Sunday, May 12, 2013, Nashville, TN., 3:30 p.m., D.S.T. (Mother's Day)~

Dear Journal~

My head is currently reeling with shock and my heart is full of love and joy.  I really don't know what to say: today was a Mother's Day I will never forget!

It all started this morning when Hubby-Dear made me breaksfast in bed.  It was very good.  He made me poached eggs with ham and toast, along with cranberry sauce to drink (plus my customary cup of coffee, black, done Cajun-style).  He then gave me a Mother's Day card (mushy, just the way I like 'em!) that made me cry.  It was beautiful!

Then the more able-bodied children came sauntering into the bedroom; all held piles of cards, which they ceremoniously laid upon the bed, and gave me extra hugs and kisses as they wished me a very happy Mother's Day.

I told the children I would look at the cards after church (and after eating out).

I wanted to go back to sleep, but since It was my turn to sing on the worship team, I did not have that luxury, so I got up and headed for the shower.

AFter doing that (and drying my hair and getting dressed), I helped Bill with the (disabled) kids, dispensing medications, unhooking them from their feeding pumps that sustained their bodies all night long, checking their vital signs and oxygen levels (all were good), and the like, all the while, giving them extra snuggles, as I changed their diapers and got them ready for church.  We then placed them into their wheelchairs and wheeled them out to our bus, which had become our mode of transportation, since my trusty old van conked out and gave up the ghost several weeks back.

Once at church, I had Bill and the older children be in charge of the younger kids while I went into the sanctuary, to meet up with my fellow worship team members (plus the music pastor and the church's musicians), where we did a quick rundown of the songs we were going to sing for our services.  (We had two services in the morning: one at 9, and the other at 10:45.)

Everyone seemed especially friendly and loving towards me as they all wished me a very happy Mother's Day, but I dismissed it.  Little did I know that something special would be happening to me.

It turned out that during the second service, I was chosen as our church's "Mother Of The Year".  When Pastor Bilkey called me up front, I about fainted.  I oculd not believe that I had been chosen; yet as I made my way the stage, the congregation rose to their feet and applauded loudly, my kids (and my husband) making the most noise.

Our senior pastor then presented me with a plaque and a beautiful bouquet of red, white, and pink roses while his wife, Terri, told the congregation about me and our family, sharing a little bit of our story.  They had the children join us up front. The kids were glad to oblige.  The people continued to cheer,  I was truly stunned, to say the least.

The kicker came when Bill (and Pastor Bilkey) told me to close my eyes as he (and the kids) led me outside.  The congregation quickly followed.  I had no idea what was about to happen or what was going on.

When I was instructed to open my eyes, I was stunned to see a brand new winter green Dodge Caravan (with handicap lifts) right in front of me, a big maroon bow placed on top.  There was a sign that said "Congratulations, Louisiana Sandusky: Mother of The Year, 2013, from your friends and family at Christ Community Assembly of God Church".

I am usually a big talker, but any words left me as I stared at the van.  I was totally speechless.

God had just handed me a miracle.  The church staff and members knew that my own van had died, so they went out of their way to provide me with a new one.  God led them to perform this act of kindness for me ... and on today of ALL days!!

Yet the surprises weren't through.  

We went to Golden Corral after church; we ate their just about every Sunday.  The manager said that lunch for me was on them.  He then had the cashier lead our group to the party room after we waited for 15 minutes.  Once we were set up, we then went about and got our lunches.

The children behaved very well.  Bill and I were proud of them.  They knew that today was a very special day, so they went out of their way to behave themselves.  It was the perfect gift any mother could have asked for.

So that was how my day went.  I pray and hope that your Mother's Day was just as blessed.  Happy Mother's Day to all my kids who are mothers, as well as those who are about to be, and a happy Mother's Day to all the other mothers who have crossed my path over the years!  I pray your day was as special as mine was! 

I will write again soon; until then, this is Louie Sandusky saying so long and God bless!  He certainly blessed me in a huge way today!!

~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Louie May.  :D