Open Doors

Another blog posting by Nicole’s sister Alissa. Is the door open or closed? Are you going in or out? That is a repetitive question in our household. My children coming and going. It’s late. The house is completely quiet. I am sitting at our kitchen table, staring at the front door. I am silently thanking God for all the blessings and memories we have had in this house.

We leave tomorrow and are moving, 4 hours south of Dallas to the Texas Hill Country. Lots of memories in this house. 3 of our 6 kids have been born here. There have been thanksgivings, Christmas’s, Easters, New Year’s. But the thing that saddens me most, is moving farther away from my sister Nicole. When we moved to Dallas 5 years ago, she was ecstatic! So was I! Finally instead of talking on the phone all the time, we could see each other! We have had so many memories in this house together. Thanksgiving, Christmas celebrations, New Year’s, and just weekends.

I know she will not be coming through that front door again. There will be no more of her sweet smile entering and late-night Hallmark movies (with popcorn and M & M’s ) Ha! . One of Nicole and my latest conversations have been about our new home. I told her she would love it. I wanted her to go. I told her to hang on. Stay Strong. I wanted her to embrace the country breeze, sit on the swing, and to hear The Lord’s whisper in the trees, at our farmhouse. Those were some of the last words I spoke recently. I think we both knew it might not happen. We cried.  We hugged. I said goodbye. I still see her standing on the other side of the glass door as I drove away. I will never forget the picture of her standing there.

It says, In Psalms 31: 7 ” I will be glad and rejoice in Your unfailing love, for You have seen my troubles, and You care about the anguish of my soul. ” When things are difficult, some doors close that we wish were open and vise versa. God still cares. He loves us. He cares about our sadness and hardships and He cares about our suffering.

Even when things are hopeless. We can still find Hope in our Heavenly Father. He does not promise to fix or heal anyone. We will experience pain, suffering, and sorrow. We live in a sin-filled world. But what our Lord does promise is one day everyone who has a relationship with Him will spend eternity with Him. All the pain and suffering will be gone forever. But it still doesn’t mean God doesn’t hurt when we are in pain. He does. He hurts. We are His greatest creation. He sent His one and only son for us. For us! He loves us more than we can understand. He loves us more than any person ever could. So we can always find comfort in Him and His unfailing love.

Our Father’s Love is greatly represented in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. It says, “Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ”

This passage is often read during wedding ceremonies. But in all reality, no human love is great than God’s love for us. People will fail us, BUT God will never fail us. This passage is perfect in showing God’s love for us. He protects. He is patient. He points us in His direction. We will never fully comprehend just how much God loves us. And sometimes in grief or sorrow, it’s hard to see His love. But there is a purpose. He is purposeful. He desires us to have faith in Him, to trust Him, and to believe regardless of any door He opens or any He closes for us. He loves us. 

Nicole has had a busy few weeks! My family took a drive to see Nicole and her family a couple of weeks ago. It was so awesome! My kids were so excited to see everyone! My second son Rylan was skipping the whole way in the house. He couldn’t get in the door fast enough because he kept saying, ” I can’t wait to see my favorite aunt.” It made Nicole smile as she heard him saying that to her. I still hear her sweet voice saying, “Mmm.” holding out her hand to Rylan, and smiling on the inside. Of course, Nicole loves seeing my twins. Twins are something so special we get to share together. My girls were singing to her and she was stroking their heads. One of my twins fell asleep and I put her in Nicole’s arms. Nicole held her little hand. It was sweet and I know it brought her joy. 

One of the things I know Nicole enjoyed, was the recent prayer car drive at her church. Cars lined up and people held out posters filled with meaningful scripture.  I loved seeing people of all ages coming to give Nicole comfort and strength. What a great reminder of different passages of who God is! They were reading to her, people were able to say something to her. It made Nicole so happy. She had many smiles. It was such a unique Idea!

What a wonderful way to show why God desires us to have community among believers. As we gather together, encourage each other, lean on one another, and to pray for each other. So it was so amazing to see God’s people doing just what the Inman’s need. She leans on scripture and the truth of what our Father Says.  I truly feel she loves that others are finding comfort and hope in our Savior too! 

Nicole’s sweet twin Girls have decided to sign with Ouachita Baptist University (OBU). There were two signing ceremonies to celebrate this occasion. How awesome! My family is a HUGE soccer family. We love the game and of course, I played because Nicole did. Nicole is so proud of these girls. She has loved watching every minute of them playing soccer. She encouraged them, cheered them on, and pointed them in the right direction. We had so many conversations about, will they go to school together, should they play Div. 1 or Div. 2, (Pros/Cons), but she never wanted them to go far from home.

Well, Nicole. You did it. Your girls are going to a smaller university. Rooming together. And staying close to home. It’s all what you wanted. Not only that, they will say all of it is because of you. 

The “Hope Warrior Holiday Event” happened this past weekend. This was put on by a few friends of Nicole’s and the family. There were so many neat and unique shops. I wish I could have attended. Nicole was unable to make it. Her kids enjoyed seeing people from all over town supporting their Mom. That was a special moment for them. There were old friends and new ones, they all came. It has been just mind-blowing the amount of love and support from the community. God is so good. He just keeps showing up every day and so often unexpectedly. 

Prayer Requests: Prayer for Nicole’s remaining appointments. Nicole is declining. Pray for comfort, for her and the whole family. They have a few treatments left, so prayer for those. Pray as Scott still has to get her in the car and take her to these appointments. It is becoming more challenging to transport her. 

Pray for strength, comfort, and one amazing Thanksgiving celebration for The Inman Family. I pray it is memorable and full of laughter. 

Prayer for my Parents, Roger and Mary as they are in Little Rock seeing and taking care of Nicole. 

Praises: There are no more appointments in St. Louis! Yay! It was such a struggle for everyone involved. And for Nicole.  Praise For all the support within the Church and the community. Thank you for the prayers, cards, texts, and messages. God is providing in every way imaginable. We just thank you. Each and every day I am in Awe of what God is doing. He is loving and so faithful. Thank you for loving on the Inman’s in ways only God can do. He knows all the needs. He knows–and He is providing them. Because after all, He loves us.