It's coming soon!

Our friend, John Knight, who has a son with special needs and who also works at Desiring God Ministries, announced earlier this month that "Just the Way I Am: God's Good Design in Disability" by Krista Horning (a dear family friend) will be coming out soon! I CAN'T WAIT!!! Look who they decided to put on the cover...what an honor! As I mentioned in a previous post, Christian's life continues to give glory to our Lord.

I'll let you know when it's ready! :-)

When Lightning Strikes Twice

I know many of you have already read my sweetie's article that was printed in our church's newsletter last week. For those of you who haven't, you can read it here.

Here's a Must Read Blog Post!

It's called, "I Love You...No Matter What". It's a must read for all you parents of children with special needs. It's so real, so poignant, so encouraging!

Christian's Defining Moments

defining moment 
–noun; a point at which the essential nature or character of a person, group, etc., is revealed or identified.
"Defining Moment." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 10 Feb. 2010.

Christian's Top Seven Defining Moments1. Feb. 10, '03 - Born at 25 weeks gestation.
2. Feb 20, '03 - 1st Surgery at 10 days old.
3. June 25, '03 - Came home from the hospital after 135 days. What a great celebration!
4. Nov. 16, '03 - 1st Seizure and diagnosis of Sturge-Weber Syndrome
5. Oct. 1, '05 - Started walking! Doctors are still shocked by this!
6. Feb 10, '06 - Woke up with paralysis on the entire right side of your body. Praise the Lord you recovered after 2 days in the hospital.
7. Today - Celebrating your 7th Birthday!!!
Christian, your defining moments are actually mommy's defining moments. Each one chiseled more of me; my pride, my selfishness, my worldliness. God is still molding me into His image. But by His grace, I see more of Christ in me which I know would not be there if I did not have you. The Lord is using you in my life in ways that I could not have imagined. I was not one of those "saintly" parents who choose to parent children with special needs. I came into this kicking and screaming...literally. But today, oh how my eyes have been opened to see things more eternally. God will always be working on mommy until I see my Savior's face. However, my prayer today is that I would love you even more as I continue to embrace God's plan for your life and our family. I love you Sugar Bear!


We celebrated Christian's birthday with his classmates at school.

How Many Kids Are Too Many?

This morning, Carysse and I went to the grocery store. While we were in the check out line I was intrigued by the cover of this week's People magazine. I refused to spend money on that magazine so I couldn't wait to get home to search out what "experts" are saying. Of course I wasn't shocked by the findings. Mostly all secular opinions think that this couple is absolutely crazy and unwise. But what do you think??? What does God think???

Many believers proudly recite Psalm 127:3 - "Children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward." However in many cases it's only because their gifts were favorable results. After they received the gifts they wanted, they were done. Likewise, after they received the gifts they didn't want, they were done. For example, after they have one of each gender, many couples say they're done. After that child with disabilities is born, many couples say they're done. After 2, 3, or 4 children many couples say they're done. So, what's the magic number? When do children stop being gifts and rewards? Is it according to us or the Lord?

Don't get me wrong or think I'm being too critical because I often wrestle with these same questions. But it seems like this is one of the topics that most of us believers take into our own hands. We trust God to lead and guide us in most areas but when it comes to this area, our actions say, "NO God, I have this under control. I can't trust You enough to let You have this area - Sorry!" So why do we do this? Do we truly believe that our God will supply every need of ours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19)? We have to understand that this verse says every NEED not every WANT. Can we really trust God to provide for every need of a growing family?

~

So, I'm back to my first question, "How Many Kids Are Too Many?"

Are you more like Jonah or Jeremiah?

The following is today's devotional from Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Which prophet are you more like? Jeremiah? Or Jonah? Both of these men spoke to sinful people. But Jonah delivered God's Word from an angry heart. He didn’t want his audience to get the message and repent.

On the other hand, Jeremiah delivered his message in tears. His heart was broken for the people who had strayed from the Lord.

This illustrates what Paul says in 1 Corinthians: “If I had the gift of prophecy, but don’t exercise that gift in love, I am nothing.”

When you find yourself having to confront someone with the truth, what’s the attitude of your heart? Is it one of anger and revenge? Or does your heart break as you deliver your message out of obedience and love?

Ask God to give you a tender, compassionate heart like Jeremiah.