Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Go to the foot of the cross!

It's been heavy in the bloggy world this week. Everyone going through so much and a sweet baby in the hospital. All this just reminds us that we need to be in prayer for those in need.

I went by two blogs yesterday that really resonated with me. Please go by to Whitney's blog and to Mrs. Newlywed's blog. After reading their latest posts you'll better under why I'm sharing with you what I'm about to share.

See, I was diagnosed with Turner Syndrome when I was born. My foot was swollen at birth and the amazing thing is my pediatrician at the time had just been to a conference on Turner Syndrome and knew exactly what the diagnosis was. That's not by chance if you ask me. So they did blood work and it confirmed I had Turner Syndrome. It is a chromosomal disorder in which all or part of one of the sex chromosomes is absent. (The average person has 46 chromosomes, two of which are the sex chromosomes. In females, the sex chromosomes are two X chromosomes. In Turner syndrome, one X chromosome is missing. By looking at me you'd never know I have this condition, and that's truly by the grace of God. There are so many symptoms I don't have that I should have and I far surpassed my doctors predictions in height. I'm perfectly normal. The only devastating part about this is I was told I will most likely not be able to have kids on my own. I do believe God is a miracle working God and I count my blessings, and I hold on to that.

I tell you all of this because I've been so amazed by the blog world because the more you get to know people and share, you find that you're not in your situation alone and that's why I was so blessed and humbled by reading those two blogs yesterday.

Let this encourage you today! There is no mountain too big that God can't move, no situation that he can't turn into something positive and great. I have no idea why I was borm with this condition because it only occurs in 1 out of every 2500 girls. The syndrome manifests itself in a number of ways. There are characteristic physical abnormalities, such as short stature, lymphoedema, broad chest, low hairline, low-set ears, and webbed neck. Girls with Turner Syndrome typically experience gonadal dysfunction (non-working ovaries) with subsequent amenorrhea (loss of menstrual cycle) and infertility (which is the only major condition I have). Concurrent health concerns are also frequently present, including congenital heart disease, hypothyroidism, sterility, diabetes, ophthalmological problems, otological concerns, and many other autoimmune diseases.Finally, a specific pattern of cognitive deficits is often observed, with particular difficulties in visuospatial, mathematic (I have NEVER been good at math, ha), and memory areas (and I do have problems in this area sometimes).

So a good majority of the above conditions I don't show. PRAISE GOD!! That's a testimony in itself. So all of this is to say, no matter what you're going through today...go to the foot of the cross and lay your burdens down!!

Please remember to keep sweet Baby Stellan in your prayers!!


I'll leave you with the lyrics to one of my favorite songs!

AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS:

At the foot of the cross
Where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me your love
Through the judgement you received
And you've won my heart
Yes you've won my heart
Now I can

Chorus:

Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross

At the foot of the cross
Where I am made complete
You have given me life
Through the death you bore for me
And you've won my heart
Yes you've won my heart
Now I can

Chorus:

Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
Ilay every burden down
At the foot of the cross

16 comments:

Loree said...

Wow Lauren. That was a very touching post. Thanks for sharing. it is truly a miracle that you manifest so few of the symptoms and that you are always so encouraged.

Melissa said...

Wow girl! Thanks for sharing! I am always so encouraged by you!

Rebecca Jo said...

what an encouragement...

And God has BIG PLANS for you - you know that!!!

That is one of my favorite songs... I've got to go look it up on you tube so I can belt it out!!!

Jordan said...

Thanks for sharing Lauren! That was so encouraging. =]

Becca~CapturingSimpleJoys said...

What a truly transparent post and how amazing that your doctor when you were born knew what to do! We serve an awesome God who takes care of us!

Justin and Jessica said...

Thanks for sharing, Lauren! Very touching post. Your words are always so encouraging. God is good - all the time. :)

Unknown said...

Such a beautiful post!!! You are always encouraging me each time I visit your blog! Thank you for sharing! Have a great Wednesday girl :)

Kelsey said...

Thank you for sharing this post, Lauren. It was absolutely beautiful. You truly have an amazing faith in God and are so encouraging to so many others. He is working through you!

Whitney said...

You are so awesome!
Thank you for writing this post!

Niki said...

Thanks for sharing Lauren! You are such an encouragement! Praise God that your symptoms are so few and that you are willing to turn this into a way to praise God! You are so encouraging:)

Unknown said...

Lauren,
I had no idea, but all i can say is Wow. I keep thinking " What a mighty God we serve." In my job, I worked with a couple who was told that medical intervention was the only way that they would conceive and even then it was very unlikely to happen. Last month, they just had their first baby- no medical help at all. She is truly a miracle. You never know what God has in store for us...even if it may look a lot different from our own plans.

Jacquie said...

Thanks for sharing from your heart, Lauren. You are an encouragement to those who face similar trials. I see so well how God is blessing you even THROUGH your diagnosis.

Praying, praying for sweet Stellan!

Megan said...

What an encouraging post. Thank you Lauren for being so open and honest. It is amazing the friendships that have been formed through this bloggy world!

The Nashville Nosher said...

Thank you for sharing that with us! I have high hopes for you as well!

Spicy Magnolia said...

I love that song. And one of the most precious and priceless truths about knowing Jesus Christ is being able to come to Him with anything, knowing how much He loves us. What a testimony it is that you have the outlook and perspective that you do in how you were made and fashioned by His hand. Thank you for sharing, dear Lauren!

Crystal said...

Hi I am Crystal, I have my google reader set to any blog that has Turner Syndrome mentioned in it and your post came up. I have a daughter that just turned 7 that has TS and Autism hence the reason its on my google reader :-). Just wanted to say Hello so you dont think I am a stalker on future visits lol.