Simon and miracles

Um, yes, he loves to have run of the house! :-)

Who couldn't love this face?

Chillin!

Right after Toby's death, Simon was pretty cuddly...and he continues to be to this day. :-)


I received a phone call today. It was Simon's vet. Yesterday, I took Simon to the vet to have his yearly vaccinations, and because he is now 13 years old, they ran "geriatric blood tests" on him. These would determine many things including organ functions.

Back tracking: When I moved to Hungary in 2000 with both Simon and Toby, Simon became very ill very quickly. Within days of my move I was at the Hungarian vet's office with my friend Mari and Simon, who was, well, not well at all. The vet determined rather quickly that he had been poisoned somehow (probably licking paint in my previous home in the U.S. before we left), and that they would have to do daily treatments on him, pumping him with medicines through IVs. The daily trek to the vet was not fun, especially since the vet would not give me any signs of encouragement or comfort, but would say, day after day, "We'll see how he responds."

During the course of these treatments, which lasted nearly two weeks, the vet began to explain that the poison was causing his kidneys to shut down and if that happened completely, then he would not make it. Of course I and many others prayed for Simon's healing. Finally, he began to show signs of bouncing back, and then, on the last day of Simon's treatments, the doctor gave him the release that he did not have to come back.

It was on that day that he explained to me, through the interpreter, that he was amazed that Simon lived. The reason he never gave me any encouragement during the two-week ordeal was because he really didn't think he would live. His kidneys were already shutting down and he thought Simon was a goner due to the poison coursing through his body. At the end of all the treatments, he told me that blood tests showed that Simon had completely "lost" one kidney and that the other kidney was only partially functioning...maybe 1/2 of the kidney was still working. This concerned me, but he said that he could definitely live a long life with just 1/2 a kidney. Mind you, kidneys do not regenerate themselves, unlike skin or some other organs, so once they are "dead", they're dead.

I remember praising God for sparing Simon's life back in 2000, and praying that God would heal his kidneys. I'd forgotten about that prayer...til today....

Simon's new vet here in KC called today and left a message. In it he said that Simon's blood work came back with "outstanding" numbers. In fact, both of his kidneys are fully functional, which surprised him, given the situation I told him about in Hungary. He is an extremely healthy cat, especially for being age 13!

Yes, God is in the miracle business, even with creatures besides humans! I praise God tonight for the miracle He did in Simon's body, healing his kidneys!

The Senders

Feedback has been good regarding The Senders, my newest book. Missionaries, you will want to get copies of this to give to your partners/supporters as the stories of those who SEND you to the nations will encourage them!

Click on the title of this blog to get your copy online, or write to me to get copies at a greatly reduced price. :-)

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Arden+Campbell+Czaszewicz&x=15&y=22

The Power of Words

Having been an English teacher for over 20 years, I know the power of words. However, I've never known that power to such deep levels as I am learning day by day through the medium of marriage.

A word spoken in a timely way can bring life, health and healing to a mate which is unmatched by any other word spoken by any other person. In the same way, a word with-held, left unspoken, that could bring life if it were simply spoken, is akin to a dagger in the heart.

I don't need to spend any time talking about words that hurt because that's a no-brainer. It's the pain of the unspoken word from the one to whom you have given your heart that is mind-blowing, and can leave someone reeling.

That simple, "You look beautiful," or "I can't wait to see you this evening," or I'm so excited to spend time with you," or "I love how you desire to provide for us," or "I am so proud of you," or "thank you for loving me so well," or just "thank you" that is left unspoken can become a flaming dart of the enemy. However, those same simple words, if spoken, can bring RIVERS of life-giving water to the recipient.

As I grow in my marriage, I am learning how to lean into Papa God and ask Him for the words to speak to my husband; and he is doing the same with me. My one word of advice after my whopping 3 1/2 months of marriage is speak those words of life, every day, and never assume your spouse has heard them enough or doesn't need to hear them. Life will abound with hopeful, life-giving words.

This is simply a reflection of God Himself: In the beginning was the WORD...that's how important speaking words of life are, especially in marriage! I am so thankful for my precious husband who seeks to speak life over me every day!

Chicago party

Papa Chaz preparing the legs of lamb!

Chillin' under the tent in the Chaz backyard!

Arden with my two new sisters and my one new brother...and of course my wonderful husband!

Papa Chaz doesn't like to have his picture taken!

The lambs and chickens on the spit! YUMMY!

Humbled. That's the only word appropriate for how I feel right now after an amazing weekend in Chicago with friends and family who couldn't make it to our wedding in May.

While the weekend flew by, Paul and I experienced tremendous joy and blessing from everyone who came from near and far to the lamb roast/chicken roast open-house party on Chicago's east side! Food galore, laughter, fun, and great times together made for memories!

We were unexpectedly surprised (at least I was) by generous wedding gifts as well...thank you to ALL who came and loved us so well! We love you and look forward to the next time we can be together again.