As many of you know, in June of 1993 my brother, Scott, was killed in an automobile accident. It was truly the toughest thing our family has ever had to face. In times of tragedy many people will say that somehow something good will come from it. But, when you are the one who is affected by the tragedy, you often ask yourself, how? How can anything good come from the loss of someone's life, especially when they're so young? I am here to tell you today, that though there is nothing that can ever replace my brother, nor stop the pain you go through, that through the tragic loss of Scott's life, a gift of life was being given.
In one of my first blogs, I went into detail about the accident. You can read more about it at:
http://kristaeisma.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-testimony.html.
Today I am not talking so much about the tragedy, but I am going to talk about the miracle that happened through the tragedy.
One of the decisions my sister in law and parents made in the hospital was the consent for Scott's organs to be donated. Little did we all know at the time that just 4 days earlier a man, we would know later as Jack, was told if he didn't have a heart transplant soon, he was going to die. The challenge would be to find a heart that "matched" in time.
On June 26, 1993 Scott died. Very shortly afterward I remember looking at the front page of the Mail Tribune and reading a story about how Jack, who had also been from Central Point, received his miracle heart. Throughout the article there were so many similarities, we immediately knew, and it was later confirmed that Scott's heart had been the match Jack needed.
Though it was good to know that through one man's death, the gift of life was given to another, it would take years for my parents to emotionally be able to meet and talk to Jack. When the meeting did take place, it was kind of surreal. As we sat in the restaurant, all of us crying at one point, Jack talked about how thankful and truly blessed he felt to be alive. He was very compassionate towards our loss, as he explained what he had been doing since the transplant 10 years earlier. He had made it his mission to get completely involved in speaking to people about the importance of being an organ donor, as he told his story all over the country. He also played an intricate part in donor and recipient families meeting. To our suprise, he did this all in the memory of Scott. He even had his obituary in his wallet, where it had remained all these years.
That was the only time we met Jack and his wife Joan. I believe I was pregnant with my 8 year old son Timothy at the time. However, a couple of weeks ago my Mom decided to try to get in contact with him again. She was successful, and he was beyond excited to talk with my parents. We are looking to meet up again, and he is still speaking on behalf of being an organ donator, all the while Scott's obituary is still in his wallet.
To read part of Jack's story go to: http://www.vowelscommunications.com/story2.html
Friday, October 29, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
School Pictures
What is it about school pictures that can take a grown adult back in time? Is it remembering having to sit on that dreadful stool as all of your classmates watched you awkwardly force a smile for the photographer? Was it rememebering that anxious feeling you had in the pit of your stomach when the envelope came back and you dared to open it? Was it going to be a good picture that would forever shine in that year's yearbook? Or, like me in 5th grade, would you instantly inherit the nickname "bird face"? As I watched my daughter pick out the clothes that she was going to where for her school pictures, I was reminded about all of this with her simple statement..."This is so important to me."
When I asked the question, "What is your most memorable school picture"?, one lady said, "I remember all of them, even what I was wearing." Mind you, this lady just attended her 30 year high school reunion. I would venture to say that the school picture experience, for many, can be imprinted in our minds forever. If we're not careful, the tape player in our mind can be imprinted forever also. The tape player that says, "bird face, awkward, ridiculous, ugly..."
How do you overcome those recordings? You have to change the tape! I learned a long time ago, that my thoughts about myself are so different then God's thoughts towards me. I had to make a decision to let God's thoughts play over and over again in my mind, not my own. This wasn't easy, because in doing this, I also had to overcome a spirit of insecurity. I had to let go of the past, and let God frame my future with His words.
Ps 139:13-17
3 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
Do you know what God thinks about you, or are you still letting "old school pictures" form you? Do you believe that He made you exactly how He wanted you to be, and has a purpose for you? God NEVER makes mistakes! Choose today to let his "tape player" make an imprint on your mind and in your heart. You can be a light to a generation of young girls and guys who think beauty is only skin deep, and are devasted, many times for years, when they have a "bird face" kind of day.
When I asked the question, "What is your most memorable school picture"?, one lady said, "I remember all of them, even what I was wearing." Mind you, this lady just attended her 30 year high school reunion. I would venture to say that the school picture experience, for many, can be imprinted in our minds forever. If we're not careful, the tape player in our mind can be imprinted forever also. The tape player that says, "bird face, awkward, ridiculous, ugly..."
How do you overcome those recordings? You have to change the tape! I learned a long time ago, that my thoughts about myself are so different then God's thoughts towards me. I had to make a decision to let God's thoughts play over and over again in my mind, not my own. This wasn't easy, because in doing this, I also had to overcome a spirit of insecurity. I had to let go of the past, and let God frame my future with His words.
Ps 139:13-17
3 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
Do you know what God thinks about you, or are you still letting "old school pictures" form you? Do you believe that He made you exactly how He wanted you to be, and has a purpose for you? God NEVER makes mistakes! Choose today to let his "tape player" make an imprint on your mind and in your heart. You can be a light to a generation of young girls and guys who think beauty is only skin deep, and are devasted, many times for years, when they have a "bird face" kind of day.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Grandmother's
Last week as I was sitting in my living room looking out my front window at the red leaves falling on my lawn, I was reminded of my Grandmother. When I was younger, she lived in a small house with a very large tree in her front yard, and it was my job every year, to help rake the leaves.
When I was 4, I went to a preschool for a couple of weeks, and hated it. Whether it was because they served Tomato Soup for lunch, or because they made me take a nap every day, I don't know... Of course, being a childcare provider now myself, I understand FULLY why they made us do that. Nonetheless, my Mom took me out of preschool, and for the next few years my Grandma took care of me while my parents were at work.
There are so many things I remember about her. Playing Scrabble and Perquackey, listening to Jim Nabors on her 8 track player, learning to play Silent Night on her organ, gopher trips (camping), her knitting doggy sweaters in her rocking chair, KFC every Sunday after church, and her obnoxious snore are just a few memories that pop up immediately when I think about her.
One of the most memorable moments was when I was a Sophomore in high school and decided I hated school (again). I had skipped so many classes that it had already looked as though I wouldn't graduate on time. My teachers' had pretty much given up hope for a turn around. One afternoon while I was at her house she looked at me and said, "I know you can graduate. Work really hard, and prove everyone wrong". Though she wouldn't live to see it, that's exactly what I did.
My Grandma Jackson died on October 4, 1989 - 21 years ago, last week.
My Mom's Mom, my Grandma Winnie is still alive and full of life! I love being around her. When you walk into her house, it still smells like cookies :) As a child, my first memory of her was when I stayed the night there and we went to church. At some point during my Sunday School class 2 clowns went on stage and started performing. Afterward they came right up to me, and picked me up. I realized it was my Grandma and Grandpa. She was always doing things like that or having kids' back yard Bible Studies at her house. However, I think it was when I was a young adult that I became the closest to her.
After Emily was born I spent a lot of time with her making crafts, and just listening to her wisdom. It seemed like she always had just the right thing to say at the right time. I know, it is because she is close to the Lord. To this day, whenever I am at her house, I feel at home...the beauty of it is...so does everyone else who walks in her house.
As a mother of 4 myself now, I can appreciate Grandma's even more - from a different perspective. My children have been blessed w/ 2 amazing ones! Let me tell you, for me, they have been life savers at times. You know, when you are just having "one of those days" and need a break - Or when you need some adult conversation that doesn't include Blues Clues, SpongeBob, or Barney. Sean's Mom and my Mom are the greatest. I couldn't ask for better "Grammy's" and Grandma's for my kids!
Some day, I will probably be sitting in my rocking chair, looking at the red leaves falling into my yard - and my prayer is that I will be as much of a blessing to my grandkids, that my Grandmother's were to me.
When I was 4, I went to a preschool for a couple of weeks, and hated it. Whether it was because they served Tomato Soup for lunch, or because they made me take a nap every day, I don't know... Of course, being a childcare provider now myself, I understand FULLY why they made us do that. Nonetheless, my Mom took me out of preschool, and for the next few years my Grandma took care of me while my parents were at work.
There are so many things I remember about her. Playing Scrabble and Perquackey, listening to Jim Nabors on her 8 track player, learning to play Silent Night on her organ, gopher trips (camping), her knitting doggy sweaters in her rocking chair, KFC every Sunday after church, and her obnoxious snore are just a few memories that pop up immediately when I think about her.
One of the most memorable moments was when I was a Sophomore in high school and decided I hated school (again). I had skipped so many classes that it had already looked as though I wouldn't graduate on time. My teachers' had pretty much given up hope for a turn around. One afternoon while I was at her house she looked at me and said, "I know you can graduate. Work really hard, and prove everyone wrong". Though she wouldn't live to see it, that's exactly what I did.
My Grandma Jackson died on October 4, 1989 - 21 years ago, last week.
My Mom's Mom, my Grandma Winnie is still alive and full of life! I love being around her. When you walk into her house, it still smells like cookies :) As a child, my first memory of her was when I stayed the night there and we went to church. At some point during my Sunday School class 2 clowns went on stage and started performing. Afterward they came right up to me, and picked me up. I realized it was my Grandma and Grandpa. She was always doing things like that or having kids' back yard Bible Studies at her house. However, I think it was when I was a young adult that I became the closest to her.
After Emily was born I spent a lot of time with her making crafts, and just listening to her wisdom. It seemed like she always had just the right thing to say at the right time. I know, it is because she is close to the Lord. To this day, whenever I am at her house, I feel at home...the beauty of it is...so does everyone else who walks in her house.
As a mother of 4 myself now, I can appreciate Grandma's even more - from a different perspective. My children have been blessed w/ 2 amazing ones! Let me tell you, for me, they have been life savers at times. You know, when you are just having "one of those days" and need a break - Or when you need some adult conversation that doesn't include Blues Clues, SpongeBob, or Barney. Sean's Mom and my Mom are the greatest. I couldn't ask for better "Grammy's" and Grandma's for my kids!
Some day, I will probably be sitting in my rocking chair, looking at the red leaves falling into my yard - and my prayer is that I will be as much of a blessing to my grandkids, that my Grandmother's were to me.
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