Coleson's Next Step

                    Coleson is scheduled for surgery again. This is the second to last one for many years, hopefully! We will be heading to Akron Children's bright and early on Tuesday the 6th. Coleson will be having expanders put into his cheeks and neck. He will have 4 expanders all together. We will need to inflate these expanders once a week with saline solution from ports that are some where on his scalp. This will slowly expand the good skin that is around the grafted area of his cheeks. (just like a pregnant belly). We will need to do this once a week for 12-14 weeks, depending on the skin's elasticity. In March sometime we will have the expanders removed leaving floppy skin. The doc will remove the grafts and fit the new expanded skin so that Coleson will have a fine suture around his jaw line. Along with this surgery, the doc will be tacking Colesons left ear back up as it has pulled down from healing scar tissue.
                    I was excited to move forward with this surgery, but as the day draws closer, I find myself getting nervous. I keep reminding myself that the end result is what we look forward to. Yes, the next 3 months may be trying as Coleson's face will have obvious bumps. As little boys do, Kendall was razzing Coleson about getting a needle stuck in his arm. Coleson pipes up and said "Yes I know Kendall but then I will look like you again." Coleson is fully aware of everything thats going on and the pain he will have to endure. (He's a smart kid.) If you see Coleson out in public, talk to him, give him a hi-5! Pray for Coleson and us as a family as we won't be venturing out much this winter due to the expanders. Pray also that the end result would have Coleson looking like Kendall again. Thank you in advance! I know we serve an awesome God and that he heals, not just physically but emotionally as well!

Thankfulness

In this season of Thanksgiving, I am always reminded of those who are less fortunate than we are. Not only do the homeless come to mind often, but those who are struggling to put food on the table. My boys go to school with kids, where, the only well balanced meal they get is the lunch at school. Marv and I were discussing this last week after seeing a video clip at church called Depraved Indifference. Heartwrenching. Watch it here . It tugged on both our heartstrings, as I'm sure it did all who were watching. While we are still formulating a plan, we are constantly praying for those who don't have the basics to live. A few things I'm thankful for today: (not in any specific order)
- a loving God
- my family of 5
- a warm bed
- health
- food
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Slump

This morning in my quiet time I came across Psalms 40:1-3. 'I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and the mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.' I have been in a slump the past 2 weeks and haven't had any motivation to do more than just the normal, have-to-get-by things. But, this morning I woke up with the song 'How Great Thou Art' rolling through my head. I have been praying that I would have a new fervor for the everyday things and I can't wait to see what's in store for today!!!