Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Bonding with Baby Jayden
So, I don’t have much time to write a lot today. But I just can’t go another moment without telling you about my handsome nephew, Jayden. We had our first bonding experience this last weekend. I got to hold him for the first time. He opened his beautiful brown eyes long enough to check out his Aunt Jamie. I loved every moment together with him. He filled his diaper with a present for Mommy while we were there and then he “baptized” her while she was giving him a sponge bath. It was quite an eventful day.
He’s now in his own room of which Betsy is affectionately calling “The Hilton”. The Doctor’s are still uncertain as to when Jayden will be released to go home. He still has several hurdles to jump before that happens. Your continued prayers for Jayden’s health and provision, strength, and patience for Betsy and Gerson are much appreciated. We have much to be thankful for. Jayden continues to grow and is well over 6 lbs now. He’s also quite the little fighter. He’s living up to the meaning of his name – God has heard our prayers.
Jamie at 8:17 PM
Sunday, January 04, 2009
A Tribute to Grandma Dorothy
It’s with great sadness we said goodbye to our beloved Grandma Dorothy this weekend. She died last Tuesday, December 30. She lived 90 wonderful years. Born at the end of World War I, but in the midst of a flue epidemic, Grandma survived while her twin did not. She was thankful to have survived…as were many of us…for she was such a blessing to many. While she had a gentle spirit about her, she also had enough spunk to get her point across whenever she needed to. I will always remember her love for God, her love for her family, her love for cooking, her love for flowers, and her love for reading. She had the gift of hospitality, always leaving her door open to anyone who would walk through it. She had a way of making everyone feel at home. Whenever I would go visit her and Grandpa, I would often find them in the living room each morning having devotions together and praying. What a wonderful testimony they were to me and many others. Grandpa John and Grandma Dorothy were born in the same year and died in the same year. And now, they are dancing at the feet of Jesus together. This is why I rejoice. They left a godly heritage, are no longer separated, are free of pain, and lived 90 wonderful years together.
Jamie at 7:39 PM
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! I don’t know about you, but I’m thrilled to be in the New Year. Last year was a hard year in many ways, not only for me but for many of my friends and family. While trials are a breeding ground for growth (a good but painful thing), I’m thankful for a new marker in which a new season is awaiting to break forth. Yes, I understand there will be more trials. Yes, I understand there will be more pain. But there will also be new joys, new adventures, and more reasons to praise God for His sustaining love, comfort, grace, and peace. Isaiah 35:2 states it well, “Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy!” This is a picture of restoration in a dry and barren desert land…a picture of what God longs to do in each of our hearts. I’m excited to see how the Lord continues to restore my soul, and how He works out everything for my good and His glory. I’m learning the most important action on my part is continual surrender to Him. Yielding to God’s way and giving up my “rights” or preferences doesn’t always come easily. But when I do, I’m never sad I made that choice. And I marvel at what God can do with open hands and an open heart.
Christmas this year was simply delightful. Our entire family was together (except for Jayden since he’s still in the NICU). Our family hasn’t been all together since Betsy and Gerson’s wedding. So, it was great to celebrate Christ’s birth together. We all gathered at 
Betsy and Gerson’s home in Gas City. I was in charge of the meals since Betsy and Gerson have been through enough stress of late with moving to the U.S. and then caring for Jayden via the NICU in Indy. My parents and Peter drove almost 10 hours the day before Christmas Eve through the ice storm so we could all be together. The trip normally takes 3 hours. We’re so thankful they made it to Gas City safely. Aunt Betsy and Uncle Rick followed later in the day and stayed overnight in a hotel since the roads were so bad. We’re glad they arrived safely the next morning. We were sad that 
Jayden couldn’t be with us on Christmas day. Everyone took turns going to see him in the NICU. I stayed back since I have the opportunity to see him a lot more often than the rest of my family. This last week was particularly a hard one on him. He has a few complications, and the Doctor’s are perplexed as to what’s causing these complications. It doesn’t look like he’ll be leaving the NICU anytime soon. I got to see him this weekend and was shocked at how big he is. He’s over 5 lbs now…a very good thing. We’d covet your prayers for God’s continued healing touch on Jayden, wisdom for the Doctor’s and Nurses, and strength, peace, and courage for Betsy and Gerson.
Jayden couldn’t be with us on Christmas day. Everyone took turns going to see him in the NICU. I stayed back since I have the opportunity to see him a lot more often than the rest of my family. This last week was particularly a hard one on him. He has a few complications, and the Doctor’s are perplexed as to what’s causing these complications. It doesn’t look like he’ll be leaving the NICU anytime soon. I got to see him this weekend and was shocked at how big he is. He’s over 5 lbs now…a very good thing. We’d covet your prayers for God’s continued healing touch on Jayden, wisdom for the Doctor’s and Nurses, and strength, peace, and courage for Betsy and Gerson.Here’s to a better 2009 filled with God’s grace and peace.
Jamie at 7:12 PM
