Silent Awakening

As I (Heather) lay awake at 3:48 a.m., my house is absolutely silent except for the ticking of an old clock. It is so loud that it's almost a distraction. I never even realized that this clock made sound before and now all I hear is the consistent beating--tick, tock, tick, tock. The pulses have a calming and consistent rhythm to them--much like that of a heartbeat. With each passing "beat," my heart overflows and seeps gratitude for 2012. As I start with January and reminisce through each passing month, there were so many wonderful memories and amazing blessings. Through some trying circumstances, it was in many ways one of our greatest years. We witnessed actual miracles--including the wild birth of our son, Asher, and the beginning of healing for Sy on top of countless others. Looking back, we saw Jesus' hand over our lives daily with the steadiness and flow of an old clock ticking--always there but often missed through the hustle and bustle of our days. So as I sit here and listen to that soothing cadence, I am so thankful--  with every second that passes--for each memory, each relationship, and each blessing. Wow!

In 2013, I hope to have a better rhythm to my life and to take more time out to listen to that ticking of my heart--always there but often overlooked, yet so vital to my very existence. May it always remind me of my blessings. Thank you to each of you who journeys with us. We are so grateful!

Looking Ahead to Hindsight...

As we've been approaching the New Year, our family has been thinking through some big questions. We've been taking a real hard look at our life and looking at it from the perspective of 30-40 years from now. Do you ever think about that? It sure brings up A LOT of questions...

Did we follow our God-given passions or sell out to someone else's idea of success?

Were we obedient? The first time, every time, and with a happy heart?

Will we have accomplished what we felt we needed to or did we waste most of our time?

Did we do absolutely everything we could to honor our marriage?

How will we be seen by those around us? Faithful? Joyful? Kind? Peaceful?

Will we have any regrets?

Were we ACTIVELY involved in raising our children to the best of our ability?

Did we pursue health in all aspects or did we allow unhealth to seep in?

Even as I write these questions, I'm kinda scared to answer these now. So, how do we make sure that we will be able to answer these with no hesitation and with ethusiasm?

As you may know, 10 years ago, Heather and I took a huge step and obeyed a call made on our lives. Although it was scary, it was the best ride we've ever been on. We saw miracles happen frequently and our direction was clear. I'm not kidding, our paths really were straight! Even though that phase didn't end the way we planned, our hearts and our marriage were in the best place they could be. It was a life of living with no regrets...

10 years have passed now and we continue to see blessings and miracles come our way, regardless of the amount of our faithfulness. We look around and see more than we deserve and we are watching Sy be healed from a disease with no cure! From the outside, everything is perfect. We have pursued the more "traditional" route and it's worked out fairly well. Even though our resources don't add up on paper, God has provided for us in huge ways. Our life has definitely felt like Elijah in 1 Kings 17:

God then told Elijah, “Get out of here, and fast. Head east and hide out at the Kerith Ravine on the other side of the Jordan River. You can drink fresh water from the brook; I’ve ordered the ravens to feed you.” Elijah obeyed God’s orders. He went and camped in the Kerith canyon on the other side of the Jordan. And sure enough, ravens brought him his meals, both breakfast and supper, and he drank from the brook. Eventually the brook dried up because of the drought. Then God spoke to him: “Get up and go to Zarephath in Sidon and live there. I’ve instructed a woman who lives there, a widow, to feed you.”

But, the question is, what do you do when you sense your brook has dried up? What do we do when we feel that God is calling us to a new life? How do we not question God and say that the way he has been providing was just fine and we'd prefer to just keep things that way?

"Before we respond, could You please give specifics on how exactly you will provide next?"

"Lord, it just doesn't make sense to change things now!"

"Even though we are continuing to struggle, look at all the work we've done to get here! And we may not be able to get back here if Your plan doesn't pan out!"

These are all conversations and feelings that have been stirring around... However, when the worrying settles down and we stop and listen to our hearts, we know that we have been circumventing the life we were created for. Oh brother, if you only knew the things we have considered...

Late last night, Heather and I came across a network of people who have left the life they knew to live a fuller life. An abundant life. A life of spending time investing in a Kingdom, rather than things we could care less about. A life to use the gifts we love to use, rather than burying them deep under busyness, menial tasks, and stress. A life that doesn't push our faith, our marriage, our children, and our friends to the side. It's calling to us...in a big way.

But how do we get from here to there? Open doors, Lord! We're ready!

Say What, Doc?

For all of you who are praying for Sy's health, we have some HUGE news for you!

As some of you know, Silas underwent an endoscopy late last month in order for us to see any effects the Gerson therapy on his esophagus. With the number of grueling hours we have spent juicing, simmering, grinding, and washing, we had to get some sort of status on our direction. Is all of the energy and resources invested in this therapy really worth it? We've definitely had our moments of wanting to quit. But after starting Gerson, we've seen outward improvement, so we were expecting to see some inward improvement. That same day, the doctor told us that the pictures from the procedure showed that Sy's esophagus was indeed healing. Needless to say, we were thrilled with that news! However, we have been disappointed before with decent pictures of his esophagus and the biopsies later revealing that his disease was as active as ever. Talk about frustrating!

So, after this recent endoscopy, the real answers would lie in the results of his biopsies... So we've waited and waited for results...

Finally, I anxiously took the call and the doctor informed me that Sy's eosinophilic count was extremely low. How low? Low enough to be considered in normal range!!! 

How do you put a miracle into words? This disease supposedly has no cure and now his count is within normal?! This is nothing short of God using the Gerson Therapy to heal our boy. In fact, we were strongly advised against doing the therapy from the doctors a couple of weeks before this last endoscopy and we were almost overwhelmed with discouragement, but we've known God has placed us on this Gerson journey for a reason. Despite having heavy hearts, we clung to prayer and hope. And now this is the news we've been dreaming about... This is truly a miracle! We can't stop smiling.

So does this mean that all of the work of the therapy is over? No way. This confirms that all the work we are doing is worth the effort and we are moving in the right direction. Sy's body has had an extremely rough start, so must continue to slowly reintroduce new foods that will give his body the nutrition it needs. He still has 2-3 more years on the therapy so his body has a chance to fix what has been wrong for so many years. In reality, Sy may never eat "normal" but he'll certainly eat healthy. :) So now we will try to fill in some of the nutritional gaps with some additional foods from the therapy very slowly--starting with one food at a time. Needless to say, Sy is excited to taste something new! Just imagine that in time, it is possible that he may not have the same lunch and dinner every day!

Well, I need to mention again that Sy would not be where he is with his health and we could not continue the therapy without the love and support of those surrounding us. Let us just say that God is doing an amazing work here through you all! He has used you to perform this miracle. It has taken a village to keep Sy on the therapy and we are so grateful. There are too many of you to count, but know that the Harger family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts--with every carrot we juice (which is right around 1,000 carrots per month)!

I'm sure you all have lots of questions about what the doctor said, future endoscopies, etc. and we will gladly give more details later. We just wanted to get the news out asap. We love you all and please spread the word for anyone you know struggling with EE that there is an alternative way that seems to really work. (I'm still speechless...)

There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finishing on the very day Christ Jesus appears. (Phil 1:6)

Frozen Sweat?

Hey Everyone!

We have some exciting news to share!

If you haven't heard already, a great group of folks are organizing a really fun road race here in Clermont to help with the cost of Sy's treatment. They are even bringing 4 tons of snow into the sunshine state. Check it out!

Sy's Snowflake 5K

In just the few weeks of organizing this event, there have been some more than incredible happenings. We have some huge sponsors already and we will start posting some of these specifics soon. The starting momentum of this event is telling us that this is going to be much bigger and better than we hoped!

Come join the fun and don't pull a hammy!

"You have 22 new messages."

I’m so busy.   Life is crazy.    I can’t breathe.    I’m tired.    I’m stressed.    It’s chaotic. 

So lately I’ve been doing a lot of listening, studying, and soul searching in regards to busyness. It seems like I hear people over and over talk about how busy they are, how tired they are, or how crazy their lives have become. In this age, we are overwhelmed with emails, voicemails, facebook notifications, text messages, etc. We can never just power off, or so we think. We lose our sense of margin. We are always running from one activity or event to the next... Our time of “rest” entails grabbing a cup of coffee at our local Starbucks usually with our laptop or phone in hand. Sometimes it’s like we almost measure people’s “success” based on what their calendar looks like and how booked out they are. “Maybe we can get together in three weeks?” I often hear moms applauded for all that they do--the busier, the better. And if they manage to do this, this, this, this and this... Wow! Then they are really amazing! On the other hand, if you are a person that does have any time or extra margin in your life, you must be a loser that doesn’t get invited out to do much. 

We can even be busy for the sake of the gospel but meanwhile, are we “losing our own souls?” I can be as busy, scheduled, and stressed out as the next person but internally I struggle with this because for me, once I start running ragged my spiritual life definitely takes a nose dive. Where is the joy He promises? Christ died to give us the abundant life. I’m not sure that the word abundant here equates an overly full calendar with our reminder alarms going off every five minutes. I’m learning that the abundant life is a choice and that we are not victims of our schedule or how we spend our time (and I seem to forget this daily and have to keep reminding myself over and over). :)

I think the Scriptures are clear and Elijah can attest that God doesn’t always yell but rather gently whispers (1 Kings 19:11-12). I just love this passage... So I have to be self-reflective, “Am I taking the time to hear His gentle whispers? Am I listening at all? Am I quiet and still before Him? What does that even look like?” “Where is my joy?”

Soul care is something that I’ve realized through the years is absolutely necessary, although definitely not something I have mastered. Our mentor and dear friend, Stephen Smith, has written several amazing books but I am currently enjoying his one entitled Soul Custody--Choosing To Care For the One and Only You. He states that we are given only one life to live. We can’t go back and hit the re-start button. “...the message of soul care seems to contradict some of the most fundamental teachings of Jesus Christ, like, ‘Deny yourself,’ and, ‘The man who hates his life will keep it?’” But Steve beautifully writes, “Caring for your soul is never a selfish or egotistical act. It’s really an act of stewardship. We steward our souls by caring for them well. How can we continually give what we do not have? Caring for the soul is an act through which God can replenish your heart, restore your soul, and revive your day so you can meet the challenges of life, work, and relationships. Far from being labeled as sin, soul care is actually a biblical command.”

Proverbs 4:23:  “Above all else, guard your heart. For it is the wellspring of life.”

Deuteronomy 4:9 “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently.”

God invites us to rest easy in Him and only after that can we effectively love and minister to those around us--whether it’s our spouse, our children, friends, or others in need. Jesus was a great example of this cycle in his life. I’m learning that if I have put nothing into my own soul care then how can I pour myself out for others? 

So anyway, I’m loving this mighty reminder to take custody of my soul and to step further into intimacy with God. It’s something worth fighting for! It’s easy to get caught up with thinking that I don’t have the time but really, what else is more crucial and satisfying than resting completely in the arms of our Savior? Just to rest... soak in his love... feel his embrace... lay my burdens at his feet... let my worries fade away... and know in my innermost being that I am His beloved. 

“Soul Custody is a clarion call--a prophetic call to do something significant with your life before it’s too late.”  --Gary Chapman 

Queen Bee's Birthday! Part 1

So, you know those times when you look at your little girl and you realize that if you blink, you might miss one of those beautiful moments in life? Thanks to a family member blessing us, Heather and I had the privledge and honor of taking our sweet little girl for a day of fun to celebrate turning two years old! Here are a few pics from the day. I can already picture us when we're old and gray looking back on an amazing blessing... Hope you enjoy as well.

All dressed up and ready to go!

Phoebe's favorite character, "Mummow"!

Angelic!

Mommy and Bee

Someone is having a good time!

Oh & the Disney promotion folks thought she was cute too and kept snapping her picture. Keep a look out for her on any Disney advertising! Wouldn't that be something?!

Thank you, God for entrusting us with this great bundle of joy. Let us continue to pour Your love into her heart every day!

We love you so, so much Phoebe! Happy Birthday!

Carefree and Gluten Free!!!

So, this is a post for my readers! I get a lot of questions in regards to being gluten free...

How do you do it? What can you eat? What is gluten? What all is it in? Why do you do it?

The task of going gluten free can seem rather daunting at first but it is definitely manageable and not that big of deal once you figure it all out. I was diagnosed with Celiac's disease over a year ago and sadly had to give up all of that yummy, gluten goodness. Most people don't even know this about me because I'm really not into talking about diseases and diagnoses (despite Sy's stuff); I don't like to identify myself or my kids by their health issues. We have too many blessings to be overshadowed by our little "glitches." However, I get asked so many gluten questions (from those who know that I just don't eat it), that I thought it was worth a post. I do this in hopes of helping someone out there who needs some encouragement or direction.

Even though I've only been completely GF for over a year, I've been very familiar with it for the last five years or so. Back when Sy was a 18 months and was actually eating some foods, he had to stop with the gluten because of his allergies and, surprisingly, because he was on the autism spectrum back then. Yeah, crazy that there was a time he was on the spectrum! You would never know it today and I definitely think that going GF helped in his situation. (If you have more specific questions in regards to that, feel free to ask.) There were several times in the last few years that we all just stopped eating it. It was pretty amazing how much better Jordan and I felt.

So for me, it is not merely a preference of not eating gluten or just a mild sensitivity; my body cannot handle it. Celiac's disease can often lead to other more serious or life threatening diseases. I'm not worried at all about it because I know God has it under control. I just do my part and am very careful to stay away from gluten, not only in my diet but also in personal care products. You wouldn't believe what all it is in--make up, hair care products, soaps, lotions etc. You see it in almost every ingredient list and it likes to hide under loads of different names/labels. It is definitely a lifestyle change but if you think you need to go GF, you absolutely can do it and you'll probably end up not missing it much.

I am slowly starting a modified version of the Gerson Therapy (mostly raw foods, vegan) so I know that some day the Celiac's won't even be an issue. Yahoo! Meanwhile, going GF can be very enjoyable, simple, cheap and not a big deal. Soooo, I don't want to bore you with any more random details. If you have specific questions, please comment below or shoot me an email. If you're on the fence about trying it, go for it!!! You may just be surprised how much better you can feel!