Celebrating Milestones

Stetson first birthday was a huge milestone for him. We are thanking God everyday for allowing him to be here with us. He had a Superman Birthday Party and it was awesome! I was able to contain my tears up until my sister Christy (which was by myside through it all) made a video: (please avoid his sisters lalaloopsy purse she is allowing him to play with, lol!)

 

When we got home from the hospital, he stayed on an oxygen and a machine that continued to show us his levels, heart rate, and BP. It was only about 2 weeks he had to be on it. He started off going to the cardiologist once a week, it slowly has went down to only every 4 months now. We have only had 1 scare, the cardiologist noticed his heart wasn't squeezing as hard as it should. They went in and checked it and all was good. He was only 4 pounds when they did the surgery, his heart was as small as a walnut, just imagine how small his coronary arteries were. Its unbelievable the miracles that were worked and a continued to be at work. He finished his last session of therapy just before his birthday. His chest is nice and healed, just a small white line through the center and where the chest tubes were. He goes every month during the flu season to get shots so he doesn't get RSV. The last of those for this year is next month. His 1 year mark for his open heart surgery is this Tuesday. To celebrate I went to the hospital and met with the surgeon and gave him this picture:

 

We have so much to celebrate and be thankful for. Since his birth my perception on daily life has changed. Thank God for opening my eyes.

I will sing of Your power, I will sing aloud of your mercy,

For you have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.

Psalm 59:16

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zaynSHFqqw

This video sums it up for me :) so touching!!

Awaken the Settled Dust

This past week I have been reminiscing on the past year of Stetson life. I am a Christian woman, but the moment he was born God placed several burdens on my heart. His birth and struggles have opened my eyes and heart to see and understand things that I haven't even thought of before. One being, what's happening to the next generation of Christ followers?
This isn't new to anyone by any means. But seriously......worship services consist of the same routine. As believers we go to church on Sundays, feel condemned, pray about, but then everything settles back again. Some go to do bible studies with like Beth Moore (btw- which are pretty awesome), talk about it to our small group of people that are doing the same study, but that is it. It is never made applicable into our everyday lives. What good is it doing for it to just be sitting in our minds and hearts when we only share it with those who believe?

That is when it hit me. Our youth are not blind. They see it. Christians day by day who pass the poor man on the street, hear the people who claim to be Christians bad mouthing their co-workers or others when they do not even know their circumstances. Then turn and go back to church, feel condemned, pray about it, then its starts all over again. We are like settled dust.  God did not call us to settle. I assume that 99% of the people who read my blog are probably women (that 1% goes to my hubby ;)..) As a woman I cannot expect anyone or anyplace to demonstrate the example of a Christ, not a church, not a sermon, not a camp, no place that can do it as well as a mother in my everyday actions. And honestly so far, I have failed them...failed!!! Errrrr!! This bothers me to no ends! I have a friend that takes her family to church, they attend camps, Sunday School, etc., her son (middle school age) told her that he hates church. Why?!! The people are so fake, even those who have been faithful for years and years. They are not showing anything beyond the four walls of their church service. Breaks my heart! I want to be the woman who shows my husband and 3 children an example of Christ! By golly, I will no longer fail them in the most important aspect of their being. I am going to AWAKEN the Settled Dust.