Ode to the Night Gown

This is Charlotte's first night gown.




I wore these when I was a kid. Mine had Pound Puppies on it with a matching one for my Pound Puppy!

People don't wear these anymore. I don't know why. It just makes sense on so many levels.


Plus she looks super cute!

Seven Days

In seven days, God created all that we see: people, animals, water, sky, plants, sun, moon, stars, planets... That is hard to wrap my mind around! He did all that by speaking a few words and proclaiming it all "good."

"Good"? That's amazing, God! Indescribable!

In seven days, Garrett goes to the neurologist at Vanderbilt. I can't help but imagine all God can do in that seven days! And yet I have doubt hidden in there too. I am reminded of the father of the boy who was posessed with a spirit in Mark 9 that told Jesus, "If You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!" And Jesus said to him, " 'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the boy's father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief."

I'm human; my best case scenario is one where God does a supernatural work and heals Garrett on the spot. But I know that my ways are not His ways, nor are my thoughts His thoughts. What my limited mind sees is far less than what Almighty God already knows.

This appointment will consist of a blood/DNA test to determine which strain and/or mutation we are dealing with and possibly the severity of the disease. It will take from 1 week to 6 months for the labs to break-down the DNA to determine which strain. The more complicated the mutation, the longer it will take to determine what exactly we are dealing with.

I'm asking again that you seek God "in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him (Eph 3:12) on behalf of Garrett.

Obviously, we are praying for a miracle that only God can perform. I would love to be able to proclaim God's mighty power over this disease. However, if God does not choose to heal Garrett in that way, we are praying that it will be the milder form of the disease with no strange mutations. (There are some clinical trials going on that look promising, but that are directed towards the "least complicated" forms of the disease). Also, please pray for renewed strength; physically for Garrett and spiritually for us all. Everyday, I have to ask God for new strength. Its almost like putting on a new "Garment of Strength" each morning, because yesterday's is worn out!

My point of view on life has already changed so much in a month. I've gone from considering which are the best schools and which clothes look the cutest on my kids to really considering their eternity. I love to pray Scripture over my kiddos:

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you Garrett and Charlotte, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God." (Eph 3:14-19)

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us." (Eph 3:20)

The Goodness of God

Yesterday I was so low. We finally got an appointment with Vanderbilt, but it was scheduled during my mission trip to Africa. I did ask her to put us on the cancellation list, but the lady told me that people don't really cancel at that office! The next available appointment was in August and after that October.

I searched God for a reason He would tell me to go on this trip, but schedule Garrett's appointment at the same time. Obviously, I need to be at this appointment, but felt that God had told me to go to Africa.

"Why, God? Am I not supposed to go? Did I sign up for the wrong reasons?"

All along though, I still felt God telling me to just be still and trust in Him. Easier said than done, right?

So, I began praying that someone would cancel so I could be with Garrett and Randy at the appointment before I went on my trip. Friends and family were praying with us about this as well. I cried to God that He was really gonna have to do something big here....my faith was on rocky ground already. For days I felt that my prayers were bouncing off the ceiling, going unheard by God.

So, as any pushy mama would, I called Vandy again this morning and spoke with the office manager. She told me that there were no other appointments until September now and that there was nothing she could do. I could only whisper to her, "He can't wait that long."

I was put on hold while she emailed the neurologist's assistant about our case. She got back with me and said that his assistant would contact me. She would be the only one who could possibly double-book the doctor.

I immediately got on the phone with some of my Prayer Warriors and within 10 minutes, had a call back from the assistant! She informed me that Garrett had an appointment scheduled for May 7 at 3:20!!

When I got off the phone with her, Garrett was standing there and I said to him, "Garrett, Jesus has answered our prayer!" He said, "Was that Him on the phone?" I laughed but said, "It may have been Jesus on the phone!"

I had no idea that double-booking was even an option! God is so good! He made a way through this wilderness--He made His own way! No one had to cancel, as my limited mind could see this as the only option!

Psalm 34:18 "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted. And saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Fun time at the park!

The kids really think I take them to the park so they can play, but the truth is there are endless photo opportunities for me!

Easter Hams

Randy said it was time for me to post something happy on the blog, so here goes! I'm a little behind on Easter, so here are the highlights.

There was a little egg coloring going on at Nana and Poppy's house.

There was some finding of Easter eggs.

There was a lot of cuteness on Easter Sunday with new clothes all around!

Untitled

I'm sitting here staring at the computer trying to find the words to say.

I've got no funny witticisms to share or Scriptures to encourage today. I've got ugly truth.

Yesterday, I got a call from Garrett's pediatrician with results from his CPK test. His levels were very high, which indicates that he does in fact have muscular dystrophy.

I can't go into details, as I'm sure you'll understand. Please pray for Garrett and us as these are uncharted waters.

I'm not necessarily ready to talk about it, so please understand if I send your calls to voice mail. Also know that I still need to know you are praying, because I can't pray myself right now. I'm at a place where I have nothing to say to God, and that is a first.

Update on Monday

We went to Garrett's pediatrician this morning and had a blood draw to measure the CPK in his blood. We will have to wait until tomorrow to find any results.

Dr. Moss says he is not totally convinced that MD is what we are dealing with, but also sees our concerns after he did a very comprehensive exam. He measured the circumference of Garrett's calves so we could have a baseline measure, but we don't really know anything from that measurement alone.

Waiting patiently on our God!

Isaiah 25:9 And it will be said in that day, "Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation."