Kristena Tunstall

  • Home
  • Bible Study Quiet Time
    • Jen Hatmaker
      • A Modern Girl’s Guide to Bible Study
  • Speaking/Webinars
  • Our Daughter’s Hospital Story
  • Blog
Kristena Tunstall > My Journeys > 365 Day Writing Journey > Day 12: Patience

Posted on December 14, 2013 By Kristena Tunstall

Day 12: Patience

Patient not ImpatientLet me just say that of all the gifts God has bestowed upon me, patience isn’t one of them. I might be good at things like scrapbooking, crocheting, cross stitching, computers, and even writing, but I have such a low threshold for being patient. Don’t get me wrong, man do I wish it was better. I have come to accept this lack of quality as it is. It’s something I have to work on on a day in and day out basis.

I remember the day I found out I was pregnant with Mari. It was June 12, 1999, only two days before Keith and I were set to go on vacation to Florida.

That day changed my life. Keith and I had been told we couldn’t get pregnant the old-fashioned way, that it would only happen through IVF. Well, God had different plans. I had a smile plastered to my face that day I thought would never go away.

My pregnancy was anything but easy. Once Mari was born, everything appeared to move forward like it should. Only she didn’t. As new parents we didn’t realize anything could be different about our precious baby girl, but there was.

By the time Mari was 2 her delays were really starting to show. Within that next year we found out our sweet little girl with a smile that could light up a room was officially diagnosed with severe classic autism on February 5, 2003. Never in the comprehension of my mind did I have any idea what raising a child with autism would entail.

Talk about a person’s patience being test. I think it became a daily battle. From the potty training, or lack there of, to the meltdowns in a store to her very limited diet of the foods she would eat. No one can truly prepare you for what raising a child with autism, or any disability for that matter, will be like. You just have to learn as you go along.

The ironic part to all of this is that God must have some sense of humor. Seriously, putting a child with severe autism with a parent who has so little patience. It definitely was a test of it so many times. However, through that experience what little patience I had seemed to slowly grow over time. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not Job. However, God’s plan for my life was slowly but surely coming to fruition in my own.

Then on July 1, 2008, Mari got sick with diarrhea. Those next 16 days would permanently change my life. Talk about patience. I had to patiently await God’s answer as to whether He would let our little girl live. Think about that a moment. I wasn’t asking for my daughter to do good in school. To better communicate with us. Or even to allow her to live a more typical life-like other children. I prayed from the very depths of my soul to allow my daughter to live. I would have given anything for this to happen.

God gave us His answer on July 16, 2008, at 12:30 on a crystal clear Chicago summer day when He told us His answer. No. That night around 8 o’clock our daughter went to be with Jesus. It has been four and half years since she passed and the tears still come.

As human beings, do we always agree with God’s answers? Of course not, but that’s just it. We are human and can only see and understand what is in our world. But God sees and knows everything. Think about that a minute. Everything. So in other words, His ultimate plan is much bigger than we could possibly try to understand.

What does this all mean? It means we all have to be patient as God has great things in store for us all. We just have to be patient as we wait for them to come.

 

Day 13: The Matanuska Valley and Other Diversions

December 15, 2013 Kristena Tunstall 0
When I first saw the heading "The Matanuska Valley and Other Diversions," I was like "what the heck could this be about?" Then I read the short exert and I had to laugh. One word can sum it up best: Procrastination. I don't think there's a person on this earth…
 

The Journey with Lena Nelson Dooley

December 13, 2013 Kristena Tunstall 7
Please welcome this weeks guest Lena Nelson Dooley for The Journey. She answers the question: How have you seen God work in your writing journey? God in My Writing Journey I can’t really tell all He has done, because it would fill more than a month’s worth of blogs. He…

signature
Post Views: 2,820

Related

Comments

  1. Jean Williams says

    December 14, 2013 at 2:04 pm

    Kristena, I identify with everything you’ve written, except my son was not autistic. He was born hyper sensitive, and we believe now he had a slight amount of Aspburgers ( that’s probably not spelled correctly). We prayed our son would overcome depression and anxiety but he never did. He lost his battle at age 25 to suicide on March 16, 2004, and my tears will always come. God has given us numerous blessings, though, in the nine years since Joshua’s death. Number one, He taught me to rely more on Him, and I’m better in the patience department.

    Thank you for your wonderful posts. I read them every day. God bless you!

    • Kristena Tunstall says

      December 15, 2013 at 2:18 pm

      Jean, my heart is going out to you as much as yours has gone out to me. Thank you for your kind words. I have a close personal family friend that I’ve known since I was around 4 or 5 years old and she has a son who also committed suicide at age 25. He died about a year and a half before my daughter. She was there for me when I needed someone the most. She understood as I know you do as well. It warms my heart to know you read my posts.

  2. Jean Williams says

    December 15, 2013 at 7:39 pm

    Kristena, no matter how we lose our children, mothers of loss have a bond like no other. God bless you and keep up the great posts. :))

    • Kristena Tunstall says

      December 16, 2013 at 9:40 pm

      Jean, you are so right. It’s a bond like no other where you just know the other parent understands without having to say a word. 🙂

Site Archives

  • ►2020 (6)
    • ►June (3)
    • ►May (1)
    • ►January (2)
  • ►2019 (1)
    • ►March (1)
  • ►2018 (4)
    • ►November (2)
    • ►July (2)
  • ►2017 (15)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►May (10)
    • ►March (4)
  • ►2016 (11)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►October (1)
    • ►February (9)
  • ►2015 (22)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►November (5)
    • ►October (3)
    • ►April (1)
    • ►March (4)
    • ►February (3)
    • ►January (5)
  • ►2014 (221)
    • ►December (6)
    • ►November (6)
    • ►October (4)
    • ►September (3)
    • ►August (1)
    • ►July (3)
    • ►June (28)
    • ►May (15)
    • ►April (56)
    • ►March (34)
    • ►February (30)
    • ►January (35)
  • ►2013 (346)
    • ►December (34)
    • ►November (28)
    • ►October (50)
    • ►September (53)
    • ►August (22)
    • ►June (11)
    • ►May (31)
    • ►April (56)
    • ►March (31)
    • ►February (28)
    • ►January (2)
  • ►2012 (82)
    • ►December (6)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►October (1)
    • ►September (4)
    • ►August (11)
    • ►July (15)
    • ►June (9)
    • ►May (10)
    • ►April (3)
    • ►March (11)
    • ►February (9)
    • ►January (2)
  • ►2011 (46)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►June (3)
    • ►May (9)
    • ►April (1)
    • ►March (6)
    • ►February (7)
    • ►January (19)
  • ►2010 (43)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►October (2)
    • ►September (1)
    • ►July (3)
    • ►June (12)
    • ►May (10)
    • ►April (2)
    • ►March (3)
    • ►February (5)
    • ►January (3)
  • ►2009 (49)
    • ►December (5)
    • ►November (2)
    • ►October (1)
    • ►September (4)
    • ►July (2)
    • ►June (1)
    • ►May (4)
    • ►April (7)
    • ►March (4)
    • ►February (9)
    • ►January (10)
  • ►2008 (34)
    • ►December (11)
    • ►November (15)
    • ►October (8)
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Twitter
My Tweets
Follow @MommysAngelHeav
  • Archives
  • Categories
  • Tags
Archives
  • ►2020 (6)
    • ►June (3)
    • ►May (1)
    • ►January (2)
  • ►2019 (1)
    • ►March (1)
  • ►2018 (4)
    • ►November (2)
    • ►July (2)
  • ►2017 (15)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►May (10)
    • ►March (4)
  • ►2016 (11)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►October (1)
    • ►February (9)
  • ►2015 (22)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►November (5)
    • ►October (3)
    • ►April (1)
    • ►March (4)
    • ►February (3)
    • ►January (5)
  • ►2014 (221)
    • ►December (6)
    • ►November (6)
    • ►October (4)
    • ►September (3)
    • ►August (1)
    • ►July (3)
    • ►June (28)
    • ►May (15)
    • ►April (56)
    • ►March (34)
    • ►February (30)
    • ►January (35)
  • ►2013 (346)
    • ►December (34)
    • ►November (28)
    • ►October (50)
    • ►September (53)
    • ►August (22)
    • ►June (11)
    • ►May (31)
    • ►April (56)
    • ►March (31)
    • ►February (28)
    • ►January (2)
  • ►2012 (82)
    • ►December (6)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►October (1)
    • ►September (4)
    • ►August (11)
    • ►July (15)
    • ►June (9)
    • ►May (10)
    • ►April (3)
    • ►March (11)
    • ►February (9)
    • ►January (2)
  • ►2011 (46)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►June (3)
    • ►May (9)
    • ►April (1)
    • ►March (6)
    • ►February (7)
    • ►January (19)
  • ►2010 (43)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►October (2)
    • ►September (1)
    • ►July (3)
    • ►June (12)
    • ►May (10)
    • ►April (2)
    • ►March (3)
    • ►February (5)
    • ►January (3)
  • ►2009 (49)
    • ►December (5)
    • ►November (2)
    • ►October (1)
    • ►September (4)
    • ►July (2)
    • ►June (1)
    • ►May (4)
    • ►April (7)
    • ►March (4)
    • ►February (9)
    • ►January (10)
  • ►2008 (34)
    • ►December (11)
    • ►November (15)
    • ►October (8)
Categories
  • ►About Books… (22)
    • ►Book – The Unknown Door (3)
    • ►Book Reviews (5)
    • ►Featured Books (14)
  • ►Announcements (2)
  • ►Featured Posts (8)
  • ►Holidays (39)
    • ►4th of July (5)
    • ►Birthdays (6)
    • ►Christmas (6)
    • ►Easter (1)
    • ►Father’s Day (1)
    • ►Memorial Day (1)
    • ►Mother’s Day (4)
    • ►New Year’s (2)
    • ►Tax Time (1)
    • ►Thanksgiving (4)
    • ►Valentine’s Day (1)
    • ►Wedding Anniversary (6)
  • ►Interviews (2)
  • ►Miscellaneous (1)
  • ►Miscellaneous (6)
    • ►VotD (1)
  • ►Mommys Angel in Heaven (246)
    • ►Featured Posts mommys (2)
    • ►Multimedia moms mommys (1)
      • ►Videos mommys (1)
    • ►My Writing mommys (10)
      • ►In Response mommys (1)
      • ►In The Moment mommys (4)
      • ►Monthly Blog Chain mommys (1)
      • ►Reflection mommys (2)
      • ►Stories mommys (1)
        • ►Nonfiction mommys (1)
  • ►Multimedia (20)
    • ►Photos (4)
    • ►Slideshow (2)
    • ►Videos (12)
      • ►YouTube (7)
  • ▼My Journeys (306)
    • ▼365 Day Writing Journey (152)
      • Day 1: Switchbacks up the Mountain
      • Timing...
      • Day 2: Sacred Space
      • Day 3: The Holy Calling
      • Day 4: Choosing Story Over Relatives
      • Day 5: Getting Caught
      • Day 6: Daring to Tell
      • Day 7: Jumping Off
      • Day 8: The Voice that Chirps and Chirps
      • Day 9: Getting Permission
      • Day 10: Working Out
      • Day 11: Racing Hearts and Churning Stomachs
      • Day 12: Patience
      • Day 13: The Matanuska Valley and Other Diversions
      • Day 14: Waiting for Pizza
      • Day 15: People in a Jam
      • Day 16: Exploding Typewriters, Smoking Computers
      • Day 17: Love Thy Reader
      • Day 18: Your Validation Posse
      • Day 19: The Five Characteristics of Good Writing
      • Day 20: Naked in the Hallway
      • Making a change
      • Day 1: Switchbacks up the Mountain
      • Day 2: Sacred Space
      • Day 3: The Holy Calling
      • Day 4: Choosing Story Over Relatives
      • Day 5: Getting Caught
      • The Journey with Carole Brown
      • Day 6: Daring to Tell
      • Day 7: Jumping Off
      • Day 8: The Voice that Chirps and Chirps
      • Day 9: Getting Permission
      • Day 10: Working Out
      • Day 11: Racing Hearts and Churning Stomachs
      • Day 12: Patience
      • Day 13: The Matanuska Valley and Other Diversions
      • Day 14: Waiting for Pizza
      • Day 15: People in a Jam
      • Day 16: Exploding Typewriters, Smoking Computers
      • Day 17: Love Thy Reader
      • Day 18: Your Validation Posse
      • Day 19: The Five Characteristics of Good Writing
      • Day 20: Naked in the Hallway
      • Day 21: Finding the Spotlight
      • Day 22: A Writer's Lifestyle
      • Day 23: What Writer's Do
      • Day 24: Writing While Drooled Upon
      • Day 25: Failing Better
      • Day 26: The Trampoline as a Metaphor
      • Day 27: Fruitcakes and Discipline
      • Day 28: In the Company of Animals
      • Day 29: First Things First
      • Day 30: Out of the Box
      • Day 31: Dreaming Your Ship
      • Day 32: Improvisation
      • Day 33: Diving, Not Drowning
      • Day 34: The Duck or the Pâté?
      • Day 35: Eight Ways to Sabotage Yourself
      • Day 36: The Peculiar Art
      • Day 37: Being a Writer
      • Day 38: Ideal Conditions
      • Day 39: Keeping a Journal
      • Day 40: Inspiration
      • Day 41: Overnight Success Story
      • Day 42: Darling, What If You Tried...
      • Day 43: Nelson's News
      • Day 44: Sad Flailing and Panic
      • Day 45: Stubborn and Stupid
      • Day 46: Frou-Frou in Your Head
      • Day 47: The Writer's Club
      • Day 48: Community
      • Day 49: Tilting
      • Day 50: The Narrative of Your Life
      • Day 51: Nothing New Under the Sun
      • Day 52: The Writer as Spy
      • Day 53: On Work and Sentences
      • Day 54: The Beginning Writer
      • Day 55: One Lie Leads to Another
      • Day 56: No Drama
      • Day 57: Juggling
      • Day 58: Retreating to Play
      • Day 59: What Writers Can Learn from Six-Year-Olds
      • Day 60: Showing Up
      • Day 61: Writing Hours
      • Day 62: Feast or Famine: Part 1
      • Day 63: Feast or Famine: Part 2
      • Day 64: Writing Is Not Pretty
      • Day 65: Why You Don't Show Your Work to Your Spouse
      • Day 66: The Pitfalls of Grammar
      • Day 67: Seinfeld's Calendar
      • Day 68: Making Use of Fear
      • Day 69: Your Naked Prose
      • Day 70: The Right Age to Write
      • Day 71: Being Your Own Shrink
      • Day 72: Writer's Remorse
      • Day 74: The Truth and Nothing But
      • Day 75: Signs and Messages from Above
      • Day 77: Why Write?
      • Day 79: What Does Your Mother Think?
      • Day 80: The Strip Club
      • Day 81: Writing on Water
      • Day 82: Finding a Genre
      • Day 83: Retyping the Best
      • Day 84: How to Be a Writer
      • Day 85: Motivation
      • Day 86: Looking vs. Seeing
      • Day 87: Lessons of Drama
      • Day 88: From the Desk of God
      • Day 89: Worries of Writing Memoir
      • Day 90: The Wrestling Match
      • Day 91: Naming Names
      • Day 92: Rituals of Discipline
      • Day 93: Habits of Writers
      • Day 94: Lighting Candles
      • Day 95: Five Things Writers Can Learn from Dogs
      • Day 96: The Things We Keep
      • Day 97: Clear Language
      • Day 98: Ideas in Limos and Planes
      • Day 99: Writing Your Own Corner
      • Day 100: Writing as Therapy
      • Day 101: Waiting for the Train
      • Day 102: Five Things Writers Can Learn from Cats
      • Day 103: Closing the Gap
      • Day 104: Writing Your Own Front Yard #acfw
      • Day 105: PERFECTION! #acfw
      • Day 106: Odd Notes #acfw
      • Day 107: A Love Story #acfw
      • Day 108: Aunt Boo's House #acfw
      • Day 109: Just Reading #acfw
      • Day 110: Reading in Russia #acfw
      • Day 111: Authors on Pedestals #acfw
      • Day 112: Getting to Denver by 4:00 #acfw
      • Day 113: Surrender #acfw
      • Day 114: The idea That Won’t Go Away #acfw
      • Day 115: Writing the Tree #acfw
      • Day 116: Why Writers Get Scared #acfw
      • Day 117: The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Writer #acfw
      • Day 118: Infusion of Hope: The Circus Rider #acfw
      • Day 119: Stillness #acfw
      • Day 120: Writing the Event #acfw
      • Day 121: Life Rafts #acfw
      • Day 122: Fiction vs. Nonfiction #acfw
      • Day 123: An Empty Swimming Pool #acfw
      • Day 124: Breaking Glass: Metaphor and Symbols #acfw
      • Day 125: Approval #acfw
      • Day 126: The Art of Finding Solitude #acfw
      • Day 127: One True Sentence #acfw #365days
      • Day 128: Learning to Swim #acfw #365days
      • Day 129: Imaginations Going Nuts #acfw #365days
      • Day 130: Paying Attention #acfw #365days
      • Day 131: Do Not Try This at Home #acfw #365days
      • Day 132: Double-Edged Sword of the Internet #acfw #365days
    • ►A to Z Challenge (68)
    • ►A to Z Challenge mommys (30)
    • ►NaBloPoMo (56)
  • ►My Writing (551)
    • ►365 Days (185)
    • ►Bible Study Quiet Time (93)
      • ►Jen Hatmaker (42)
        • ►A Modern Girl’s Guide to Bible Study (21)
      • ►Priscilla Shirer (2)
        • ►The Armor of God (1)
    • ►In Response (37)
    • ►In The Moment (149)
    • ►Monthly Blog Chain (3)
    • ►My Journeys (2)
    • ►Reflection (68)
    • ►S.H.E. Time (2)
    • ►Time (6)
  • ►Other Site Authors (2)
    • ►Clever Girl (1)
    • ►Mari’s Teacher Mrs. A. (1)
  • ►Poetry (32)
    • ►Athena’s (1)
    • ►Free Form (11)
    • ►Rhyming (7)
  • ►Songs (13)
    • ►Lyrics (6)
    • ►Music (5)
  • ►Stories (16)
    • ►Fictional (4)
    • ►Nonfiction (9)
  • ►The Journey (75)
  • ►Websites (3)
  • ►Writing (42)