All is Well!

A dear friend emailed me on FB to catch up on Linsay's condition. She was hospitalized this week Monday in fact. Linsay is just fine. Had a really hard seizure and we could not wake her. It was one of those kind that just put you out. We realize it was a deep sleep we could not wake her. What make it worse she was at the bottom of the stairs. We thought she fell down but it seems she was almost down or at the bottom when the seizure hit. God sent the right EMT people in fact one of them shared that his wife and 2 daughters have epilepsy. He said that many times they are out cold. I wondered why this guys was sharing his life story with me. He asked me how she responds after one. Well, it's been a real long time since she had a real hard one. I have not seem that since philly. I forgot. So I told him she comes right out of it. Not this time. They took her to the hospital and did all the test her neurologist has been wanting done. I told the team of doctors the next morning that we are believers and we know that All things work together for good....Linsay got a thorough checking out a kat scan and a MRI...One test showed something they said like bleeding or that and even a tumor....Girl that night the specialist came in and said he did not know what they saw cause her MRI was clear...I've learned the lesson God wanted me to learn and praise Him for the opportunity to represent. Linsay represents and gives Him Glory just in her smile and the love she shows her family and friends. Many people eyes where opened to a black family that is close, takes care of each other and loves the Lord! All is well! Lost my precious dad in 2009, his life and death empower me. Aaron left home in 2009, I survived. Missy turned 18 in 2009 the verdict it still out on that one. Linsay turns 21 in March God give me strength. Big Party planned she loves to bowl. We are all well, as long as God is still in control of our lives and world we will all be just fine. Nothing is new under the sun the words tell us. So people have been through hard times before. As long as we stay right where God wants us to be. Seeking to be used for His Glory! Listen, it was scary seeing Linsay laying down there on the floor not responding to our voice. God's peace was powerful I usually lose it but GOD was in control. See God has always taken care of that little girl. I've learned I can trust Him with my fears. He's given me peace in so many situations. Let me know all is well. Trust me! Even the EMT gentlemen sharing his life about his family God brought back to me. See that night I went to bed asking God what happened? ("If any many lacks wisdom. Ask God") Did Linsay fall down the stairs, Lord? He made it clear that she was almost down the stairs when the seizure hit her and she fell to the floor right there on the rug. She had not physical injuries not bumps or bruises. Look at God! She had a really hard seizure one she has not had in a long time. I had forgotten the effects on her from a hard seizure. He woke me up that next morning with total clarity of the situation and even more peace. It's one thing raising someone with serious illness but when they grow up into adulthood it's really hard to see them go through. I'm so thankful that we never go through alone. If we know God through Jesus the burden is light. We've had an exciting year the McAllisters. Many of you have great challenges you bring into 2010. Just say it will be better in the new year is not the key knowing the God who makes all things well. That's what it's all about. See in all thing He (God) causes us to triumph ? through who? Our Lord Jesus Christ. There's a song the comes to mind. "All the way my Savior leads me..... and I know what'er befalls me...Jesus doeth all things well, and I know what'er befalls me. Jesus doeth all things well. May God bless you in the New Year....get to know Him intimately....talk to Him and wait for Him to talk to you back. If you do you'll be able to say too "All is Well" at the end of 2010. Happy New Year!

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

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Why We Are Here?

A old friend asked how we got here to AZ. So I began looking through the acrchives on this blog and I could not find the whole story. The story about just what transpired to get us to AZ. I have about 3 blogs now this one is about our life...For family and friends just about the reality show "The McAllisters" it's funny all of our lives from time to time could be a pretty good reality show don't you think. Anyway, where did it all begin? About 20 years ago Keith worked at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. His boss was a wonerful woman Jan (then) Quinn now those of you at First Baptist know her as Jan Hall. Well, Jan began to witness about Jesus to my husband the handsome wonderful man Keith McAllister (my hubby) anyway in time through Jan Keith came to know the Lord. She was the best spiritual mother ever. Moving here and there but never losing track of her babe in Christ. She sent cards and notes to keep up with us 20 years worth in fact. Well, many years later Jan who had been a widow fell in love and invited the McAllister's to her wedding. Keith who had just began working at US Airways as a gate agent could not pass up the opportunity to go. We fly free you know. I was reluctant not even sure why but God spoke to my heart and said Go! We did! It was an amazing trip just loved it, the weather was 86 in January. Keith and I how love to travel just kept talking about it. In fact it was the first place I ever considered moving. See I had lived in the house in Philadelphia on Champlost street until I was 12 years old then my family moved away. However, my Dad still owned the property and when I got married not many years after that I moved back into the house. I was blessed to raise my kids in the house I grew up in for 18 years more. Aaron was brought there was a baby and all my kids. So moving away from philly and that house had to be a work of God. No way I would have gone otherwise. Keith knew that and had tried for many many years to get me to move anywhere! He could not believe it when I said I could see myself living here. Where, Fountain Hills AZ. It's one of the most beautiful places on earth. Everyday God confirms to me why we are here. We trusted Him step by step to get here. In fact I often told Keith well "if it's of the Lord then He'll open the doors". Boy did God make me eat my words. Keith prayed to get transferred from US Airways Philly to Us Airways Tempe AZ and guess what God did it in a short period of time. Then the next month after that he provided a place for Keith to stay until he could find a place for us to live. Every detail that became what we thought was an obstacle God moved it out of the way. Faith is funny unless we step out on it we don't fully understand it, are fearful of it, once we do step out like Peter walkin on water we must continue to move day by day in faith. We've been here going on 4 years can you believe that one. Every year is a new adventure and just amazing. God has taken us (The McAllister) through some things that gives us a testimony like no other. What do we have to offer the people in such an affluent community. God has shown us LOTS . We're here for such a time as this. God is sovereign and omnipotent He has a wonderful purpose for our life and if we just stay connected to him (vine and branches connected) we will find out just what it is. See our details of our life change from day to day, circumstances change but be determined to give Him Glory through your life. That's our ultimate purpose in life is to bring Him Glory. So no matter what comes or goes you'll be right where you need to be. I'm thankful He's placed us here and thankful He's let us in on His plan. We know why we are here! Are you where He wants you to be? Are you following His plan or yours? Do you know why your here?

Clear View

It's truly amazing what God has enabled man to do. A week ago I went to have my eye exam it was time for my yearly check up. To my surprise my eye sight had changed (smile) Last time I did this I got contacts this time it was time for new eye glasses. Missy had hers checked and from her wellness exam we knew she needed glasses. She decided on contacts. I just go to Walmart I'm amazed at their capabilities. My doctors showed me on my visit my eye in fact they could look right at my eye ball and show me a picture of it. She proceeded to show me a good eye ball and one effected by diabetes. Of course having a couple family members suffering from blindness with this horrible disease I was concerned for Aaron. Well, on that visit he consented to an appointment. Today was the day we got there and to my surprise when the turned down the doctor to come he Aaron came out and asked me to come in. when it came to the time to show us Aaron's eye and the not so good eye. The doctor quickly told us Aaron's was in good shape and explained that if you come frequently (at least yearly) you can prevent the leaking blood vessels in the eye from causing blindness. I saw the difference clearly of the damage from one eye to the other. What a great relief I felt and even began to unexpectedly cry. As the day has gone on my mind has thought over and again the effects of sin on our lives not just from decease but just daily living. Knowing this what damage does it do to us. Even in fact if we stay in fellowship and ask God forgiveness for things. When it comes time to stand before Him will there be a clear record, mind and soul. What a relief to know that our righteousness is based on what Jesus has done. Jesus finished work will make us clean and clear before Him. We can have a sigh of relief now knowing it's done. Living in fellowship with Him is about relationship, loving Him because what a difference each day is with Him. The closeness we seek is not to get in to heaven or earn our way in but because we want to be with Him now and always. I got a clear view today and felt like we escaped, if you know Jesus as Savior you've escaped, been rescued....I know this was an earthly example but the joy I felt and the relief at Aaron's exam gave me a clear view of our salvation present and future. I've got a clear record as if I've never sinned all because of Jesus! Hope you have that kind of assurance.

Don't Give Up!

I know the last one was it ain't over....well this ones is "don't give up" Got everyone up at 3:30 a.m. yes that's right I know just how long it takes to get these five people out and on the road anywhere. We all got in the living room and where ready to leave when we realized we had no birth certificate for Linsay. No ID! Well, we ripped up every corner and ran around like crazy to no avail. I finally sat down and cried realizing we could not fly anywhere without Linsay's ID. I was just about to get back in the bed when God gave a great revelation just where that thing was. I went straight to the spot. Later that day I had to also apologize to Keith cause got blamed
for misplacing it. God of course help me realized I was the culprit. We rushed out the door Aaron getting all the bags and puttin them in the truck of the car. We rushed to the airport got out opened the trunk only to discover my bag was not amongst the others. I now had no Id or wallet or anything. We got back in the car and drove all the way home. Our flight was scheduled to fly out 7:38 it was now around 5:30 a.m. we got the bag. There was at this point a great discussion if we even wanted to keep trying. The kids said their beds were calling them and wanted to give up. But I wanted one last hoorah for Linsay she was to begin school on Monday. While we drove again back to the airport for the second time I tried to reschedule our flight. It turned out we got to the airport in time to make the flight. However at the security area I was stopped cause Linsay is older now and little did I know needed a photo ID. I prayed as she called her supervisor. Well they let us go thank God. Missy and Aaron had ran ahead by now it's at least 7:30 a.m. we had gotten a wheel chair for Linsay to make it to security but when we got through there was a cart ready and waiting to take us to our gate....Aaron and Missy stood there tickets in hand, we got on that plane all 5 of us at 7:35 the plane pulled off at it's scheduled departure 7:38 a.m. What a lovely day we had. God is good no matter the test and trial He's right there. Don't give up you may miss a great testimony, a Great chance for God to show off! He sure did for us that day. Always happy to bring Him some Glory!

It Ain't Over

Well, that's the song that kept ringing in my head as a I sat and watched it seemed thousands and hundred of thousand get on that plane from Charlotte to Phoenix. I tried to keep hope alive but I'll tell you I was surely getting discouarged. To my suprise God placed a couple next to me in the airport boarding area that rallied on my behalf. The gentlemen had like those crutches you see people with polio have he was clearly disabled but what a great spirit and attitude. We chatted and of course they found out I was stand by and wanted to get home. I had a after a long trip to bury my last living uncle down in New Bern NC. New Bern is beautiful God country you must google it. I hear it's also not far from the beach. To my surprise guys they called a few names and then they called yours truly I was so happy I seemed to almost jump in the air (I had to be delerious of course) to be able to get on that plane. I know it was God's divine intervention. Not that I was so faithful and trusting just because He loves me. I'm glad I did not give up cause as that wonderful song by Maurette Clark Brown says It aint over until God says it ain't over until God says it's over. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXNhArf-MSk.....now sometimes you've got to command your soul, hang in there, don't give up keep on trusting, for God has not forgot.


Maria

God's Favor

Traveled to New Bern NC Monday late from Phoenix to Philly, Philly to Charlotte, Charlotte to New Bern left Monday night from work. Arrived here in New Bern NC around 1:00 p.m. Got here God amazingly even held the last plane for me. Charlotte is a huge airport my first time there and my flight from Philly into Charlotte was late so what a walk I had to my gate at E17. Well when I got there she (the gate agent) called my name "Maria we've been waiting for you" she had my ticket in hand. No one else was left in the boarding area. I felt special but then we are all so very Special to our Father are'nt we? Hope you feel that way today not matter what your day looks like. Your the apple of His eye. Please continue to pray for me as I travel home this evening. I'm here supporting my 97 year old daddy in the loss of his last brother who he raised after his mom died young. Pray for us all. I know my church values prayers and as the old saints say "know the worth of prayer" The effectual Fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much! Amen!

Brandi

Last thursday we had a special visitor on our back porch. I've been used to havelina's (wild pig) that roam freely in AZ at least in my neighborhood. But this was a gentle sweet dog. At first glance he reminded me of my hubby's first dog Rusty. So I began to call him Rusty until I found out Rusty was a girl. The family then named her Brandi. Well, much discussion went on as to the ability for our family to take care of and do right by a dog. Missy and Keith are the big animal lovers here. I expect them to be ready to do anything to keep her. Instead I found they where the first to moan to get up to let her out. Thursday morning after everyone left for work and school. Brandi thought she was in the house alone. I entered the kitchen to find her eating a ham hock I left on the counter for a pot of beans I was gonna cook that day. That was it I could see that she was more than I could handle. I was exhausted already after getting the normal crew out for the day and then there she was with different needs. I call 911 to get the SPCA number dumb idea somehow I got the number the but call when through the sytem and I ended up with Deputy Fisher and a sheriff at my door. Brandi dispite the fact I put our out back after scolding her camem bark at them. Deputy Fisher said Mame she's gaurding your property so I think she's your dog cause she things she's your dog. I great to love Brandi but Deputy Fisher volunteered to take her to the station until the SPCA could get there. They picked her up and I began to keep track of just where she was. It was not easy but Deputy Fisher got me in contact with the location they where keeping her. They would check her out and make sure no one reported her missing. Well, Sunday came and no one turned up for her. Thus she would go up for adoption. Keith and I had not been in agreement about the dog. I know you think he wanted her and I did not. Surprise I wanted Brandi back. I wondered why God sent her our way. Yes if God is God there is nothing He's not aware of. What lesson was in it all. You see Brandi was near death when she arrived we slowly fed her and nursed her back to health before she left us. Was that all ther was for us. It's seem so cause where we live we are not allowed to have pets. I did not know that for use until I was on my way down to pick her up on sunday. I was excited and happy. In the end Deputy Fisher went to get her and now she is his dog. I can think of no better person for her. He seems to take to her the moment he saw her. I can't believe I'm writing about this dog but each day we live are new surprised and opportunities. God uses everything that comes in our path. Keith and I grew throught the conflict. God made it easier for me to let the dog go all because of Deputy Fisher.