So the first night that we stayed here in La Casa Nueva, we noticed that it was a little chilly. But because this new place has an electric heat pump and not the gas heat that we’ve been used to for the last ten years, we figured that it hadn’t had time to “regulate” yet and would eventually get warmer, despite the fact that cold air seemed to be blowing out of the vents at all points in the day.

But then my parents came to visit. And mentioned once or twice or fifty times that they were freezing. And that “the baby” was freezing. And that since their previous house had a heat pump and they were familiar with how things should be working, Something Must Be Awry.

As it turns out, they were right.

So over the last four days, we (and by “we,” I mean “D.”) have been dealing with with a home warranty company, a service company, a realty company, and a home inspector trying to decide who’s responsible for fixing it.

Meanwhile, hey! Remember us? Over here? We’re cold!

As it turns out, the warranty company is going to make all the repairs. In fact, they’re going to replace the whole unit. We’re beyond grateful for the provision, but that’s not really even the point of this post.

Because there’s a little something called The Grand Scheme of Things:

A family in our church lost their one year old daughter last weekend after a lengthy illness. A family in the community where we used to live lost their 15 year old daughter in a car accident. The family across the street from our new house lost their husband and father a little over a week ago. My sister-in-law’s friend Lauren and her family are facing their first Christmas without their oldest son. My friend Elise and her boys are facing their first Christmas without Paul.

I’m sure you know of families who are hurting and suffering, too – it might even be your family that could use a little extra measure of grace and mercy right now.

And when I think about those families – when I think about their hurts and their struggles – it snaps our heat pump woes right into perspective. Because even though it may be cold in our house for a few days, I have a healthy child and a healthy husband who will snuggle up with me and keep me warm. Because even if we had to pay for an expensive home repair, at the end of the day – well, it’s just money. It’s not illness. It’s not death. It’s not heartache. It’s not despair.

Earlier today I was reading something that our pastor wrote, and he quoted the lyrics from a hymn written by Annie Johnston Flynt. Here are her words:

I needed to remember that today. Just because.

I hope it helps you to remember it, too.

This post was published originally on December 8, 2006.

“I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”

Many of you have no doubt heard by now that our sweet, talented blogger / designer / friend Heather (from Especially Heather and Swank Web Style) was diagnosed this afternoon with what looks to be a glioma, which is a tumor of the central nervous system.

I just checked Heather’s blog, and she’s posted an update here – she outlines her prayer needs far better than I ever could.

This is unexpected, heartbreaking news – but thankfully we serve a faithful God for whom no prayer request is too big. Please keep Heather and her family in your prayers.

Updated to add – just got this email from Kelli as they were about to leave for the hospital in Phoenix:

“I have pancreatitis – which is treated with fluids. Not so bad.

However, I have peritonitis (an infection of the peritonial cavity) which is deadly. It can be fatal if not treated aggressively. They loaded me with diladin for pain and the two most powerful antibiotics and sent us home about 3:30 with darvocet since i had an appt with the Dr. today. I’ll be admitted into Phoenix for treatment- not sure where, but that is the course of action they gave us this morning. Therewas talk of lifeflights etc last night based on the cconditionI Was in when we arrived. But I picked up some. The pain is from my braline to my pelvis and worse that any I have ever had in my life. I’m scared, but know there is prayer. Please hold up the kids and John. They are frightened beyond words. It’s a 4 hour drive, and we have to get going.”

I just heard a voice mail that Kelli left on my cell phone around 2 o’clock this morning, and she asked me if I’d relay this prayer request to y’all.

Many of y’all are familiar with Kelli’s medical struggles, but if you’re not, you can read part of the story here. Recently Kelli and her family moved so that she could be closer to one of the best transplant centers in the country; details regarding the whys of the move are here.

Last night Kelli was admitted to the ER in the town where she lives. She has pancreatitis and peritonitis; the peritonitis is especially dangerous. Her dialysis fluid is cloudy, and the concern with that is that regular dialysis might not be working, which means she’ll have to have the surgery that was postponed a few months ago. If Kelli has to start hemi-dialysis – which will be her reality if the doctors think surgery is necessary – then, as she has said, the clock starts to tick a little faster. She would need a transplant within the year in order to stay alive.

Kelli isn’t running fever, which is encouraging, but the two infections she’s fighting are bad news for someone with her condition. So if you would, please pray for Kelli, her family, and her medical team – and continue to pray that they’ll find a kidney donor, regardless of what happens over the next couple of days. I’ll be sure to update y’all if I hear from her again today.