When Life Suddenly Stops | A Health Update on Shiloh

What is it like when life just stops? Or at least feels like it does.

When you are simply moving through life, cheering along, pushing through the busy rhythms of everyday life, and then suddenly you can’t get up. You can’t function.

It is not life-threatening, so there is that consolation, but in many ways it feels like life as you knew it has come to a halt, without any clear end in sight.

As a mom, I want to fix it. I want to support Shiloh well. At the same time, other areas of life can begin to feel like they are unraveling too. (Thankfully, we do have some moments of joy and movement thrown in there as well.)

Shiloh does not like attention around things like this, and I completely understand and want to respect her privacy. But how do you suddenly disappear from everyday life and not offer some explanation? The truth is, we do not fully understand it ourselves yet. There seem to be many layers involved, including Lyme disease, lingering effects from mold-related illness and a severe bout of pneumonia years ago, neurodiversity, digestive struggles, and likely other factors as well.

What we do know is that we desperately need prayer and for the Lord to intervene, physically and emotionally. For several months, we have tried everything the doctors have suggested, and then some, and we continue searching for more answers and support.

Ultimately, we need the Lord to make a way, just as He has done countless times for our family before.

Would you join us in praying for our teenage girl? That God would meet Shiloh in all of the quiet that now fills her days as the pace of her life has drastically changed. She has not been able to attend school for months and will most likely not return this school year.

In less than a month, we are supposed to be leaving for her first mission trip to Ecuador, and right now that feels like a very big ask. But I know the Lord is able. Time and time again, He has made a way in some of our darkest moments, and our prayer is that He will do it again, especially in meeting her in the deep hardness of this season.

April: Finding Grace in the Fullness

April is always a full month in our household. Zoe kicked it off with her birthday, followed by a Seder meal with family and Easter, all in the first week. A whirlwind to say the least.  We, also, got to celebrate Beach in several small ways for this birthday!
A bit of the other things this month...Shiloh is still struggling with her sickness and remains homebound.

 On the days she has a little more energy, she has found small ways to be creative, like making a fun drink one day or baking banana bread another.

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Ezra built and photographed a special Lego taxi.

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My parent's large dog thinks he is a lap dog. Poor mom.

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There were many more soccer nights cheering on Zoe...

along with a busy tournament weekend that ended at my high school stadium, playing against my alma mater, a team they had never faced before. 

I snagged a picture afterward of Zoe with her “cousin.”

Zoe's last game of the season was against Northside and her elementary BFF was her rival, which was fun. 

I snagged a picture of them together after the game.

Also, one of her best buddies came out to watch, which was very thoughtful.  

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Zoe had, also, gotten to see her friend doing amazing at her lacrosse game.

Representing her!

I joked about taking a photo with Zoe while we waited, and she said no, so I snagged this unflattering one that makes me smile.

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We also had some meaningful gatherings this month with work, including a sweet baby shower for one of our longtime employees 

and a dinner to celebrate our GM’s final week with us.

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Market Day was another highlight, with lots of pizzas being made. We were especially thankful to have Robbie there one more time before he heads to the mission field.

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We made one last visit to our chiropractor’s office before they move. No time for a posed photo, but I grabbed a quick one. Shiloh has been getting adjusted there since she was in the womb, so this place holds so many memories.

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Beach helped plan the concert series with Music in the Park again, and the girls joined us one Friday night for a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, which they loved. 

A neighbor joined in as well, although they would only agree to one pose, so I finally just joined them.

My loves...

We even had a few unexpected slug visitors along the way.  So glad that Shiloh was able to join us this evening.

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We were able to participate in the Water Mission Walk for Water again this year, one of our 1% for the Planet partners. Ezra was the only one of our kids available to join us, and we warmed up with some yard games. 

The walk was lined with signs sharing the mission and the importance of access to clean water.

It was such a beautiful morning.

 At the end, they had a portable filtration system set up to purify the water we carried.

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And of course, there were plenty of selfies throughout the month, including some of me, whether I liked it or not.

April was full, stretching, and filled with both challenges and gifts. Shiloh is still struggling with her health, but we have seen small signs of improvement along the way. I’m so thankful for the ways the Lord continues to meet us in it all.

Beach's Birthday (Low Key Version)

Beach’s birthday always falls during such a busy time of year. He wanted to keep things low key this year, so we found a few smaller ways to celebrate him.
  

We had his parents over for dinner, and Donna showed up decked out in a giant gift bag. She also made him an amazing cake.

 The grill master was back at it, smoking a brisket that was, as always, delicious.

Then it was time for gifts, followed by cake... 

and a side of silliness. 

 

 

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During a family lunch with my side of the family, we celebrated both Beach and my dad, whose birthdays fall in the same week.

 

They explained how they were going to share the cake and each blow out just half.

 

They are actually pretty similar in that they both love a good recliner nap...

but they woke up in time for presents. 

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That evening, Beach, the kids, and I went out to dinner, where he got some awesome handmade cards.

 

We attempted a family photo, but my car alarm started going off, so we ended up with not-so-flattering shots. Still, I’m glad we captured it.

 

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 Beach and I are not big on gifts, so silly me forgot to give him the little surprises I had gotten him. They ended up being a bit belated.

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The following weekend, we grabbed dinner with some friends. With our busy schedules, we don’t get to see each other as often as we used to, so times together feel extra special. I somehow managed not to get any group photos, which is very on brand for me when we are together, but I did snag a couple of Beach opening his gift when we arrived.

The only other pictures I managed to get.

While nothing can top last year’s birthday of riding horses down into Bryce Canyon, I’m grateful we were able to celebrate Beach in a simple, low-key way that felt just like him. I’m so thankful for Beach and for his humble heart that loves me so well. It is one of my greatest gifts to walk through life with him.