Emotionally drained, but God is my strength and is in complete control!

The past two weeks have been extremely busy and very emotional for me and my family. We had been joyfully anticipating the birth of our 7th grandchild. The phone call we received two Sundays ago was not from that daughter, however, but from our youngest daughter. We had not been previously aware that she, too, was pregnant! But this was not a pleasant phone call to receive. She was calling to let us know that the pregnancy was ectopic (not forming in the correct place) and had to be removed immediately, as her own life was endangered by it. We traveled to southern New Jersey (90 miles) to be with her and her husband (and 2 young daughters) through several days of doctor visits, hospital waiting rooms, surgery for her, and recovery at home. The emotional scars are still deep. We got home very, very late on Tuesday night, exhausted physically and emotionally. Two days later we received the call from our other daughter...come back to southern New Jersey...the labor process has begun...our 7th grandchild was making his entrance into the world! My wife, Lauretta, and I retraced the same travel route we had just been on earlier in the week, and were at our daughter's side before lunch time that day! After an intense day of labor, Maxwell Edward Hodges was born on Aug. 27, at 7:12 p.m. What joy! But, with our youngest daughter, Lisa, still in our hearts (we also were spending the night with Lisa), the tremendous joy at Max's birth was tempered somewhat by the sadness and empathy we shared with Lisa and her family.


Another week went by, and we got the phone call from my brother that his wife's mother had died. Early this past Saturday morning (6:30 a.m.) we drove to Scranton, Pennsylvania, (2.5 hours), for the funeral service, and to spend the day with my brother's family. That night we drove from Scranton, PA, all the way to southern New Jersey again (the very same town we had been to two separate times during the previous week), over 200 miles one-way! This trip was to be there for my son, Chris's, celebration of his 33rd birthday (he was actually BORN on LABOR DAY back in 1976 !! How ironic is that?). We spent Saturday night with his family, went to church the next morning with my entire family (all three children, all of their spouses, and all 7 grandchildren), and then went back to Chris' house for an all-day BBQ and family celebration. Lauretta and I then drove back to our home in South Amboy, New Jersey, late last night (Sunday), and we literally collapsed from exhaustion!

As you can see, we have been on an emotional roller coaster during the past two weeks. Our faith is strong, and our God is in control!

Today, Lauretta is spending her last day of summer preparing for her first day of work in a new school district tomorrow! She is an elementary school Media Specialist, and will be working in the East Brunswick Public School District.

I am now turning my prayers, thoughts, and energy towards preparing for my upcoming trip to Romania (Sept. 17-30).

I want to thank EVERYONE who has joined the Facebook Group, "Help Bring Pastor Ed Fernandez to Romania !!"  (Click Here)  for all of your prayers and support! You are such a GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT to me! When I was in Romania in May I was the one who accompanied another pastor in his mission there. This time I am coming by myself...it is the vision that God gave to me personally. I need to constantly be reminded of all of your friendship and your excitement for the vision that God has put on my heart for Romania. You are more valuable than finances. You are the very confirmation the God writes on my heart that what I am doing is exactly what He wants me to do. Also know that I am extremely grateful for the financial donations that have been given so far. I know God is a God who meets every need, even to fulfilling the desires of our own hearts when our desires are His desires within us! I will still need continued financial support, so please continue to pray about your participation in this ministry.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this...I know it was very long, but I wanted you to hear my heart and know the cares that have been on my heart as I prepare for my visit to you in Romania. I also want you to feel my excitement and anticipation to see what God will do, how our own eyes will see His miracles!

Please write back! You can reply to this discussion, or you can send e-mail (PastorFernandez@RiverofLife.net), or you can become my Facebook "friend" and send a message there. I eagerly await hearing from all of you!

God be with you and direct all of your steps!

- Pastor Ed Fernandez