Letter I wrote Sept 17, after Stephen's birth on 9/11/01

Juno e-mail for wilsonarkatjunodotcom printed on Monday, September 17, 2001, 9:22AM

Dear Friends and Family,

Thanks for remembering us before the Lord this week! "And the Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear, or be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8.

Stephen Barry Wilson was born on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, at 2:50 p.m., weighing in at 10 lbs., 3 oz., measuring 21 3/4 inches long. He looks like a Wilson (yes, he's gorgeous!), and we're thankful to the Lord for his safe arrival.

As I was admitted to the hospital, I was able to spend about an hour in quiet time, with no nurses, TV, etc. I must confess, that even though this was my 9th baby to be delivering, I could not for a moment take it lightly. More than ever before, I was determined to depend on the Lord for His help, for life itself.

Then, right at 8 am I clicked the button to watch the morning show or something. I was shocked to see a WTC tower on fire, and suddenly saw the other tower being hit by the next plane. The first thought I had was how many people were in those strong towers and powerful jets and how they exercised faith in the structures and planes when they entered the doors that morning, not knowing what the day held. In devastation, I began to cry out for God's mercy for the souls and lives of those involved.

The first thought God brought to mind was "The Name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to Him and are safe." And then. I remembered that the name "Stephen" means "crown of victory"! As we trust in the name of the Lord, we'll experience safety and victory. "Barry" means "bold, strong, of one mind"!

As the buildings collapsed, and so many rescue workers were perishing, I committed Stephen to the Lord in a new way. Realizing the brevity of life, I asked God to use our baby to rescue the perishing and care for the dying. In a way, the day passed quickly, as I struggled to remain focused on delivering. a baby, as life ended for so many.

Just before Stephen's birth, his heart rate dropped. The nurse put an oxygen mask on me, and it partially covered my eyes. Moments seemed like hours to me as she coached me to "breathe deeper, for the baby"...I could not see the concern in her eyes. Barry's eyes told the story, and I suddenly heard that she was saying "for the baby", and realized the baby's distress. I cried out to the Lord, and he heard me. With only three pushes, Stephen was born. The cord was wrapped around his neck, but had suffered no setback. We praise the Lord for His deliverance, once again. It was no accident that Stephen was born a week "late", as the Lord wanted to offer a future and a hope, on a very tragic day. 

In closing, I'd like to give a reminder that 2 Corinthians 3: 17 says "Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."

Serving the Lord with gladness,

Eva Wilson, for us all

There's no telIing how old Barry and Eva are, but the children's ages are as follows: Daniel. 15; Elizabeth, 13; Ruth, 11; David, 9; Michael. 7; Jonathan, 5; Lydia. 3; Hannah. 17 mos; Stephen. 5 days.

Stop & Take a Breather

This journal should be called a Blur instead of a Blog. Sometimes I have tried to sit down and reflect on my day or week, and it's such a blur, I can't remember anything worthy of writing. But that's more of a reason for me to make myself do this, right? I could whine about how I've been held captive by the monstrous pile of laundry & dishes, but I guess I need to stop and take a breather.

Looks like I have a little catching up to do, since it's been almost 3 months! This blog is taken from my drafts...I had good intentions, but never finished anything...so it's a compilation blog:)

Thanksgiving: We have so much to be grateful for. At Barry's parents' we went around the room, telling what we were thankful for...the little ones pretty much said FOOD. The teens were all so happy that gas prices had finally dropped. Someone always says "I'm thankful for Jesus." Daniel grinned from ear to ear as Barry shared that he's thankful for our new additions of Candas and Jacob. Our hearts do swell up with gratefulness as we look back and clearly trace God's hand in our lives. Nothing we ever do in life is easy, right? But the journey is rewarding, if we are faithful.

Christmas was a whole different story! We squeezed Ruth & Liz back into the house, and I could almost hear the walls of our house gasping for air as we invited friends for sleepovers. Sweet times! But I have to admit something. There were times I wished we'd lose power for a few days, just to get to stop and talk and play games and burn candles (and batteries). I do long for time to stand still, but I want to choose the moment to freeze! Don't put me in the hospital, or worse, the laundry room, Lord!!! I wanna be sitting on the floor with my family when You give me another hour or two.

The holidays went too quickly, in many ways. But, well, there's always a but, isn't there? When I only had small children, people said things like, "Oh, you love kids? Just wait til they're teens. Then you'll think again." Well, I happen to love teens. So I wasn't totally shocked when we started having a few teens. But no one prepared me for the day when the adult children came home for the holidays. No one told me that I would grow insecure and inept as I listened to their debates and, well, er, arguments. I'm sure that every discussion they had was of utmost importance to them, but I was ready to forgive and forget before the first cross words was uttered. I do not like confrontation. I do not like it at all. I do not like it once and for all!

Next year, I will be away for the holidays. Possibly alone. Possibly in a far away place. But more likely in a corner of my house, wishing I had power over the tongue (and tongues!!!) Ha! Oh, by the way, if you'd tried to warn me that there would be challenges with grown kids, I would have said in my heart, "I just so happen to love adults!" I guess this love walks softly and carries a big stick. Haha.

We had a grand time with Barry's family on Christmas, then headed out to the Wallace gathering the next day. Barry & I usually plan the meal and buy the food for the crowd (don't worry...they pay us back). Never a dull moment, shopping for about 60 people. Oh, and the in-laws seem to get along the best, so we let them cook while us siblings sit around and play cards (or shop for last minute gifts, or stuff a pinata!!!). Nothing like traditions, right?

Then Michael's bday came. He's easy to please...just had some guys over for airsoft wars. He was my biggest baby (12lbs 12 oz) but has never been a very big kid...now he tells me he wants to be in wrestling this fall. Hmmm. What goes around, comes around!

Then Ruth's bday. Ruth brings me such joy. She's 19 now. Where does the time go? People tried to warn me about how fast the kids would grow, but I didn't appreciate that advice. Seems the days dragged by at the time. Sometimes it really stood still.

Ruth was a beautiful china doll baby, weighing in at a healthy 8 lbs 15 oz. She was born on a Sunday morning between Sunday School and the Worship Service (yes, we were at the hospital, but remember calling the pastor so he could announce her safe arrival). Anyways, she went to NYC after her birthday. Had a great time. But the day she was supposed to come home, the weather in Chicago bumped her flight. It turned out to be the same time that the Hudson River Miracle happened. I was just glad she wasn't in the air that day. Good for a mother's heart, to know that she was sitting in her hotel room with her friends, not at the airport, fearful, waiting to hear about the cause of the emergency landing.

I wrote a song about Ruth last year, as she graduated from high school. Not sure whether I shared it... here's the link... http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6878487

Now it's February, which has been filled with YUCK around here. So tired of illnesses. But everyone is in school today, so I guess we're making some headway!

There's so much more to say...maybe tomorrow (more likely, next month???)

Oh, I have to add that I'm in a health program at church. The Bible study this week is centered around Hebrews 12. I'm stuck on v1, which says to "run with perseverance" and "throw off the things that hinder us." That is so hard for me. I'm finding that I like my baggage. Yes, I know I shouldn't. God is dealing with me about that. Last time I ran was in high school, and that was only because my brother, Randy, was in track. He "made" me run with him. And it wasn't a pretty sight. It didn't take long for me to get resourceful: if I tied my shoestrings really, really loose, I could stop and take a breather!

There's something wrong with me!!! But wait, isn't resourcefulness a character quality?

Katrina's Anniversary

shelter

I saw a handmade sign similar to that as I drove
from Houston to Dallas in Sept, 2005.
It's very telling, isn't it?

I can't believe it's been 3 yrs since Katrina hit the Gulf of Mexico.
In some ways, it seems like it was more recent.
But in other ways,
it was so long ago.
May we not forget the darkness of the heart of man,
and the need for the Light of the World!

As we pray for the safety of those of us in the Gulf,
let's remember to pray for their spiritual safety, too.

Psalm 91:1-2
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
He is my God, and I trust him

Back in 2005, the week of Katrina,
the Lord poured a song into my heart.
I was in the middle of studying Isaiah 60
in a Joy of Living class,
and Arise and Shine jumped off the page.
I was familiar with the passages,
and had the childhood song etched in my mind
(Rise, Shine, give God the glory, glory).

But this was a more somber look at the passages:

1 Arise, shine; For your light has come!
And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the LORD will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
5 Then you shall see and become radiant,
And your heart shall swell with joy
16 You shall know that I, the LORD,
am your Savior and your Redeemer

Darkness did cover New Orleans, with no electricity,
then deep darkness covered the people,
as rioting and looting broke out.
Yet the Lord did indeed arise over His people,
and His glory was seen,
as we served in the shelters in Houston and elsewhere.

Martin Luther King Jr. said
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness;
only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate;
only love can do that."

I pray you can meet with the Lord
as you listen to Arise and Shine.

And I pray you will find shelter in His shadow today!!!

Arise and Shine, at http://www.soundclick.com/evawilson

Closer than Your Heartbeat, the song, the story

In all humility and gratitude, I'd like to share this story:

Over 2 yrs ago, while I was in a Bible study class called MotherWise, something Denise Glenn had penned in the workbook jumped right off the page at me. Pierced my heart with truth. She said that Jesus is closer than our very heartbeat. I began writing notes in my margin, and after class, went straight home so I could sing back to the Lord. I never dreamed I would ever share it with anyone else, as it was so close to my heart.

But God had other plans. and I sent a little worktape to my then-new friend, Deborah Ivris, in Israel. Deborah had translated a few of my songs into Hebrew, and her voice is so clear and resounding, it blessed my socks off! I only sent Closer Than Your Heartbeat as an encouragement to her heart, but soon she sent me an a cappella version back to me, expressing her heart, how the Lord had ministered to her.

Well, for over a year, the file sat in my computer. I don't have the know-how (or talent) to build a songtrack. I hear it in my heart and head, but can't get it from point A to point B.

But while on a forum at http://www.christiansongwriters.org the Father crossed my path with Paul Sumares of CA. He is brilliant & talented, but most of all, desires to honor the Father. We agreed to work together on several songs.

To my surprise, Paul took Deborah's vocals and crafted the song!!! Even with my meager chord ideas and inability to keep time, Paul structured this beautiful arrangement!!!

Thank you, Jesus!!!! (and many thanks to you, Deborah and Paul, for letting hear with my ears what I'd wanted to hear in my heart!!!!)

Here's what Paul said, in response to my note of thanks to him:

I see an arrangement like this as analogous to taking one's already beautiful daughter and adorning her with fine robes, perfumes and jewels … presenting her as a bride for the Son of the King. The tune, lyrics and spirit of the song are the main value of the gift which is offered out of love to God (the daughter). But the arrangement is a pleasure we have to gather some of the more precious and pleasing elements we see around us (which God Himself placed there for us to find), and with those, dress up that gift to show that He is deserving of all the glory and beauty that exists in creation.

What a beautiful display of Kingdom work, as we seek to glory in Him. (and can we give the Lord praise, for allowing us all to use the internet for HIS purposes!!!)

Closer Than Your Heartbeat
(c)2006 Eva Wilson
vocals: Deborah Ivris
production: Paul Sumares

B2 F#/A#
Nothing can keep you from God's love
B2 F#/A#
Nothing in life, not even death
C#m/E F#
Jesus is closer than your heartbeat
C#m/E F#
Nearer than your very breath
B2 F#/A#
He's alive. (He's alive.)
B2 F#/A#
He is here. (He is here)
C#m/E F#
He’s all you need (He's all you need)
B
He's closer than your heartbeat

C#m/E
I am convinced
F#
Neither death nor life,
C#m/E
Neither angels nor demons,
F#
Neither the present nor the future,
E7
Nor any powers. Nothing.
C#m/E
Neither height nor depth,
F#
Nor anything else in all creation,
G#m F#
Can keep you from God's love
G#M F#
Nothing can keep you from God's love
B
In Christ.

B2 F#/A#
Nothing can keep you from God's love
B2 F#/A#
Nothing in life, not even death
C#m/E F#
Jesus is closer than your heartbeat
C#m/E F#
Nearer than your very breath
B2 F#/A#
He's alive. (He's alive.)
B2 F#/A#
He is here. (He is here)
C#m/E F#
He’s all you need (He's all you need)
B
He's closer than your heartbeat


Whehehehehehew!!! We love you, Jesus!!!

Oh, you can hear the Hebrew translations Deborah made at http://www.evawilsonmusic.com

(and for you songwriters, it may be a learning experience to hear my original worktape at http://www.soundclick.com/evawilson so you can hear how God can make something from "almost" nothing) ;)