To the Medical Mumma
I was driving on my way to the hairdresser this week and was overwhelmed by this feeling. You know, that indescribable feeling that is kept deep inside and sometimes swirls to the surface. It’s a heavy kind of feeling, sometimes you contain it and other times you just have to let it out.
Hope Trafficker Book
I released my first book in 2019, so here it is! I’m so excited to share this with the world. I never considered myself a writer, but after I started blogging and God put on my heart to write about my unexpected journey of parenting a child with a disability, one of deep pain, but taught me that that hope can still be found. Hope in us stirs hope in others. My prayer is that after you have read my book, you will be encouraged on your own journey, that you would carry hope and be a HOPE TRAFFICKER.
To the Medical Mumma
I was driving on my way to the hairdresser this week and was overwhelmed by this feeling. You know, that indescribable feeling that is kept deep inside and sometimes swirls to the surface. It’s a heavy kind of feeling, sometimes you contain it and other times you just have to let it out.
The Pursuit of Peace
The last time I sat down to write, I was pregnant, so.. it’s been… a while.
I’ve had another baby… well, she, Taya, is almost 2 and half and she is a wild, joyful tornado! If you can put all those words together!?
One Moment with God
When we were in Melbourne last month, I sat and wrote a blog about being pregnant and having a baby. I chose not to post it because, to be honest, it was pretty negative. I came to the point where I realised after writing the blog that, fear is so ugly, but focus is powerful.
Piper Starts School
I can’t believe we completed the first term of Kindy. The lead up to Piper starting school was really tough for me. I remember every time I thought about the possibility of Piper going to school, the fear took over my body and I felt physically sick. The thought of...
I Wrote a Book
It’s still a foreign thought to me, that I actually wrote a book. I only told two people because I didn’t want to declare something, and like everything in my life, never stick at it for a long time.
R U OK?
I was reluctant to write this, but here I am being vulnerable, hoping it can encourage someone. It’s R U OKAY day and this is my story with mental illness.
Be Still
When was the last time you actually sat in stillness? When you just sat in quiet, in God’s presence.
Who do you say you are?
Lately, I have been having a bit of an identity crisis. I have been allowing how people see me, or think of me, or how I think they think of me, to define me. When you hear someone say something about you, do you think that is you? Like that is who you are?
Listen Up
While I don’t fully know what Piper hears without the hearing aid on, it has been described to us like being at a loud concert wearing head phones.
“So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!”
– Psalms 31:24
My love. I so appreciate who you are. Being a Pastor of a Church is hard, there are so many things unseen, but I get to see it all. You are selfless, you are strong and courageous. You keep going despite adversity and you Honour God in all you do and this translates in every area of your life. Your an incredible dad, and Being a dad of a child with a disability is just as tough and it carries it’s own struggles that aren’t talked about enough, you navigate grieving your dad’s alzheimers with bravery and all the other stuff that’s unseen. I love being your wife and I love watching you let God keep shaping you into the man and leader that you are. I love your humility and most of all I just love you! I’m proud of you and I honour you. I love working along side you and being on your team, always cheering you on. The best is yet to come! 💖
Mar 31
Brave ✨ Sleep study #8? I’ve lost count 🤷🏼♀️.
As she sat there so patiently for over an hour while everything was stuck to her, brave. As she had to have the oxygen on her which she absolutely hates then as she lays in the bed and signs I love you across the room, connected to all the wires and machines, brave. She’s asked a few times wanting to go home 😔.
Through these struggles she has to endure, she’s brave. She’s braver than me, braver than most.
“But in the day that I’m afraid, I lay all my fears before you and trust in you with all my heart. What harm could a man bring to me? With God on my side I will not be afraid of what comes. The roaring praises of God fill my heart, and I will always triumph as I trust his promises.”
Psalms 56:3-4 TPT
Hospital stays are so triggering for me, the beeping sounds, the strong smell of hand sanitiser, the doctors uniforms, the beds… I could go on. I can’t imagine what it’s like for our sweet 8 year old, yet in the midst of the unimaginable, there is a beautiful peace in my heart knowing God is on our side. Pain and peace can co exist and it’s quite wonderful if we embrace it all! ✨
I hope when P looks back on all she has endured she will keep hold of His peace and look how far He has carried us. 💖
Mar 29
Celebrating a miracle milestone today ✨
Our girl drank her first ever FULL CUP of cold water. 😭🥰 She’s progressed from soda water to cold water. And for the past year has been able to drink more and more, it’s always been in a very controlled and strict routine due to the safety of her swallow but over time has been able to transition to having it throughout periods of the day.
This afternoon she managed a full cup with no coughing. This is a moment I don’t want to ever forget. This gives me hope. This is huge. 😭 she’s drinking!? “*I have real cold water like you mummy and daddy and my sister*”
We’ll keep climbing this mountain. 💪🏼 So proud of you P and I’m giving God all the Glory! He is a miracle working God. Yesterday, today and forever! 💖
Mar 24
My beautiful girl spent today at a Peer Engagement day in Freo with other deaf and hard of hearing kids. I am very grateful to her school for allowing her SNEA to come with her so she can participate. She said to me “Mummy they are just like me”. 🥹 I love you my girl. I am so proud of you.
Mar 17
Happy birthday my love!
I love being your wife. I love celebrating you. Kind, caring, generous, strong, humble, brave, determined, loyal, fierce on your beliefs, unwavering in faith, you love all people, you are an incredible leader and you are my biggest encourager but most of all the best devoted dad ever! Thanks for being you! I love you! 🥳🥰💖 #33
Mar 7
🎈 EIGHT 🎈
Happy Birthday to the bravest girl I know. You are kind, thoughtful and give the best cuddles. You love to worship, you are strong and resilient. Thank you for teaching me so many things. I’m so thankful for your life, I’m thankful you are still here and I am thankful you made me a mum. I love you our sweet P! 🎂
Feb 13
“…And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2
My mum sent me this video today during Piper’s OT session (mum guilt because I was working). Look at her perseverance as she’s about to give up right at the start. But she kept going. And she put the sock on her foot all by herself. 😭😍 Piper’s life always pointing me to the faithfulness of Jesus, and reminding me we are all running our own race that is unique for each of us. So keep persevering and keep your eyes on Jesus! You got this 💪🏼 💖
Jan 23
That’s a wrap @eastlake_church on 2022.
I feel so lucky to lead along side @jedwoods and be a part of this amazing community of people!
I am so thankful for the 100’s of people who have served at our love events throughout the year, given their time, resources, given financially and prayed. Loving our community in the ways we have and spreading the love that Jesus has for all of us outside these four walls has been a privilege and the stories have been incredible. 😭
Thank you to my amazing husband @jedwoods. I love you! Your vision and heart for @eastlake_church is inspiring and I am so proud of you. I honour you, your sacrifice, your dedication and for just being you. I love doing this journey together.
Thanks to our amazing staff and volunteers who made today so incredible. We appreciate you all!
And to my two beautiful patient girls along for the ride! 💗
Bring on 2023! It’s going to be even better!
Thanks for being on this journey with us. We love you all. Thank you Jesus. 👏🏼💖
Dec 18
The sweetest little voice! ✨ We never new if Piper would talk. She was non verbal at 4, She’s had multiple throat and airway surgeries and procedures, yet here is speaking the word of God! I know our journey often doesn’t look how I would like it to, but sometimes I have to remind myself it’s more then I could ask or imagine! God is faithful! 💖
Dec 7
After a rather discouraging annual swallowing clinic today, I find myself, forcing myself, to choose courage. The crazy power we can have to choose, that despite the painful feelings, we can choose to pull ourselves out, so today I’m choosing to get courage and joy from a God who loves me.
AND - swipe for the cutest video of our beautiful Piper. Yesterday she got a certificate in assembly and this year actually got up and went to the front. So precious, and so proud with her waves! She really does never give up! 😭😍
Hey if a brave 7 year old can have the courage she has to face her challenges and struggles daily, I can too! 💪🏼💖
“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”” Deuteronomy 31:6
Nov 25
Distracted or delighted?
Got to spend the last couple days with our amazing team at @truenorthonline conference. I love how these intentional times in God’s presence can stir more faith on the inside of us.
I’ve been in a new struggle of grief lately as we navigate this disability journey with Piper. It’s just really hard.
If I’m honest, I’ve been so distracted by social media. Perhaps glimpses of what I’ve felt we have missed out on, pain, disappointment, defeat. What if, why us? Distracted.
As I’ve spent the last couple of days delighting in Jesus, delighting with Piper and experiencing the joy of who she is, not distracted but delighted I can’t help but feel the conviction then to delete the distractions in my life for a while.
What are you distracted by? Have you delighted in the goodness of God lately?
Delight. Joy. Goodness. Take pleasure in the word of God. Peace. Satisfied right in this moment.
And… if you got this far. 😂 I got to watch my incredible husband @jedwoods share his heart. I am so proud to be your wife, to be under your leadership, proud the girls get to call you their dad, and most importantly the way you love Jesus. Thank you for loving me so well. I honour you and love you so much.
So… Here is to more delighting and less distractions! 💪🏼🌸💖
“Make God the utmost delight and pleasure of your life, and he will provide for you what you desire the most. Give God the right to direct your life, and as you trust him along the way you’ll find he pulled it off perfectly! Quiet your heart in his presence and pray; keep hope alive as you long for God to come through for you. And don’t think for a moment that the wicked in their prosperity are better off than you.”
Psalms 37:4-7
Xx
Oct 8
Leigh Edwards
Married at 19, I became a mum at 22 to our beautiful daughter Piper, diagnosed with 22q (22q11.2 deletion syndrome – 22q), I was taken on an unexpected journey.
Born in England I moved to Mandurah, Western Australia when I was 12. I don’t consider myself a writer, but after I started blogging about my journey of deep pain I discovered hope can be found, and hope in us stirs hope in others.
