Trusting Him Just the Same

With tears in my eyes, I thanked God for my two kids today, who have taught me to trust Jesus in all things. I trusted God when He said He had a good plan for me.
I kept trusting Him when I couldn’t bear children and the years wore on, and I saw His loving hand upon my grieving heart. He was saving my tears.
I still trusted when He led us to adoption. I trusted while I waited and waited.  I trusted He would provide the finances and the child He had planned for us. He did!
I trusted Him when I wanted to adopt again but the timing wasn’t right. I trusted while I waited and waited some more.
I trusted Him when He began working on us to adopt a sibling group, even when I really didn’t see how we could, or if we should.
I trusted when He chose 3 sweet children whom we loved and lost; I trusted when He took us all the way to Colombia and back, empty-handed.  I trusted in His deep love for me and our children.
I trusted, and praised God for what He would do, even when I couldn’t see. I trusted while I waited again.
I trusted Him when he brought along a new little life, one who was really sick.
I trusted God on the day I was told he had bleeding in his brain, and a blood clot, and they couldn’t tell me if he would be okay.
I trusted God when He said to keep trusting, even when I couldn’t see, even when I could’ve made the choice to quit. I trusted, and waited.
I’m trusting God today for what I can’t see for tomorrow, and thanking Him that He can!
I have learned that I can trust God in all things; for in all things He loves, He provides, He gives, He plans, He heals, He never changes!

The practice of trust in times like these, has brought a strength to my soul, a peace that only God could bring, a love for my Jesus, and an excitement for heaven, that no other circumstances and no other choices could have brought.

 I can trust Him because I know He loves me!

Out of the Hospital

Psalm 111: 1-5 “I will praise the Lord with my whole heart…The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them. His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever. He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.” After 43 days in the NICU, Cannon was released on Monday, and we are spending a few days with Robert’s cousin in TN while interstate adoption papers are filed.
In February, we asked you to join us in prayer for Cannon and our family as the Lord took us through some challenging days.

Here is how God answered!

Weekly ultrasounds have shown that the clot continues to decrease with no new areas of concern.
He has had no other seizures; he will be on seizure medication until we follow-up with the neurologist in April.
Cannon has reached 9 lbs, and is eating and sleeping well!
The neurologist does not expect any significant long-term issues at this time.
What God has promised to provide, we have received! His faithfulness has been evident in overwhelming peace, strength, and wisdom for each day. He provided professional and caring nurses and doctors who cared for Cannon and for us.
Cannon’s verses on his crib were read, and commented on, by countless nurses, doctors and volunteers, and probably other parents who had babies right next to him.
God granted Caitlin the grace to be flexible when needed, and for us to be sensitive to her needs during the last 6 weeks. She is thrilled to be able to hold and feed Cannon, and has already been a big help. Good luck being able to hold him if she’s around; she’s very protective. J
What’s ahead?

Daily medication for seizures;  blood thinners (the blood thinner is an injection in his little belly 2 times a day; we are both learning to be brave, but with all he’s gone through, he has a pretty high pain tolerance.)

Follow up with the neurologist and hematologist.

Enjoying each day together as a family, continuing to be grateful and praising God for what He has done, and growing by grace in this next season of life while remembering “the works of the Lord”.

God's Safety

Cannon's verse for the week: Psalm 4:8 "I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." He truly has kept Cannon safe; the blood clot is continuing to decrease and the doctor thinks he will be out of the hospital sometime next week. We praise God for all He is doing!

Guardianship papers signed!

One more step is past us as we signed guardianship papers for Cannon yesterday. Cannon's verse for this week (that will join Jer. 29:11 and Lamentations 3:22-25 on his crib) is Eph. 3:20-21. "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think...to Him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."We thank God for His attention and care about the details of Cannon's health and adoption. He is showing Himself to be faithful every day in many ways!

This little light of mine

Cannon's sweet nurse this morning said she read him his verses we have posted on his crib, and sang "Great is Thy Faithfulness" to him after his bottle. So touched by God's care, a nurse's sweet spirit, and the light we can be here at the MED during our extended stay. God's love shines in all places! Cannon, God is using you to spread His light!

God's Protection

"When something in your life makes you anxious, come to Me and talk about it...though the lessons of trust that I send you come wrapped in difficulties, the benefits far outweigh the cost." (Sarah Young) We are experiencing God's peace and strength, and He is answering our prayers for healing for Cannon. The blood clot has decreased significantly with no further bleeding. The neurologists expect a positive long-term outcome for him. We are so grateful and praise Him for His perfect plan for Cannon. Thank you for continuing in prayer with us!

God the Great Physician

Psalm 18:1-3 "I will love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in Whom I will trust...I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised." We have had a long, rough week with Cannon. It seemed like he was really making progress in the first few days, but two days ago he began having some small seizures and they found a blood clot and some bleeding in the nerves of his brain. The neurological team does not know the cause but is working to try to decrease the size of the clot with blood thinners and treat the seizures that are still occurring. He gets a daily CAT scan or ultrasound and is closely monitored.
We are grateful for a powerful God who has a wonderful plan for Cannon, competent and caring nurses, a doctor who loves the Lord, for the help from friends and family with Caitlin, and the knowedge of many people praying all over the world for our family.
Thank you!