute that maybe he might see how everything is going and decide to turn around go back where he just came from. But of course he didn't. Instead he wrapped his wonderful arms around me and just hugged me tight and told me how much he missed me. He came in and made a "real" fire for us. Daddy was home. Of course the kids started getting much better too, so he didn't get to witness just how bad it was. Where was my film crew? I wasn't sure I was going to make it through that. But, I did. I just remember praying an awful lot. I couldn't really read the bible much because I was constantly tending to the babies. I guess this is where scripture memorization comes in handy. Nichole and I never did end up getting sick. We washed our hands so much they were raw, literally. God provided for us. He brought us through it. I still am not quite sure what His plans are for me, only that He will carry me all the way. He increased my faith and my dependence on Him. God is amazing even in the midst of a trial. May God bless you and may God bless America.