Wow.  Is it possible that time can fly by in a blink and somehow feel like you have lived more in four years than in the proceeding 28?  As I sit here writing this today, I am overwhelmed with the level of gratitude, peace, contentment, joy, life, and love I've been blessed to  have been given and to give.  Today marks four years since the process began to have my left leg amputated.  Four years since I was given a 2 - 5 percent chance of survival, I experienced the first of two comas, and underwent my first of 26 surgeries.  But also, four years since my family with the fierce power of God at their back stood in defense of my life, I encountered the true nature and person of Jesus for the first time, and I almost lost my life to ultimately find it.  But the time for boo-hooing is over!  It's time for praise and celebration!

Yes, these four years have been met with many Everest and Mariana Trench moments and there are 44 billion CaringBridge updates to prove it.  Shout out Elon Musk. :)  For every difficult moment there have been many more lovely ones.

Truth: I lost my left leg.  Higher Truth: I learned what it means to walk in faith and gained a robot leg.  

Truth: I lost my eyesight.  Higher Truth: I gained true vision of God's love and purpose and how to love others in kind.  

Truth: I lost what I planned for my life to be.  Higher Truth: I realized what life really is, what it can be, and what God has for me.   

First, gratitude.  I thank God every time I think of you.  I am so thankful for every single person that has been or is a part of my journey.  The impact is huge, no matter how big or small, constant or momentary your part of the journey, every single one of you has made a difference!

Second, people will often comment "how do you do it?  You are so positive! It is amazing what you have been through and come through."  I have even thought to myself, 'I am grateful for the trial because of who I have become as a result.'  But to be honest, that has never sat quite right with me and I didn't know why.  But then I received this revelation of perspective: Don't glorify the trial, glorify God and the grace He gave you to overcome it.  In practical terms, don't glorify the event of losing my leg and my vision but pay all glory to God for the grace He gave me to overcome it and keep fighting.  Grace in the form of strength, courage, patience, positivity, determination, and a little humor.  God has grace equal to any trial you may face.

Finally, the reason for praise and celebration is because of the grace God gave me to overcome and enjoy every moment.  

With a full heart,

Kierstin

"The life I've been given's a gift, if I'm gonna live it, I'm gonna live it to death" - Lecrae