GACI takes many/most babies before they reach the 6 month mark.
Chaia is 7 months today.
Take that GACI. Take your high mortality rate and shove it.
(Yes. I feel better.)
Let's try something different today.
In the comments: Name something that threatens to steal your joy today and then talk trash to it in the name of Jesus.
Because sometimes in the storm, you have to choose joy.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Houston...We Have a Diagnosis
It's not good.
I actually worried about this when Shaina was pregnant. I may have even prayed that God would protect Chaia from it prior to her being born.
Genetically, we knew there was a chance she might get it, but we were trying to remain hopeful that she wouldn't.
But she's got it.
Chaia has been diagnosed with AHB.
I was born with it and it appears the apple has not fallen far from the tree.
AHB, also known as Abnormally High Buttcrack or in some medical dictionaries as 'plummer's crack' is a disease that is just not socially embraced. I encounter others frequently who show disdain for those who have the disease.
And some idiot had the bright idea of making low rise jeans normative, which in all honesty is an outright prejudice against those who suffer from AHB.
It doesn't matter what you try to do...Belts. Long Shirts. Elastic Pants. AHB always gets the last laugh
With all that Chaia has had to endure we were hopeful that this would not be added to the pile, but (sigh)...we weren't so lucky.
People make wise cracks about AHB and there's even a campaign out there to try and humiliate people with our disease:
Butt mark my words, no ifs, ands, or butts about it, I will crack down on AHB oppression so that one day, my daughter will be able to live without fear and she will know that being normal...
ain't all it's cracked up to be.
Working Towards a Better Tomorrow
(and hoping that you cracked up today).
Don't take yourself too seriously today.
I actually worried about this when Shaina was pregnant. I may have even prayed that God would protect Chaia from it prior to her being born.
Genetically, we knew there was a chance she might get it, but we were trying to remain hopeful that she wouldn't.
But she's got it.
Chaia has been diagnosed with AHB.
I was born with it and it appears the apple has not fallen far from the tree.
AHB, also known as Abnormally High Buttcrack or in some medical dictionaries as 'plummer's crack' is a disease that is just not socially embraced. I encounter others frequently who show disdain for those who have the disease.
And some idiot had the bright idea of making low rise jeans normative, which in all honesty is an outright prejudice against those who suffer from AHB.
It doesn't matter what you try to do...Belts. Long Shirts. Elastic Pants. AHB always gets the last laugh
With all that Chaia has had to endure we were hopeful that this would not be added to the pile, but (sigh)...we weren't so lucky.
People make wise cracks about AHB and there's even a campaign out there to try and humiliate people with our disease:
Butt mark my words, no ifs, ands, or butts about it, I will crack down on AHB oppression so that one day, my daughter will be able to live without fear and she will know that being normal...
ain't all it's cracked up to be.
Working Towards a Better Tomorrow
(and hoping that you cracked up today).
Don't take yourself too seriously today.
Fully Convinced
I'm working my way through Romans.
"No distrust made him (Abraham) waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he promised." Romans 4:20
'Hey Abe.'
'Yeah God?'
'I'm gonna give you a kid. You're old as dirt and your wife is barren. But I'm gonna anyways.'
'Ok God.'
I'm not sure how that conversation went down.
But Abe didn't even waver in trusting. Seriously?
Not even like a...'Umm, God, viagra isn't even on the market yet?' or 'God, I'm not sure if these hips have what it takes anymore.'?
Abraham believed.
And that word has been hijacked by a culture that 'believes' in "God", "higher power", "spiritual things".
Belief is something different.
Belief is NOT LETTING DISTRUST MAKE YOU WAVER.
Belief is growing in God because you continually GIVE GLORY TO GOD.
Belief is being FULLY CONVINCED that God will do what He says He'll do.
Two Septembers ago, we felt God calling us to Church Planting.
This past September, Chaia was all but dead after a trip to lay the groundwork in Columbus to church plant.
And now we sit in a strange place of unknowns. Will Chaia live? Will the Church Plant thrive? Will the financial partners needed to plant come on board?
You've got your own questions about unknowns, I'm sure.
But know this. Obedience and trust in the Unknown is where you will encounter the Presence of the Most High God.
For us, "it will be reckoned to us who BELIEVE in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification." (Romans 4:24-25)
This is a season of extreme unknowns, but Jesus is worthy.
I'm fully convinced of that.
"No distrust made him (Abraham) waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he promised." Romans 4:20
'Hey Abe.'
'Yeah God?'
'I'm gonna give you a kid. You're old as dirt and your wife is barren. But I'm gonna anyways.'
'Ok God.'
I'm not sure how that conversation went down.
But Abe didn't even waver in trusting. Seriously?
Not even like a...'Umm, God, viagra isn't even on the market yet?' or 'God, I'm not sure if these hips have what it takes anymore.'?
Abraham believed.
And that word has been hijacked by a culture that 'believes' in "God", "higher power", "spiritual things".
Belief is something different.
Belief is NOT LETTING DISTRUST MAKE YOU WAVER.
Belief is growing in God because you continually GIVE GLORY TO GOD.
Belief is being FULLY CONVINCED that God will do what He says He'll do.
Two Septembers ago, we felt God calling us to Church Planting.
This past September, Chaia was all but dead after a trip to lay the groundwork in Columbus to church plant.
And now we sit in a strange place of unknowns. Will Chaia live? Will the Church Plant thrive? Will the financial partners needed to plant come on board?
You've got your own questions about unknowns, I'm sure.
But know this. Obedience and trust in the Unknown is where you will encounter the Presence of the Most High God.
For us, "it will be reckoned to us who BELIEVE in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification." (Romans 4:24-25)
This is a season of extreme unknowns, but Jesus is worthy.
I'm fully convinced of that.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Prayer for this week
So, for clarity...I'm asking for prayer partners to pray every day for us in 2012 as we embark on this Church Planting journey. I am convinced where new movements of God are stirring, the battle is fiercest.
Here is how you can pray this week.
1. Praise! My time at Boot Camp was well worth it. There was good material, but even more valuable was to be in a place where some of the other front line church planters were. We shared stories, hopes, vision, wounds. It was a good week, and I have some new friends in North Dakota, Washington DC, Northern California, Atlanta, Indiana, Wisconsin and North Carolina. God is on the move!
2. Pray for meetings that are coming up this week. We need God to continue to confirm His call and anointing on us in the coming weeks. These meetings are pivotal!
3. Pray for Shaina and I to find a healthy rhythm in the midst of a hard season. We both need margin to be carved out of our schedule for time in the Word and in Prayer and also for exercise.
4. Pray for Chaia. She is not tolerating her feeds well at all recently. There are a number of possibilities related to this, but I am genuinely concerned because she is throwing up significant amounts (sometimes half to near all of her feed. Pray specifically that she would begin to tolerate and hunger for her feeds. Ask for healing of her little heart.
5. Pray for Columbus. There is a generation due to awaken to the Gospel message of hope, restoration and redemption. Ask God for this church to be an alarm clock.
Love you more than you know!
Here is how you can pray this week.
1. Praise! My time at Boot Camp was well worth it. There was good material, but even more valuable was to be in a place where some of the other front line church planters were. We shared stories, hopes, vision, wounds. It was a good week, and I have some new friends in North Dakota, Washington DC, Northern California, Atlanta, Indiana, Wisconsin and North Carolina. God is on the move!
2. Pray for meetings that are coming up this week. We need God to continue to confirm His call and anointing on us in the coming weeks. These meetings are pivotal!
3. Pray for Shaina and I to find a healthy rhythm in the midst of a hard season. We both need margin to be carved out of our schedule for time in the Word and in Prayer and also for exercise.
4. Pray for Chaia. She is not tolerating her feeds well at all recently. There are a number of possibilities related to this, but I am genuinely concerned because she is throwing up significant amounts (sometimes half to near all of her feed. Pray specifically that she would begin to tolerate and hunger for her feeds. Ask for healing of her little heart.
5. Pray for Columbus. There is a generation due to awaken to the Gospel message of hope, restoration and redemption. Ask God for this church to be an alarm clock.
Love you more than you know!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Leadership maxim
Life mantras or maxims or guiding principles are good to have as plumb lines to live your life by.
One that I have had for the last year or so that is becoming
More and more valuable to my life and calling is FIND SOMEONE WHO IS ONE OR TWO STEPS AHEAD OF WHERE YOU ARE AND FIND OUT HOW THEY THINK.
The temptation is to find out what they do but if you find out how they are thinking you will go to much richer places. This isn't just for pastors. You can do this in the business world and should be doing this in your walk with Christ.
So all skate for the weekend. If you could share a maxim that has impacted the way you live what would it be?
One that I have had for the last year or so that is becoming
More and more valuable to my life and calling is FIND SOMEONE WHO IS ONE OR TWO STEPS AHEAD OF WHERE YOU ARE AND FIND OUT HOW THEY THINK.
The temptation is to find out what they do but if you find out how they are thinking you will go to much richer places. This isn't just for pastors. You can do this in the business world and should be doing this in your walk with Christ.
So all skate for the weekend. If you could share a maxim that has impacted the way you live what would it be?
Coming Home
Won't get in until 9:30 tonight, but I am so ready. Mainly because I miss my ladies.
For my own peace of mind, I organized a little fun for Shaina leading up to her birthday this coming Sunday.
I needed to know she would have continual support and encouragement while I was gone, so I organized 8 visitors who came at various times. She got a note the day I left letting her know when the visitors would come but she didn't know who they were until they got there.
Each visitor then read a clue from an envelope and Shaina would have to find her birthday present that was hidden where that clue led her.
She has gotten everything from Little Debbie Sno-Balls, to tickets for the Columbus Zoo (I'm determined to take Chaia somewhere that kids are supposed to go, rather than to hospitals, doctors and appointments.)
Anyways, that part is fun, but the best part is that some sweet women, ranging from good friends to women in the church to PICU nurses from the Cleveland Clinic have come to help out.
It's been a good week. But I'm ready for home.
For my own peace of mind, I organized a little fun for Shaina leading up to her birthday this coming Sunday.
I needed to know she would have continual support and encouragement while I was gone, so I organized 8 visitors who came at various times. She got a note the day I left letting her know when the visitors would come but she didn't know who they were until they got there.
Each visitor then read a clue from an envelope and Shaina would have to find her birthday present that was hidden where that clue led her.
She has gotten everything from Little Debbie Sno-Balls, to tickets for the Columbus Zoo (I'm determined to take Chaia somewhere that kids are supposed to go, rather than to hospitals, doctors and appointments.)
Anyways, that part is fun, but the best part is that some sweet women, ranging from good friends to women in the church to PICU nurses from the Cleveland Clinic have come to help out.
It's been a good week. But I'm ready for home.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
How Can We Do This?
"Dude, you have just been through the ringer with your family. Your little girl has a beat up little heart. You've cried tears measured in buckets. And now you're going to go directly into the rigors and hardship of Church Planting?! Shouldn't you find something a little more stable and secure? How can you do this to yourself...to your family?"
This might be your thought. It's been my thought.
And yet I sit here...in many ways beat up, broken and weary...and all I can say is How Can We NOT do this?
Let me be very clear...THE COST OF OBEDIENCE IS HIGH. Trust me, it's nearly cost our daughter. And the thing that God is calling you to is going to cost you in some way too. The more time I've spent in the Scripture the more adamant I am in saying this: If the Gospel isn't costing you, it probably isn't the Gospel.
For some of you the cost of obedience will drastically change your finances, your location, your vocation, your schedule, your parenting, your marriage, your priorities, your hobbies, your attitude, your relationships, etc. The cost of following Jesus is high.
They didn't tell me that. They said Jesus loves me. That Jesus gives me Heaven and takes away Hell. That Jesus gives me purpose. That Jesus' burden is light and His yoke is easy. That Jesus forgives my sins. But what they left out?
Oh yeah, by the way...following Jesus will demand your very life. Following Jesus will reorient your affections so that all things submit to Him. That following Jesus costs.
What's the Gospel costing you?
For me, it is costing me security (but I've never felt more secure), safety (but I've never felt more safe), and certainy (but I've never been so sure).
Friends, I say it one more time with every ounce of passion and energy I can muster: THE COST OF OBEDIENCE IS HIGH!
But be certain...
The COST OF DISOBEDIENCE IS HIGHER.
Choose this day whom you will serve. Because half-hearted and luke warm are failing.
This might be your thought. It's been my thought.
And yet I sit here...in many ways beat up, broken and weary...and all I can say is How Can We NOT do this?
Let me be very clear...THE COST OF OBEDIENCE IS HIGH. Trust me, it's nearly cost our daughter. And the thing that God is calling you to is going to cost you in some way too. The more time I've spent in the Scripture the more adamant I am in saying this: If the Gospel isn't costing you, it probably isn't the Gospel.
For some of you the cost of obedience will drastically change your finances, your location, your vocation, your schedule, your parenting, your marriage, your priorities, your hobbies, your attitude, your relationships, etc. The cost of following Jesus is high.
They didn't tell me that. They said Jesus loves me. That Jesus gives me Heaven and takes away Hell. That Jesus gives me purpose. That Jesus' burden is light and His yoke is easy. That Jesus forgives my sins. But what they left out?
Oh yeah, by the way...following Jesus will demand your very life. Following Jesus will reorient your affections so that all things submit to Him. That following Jesus costs.
What's the Gospel costing you?
For me, it is costing me security (but I've never felt more secure), safety (but I've never felt more safe), and certainy (but I've never been so sure).
Friends, I say it one more time with every ounce of passion and energy I can muster: THE COST OF OBEDIENCE IS HIGH!
But be certain...
The COST OF DISOBEDIENCE IS HIGHER.
Choose this day whom you will serve. Because half-hearted and luke warm are failing.
Being ALL IN with the Thompsons (Part Three)
You can INtercede for the Thompsons every day in 2012.
You can come INto the City of Columbus with us to plant this church.
And third, you can INvest in what God is doing in and through us as Financial Partners.
A number of churches have joined together to help initiate this church plant financially. They have pledged about $150,000 to be dispersed over three years, which is incredible.
Funding by this model, necessitates the church planter coming up with $100,000 over three years.
The intent is that at the end of three years, the church would be a thriving and self-sustaining movement.
So you may have 100,000 dollars laying around that is burning a hole in your pocket and you want to help out. If that is you, give me a call and I will be over in 20 minutes!
But more likely, a team of financial partners, who believe and affirm God's calling on us and see the need for more Churches in the OSU/Columbus area is needed.
We are looking for partners who will pledge a monthly amount beginning this month (January) and continuing for 36 months.
This is a chance to be creative. You may not be able to swing 100/month or 200/month but maybe your small group, your Sunday School, your church your office coworkers, your local chapter of the Chaia Joy Fan Club, etc. feels called to pool their resources and become INvested partners in that capacity.
If you feel called to be INvested partners, email me (thompson14b@gmail.com) and let me know how God is stirring.
If you do not think that you can afford monthly investment, you can also do a one time contribution.
Either way, you simply need to submit payment. You can make your check out to stadia and send it to
Stadia
Project 4-276
PO Box 19700
Irvine, CA 92623
Put 'project 4-276' in the memo line.
You can come INto the City of Columbus with us to plant this church.
And third, you can INvest in what God is doing in and through us as Financial Partners.
A number of churches have joined together to help initiate this church plant financially. They have pledged about $150,000 to be dispersed over three years, which is incredible.
Funding by this model, necessitates the church planter coming up with $100,000 over three years.
The intent is that at the end of three years, the church would be a thriving and self-sustaining movement.
So you may have 100,000 dollars laying around that is burning a hole in your pocket and you want to help out. If that is you, give me a call and I will be over in 20 minutes!
But more likely, a team of financial partners, who believe and affirm God's calling on us and see the need for more Churches in the OSU/Columbus area is needed.
We are looking for partners who will pledge a monthly amount beginning this month (January) and continuing for 36 months.
This is a chance to be creative. You may not be able to swing 100/month or 200/month but maybe your small group, your Sunday School, your church your office coworkers, your local chapter of the Chaia Joy Fan Club, etc. feels called to pool their resources and become INvested partners in that capacity.
If you feel called to be INvested partners, email me (thompson14b@gmail.com) and let me know how God is stirring.
If you do not think that you can afford monthly investment, you can also do a one time contribution.
Either way, you simply need to submit payment. You can make your check out to stadia and send it to
Stadia
Project 4-276
PO Box 19700
Irvine, CA 92623
Put 'project 4-276' in the memo line.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Being ALL IN with the Thompsons (Part Two)
You can INtercede for us in prayer to God everyday in 2012.
And you can come INto the City with us.
I know not all of you are called to this. But I believe more of you than are willing to consider it are called to this.
We are looking for people who are called to go...not just people who are bored or are looking for a new or better expression of the Church.
Some of you are already in the Columbus area and it is just a matter of you saying, I'm IN with this church! Others, you'll have to pack your bags, take planes, trains or automobiles and relocate with us to Columbus.
There is obvious risk and unknown written all over this journey and all over your journey if you join us. But, risk and unknown seem to be particularly biblical concepts, except they are called 'faith' and 'trust'.
I won't twist arms. I just want to give you the opportunity to consider God's calling.
Because 10, 20 or 30 years from now, I want you to be able to say with confidence that you lived in God's calling rather than 'play-it-safe' disobedience.
Obviously this is a big step. If you are feeling a tug, we should talk before you rent the U-Haul.
If you're called INto the City, email me at thompson14b@gmail.com
Life is too short and the gospel too urgent to play it safe and hide in security.
And you can come INto the City with us.
I know not all of you are called to this. But I believe more of you than are willing to consider it are called to this.
We are looking for people who are called to go...not just people who are bored or are looking for a new or better expression of the Church.
Some of you are already in the Columbus area and it is just a matter of you saying, I'm IN with this church! Others, you'll have to pack your bags, take planes, trains or automobiles and relocate with us to Columbus.
There is obvious risk and unknown written all over this journey and all over your journey if you join us. But, risk and unknown seem to be particularly biblical concepts, except they are called 'faith' and 'trust'.
I won't twist arms. I just want to give you the opportunity to consider God's calling.
Because 10, 20 or 30 years from now, I want you to be able to say with confidence that you lived in God's calling rather than 'play-it-safe' disobedience.
Obviously this is a big step. If you are feeling a tug, we should talk before you rent the U-Haul.
If you're called INto the City, email me at thompson14b@gmail.com
Life is too short and the gospel too urgent to play it safe and hide in security.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Being ALL IN with the Thompsons (Part One)
Greetings from Tennessee!
I am at a boot camp for church planters this week, leaving my lovely ladies back in Ohio. I wanted to take a minute to post some updates.
We have begun shifting our gaze from Hospitals and Doctors to Columbus and Church Planting.
Let me make something clear. We do not think it was a coincidence that the very week we began scoping out Columbus and taking initial steps to follow God's calling was the very week that Chaia began to show symptoms and ended up in the ER.
We also do not think it is a coincidence that through Chaia's story, so many new and old acquaintances have joined with her journey, rooting for her, praying for her, rejoicing with us, weeping with us.
So we want you to continue to journey with us as we transition to Columbus.
There are Three Ways that You can be IN with the Thompsons. I will unpack them on here over the next three days in hopes that you will consider what part God is calling you to play.
The first way you can be IN is to INtercede for us in prayer to God every day in 2012. Every Monday Morning (starting with this post), I will have five things to pray for us. This is the most important way you can join us. It is not coincidence that where God is birthing a new movement of His people, the battle is raging fiercest. We need prayer warriors. We don't need well wishers, finger crossers, positive vibe senders...we need people who will take a couple minutes everyday and pray. Many of you are already doing this for Chaia, and the evidence of those prayers is obvious and tangible.
So, if you would reply to this post if you feel like you can be IN with us in this capacity, we are hoping to get 100 people praying daily for this Columbus Plant.
Five Ways to Pray This Week:
1. Pray for my time at Bootcamp. It has the potential to be a real energizing, affirming time. Pray that God would confirm His calling and that I would leave bootcamp with fervor and passion for the Gospel...and toned arm muscles from the push-ups?...oh not that kind of boot camp.
2. Pray for the Thompson ladies. Shaina has some special helpers coming throughout the week to aid in Chaia's care. Pray that Shaina would remain sane, find rest and even be encouraged in her heart this week.
3. Pray for Chaia. She is growing great...But her heart needs to be healed. Her ejection fraction (how much blood is pumped out of the left ventricle) is 17 percent. Normal human heart is around 60%. It's been this way for a few months, but pray that the calcifications would reverse and her heart function would reverse right along with it.
4. Pray for Columbus. Pray for hearts to be readied even now with the Gospel. Pray for those we will meet in the coming months to have a hunger for Christ and a longing to be caught up in something bigger than themselves.
5. Pray for the Management Team. Over the next few weeks, the management team for the church plant will be formed and solidified. They will serve as the initial elders of the church plant and will have a key role in laying out the vision and the DNA of the Church Plant. Pray that the Holy Spirit would give them vision and clarity.
Thanks! Stay tuned for two other ways you can be ALL IN with the Thompsons!
I am at a boot camp for church planters this week, leaving my lovely ladies back in Ohio. I wanted to take a minute to post some updates.
We have begun shifting our gaze from Hospitals and Doctors to Columbus and Church Planting.
Let me make something clear. We do not think it was a coincidence that the very week we began scoping out Columbus and taking initial steps to follow God's calling was the very week that Chaia began to show symptoms and ended up in the ER.
We also do not think it is a coincidence that through Chaia's story, so many new and old acquaintances have joined with her journey, rooting for her, praying for her, rejoicing with us, weeping with us.
So we want you to continue to journey with us as we transition to Columbus.
There are Three Ways that You can be IN with the Thompsons. I will unpack them on here over the next three days in hopes that you will consider what part God is calling you to play.
The first way you can be IN is to INtercede for us in prayer to God every day in 2012. Every Monday Morning (starting with this post), I will have five things to pray for us. This is the most important way you can join us. It is not coincidence that where God is birthing a new movement of His people, the battle is raging fiercest. We need prayer warriors. We don't need well wishers, finger crossers, positive vibe senders...we need people who will take a couple minutes everyday and pray. Many of you are already doing this for Chaia, and the evidence of those prayers is obvious and tangible.
So, if you would reply to this post if you feel like you can be IN with us in this capacity, we are hoping to get 100 people praying daily for this Columbus Plant.
Five Ways to Pray This Week:
1. Pray for my time at Bootcamp. It has the potential to be a real energizing, affirming time. Pray that God would confirm His calling and that I would leave bootcamp with fervor and passion for the Gospel...and toned arm muscles from the push-ups?...oh not that kind of boot camp.
2. Pray for the Thompson ladies. Shaina has some special helpers coming throughout the week to aid in Chaia's care. Pray that Shaina would remain sane, find rest and even be encouraged in her heart this week.
3. Pray for Chaia. She is growing great...But her heart needs to be healed. Her ejection fraction (how much blood is pumped out of the left ventricle) is 17 percent. Normal human heart is around 60%. It's been this way for a few months, but pray that the calcifications would reverse and her heart function would reverse right along with it.
4. Pray for Columbus. Pray for hearts to be readied even now with the Gospel. Pray for those we will meet in the coming months to have a hunger for Christ and a longing to be caught up in something bigger than themselves.
5. Pray for the Management Team. Over the next few weeks, the management team for the church plant will be formed and solidified. They will serve as the initial elders of the church plant and will have a key role in laying out the vision and the DNA of the Church Plant. Pray that the Holy Spirit would give them vision and clarity.
Thanks! Stay tuned for two other ways you can be ALL IN with the Thompsons!
This Song Has a Hold on Me
Love the sound...Love the depth of lyrics.
Farther Along by Josh Garrels
Farther along we’ll know all about it
Farther along we’ll understand why
Cheer up my brothers, live in the sunshine
We’ll understand this, all by and by
Tempted and tried, I wondered why
The good man died, the bad man thrives
And Jesus cries because he loves em’ both
We’re all cast-aways in need of ropes
Hangin’ on by the last threads of our hope
In a house of mirrors full of smoke
Confusing illusions I’ve seen
Where did I go wrong, I sang along
To every chorus of the song
That the devil wrote like a piper at the gates
Leading mice and men down to their fates
But some will courageously escape
The seductive voice with a heart of faith
While walkin’ that line back home
So much more to life than we’ve been told
It’s full of beauty that will unfold
And shine like you struck gold my wayward son
That deadweight burden weighs a ton
Go down into the river and let it run
And wash away all the things you’ve done
Forgiveness alright
Chorus
Still I get hard pressed on every side
Between the rock and a compromise
Like the truth and pack of lies fightin’ for my soul
And I’ve got no place left go
Cause I got changed by what I’ve been shown
More glory than the world has known
Keeps me ramblin’ on
Skipping like a calf loosed from its stall
I’m free to love once and for all
And even when I fall I’ll get back up
For the joy that overflows my cup
Heaven filled me with more than enough
Broke down my levee and my bluff
Let the flood wash me
And one day when the sky rolls back on us
Some rejoice and the others fuss
Cause every knee must bow and tongue confess
That the son of god is forever blessed
His is the kingdom, we’re the guests
So put your voice up to the test
Sing Lord, come soon
Chorus
(You're Welcome)
Friday, January 20, 2012
Parenting for Dummies Part 4
If you missed 1-3...
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. (Proverbs 3:5-7)
Like clockwork, Chaia has been upchucking after her 9 o'clock feeds. She gets potassium in that feed and I think it does a number on her tummy. (I promise this is the last puke post for at least a week haha.)
So, after two weeks of wearing it, watching her erupt all over herself, all over the blanket, all over everything, I've learned a few things. Today I brought in a number of burp cloths and little towels. I was like a freaking Boy Scout. Nicely folded vomit catchers in place and upon first gag noise, I assumed position. Propped her up, grabbed a vomit catcher and placed it directly under her chin and prepared for her to initiate launch sequence.
She projectile hurled over my vomit catcher, onto the blanket, onto the carpet and a little on me.
As the old adage goes "Man plans (or prepares), God laughs."
Proverbs has a word for us. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." I wonder if 'understanding' and 'preparation' could be interchangable.
Shaina and I were 'unwise' to get married at age 20 after our sophomore year of college. We weren't 'prepared' for marriage.
Word to the wise. Sometimes our 'preparedness' is our biggest competitor to our trust in God.
Sometimes our 3 year, 5 year and 10 year plans are idols that steal our obedience.
You can't prepare for life.
And you certainly can't prepare for parenting.
Shaina and I have been married for 8 years and have had discussions and plans that were to prepare us for parenting.
None of those involved how to parent this wonderfully, beautifully mutated gene baby that God has given us. We have these books in the nursery about parenting and how we can prepare our child to reach every milestone...We filled out a birthing plan that we were to distribute at the hospital so everyone knew our plans and how we were preparing to have this baby. (Which couldn't have deviated much more from the prepared plan than it did!)
Shaina and I tried to prepare for this Columbus Church Plant by finishing our time at our beloved Wadsworth church in December and beginning in Columbus in January. We didn't even make it to October at Wadsworth and it is now going to be April for our hire date in Columbus.
My point. Don't let preparedness (or your so-called lack of preparedness) lead you into disobedience.
You have no idea what you're doing.
The more you try to shrug that reality off, the more of a fool you will be.
What I'm NOT saying:
I'm not saying you should be a moron. Trusting God does not mean you don't lay out a vomit catcher. It just means you don't find your security or trust or hope in it.
I'm not saying, planning is evil. I'm just saying the day that your preparations take precedence over the provision of God, is the day that you've lost your soul to gain the world.
The best way you can prepare for the rest of your life is Proverbs 3:5-7.
Trust God with all your heart. (Do you believe Him to be Trustworthy?)
Lean not on your own understanding. (Do you believe yourself to not be trustworthy?)
In all your ways submit to Him. (Are the deepest affections of your heart surrendered to God or worshipped instead of God?)
He will make your paths straight. (Do you believe that God has good in store for your life?---Even if 'good' is not how you would have planned?)
Do not be wise in your own eyes, Fear the Lord and shun evil. (You have no idea what you are doing. There is one God and you are not Him. Would others in your life say that you believe this?)
The best way to prepare for God's work in your life is to stop preparing.
It's the only way.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. (Proverbs 3:5-7)
Like clockwork, Chaia has been upchucking after her 9 o'clock feeds. She gets potassium in that feed and I think it does a number on her tummy. (I promise this is the last puke post for at least a week haha.)
So, after two weeks of wearing it, watching her erupt all over herself, all over the blanket, all over everything, I've learned a few things. Today I brought in a number of burp cloths and little towels. I was like a freaking Boy Scout. Nicely folded vomit catchers in place and upon first gag noise, I assumed position. Propped her up, grabbed a vomit catcher and placed it directly under her chin and prepared for her to initiate launch sequence.
She projectile hurled over my vomit catcher, onto the blanket, onto the carpet and a little on me.
As the old adage goes "Man plans (or prepares), God laughs."
Proverbs has a word for us. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." I wonder if 'understanding' and 'preparation' could be interchangable.
Shaina and I were 'unwise' to get married at age 20 after our sophomore year of college. We weren't 'prepared' for marriage.
Word to the wise. Sometimes our 'preparedness' is our biggest competitor to our trust in God.
Sometimes our 3 year, 5 year and 10 year plans are idols that steal our obedience.
You can't prepare for life.
And you certainly can't prepare for parenting.
Shaina and I have been married for 8 years and have had discussions and plans that were to prepare us for parenting.
None of those involved how to parent this wonderfully, beautifully mutated gene baby that God has given us. We have these books in the nursery about parenting and how we can prepare our child to reach every milestone...We filled out a birthing plan that we were to distribute at the hospital so everyone knew our plans and how we were preparing to have this baby. (Which couldn't have deviated much more from the prepared plan than it did!)
Shaina and I tried to prepare for this Columbus Church Plant by finishing our time at our beloved Wadsworth church in December and beginning in Columbus in January. We didn't even make it to October at Wadsworth and it is now going to be April for our hire date in Columbus.
My point. Don't let preparedness (or your so-called lack of preparedness) lead you into disobedience.
You have no idea what you're doing.
The more you try to shrug that reality off, the more of a fool you will be.
What I'm NOT saying:
I'm not saying you should be a moron. Trusting God does not mean you don't lay out a vomit catcher. It just means you don't find your security or trust or hope in it.
I'm not saying, planning is evil. I'm just saying the day that your preparations take precedence over the provision of God, is the day that you've lost your soul to gain the world.
The best way you can prepare for the rest of your life is Proverbs 3:5-7.
Trust God with all your heart. (Do you believe Him to be Trustworthy?)
Lean not on your own understanding. (Do you believe yourself to not be trustworthy?)
In all your ways submit to Him. (Are the deepest affections of your heart surrendered to God or worshipped instead of God?)
He will make your paths straight. (Do you believe that God has good in store for your life?---Even if 'good' is not how you would have planned?)
Do not be wise in your own eyes, Fear the Lord and shun evil. (You have no idea what you are doing. There is one God and you are not Him. Would others in your life say that you believe this?)
The best way to prepare for God's work in your life is to stop preparing.
It's the only way.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Six Things I'm Thinking at 1:30 AM
So my days and nights are somewhat inverted to help with overnight feeds for Chaia. Having to do something at 12,1,3,4 and 6 does not allow for great sleeping...I run the night shift so Shaina can sleep...then I sleep from 6 a.m. until noon.
Here's what I'm thinking tonight:
1. Shaina has three teams to my one team left in our NFL Super Bowl date bet. I have the Patriots. Shaina has the field. I don't like that I have to root for Tom Brady and Bill Belicheck...but I will do it anyway.
2. We were informed that Chaia will not have to return for a check up for 3 weeks to the Cleveland Clinic, at which point, she will see the geneticist and we will get some news back from some DNA testing done in Germany on Chaia, Shaina and my blood. We were told to expect to be up to the Clinic weekly for quite a while, so this jump to 3 weeks is a pleasant surprise, as they are pleased with Chaia's progress.
3. I am flying out on Sunday to Tennessee for a week long church planting boot camp. It is going to be very strange/hard being away from my ladies for an extended period of time. Pray for us, for Shaina and Chaia to keep on truckin' and for me to survive a pretty demanding week mentally.
4. I wonder how many years it will be until Rosie from the Jetsons is fully operational. It seems like she could do the overnight feeds for Chaia. Where are fully operational robots when you need them most?
5. A woman from my church, named Michelle has a brain tumor that she is having operated on this Monday. She will be intubated, which is always a scary thing. She is young with a young kiddo at home. She needs our prayers. Ask God for His glory to be on display.
6. I am convinced more and more that what we do in the hard moments will either deepen our faith in Christ or derail our faith in Christ. You will suffer loss, pain and hardship at some point. And either we will make much of Him who has made death die, or we won't. Suffering lends the opportunity for a magnifying glass to be placed on the glory and goodness of God. But it is only an opportunity...whether we seize it or miss it is everything.
That's all I've got for now...going to pack up a few boxes while the ladies sleep.
Here's what I'm thinking tonight:
1. Shaina has three teams to my one team left in our NFL Super Bowl date bet. I have the Patriots. Shaina has the field. I don't like that I have to root for Tom Brady and Bill Belicheck...but I will do it anyway.
2. We were informed that Chaia will not have to return for a check up for 3 weeks to the Cleveland Clinic, at which point, she will see the geneticist and we will get some news back from some DNA testing done in Germany on Chaia, Shaina and my blood. We were told to expect to be up to the Clinic weekly for quite a while, so this jump to 3 weeks is a pleasant surprise, as they are pleased with Chaia's progress.
3. I am flying out on Sunday to Tennessee for a week long church planting boot camp. It is going to be very strange/hard being away from my ladies for an extended period of time. Pray for us, for Shaina and Chaia to keep on truckin' and for me to survive a pretty demanding week mentally.
4. I wonder how many years it will be until Rosie from the Jetsons is fully operational. It seems like she could do the overnight feeds for Chaia. Where are fully operational robots when you need them most?
5. A woman from my church, named Michelle has a brain tumor that she is having operated on this Monday. She will be intubated, which is always a scary thing. She is young with a young kiddo at home. She needs our prayers. Ask God for His glory to be on display.
6. I am convinced more and more that what we do in the hard moments will either deepen our faith in Christ or derail our faith in Christ. You will suffer loss, pain and hardship at some point. And either we will make much of Him who has made death die, or we won't. Suffering lends the opportunity for a magnifying glass to be placed on the glory and goodness of God. But it is only an opportunity...whether we seize it or miss it is everything.
That's all I've got for now...going to pack up a few boxes while the ladies sleep.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Five Dollar Footlongs
Chaia met up with one of her good nurse friends, Jackie at Subway in the CLE today. They let Shaina and I join in as well.
She sat in her stroller and was just an absolutely pleasant baby.
Then the poop. It wasn't as pronounced as her infamous, patented Chin-Tuck-Eyes-Crossed-Turn-Purple-and-Grunt bowel movement.
But it was the I'm-Sitting-In-My-Stroller-And-I-Bet-I-Can-Shoot-This-Out-Of-My-Diaper bowel movement. On her outfit. On her coat. On her stroller. Yes.
Shaina and Jackie take her to the bathroom to tagteam her wash and wax.
Jackie came back out with a cleaned up, newly outfitted Chaia in her arms while Shaina remained in the restroom.
Next thing we know, Chaia hurls.
On the floor...on Jackie...on Chaia's new outfit. Yes. I go to get Shaina and the diaper bag she had with her. When I return seconds later, she had done it again...A massive milk puddle in the middle of Subway.
Some guy who was on his lunch break and was eating next to Armageddon said it was no worries. He had grandkids and that stuff happened..."though not usually that much."
We still made our check up at the Clinic and I think Jackie and Chaia are still friends.
The whole scene made me think of this...Hope you laugh as hard as I did.
She sat in her stroller and was just an absolutely pleasant baby.
Then the poop. It wasn't as pronounced as her infamous, patented Chin-Tuck-Eyes-Crossed-Turn-Purple-and-Grunt bowel movement.
But it was the I'm-Sitting-In-My-Stroller-And-I-Bet-I-Can-Shoot-This-Out-Of-My-Diaper bowel movement. On her outfit. On her coat. On her stroller. Yes.
Shaina and Jackie take her to the bathroom to tagteam her wash and wax.
Jackie came back out with a cleaned up, newly outfitted Chaia in her arms while Shaina remained in the restroom.
Next thing we know, Chaia hurls.
On the floor...on Jackie...on Chaia's new outfit. Yes. I go to get Shaina and the diaper bag she had with her. When I return seconds later, she had done it again...A massive milk puddle in the middle of Subway.
Some guy who was on his lunch break and was eating next to Armageddon said it was no worries. He had grandkids and that stuff happened..."though not usually that much."
We still made our check up at the Clinic and I think Jackie and Chaia are still friends.
The whole scene made me think of this...Hope you laugh as hard as I did.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Letting Go of Lemons
I've sat down to write it a few different times.
But, every attempt at constructively crafting it takes me down a path of resentment and remorse, both of which derail my efforts.
On September 19, we went to the hospital. We knew Chaia was breathing over 90 times a minute and wasn't eating all that great.
We went back and forth. Is it just a bug? Are we first time parents over-reacting at something rather inconsequential?
Then we went. Something nagged at us to go. So we went.
And we entered the ER with this little bundle and went through registration and saw a triage doctor who did vitals, acknowledged the rapid breathing, but said all else was good and to go ahead and have a seat in the waiting room. She suggested it was probably just a little bug.
Three hours later. People had come in after us and been seen and left. We still sat. I checked at the desk. We were still on the list. I don't know if it was the "Over-reactive idiot parents" list or what list we were on. Regardless...we still sat.
Chaia wasn't in distress. She was still smiling, which now that we know a little more about her, it is clear she is a borderline masochist and probably wasn't telling us the whole story of her crisis. But she continued to breathe rapidly.
Knowing what we know now, it is frustrating to think that an ER doctor would shrug us off. I want to blame her. I want to villify that hospital for this gross oversight in care. She was starting a heart attack and you put us on a list?
That part of the story is called resentment.
We made a decision at hour 3 to pray and leave.
We walked out the doors of the hospital.
She actually seemed to rebound the next few days. Less rapid breathing and a little more eating. We chalked it up to over concerned parenting and continued with our time in Columbus.
Then she almost died. Then, 25% of her heart was irreparably damaged.
That part of the story is called remorse.
The resentment and remorse are almost crippling when we let them be. "They should have done that." "We should have done this."
They are almost crippling for you too. Blaming others for your circumstances, your hardship, your life. Being consumed by guilt over your own choices, sin and shortcomings. They cause your rearview mirror to get larger and your windshield to get smaller. Your past consumes your future.
Letting go of lemons is the hardest thing to do. Bitterness doesn't just wash off. It is a stain that needs deep cleansing.
But where I'm finding hope is in the Sovereignty and Goodness of God.
If we get into that hospital, there is a good chance Chaia dies without ever being diagnosed.
Instead the whirlwind of Orrville, lifeflight, Akron Childrens, transport, Cleveland Clinic took place. And a parade of teams of doctors that was easily over 50 at the Clinic jumped on Chaia's case in the first 24 hours...12 cardiologists (both adult and pediatric) looking at Chaia...still not finding a diagnosis until a geneticist who's specialty is rare genetic diseases crosses paths with Chaia. No doctor at the Clinic had ever seen GACI, but this geneticist had read about it and was insightful enough to look for calcium deposits in her other organs.
We ended up at the right place at the right time, and Chaia is still here...with a lot of unknowns...a lot of odds still stacked against her.
And our future kids have a fighting chance if they get this disease, as well.
So, God has infused his grace in ways we only barely have glimpsed.
I have found the story of redemption and hope that He has been working out in the Thompson clan.
It begins where the lemons end.
But, every attempt at constructively crafting it takes me down a path of resentment and remorse, both of which derail my efforts.
On September 19, we went to the hospital. We knew Chaia was breathing over 90 times a minute and wasn't eating all that great.
We went back and forth. Is it just a bug? Are we first time parents over-reacting at something rather inconsequential?
Then we went. Something nagged at us to go. So we went.
And we entered the ER with this little bundle and went through registration and saw a triage doctor who did vitals, acknowledged the rapid breathing, but said all else was good and to go ahead and have a seat in the waiting room. She suggested it was probably just a little bug.
Three hours later. People had come in after us and been seen and left. We still sat. I checked at the desk. We were still on the list. I don't know if it was the "Over-reactive idiot parents" list or what list we were on. Regardless...we still sat.
Chaia wasn't in distress. She was still smiling, which now that we know a little more about her, it is clear she is a borderline masochist and probably wasn't telling us the whole story of her crisis. But she continued to breathe rapidly.
Knowing what we know now, it is frustrating to think that an ER doctor would shrug us off. I want to blame her. I want to villify that hospital for this gross oversight in care. She was starting a heart attack and you put us on a list?
That part of the story is called resentment.
We made a decision at hour 3 to pray and leave.
We walked out the doors of the hospital.
She actually seemed to rebound the next few days. Less rapid breathing and a little more eating. We chalked it up to over concerned parenting and continued with our time in Columbus.
Then she almost died. Then, 25% of her heart was irreparably damaged.
That part of the story is called remorse.
The resentment and remorse are almost crippling when we let them be. "They should have done that." "We should have done this."
They are almost crippling for you too. Blaming others for your circumstances, your hardship, your life. Being consumed by guilt over your own choices, sin and shortcomings. They cause your rearview mirror to get larger and your windshield to get smaller. Your past consumes your future.
Letting go of lemons is the hardest thing to do. Bitterness doesn't just wash off. It is a stain that needs deep cleansing.
But where I'm finding hope is in the Sovereignty and Goodness of God.
If we get into that hospital, there is a good chance Chaia dies without ever being diagnosed.
Instead the whirlwind of Orrville, lifeflight, Akron Childrens, transport, Cleveland Clinic took place. And a parade of teams of doctors that was easily over 50 at the Clinic jumped on Chaia's case in the first 24 hours...12 cardiologists (both adult and pediatric) looking at Chaia...still not finding a diagnosis until a geneticist who's specialty is rare genetic diseases crosses paths with Chaia. No doctor at the Clinic had ever seen GACI, but this geneticist had read about it and was insightful enough to look for calcium deposits in her other organs.
We ended up at the right place at the right time, and Chaia is still here...with a lot of unknowns...a lot of odds still stacked against her.
And our future kids have a fighting chance if they get this disease, as well.
So, God has infused his grace in ways we only barely have glimpsed.
I have found the story of redemption and hope that He has been working out in the Thompson clan.
It begins where the lemons end.
I'm New to This
I haven't raised a kid before.
To date, I'd say I'm doing a bang up job...Mutated Genes, More time in hospitals than at home, already multiple little dudes seeking her hand in matrimony.
But one area that I need some insight and parenting wisdom...one area that I thought would not be an isssue until adolescence, but has already reared its ugly head...one area that keeps me up at night wondering how I will make it as a father of this little girl...
Is how she could be going on 7 months old and already need a training bra?
I thought we had a few years of daddy-daughter bonding before this chaos began?
In all seriousness, Chaia is a chub. It'll change, I'm sure when she gets mobile. But in the meantime, we are grateful, because we've seen heart failure kids who have failed to thrive. Who struggle daily to put on weight...to stay up to speed on the growth curve.
But Chaia isn't in that category. She has rolls on her rolls. Dimples where there should be joints. And for a kid that can't take anything by mouth...
I'd say she is festively plump.
To date, I'd say I'm doing a bang up job...Mutated Genes, More time in hospitals than at home, already multiple little dudes seeking her hand in matrimony.
But one area that I need some insight and parenting wisdom...one area that I thought would not be an isssue until adolescence, but has already reared its ugly head...one area that keeps me up at night wondering how I will make it as a father of this little girl...
Is how she could be going on 7 months old and already need a training bra?
I thought we had a few years of daddy-daughter bonding before this chaos began?
In all seriousness, Chaia is a chub. It'll change, I'm sure when she gets mobile. But in the meantime, we are grateful, because we've seen heart failure kids who have failed to thrive. Who struggle daily to put on weight...to stay up to speed on the growth curve.
But Chaia isn't in that category. She has rolls on her rolls. Dimples where there should be joints. And for a kid that can't take anything by mouth...
I'd say she is festively plump.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Pilgrims and Settlers
Reflections on a Thought from Sermon Yesterday
Pastor Ebert mentioned this briefly in his sermon and my mind started to churn on it. So I want to reflect on it...may be helpful to you, may not. If not, you get your money back.
There are some significant distinctions to be made between pilgrims and settlers.
Pilgrims are going somewhere. Settlers went somewhere.
Pilgrims are on their way. Settlers have arrived.
When we apply this to following Christ, it is pretty challenging...
It is about what God is doing...(Not about what God did back in 1994).
It is about the journey...(Not the destination)
I think the dangerous mindset of settlers is one of complacency and perhaps the biggest tragedy is when a generation opts for settling instead of pilgrimage...
Because the question that ceases to be asked to the one who has settled is "God, what would you have me do today?"
If God calls you to something new, the pilgrim simply adjusts their sail. But the settler has the labor and cost of pulling up the anchors.
And for many, the anchors are a deterrent to obedience.
So perhaps the question for us this week, is "God, where are you leading me today that I need to adjust my sails and live by your Spirit?"
Pastor Ebert mentioned this briefly in his sermon and my mind started to churn on it. So I want to reflect on it...may be helpful to you, may not. If not, you get your money back.
There are some significant distinctions to be made between pilgrims and settlers.
Pilgrims are going somewhere. Settlers went somewhere.
Pilgrims are on their way. Settlers have arrived.
When we apply this to following Christ, it is pretty challenging...
It is about what God is doing...(Not about what God did back in 1994).
It is about the journey...(Not the destination)
I think the dangerous mindset of settlers is one of complacency and perhaps the biggest tragedy is when a generation opts for settling instead of pilgrimage...
Because the question that ceases to be asked to the one who has settled is "God, what would you have me do today?"
If God calls you to something new, the pilgrim simply adjusts their sail. But the settler has the labor and cost of pulling up the anchors.
And for many, the anchors are a deterrent to obedience.
So perhaps the question for us this week, is "God, where are you leading me today that I need to adjust my sails and live by your Spirit?"
Church
For the first time since September 18, the Thompson family was in Church together!
It was good to see so many who have worn out the knees of their clothes on Chaia's behalf.
Chaia celebrated her first time back in church by throwing up all over Dad in the first 5 minutes.
We smelled like rotten eggs the rest of the morning.
You know what it says in Proverbs though, "He who smells like rotten eggs in church, sits in own 'pew'"
But if you smell like rotten eggs and look like this (and are a miracle in progress):
People come love on you anyways.
It was good to see so many who have worn out the knees of their clothes on Chaia's behalf.
Chaia celebrated her first time back in church by throwing up all over Dad in the first 5 minutes.
We smelled like rotten eggs the rest of the morning.
You know what it says in Proverbs though, "He who smells like rotten eggs in church, sits in own 'pew'"
But if you smell like rotten eggs and look like this (and are a miracle in progress):
People come love on you anyways.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Every superhero needs a noble steed
Well, Pediatrician Appointment was cancelled due to inclimate weather.
Grandma and Grandpa came over and gave us an evening away for a date night. To put it mildly, we needed it. Normal things that normal people do was good.
Saturday is a huge day for the Thompson household.
About 120 days ago, we dropped off the matriarch of the family at Grandma's house so we could go with Chaia down to Columbus for the week.
She hasn't been home since.
So, now that we are acclimated to home, I am heading to Grandma's Saturday afternoon to pick up Miss Shadow, our 11 year old puppy dog.
Can't Wait!
Grandma and Grandpa came over and gave us an evening away for a date night. To put it mildly, we needed it. Normal things that normal people do was good.
Saturday is a huge day for the Thompson household.
About 120 days ago, we dropped off the matriarch of the family at Grandma's house so we could go with Chaia down to Columbus for the week.
She hasn't been home since.
So, now that we are acclimated to home, I am heading to Grandma's Saturday afternoon to pick up Miss Shadow, our 11 year old puppy dog.
Can't Wait!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Dear Pediatrician
It's been a little over four months since we saw you, but we're coming to see you at 3:00 p.m.
Usually when we don't see our doctor for a period of time, it means things are going well. No news is good news.
This isn't exactly why we haven't come to see you.
We'll try to catch you up when we meet.
But, you're dealing with a diva/rockstar/mutant who has captured the attention of hundreds or thousands around the world...She is tangible evidence of the glory of God in our midst. She's kind of a big deal.
So hold on to your hat, and handle with care.
Sincerely,
Ben and Shaina Thompson
Usually when we don't see our doctor for a period of time, it means things are going well. No news is good news.
This isn't exactly why we haven't come to see you.
We'll try to catch you up when we meet.
But, you're dealing with a diva/rockstar/mutant who has captured the attention of hundreds or thousands around the world...She is tangible evidence of the glory of God in our midst. She's kind of a big deal.
So hold on to your hat, and handle with care.
Sincerely,
Ben and Shaina Thompson
I Love the Church
I don't know if I could have said that 5-10 years ago.
But I love her.
Make no mistake about it, we do not make it through what we've made it through without her.
The outpouring of generosity in our time of trouble has been a testimony to Her potential and Her beauty.
The prayers, notes, meals, contributions, social work, creativity, love and support are making things more beautiful in the world.
You won't often hear about it. You'll hear of corruption, scandal, failure and sin.
But I'm telling you, the Church is magnificent, both in her goodness and her guffaws...her beauty and her blemishes...her servant's heart and her shortcomings.
The Church Fathers for over 1500 years have stated that "There is no salvation outside the Church." I think people read this and in their cynicism and skepticism try to attack it or qualify it, suggesting it is bad theology or somehow limiting to God.
But I think the heart of the sentiment is that the Church is the place where God's grace most tangibly intersects humanity.
Lives encountering LIFE.
As Perry Noble has said, "Those who say they like Jesus but hate the Church are booing the bride on her wedding day, and the groom is not okay with that."
The Church is God's Bride.
Beautiful and Hopeful.
And its time you join the movement.
If you're part of the Church, where can you be an agent of beauty and redemption and hope in your neck of the woods?
If you're not part of the Church, what's holding you back (and more important, what's holding you up in times of hardship?)
But I love her.
Make no mistake about it, we do not make it through what we've made it through without her.
The outpouring of generosity in our time of trouble has been a testimony to Her potential and Her beauty.
The prayers, notes, meals, contributions, social work, creativity, love and support are making things more beautiful in the world.
You won't often hear about it. You'll hear of corruption, scandal, failure and sin.
But I'm telling you, the Church is magnificent, both in her goodness and her guffaws...her beauty and her blemishes...her servant's heart and her shortcomings.
The Church Fathers for over 1500 years have stated that "There is no salvation outside the Church." I think people read this and in their cynicism and skepticism try to attack it or qualify it, suggesting it is bad theology or somehow limiting to God.
But I think the heart of the sentiment is that the Church is the place where God's grace most tangibly intersects humanity.
Lives encountering LIFE.
As Perry Noble has said, "Those who say they like Jesus but hate the Church are booing the bride on her wedding day, and the groom is not okay with that."
The Church is God's Bride.
Beautiful and Hopeful.
And its time you join the movement.
If you're part of the Church, where can you be an agent of beauty and redemption and hope in your neck of the woods?
If you're not part of the Church, what's holding you back (and more important, what's holding you up in times of hardship?)
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Just Visiting
Off to Cleveland Clinic today for our first post hospital appointment. They will be weekly for a while, but let it be very clear.
We are only visiting.
My pillow is staying on my bed at home....where it belongs.
What I am thinking on today:
Romans 5:1-5
Suffering leads to Perseverance. Perseverance to Character. Character to Hope.
And hope doesn't disappoint.
The journey to maturity and Hope in Christ is preceded by Suffering and Perseverance.
And the journey is so worth it.
We are only visiting.
My pillow is staying on my bed at home....where it belongs.
What I am thinking on today:
Romans 5:1-5
Suffering leads to Perseverance. Perseverance to Character. Character to Hope.
And hope doesn't disappoint.
The journey to maturity and Hope in Christ is preceded by Suffering and Perseverance.
And the journey is so worth it.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Mama and Baby
So cool story that I'm just now sharing with you all (read here: "grab a kleenex")
Shaina posted on the blog a while back and used this picture:
Our friend Courtney Schnee had taken this picture when they were up from Charlotte way back in August (pre-hospital peanut).
Anyways, fast forward to the week of Christmas. I came home to grab our stockings and a few other things for Christmas and I found a couple pretty amazing surprises. One was a love offering from SUMC which was a total, unexpected blessing! Another was a jar of money from an anonymous family who has a tradition of saving a money jar and then giving it to a family at Christmas.
The third was a package that had this in it:
Canvas Painting of the picture. Way back when we asked for a 24 hour prayer vigil to plead Chaia's case to the King, Hilary Siber decided she would paint while she prayed. She chose this photo from the blog.
(The ironic thing is that Courtney and Hilary are sisters but Hilary had no idea that Courtney had taken this picture.)
So the week we finally came home, Shaina got to see the painting and needless to say the tear ducts were prompted to start pumping.
Thanks Hilary for your kindness and for your prayers.
You make us giddy.
Shaina posted on the blog a while back and used this picture:
Our friend Courtney Schnee had taken this picture when they were up from Charlotte way back in August (pre-hospital peanut).
Anyways, fast forward to the week of Christmas. I came home to grab our stockings and a few other things for Christmas and I found a couple pretty amazing surprises. One was a love offering from SUMC which was a total, unexpected blessing! Another was a jar of money from an anonymous family who has a tradition of saving a money jar and then giving it to a family at Christmas.
The third was a package that had this in it:
Canvas Painting of the picture. Way back when we asked for a 24 hour prayer vigil to plead Chaia's case to the King, Hilary Siber decided she would paint while she prayed. She chose this photo from the blog.
(The ironic thing is that Courtney and Hilary are sisters but Hilary had no idea that Courtney had taken this picture.)
So the week we finally came home, Shaina got to see the painting and needless to say the tear ducts were prompted to start pumping.
Thanks Hilary for your kindness and for your prayers.
You make us giddy.
Our Dining Room
...Because our hospital room had to go somewhere...
This has to change before I see us "On the next episode of Hoarders..."
Monday, January 9, 2012
So what's it gonna be?
John 16:33...Jesus says "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
By weeks end, I will have been to three funerals in 2012.
As Chaia has made her exodus from the Chaia Clinic (I figure they can at least rename the place after her right?), I am sobered by the reality that pain and suffering are all but guarantees in this life.
You will have trouble.
WAIT A MINUTE. I thought the Jesus Package I was sold came with eternal security, God's Relentless Love and a blessing upgrade for good behavior?
I think many shake their fist at God when the trouble comes and question His goodness, His nearness, or even His existence.
"God, How could you?" (Insinuating a deep sense of entitlement that we are owed something better than a life with trouble.)
And for many, this is where our story and His story break up.
"If God is going to allow me and those I care about to suffer and hurt, then what good is He in the first place?"
But for those who see suffering as an opportunity rather than a punishment, as a blessing rather than a curse, as love rather than indifference, the Gospel becomes a thing of beauty.
Some will find hope in the midst of despair. Some will find strength from weakness. Some will find that Making Much of Him is not just some obligatory duty, but is a privilege and delight.
You will find trouble.
You can either take heart in the One who has overcome the world or you can let your circumstances, your hardship, and your suffering overcome you.
Let me say one more thing on this...if you think you can wait in your life to make much of Him when the troubles come without living a life of Making Much of Him to prepare you...good luck.
So what's it gonna be?
Make much of your suffering and pain?
Trust me, there's a better way.
By weeks end, I will have been to three funerals in 2012.
As Chaia has made her exodus from the Chaia Clinic (I figure they can at least rename the place after her right?), I am sobered by the reality that pain and suffering are all but guarantees in this life.
You will have trouble.
WAIT A MINUTE. I thought the Jesus Package I was sold came with eternal security, God's Relentless Love and a blessing upgrade for good behavior?
I think many shake their fist at God when the trouble comes and question His goodness, His nearness, or even His existence.
"God, How could you?" (Insinuating a deep sense of entitlement that we are owed something better than a life with trouble.)
And for many, this is where our story and His story break up.
"If God is going to allow me and those I care about to suffer and hurt, then what good is He in the first place?"
But for those who see suffering as an opportunity rather than a punishment, as a blessing rather than a curse, as love rather than indifference, the Gospel becomes a thing of beauty.
Some will find hope in the midst of despair. Some will find strength from weakness. Some will find that Making Much of Him is not just some obligatory duty, but is a privilege and delight.
You will find trouble.
You can either take heart in the One who has overcome the world or you can let your circumstances, your hardship, and your suffering overcome you.
Let me say one more thing on this...if you think you can wait in your life to make much of Him when the troubles come without living a life of Making Much of Him to prepare you...good luck.
So what's it gonna be?
Make much of your suffering and pain?
Trust me, there's a better way.
A Day in the Life...
Midnight...Dad puts milk in my pump and starts it. I'm asleep.
12:50 a.m....Pump goes off. Feed complete. Dad turns my pump off.
2:00 a.m....I wake dad up with grunting and explosions in my pants. I'm actually still asleep. Dad changes my pants and thinks I'm still asleep. Then he looks up and I chuckle at him. I'm wide awake. I can tell he appreciates my jollyness.
3:00 a.m....Dad puts my next feed in the pump and starts it.
3:50 a.m....Pump goes off. Feed complete. Dad turns my pump off and heads to bed.
5:25 a.m....Mom wakes up and gives me Diuril at 5:30
5:30 a.m....My mom pumps, then gets my 6 a.m. feed ready in the pump.
6:00 a.m....She gives me my breakfast along with my Captopril and Lasix.
7:30 a.m....I wake up grinning which melts my mom's heart so she has to play with me.
9:00 a.m....My mom pumps, then gives me my 9:00 a.m. feed, my vitamins, my Miralax, my potassium chloride, my baby Aspirin, my Synthroid, my Pepcid.
9:30 a.m....I hurl a considerable amount of my 9:00 a.m. feed.
9:45 a.m....I take a nap because hurling makes me tired.
9:50 a.m....my feeds go off because I'm done eating.
10:30 a.m....I wake up and am ready to be entertained.
11:30 a.m....I receive my calcification meds called etidronate. Once I receive this (which has to be on an empty stomach), then I have to remain upright for 30 minutes because it is pretty harsh on my esophagus, so mom and dad hold me.
Noon....I get my lunch.
12:50 p.m....My pump goes off and my feeds are done.
1:00 p.m....I get my ativan and my second round of diuril.
2:00 p.m....I get my 2nd round of Captopril and my second round of lasix.
3:00 p.m....Its time for me to eat again.
3:50 p.m....My pump goes off and my feeds are done.
5:00 p.m....I get my Coumadin to thin my blood.
6:00 p.m....Its time for me to eat again.
6:50 p.m....You guessed it, my pump goes off and my feeds are done.
7:00 p.m....I'm in my rarest form...laughing and playing.
8:00 p.m....I'm exhausted but my evil parents won't let me fall asleep.
9:00 p.m....I get another round of feeds, my 2nd dose of potassium chloride, my 3rd dose of diuril, my 2nd dose of pepcid. Then my mom and dad put me in bed.
9:50 p.m....My pump goes off and my feeds are done.
10:00 p.m....I get my 3rd dose of lasix and 3rd dose of captopril.
If I'm an obedient, God-fearing child, I sleep from this point until we start the process all over again with dad at midnight.
----------------
Throw in diapers and normal day to day living tasks and to put it plainly, we are not bored.
But we're home.
With Chaia.
And its worth it.
12:50 a.m....Pump goes off. Feed complete. Dad turns my pump off.
2:00 a.m....I wake dad up with grunting and explosions in my pants. I'm actually still asleep. Dad changes my pants and thinks I'm still asleep. Then he looks up and I chuckle at him. I'm wide awake. I can tell he appreciates my jollyness.
3:00 a.m....Dad puts my next feed in the pump and starts it.
3:50 a.m....Pump goes off. Feed complete. Dad turns my pump off and heads to bed.
5:25 a.m....Mom wakes up and gives me Diuril at 5:30
5:30 a.m....My mom pumps, then gets my 6 a.m. feed ready in the pump.
6:00 a.m....She gives me my breakfast along with my Captopril and Lasix.
7:30 a.m....I wake up grinning which melts my mom's heart so she has to play with me.
9:00 a.m....My mom pumps, then gives me my 9:00 a.m. feed, my vitamins, my Miralax, my potassium chloride, my baby Aspirin, my Synthroid, my Pepcid.
9:30 a.m....I hurl a considerable amount of my 9:00 a.m. feed.
9:45 a.m....I take a nap because hurling makes me tired.
9:50 a.m....my feeds go off because I'm done eating.
10:30 a.m....I wake up and am ready to be entertained.
11:30 a.m....I receive my calcification meds called etidronate. Once I receive this (which has to be on an empty stomach), then I have to remain upright for 30 minutes because it is pretty harsh on my esophagus, so mom and dad hold me.
Noon....I get my lunch.
12:50 p.m....My pump goes off and my feeds are done.
1:00 p.m....I get my ativan and my second round of diuril.
2:00 p.m....I get my 2nd round of Captopril and my second round of lasix.
3:00 p.m....Its time for me to eat again.
3:50 p.m....My pump goes off and my feeds are done.
5:00 p.m....I get my Coumadin to thin my blood.
6:00 p.m....Its time for me to eat again.
6:50 p.m....You guessed it, my pump goes off and my feeds are done.
7:00 p.m....I'm in my rarest form...laughing and playing.
8:00 p.m....I'm exhausted but my evil parents won't let me fall asleep.
9:00 p.m....I get another round of feeds, my 2nd dose of potassium chloride, my 3rd dose of diuril, my 2nd dose of pepcid. Then my mom and dad put me in bed.
9:50 p.m....My pump goes off and my feeds are done.
10:00 p.m....I get my 3rd dose of lasix and 3rd dose of captopril.
If I'm an obedient, God-fearing child, I sleep from this point until we start the process all over again with dad at midnight.
----------------
Throw in diapers and normal day to day living tasks and to put it plainly, we are not bored.
But we're home.
With Chaia.
And its worth it.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Home
We made it.
103 days. 4 hospitals. 1 Helicopter ride. 1 Ambulance ride.
Overcoming 1 drug addiction.
Repeatedly defying odds.
Friday at 4 p.m., Chaia was discharged from the Cleveland Clinic.
What this means:
She is home. Lots of prayers answered right there. She still cannot take her feeds orally, so she came home with an NG tube. She is on round the clock meds. I may post a 'glimpe into the day' post sometime so you can see how many meds we give throughout the day. But she is home. And we slept in our own bed/crib for the first time since September.
What this doesn't mean:
That we are out of the woods by any means. Chaia's heart is still compromised...She is growing and thriving (she wore 9 month clothes on her 6 month birthday)...but there are still many unknowns. So this means you don't get to stop kneeling.
We are elated. I have a couple videos that I want to get on here, but I am about to lose it because of the frustration of the movie making program and the uploading process. So, there may not be videos.
But for now, know we are home and that the benefit dinner put on for Chaia by the Smithville United Methodist Church was a huge hit.
Jesus is good.
And He's not done yet.
103 days. 4 hospitals. 1 Helicopter ride. 1 Ambulance ride.
Overcoming 1 drug addiction.
Repeatedly defying odds.
Friday at 4 p.m., Chaia was discharged from the Cleveland Clinic.
What this means:
She is home. Lots of prayers answered right there. She still cannot take her feeds orally, so she came home with an NG tube. She is on round the clock meds. I may post a 'glimpe into the day' post sometime so you can see how many meds we give throughout the day. But she is home. And we slept in our own bed/crib for the first time since September.
What this doesn't mean:
That we are out of the woods by any means. Chaia's heart is still compromised...She is growing and thriving (she wore 9 month clothes on her 6 month birthday)...but there are still many unknowns. So this means you don't get to stop kneeling.
We are elated. I have a couple videos that I want to get on here, but I am about to lose it because of the frustration of the movie making program and the uploading process. So, there may not be videos.
But for now, know we are home and that the benefit dinner put on for Chaia by the Smithville United Methodist Church was a huge hit.
Jesus is good.
And He's not done yet.
Quick Update
Internet has been down for a bit so that is why you seen much activity in the mustard world recently.
Chaia is still having a good week.
I am heading to Smithville to attend a benefit for Chaia that is being put on by Smithville United Methodist Church.
Hope to see you there!
Chaia is still having a good week.
I am heading to Smithville to attend a benefit for Chaia that is being put on by Smithville United Methodist Church.
Hope to see you there!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
I Hate to Break it to You
But My Kid is Cuter Than Your Kid.
:-)
This is truth...unbiased, absolute truth (From a dad who is wrapped around her little finger.)
(Courtesy of Sarah Ishler---Sarah Marie Photography)
:-)
This is truth...unbiased, absolute truth (From a dad who is wrapped around her little finger.)
(Courtesy of Sarah Ishler---Sarah Marie Photography)
How's Your Path?
Was thinking about this post from last January this morning and thought I would put it up again.
Early African Christians were earnest and regular in private devotions. Each one reportedly had a separate spot in the thicket where he would pour out his heart to God. Over time the paths to these places became well worn. As a result, if one of these believers began to neglect prayer, it was soon apparent to the others. They would kindly remind the negligent one, "Brother, the grass grows on your path."
Prayerfulness above all other things, expresses our desperate need for God. If that is true, then prayerlessness for a Christian is as arrogant and defiant of a sin as could ever be named.
Mow your path...and don't pray petty, self-indulgent, small god prayers. Don't pray out of obligation or duty, but pray because enjoying him is incomparable to any other enjoyment. Pray like your life depends on it...because it does.
Early African Christians were earnest and regular in private devotions. Each one reportedly had a separate spot in the thicket where he would pour out his heart to God. Over time the paths to these places became well worn. As a result, if one of these believers began to neglect prayer, it was soon apparent to the others. They would kindly remind the negligent one, "Brother, the grass grows on your path."
Prayerfulness above all other things, expresses our desperate need for God. If that is true, then prayerlessness for a Christian is as arrogant and defiant of a sin as could ever be named.
Mow your path...and don't pray petty, self-indulgent, small god prayers. Don't pray out of obligation or duty, but pray because enjoying him is incomparable to any other enjoyment. Pray like your life depends on it...because it does.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
5 Things
1. Chaia has begun bolus feeding. First 24 hours have been good. She is still fed through NG tube, but her stomach seems to be tolerating the bolus route.
2. The scan that Chaia was scheduled for this week to find out if the calcifications have been stabilized, reversed or worsened has been canceled. The documented cases suggest the optimal time for seeing change is after 6 months of treatment. (In some cases change has been identified at 3 months of treatment.) So we will have no definitive knowledge of how the calcification treatment is working for 2.5 more months. This is fine by us...we are optimistic that the fact that she has bounced back from the initial myocardial infarction suggests the calcifications are not worsening.
3. I didn't tell you my New Years Resolution. I'm going to eat one salad a day 365 times this year. Hoping to lose some weight, get a little healthier and impress my wife with my wide range of food pyramid acquisitions. Today is day four...and after dinner I will be 4 for 4.
4. Shaina and I made a bet on the Super Bowl. I know I know, not very 'Christian' to be gambling, but we aren't betting money...we're betting date nights. If I win, Shaina has to take me to a Cavs Game. If Shaina wins, I have to take her to a play. We took turns picking teams and whoever has the SuperBowl winner, gets their date night.
My teams? Green Bay, New England, Pittsburgh, Denver, Detroit and Cincinatti.
Shaina's teams? New Orleans, San Francisco, Baltimore, New York, Atlanta and Houston.
5. Don't forget that this Saturday, the Church I began my walk with Christ, Smithville United Methodist Church is putting on a Soup Fundraiser on Chaia's behalf. It is donation only. Shaina and I are hoping to make an appearance. It is at 5:30 p.m. at the Smithville Church (243 North Milton Street, Smithville, OH). Thanks in advance to the good folks at SUMC for having the heart to do this for Chaia! See you then!
2. The scan that Chaia was scheduled for this week to find out if the calcifications have been stabilized, reversed or worsened has been canceled. The documented cases suggest the optimal time for seeing change is after 6 months of treatment. (In some cases change has been identified at 3 months of treatment.) So we will have no definitive knowledge of how the calcification treatment is working for 2.5 more months. This is fine by us...we are optimistic that the fact that she has bounced back from the initial myocardial infarction suggests the calcifications are not worsening.
3. I didn't tell you my New Years Resolution. I'm going to eat one salad a day 365 times this year. Hoping to lose some weight, get a little healthier and impress my wife with my wide range of food pyramid acquisitions. Today is day four...and after dinner I will be 4 for 4.
4. Shaina and I made a bet on the Super Bowl. I know I know, not very 'Christian' to be gambling, but we aren't betting money...we're betting date nights. If I win, Shaina has to take me to a Cavs Game. If Shaina wins, I have to take her to a play. We took turns picking teams and whoever has the SuperBowl winner, gets their date night.
My teams? Green Bay, New England, Pittsburgh, Denver, Detroit and Cincinatti.
Shaina's teams? New Orleans, San Francisco, Baltimore, New York, Atlanta and Houston.
5. Don't forget that this Saturday, the Church I began my walk with Christ, Smithville United Methodist Church is putting on a Soup Fundraiser on Chaia's behalf. It is donation only. Shaina and I are hoping to make an appearance. It is at 5:30 p.m. at the Smithville Church (243 North Milton Street, Smithville, OH). Thanks in advance to the good folks at SUMC for having the heart to do this for Chaia! See you then!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Century Mark
100 days in the hospital.
I'd be lying if I told you the walls weren't caving in.
Literally, we trip over things, run into things, knock little willowtree angels off the counter and break their heads off...cabin fever is intensifying.
There are days that I'm angry. Frustrated. Pitying myself.
And then I remember the day we came from Akron Children's to Cleveland Clinic. The reason we came was because the Clinic had Heart Transplant capabilities and ECMO, a machine that bridges the gap for critical patients, sometimes giving them time for a transplant...sometimes giving them time to recover on their own.
She was on a Bair Hugger, a machine used to control her temperature because her body couldn't do it on its own. I have yet to see any other kiddos in my time here on a bair hugger.
100 days in a hospital is a gift, when you were looking at funeral arrangements on day 5.
Chaia went into the hospital on a day in the 60s, with sunshine and mostly green leaves. She is going to learn to hate Cleveland weather when she gets out.
When Chaia went into the hospital, the Browns were 2-1...(sigh).
The other day, a nurse practitioner said resolutely that Chaia was a miracle.
But, in many ways, there are still more questions than answers. And there likely always will be with her.
Here's what we do know. God's fame is increasing because of Chaia's life.
And that is what we have prayed for all along.
Be very clear, we have asked God to bring fame to His name through this experience. If that means instant healing...bring it on. If it means gradual healing...bring it on. If it means no healing...bring it on.
So 100 days is a gift...because hearts are softening.
Ezekiel 36:26 is happening to more people than just Chaia.
And so I plead with you, don't waste the gift.
Cry out to God for rescue through Christ.
Do that thing you know you are supposed to be obedient with but have drug your feet.
Reconcile with that family member that you've been acting childishly or bitterly toward for too long.
Go meet your neighbors.
Hug your kids.
Read the Bible.
Serve the poor.
Go to Church.
Change Your World.
But for God's sake, don't waste your gift.
I'd be lying if I told you the walls weren't caving in.
Literally, we trip over things, run into things, knock little willowtree angels off the counter and break their heads off...cabin fever is intensifying.
There are days that I'm angry. Frustrated. Pitying myself.
And then I remember the day we came from Akron Children's to Cleveland Clinic. The reason we came was because the Clinic had Heart Transplant capabilities and ECMO, a machine that bridges the gap for critical patients, sometimes giving them time for a transplant...sometimes giving them time to recover on their own.
She was on a Bair Hugger, a machine used to control her temperature because her body couldn't do it on its own. I have yet to see any other kiddos in my time here on a bair hugger.
100 days in a hospital is a gift, when you were looking at funeral arrangements on day 5.
Chaia went into the hospital on a day in the 60s, with sunshine and mostly green leaves. She is going to learn to hate Cleveland weather when she gets out.
When Chaia went into the hospital, the Browns were 2-1...(sigh).
The other day, a nurse practitioner said resolutely that Chaia was a miracle.
But, in many ways, there are still more questions than answers. And there likely always will be with her.
Here's what we do know. God's fame is increasing because of Chaia's life.
And that is what we have prayed for all along.
Be very clear, we have asked God to bring fame to His name through this experience. If that means instant healing...bring it on. If it means gradual healing...bring it on. If it means no healing...bring it on.
So 100 days is a gift...because hearts are softening.
Ezekiel 36:26 is happening to more people than just Chaia.
And so I plead with you, don't waste the gift.
Cry out to God for rescue through Christ.
Do that thing you know you are supposed to be obedient with but have drug your feet.
Reconcile with that family member that you've been acting childishly or bitterly toward for too long.
Go meet your neighbors.
Hug your kids.
Read the Bible.
Serve the poor.
Go to Church.
Change Your World.
But for God's sake, don't waste your gift.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Milestone Announcement
Yesterday (Sunday) Chaia turned 6 months old. I would be the guy who would normally make fun of the guy who got amped up about 'month birthdays'...but now I'm the guy who gets amped up about 'month birthdays'. Because we have no idea how many birthdays we have with this kid. Plus 6 months is a mark that the majority didn't make it past with GACI.
Tomorrow (Tuesday) is Chaia's 100th day in the hospital. The century mark. I will be honest, Shaina and I are rather irritable at this point and we want our own bed.
But then there is today. And today brought us this announcement.
The Warrior Princess is on the move.
Tomorrow (Tuesday) is Chaia's 100th day in the hospital. The century mark. I will be honest, Shaina and I are rather irritable at this point and we want our own bed.
But then there is today. And today brought us this announcement.
An Announcement We've Been Waiting For Weeks To Make from Mustard Revolution on Vimeo.
The Warrior Princess is on the move.
Love Well. Laugh Often
Today was the funeral for my Uncle John Buss. The service was really good. John's pastor shared from the heart and it was meaningful. On the way to the cemetery, the Central Fire District (which John helped start) was along the roadside with a "Thanks John" sign. Pretty cool.
The thing I will value most from my uncle's life is to not take things too seriously. I feel like every time my family and his visited, he had a new joke for my dad.
So I remember one joke in particular John was telling my dad. I remember it really well. I was in 2nd grade at the time.
It went something like this:
There was a guy at the mall around Christmas time and as he walked by the pet store, he noticed a large crowd. He stopped to see what was going on and the pet store owner said, "You have to see Chet the singing parrot!" So the guy went in to scope it out and sure enough, if Chet had a match lit under his left leg he would sing "Silent Night". So the man grew curious, "What would happen if you lit the match under his right leg," he asked the pet owner, who decided to try it and Chet began singing "Jingle Bells." Amazed, the guy suggested, what would happen if we lit the match under both of his legs? The owner tried and the parrot began singing, "Chets nuts roasting on an open fire."
As an innocent 2nd Grader I laughed because thats what all the adults were doing. Soon after that at school, I was waiting for dismissal with a couple other kids and my 2nd grade teacher Miss King. They were exchanging jokes, so I chimed in...qualifying it by saying, I don't really get it...but here it goes...I delivered it to a T...and Miss King, like the other adults laughed pretty hard.
I don't remember if I told my mom that I told that joke to Miss King or if Miss King mentioned it to my mom...but that may have been the moment my mom lost control of me in parenting.
In 2011 he celebrated 50 years of marriage with my Aunt Judy. (This might be a greater testament to my Aunt Judy, depending on how you rated the above joke!) John was a good man.
We found out that a few days before he died, he shared that he wanted his miracle to go to Chaia. The family even asked for contributions to be made to Chaia's Benevolent Fund in lieu of flowers. (Thanks Buss family!)
Love well. Laugh often.
And don't tell pg-13 jokes to your 2nd grade teacher.
Advice and an example to live by.
The thing I will value most from my uncle's life is to not take things too seriously. I feel like every time my family and his visited, he had a new joke for my dad.
So I remember one joke in particular John was telling my dad. I remember it really well. I was in 2nd grade at the time.
It went something like this:
There was a guy at the mall around Christmas time and as he walked by the pet store, he noticed a large crowd. He stopped to see what was going on and the pet store owner said, "You have to see Chet the singing parrot!" So the guy went in to scope it out and sure enough, if Chet had a match lit under his left leg he would sing "Silent Night". So the man grew curious, "What would happen if you lit the match under his right leg," he asked the pet owner, who decided to try it and Chet began singing "Jingle Bells." Amazed, the guy suggested, what would happen if we lit the match under both of his legs? The owner tried and the parrot began singing, "Chets nuts roasting on an open fire."
As an innocent 2nd Grader I laughed because thats what all the adults were doing. Soon after that at school, I was waiting for dismissal with a couple other kids and my 2nd grade teacher Miss King. They were exchanging jokes, so I chimed in...qualifying it by saying, I don't really get it...but here it goes...I delivered it to a T...and Miss King, like the other adults laughed pretty hard.
I don't remember if I told my mom that I told that joke to Miss King or if Miss King mentioned it to my mom...but that may have been the moment my mom lost control of me in parenting.
In 2011 he celebrated 50 years of marriage with my Aunt Judy. (This might be a greater testament to my Aunt Judy, depending on how you rated the above joke!) John was a good man.
We found out that a few days before he died, he shared that he wanted his miracle to go to Chaia. The family even asked for contributions to be made to Chaia's Benevolent Fund in lieu of flowers. (Thanks Buss family!)
Love well. Laugh often.
And don't tell pg-13 jokes to your 2nd grade teacher.
Advice and an example to live by.
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