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Friday, March 30, 2012

All God's Creatures Big and Small


"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.


If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!



Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.


Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom."
-Excerpts from Luke 12


Additional Little Glimpses from the past week:
These were Meade's overalls; John also wore them!

 This has to be one of my favorite expressions!

It looks like we have another "ham" in the family!  I think Daniel is saying, "I want YOU!"

 Uncle Cole came over and helped with bed time.  Thanks to a friend's suggestion, we have a simple nightly routine with the boys following their baths.  We sing a song (the favorite right now is "I'm in the Lord's Army", a true Baptist classic) and read a story from a children's Bible.
 John sleeps on this gymnastics mat (on his tummy).  This gives his body the most proprioceptive input, the best oxygen intake, and allows him the most opportunity to be mobile and use his muscles when he isn't sleeping.

 Daniel looks different to me almost every single day!  It's amazing how much change happens in the first year.  I can't believe this child was born with dark brown hair!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

To Choose Him...


(I apologize if you are receiving this for the second time.)

More thoughts today on childlike faith…

On many days, being a mom can be tiring.  It simply comes with the territory.  People see us out and comment, “You have your hands full!”  And I always respond, “Yes I do, in the best possible way!”  (Parents out there, feel free to use this line; it is TRUE and refreshing to those who hear it. Children are an incredible gift.  In fact, I imagine this line could fit anything to which the Lord has called you.)

So yes, I am tired on certain days.  And I often feel like I should/could/need to do more. 

But EVERY DAY, I get a huge self-esteem boost simply by peering into John and Daniel’s smiling faces and soaking up their essence.  At this age and in their minds, Meade and I are “it.”  We have hung the moon.  



Whether I’m busy around the kitchen, back in the bedroom, or at my little brother’s track meet, it has really hit me that Daniel chooses me.  Out of a crowd, out of a sea of legs, he picks me and chooses my legs to grasp.  My lap to burrow.  My eyes to catch his smile.  My ears to direct his laughter. 


I can be outside the kitchen door for a second, and he stands there with his little face and hands plastered to the door just smiling and looking out at me.



It’s amazing how I can feel so loved and chosen by my children.  It simply warms my heart.

It must DELIGHT the Lord when we choose to act in this manner with Him…when we truly choose Him with childlike faith and abandon. 

Just as the love of our children is truly initiated out of our love for them, so too are we enabled to love God because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). 

By the inherent nature of being a small child, my children know no other than to expect my love, my attention, my meeting of their basic needs… that I will bathe, clothe, and feed them.  That they will have dirty diapers changed, faces wiped, hugs freely given, and countless kisses.

When we are operating out of childlike faith, it becomes second nature to choose God.  We merely assume He will provide for us. We trust He knows best, even when doubts creep up (or, if we are honest, scream at times).

As a “responsible adult,” it is so easy and tempting to go to anything and anyone but God when life gets me down. 

Next time the trial pursues, the deadlines threaten, or the laundry and dishes stack high, I hope I will seek out God and make my way to “His legs.” 


“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”
Jeremiah 31:3







Tuesday, March 27, 2012

To Choose Him

More thoughts today on childlike faith…

On many days, being a mom can be tiring.  It simply comes with the territory.  People see us out and comment, “You have your hands full!”  And I always respond, “Yes I do, in the best possible way!”  (Parents out there, feel free to use this line; it is TRUE and refreshing to those who hear it. Children are an incredible gift.  In fact, I imagine this line could fit anything to which the Lord has called you.)

So yes, I am tired on certain days.  And I often feel like I should/could/need to do more. 

But EVERY DAY, I get a huge self-esteem boost simply by peering into John and Daniel’s smiling faces and soaking up their essence.  At this age and in their minds, Meade and I are “it.”  We have hung the moon.  



Whether I’m busy around the kitchen, back in the bedroom, or at my little brother’s track meet, it has really hit me that Daniel chooses me.  Out of a crowd, out of a sea of legs, he picks me and chooses my legs to grasp.  My lap to burrow.  My eyes to catch his smile.  My ears to direct his laughter. 


I can be outside the kitchen door for a second, and he stands there with his little face and hands plastered to the door just smiling and looking out at me.



It’s amazing how I can feel so loved and chosen by my children.  It simply warms my heart.

It must DELIGHT the Lord when we choose to act in this manner with Him…when we truly choose Him with childlike faith and abandon. 

Just as the love of our children is truly initiated out of our love for them, so too are we enabled to love God because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). 

By the inherent nature of being a small child, my children know no other than to expect my love, my attention, my meeting of their basic needs… that I will bathe, clothe, and feed them.  That they will have dirty diapers changed, faces wiped, hugs freely given, and countless kisses.

When we are operating out of childlike faith, it becomes second nature to choose God.  We merely assume He will provide for us. We trust He knows best, even when doubts creep up (or, if we are honest, scream at times).

As a “responsible adult,” it is so easy and tempting to go to anything and anyone but God when life gets me down. 

Next time the trial pursues, the deadlines threaten, or the laundry and dishes stack high, I hope I will seek out God and make my way to “His legs.” 


“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”
Jeremiah 31:3








Monday, March 19, 2012

Hearing His Voice


“The people living in darkness have seen a great light; 
on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
Isaiah 9:2


John undoubtedly is a joyful child.  No, he isn’t always smiling as you mostly see portrayed on this blog. 

He truly is a ham and simply loves the camera.  He sees that first flash and then anticipates each snap of the camera after that first shot, smiling each and every time. 
This is the first picture.

Then all the pictures that follow look like this.  :)

We’ve even been known to pull out the camera in order to get John to stop fussing.  Comical, right?  I imagine this stage will not last forever, and he will become like most children who do not want to pose for a picture and definitely prefer not to be donned in “cute outfits”.  I expect many of you can relate with Easter right around the corner, and I wish you luck!

Typically, John only fusses when he is hungry, thirsty, or bored.  We can quickly remedy the hunger or thirst problem, but as for the boredom – well, this is another reason (in addition to John’s development) we are praying for God’s direction on when and how to best jump back into John’s home therapy program.  He loves it!

Yes, John is joyful.  But not always at night.  When we found out we were having another child, and especially when we found out the child was a boy, we dreamed of John and Daniel sharing a room.  Meade is an only child, and I did not have any sisters.  Therefore, neither of us ever shared a room as children.  We do hope our boys will share a room at some point.  But this is NOT happening now!  Daniel, our 9 month old, is our good sleeper.  John, at 3 years old, is still working on this!  Our chances of getting sleep drastically improve by keeping our boys in separate sleeping quarters for now.

On the average night, Meade and I take turns with who will listen out for the boys (and by boys, I mean John, haha).  John has never been a great sleeper (possibly because his brain injury affects his sleep centers), and since Daniel’s birth, John has been known to wake up at least once every night.  When he wakes up, he screams.  And screams.  And screams.  Sometimes, he needs a diaper change, but mostly, I think he simply wants his Daddy. 


It can be my night, and for whatever reason, I cannot comfort John and help him fall back asleep. I was back in bed Saturday night after holding John, singing to him, changing his diaper, tickling him, trying everything I could, and yet I still heard incessant crying coming from his room.  So I woke up Meade, as I often do when John will not quiet down, and Meade faithfully got out of bed and entered John’s room to help out this groggy Mama. 

The very second John heard his Daddy’s voice, he calmed down.  I listened as Meade talked to John, explained (for the 1,000th time) the importance of sleep, sang to him, and simply loved him. 

But all it really took was for John to hear his voice. 


That is childlike faith.  If only we were so quick to calm at the sound of our Father’s voice.  Our heavenly Father… the One who does not leave us.  The One who is not subjected to the sin and failures of this world.  The One who soothes us with His Voice of Truth and Love, spoken over us in our darkness. 

Oh, to have faith like this!  Just to deeply know and trust that it is all “okay” when we hear that voice. Simply because we know our Daddy is near.



“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.”
1 John 4:16

“God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”
1 John 1:5b

Friday, March 16, 2012

Farther Along



A couple of days ago, my friend Settle sent me the most incredible song that truly resonates with my heart in our journey of loss and life.  It is entitled, Farther Along, and I know it will bless you as well:


http://joshgarrels.bandcamp.com/track/farther-along

You will also find the lyrics by clicking the link.  I love both the honesty in this song and also how uplifting and full of truth it is.


Our dear friends, Settle and Jeff, also have a son in heaven.  Their beloved Webb went to be with Jesus in October, and like Warren, also left behind a twin and a younger brother on earth.  Settle has the most beautiful blog in which she shares profound insights and truths.  She is an amazing writer!  Check it out, and please keep their sweet family in your prayers: As I Walk.


I also want to share an excerpt from an email one of our devoted prayer warriors sent me.  Christy is like so many of you...a woman I have never met face to face but know and love thanks to the Lord connecting us in the midst of pain, hope, and healing.  We serve a great God... a God who transcends pain and takes on flesh every single day through each one of you.



From Christy:

Jesus came, ministered...took the stripes on his back...laid down willingly on the Cross...died... was resurrected from the dead... and ministered one more time, and then He rose to Heaven and "Sat Down".  One of my previous pastors, Dr. David Uth preached this serman out of Hebrews, "He Sat Down...His work was done."   I still remember this sermon, He sat down....His work was done. His work happened 2000 yrs ago....he took the stripes on his back in Herod's judgment hall...

So Now...that the work is done, what do we do?  We say the WORD over our problem and then we Trust and praise and believe that what "HE" said is done.  "I believe Lord that you have already DONE everything...all...we need"....so Mary Elizabeth...you are Doing what you are supposed to be doing.  You are saying the Word over John and trusting God to do HIS work...and sometimes it is done miraculously and sometimes it is done ... one day at a time.  But remember...John, Meade, you...have already shown the doctors that We serve a Great God...and HE has already done the work....So I'm believing and praising with you... The Work is Done and God is going to give you the desires of your heart...because you have already asked Him...Keep believing that God's word is true, His promises are true...He has done the work ... and He Sat Down!!!!   He has heard every word you have said...so stay positive and keep Speaking the Word... "by His stripes John is healed".."I am healed Lord, because You healed me...all praise to God" ...  the work is already done! 


Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Boxes, Cake, and God's Presence

We are settling into our new home and life in Atlanta...one box and one day at a time!  Thank you for praying for this transition.  The Lord truly blessed our remaining time in Virginia and has paved the way in Georgia.  Despite ear infections, a gas leak, faulty plumbing, and missing loved ones in Virginia, we are doing well and are grateful for God's peace and provision in this new season.  


 At our fabulous going away party hosted by dear friends


Loading everything into the moving van


Miss Jess (John's aid and our dear friend) came with us to help us get settled in Atlanta.


There is nothing like moving to cause you to step back, reflect, communicate with the Lord, and gain perspective.  One of the things that has been on our hearts and minds during this transition is our continued prayers for John's healing. 


As we packed up our back freezer, I found  this:


This is a piece of cake I saved from John's church dedication celebration in August of 2009.  We have kept it, looking forward to eating it when John crawls yet keeping it tucked away so as not to miss the joy in the present.


It was hard to pack up this piece of cake that has represented both hope and longing, and in doing so, "move" the promise with us to Atlanta.  


The promise of John's full healing has shaped much of the past three years and has transformed how we view faith, prayer, the Holy Spirit, God's will, etc.  Therefore, we'd love to share a brief 11 minute sermon by Bill Johnson that really touched us this morning:
Email subscribers, click here.


I appreciate how this talk challenges and reminds us to: 
*Stay conscious of God  and   *Focus on what GOD HAS DONE, not what he hasn't done.