Ok, so color me stupid! I guess I get to now share in a little bit of the pain my wife is going through (only a minute amount though I realize). Have you ever had one of those times where you are walking and you catch your foot on something, only to realize that you just ripped your little toe off (end of the bed, dresser, etc.)? Right now I can hear all of you cringing as you know what I am talking about. Well, I didn't do that. I went even one further and managed to, at full tilt and stride, ram my foot straight into the support of one of our beds, an old bunk bed with the big, square braces. Oh yes, straight on. The big toe and little toe missed completely, the other three weren't so lucky. In my own clumsy way, I managed to break the middle toe on my right foot! It is a nice shade of purple and black through most of the toe, and most of the time feels like it needs to be yanked as if out of joint, but it is not! TRUST ME ON THIS! I did try to "re-set" it thinking I might have dislocated it. Oh no, it's broken. How does this compare to the pain my wife is going through? It really doesn't in the grand scheme of things, and I realize that, but I guess it is about as close as I want to get to all of it!
As Jackson would say, "Daddy, you're so goofy!" I guess he's right.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Starting to understand reliance on God
Not that we haven't before, but with everything that has happened over the past couple of months, it is amazing to us, as well as rather convicting, just how easy it is to "rely on God" when things are easy. That is to say, we really don't. It is so easy to think that we have placed everything in His hands when everything is going smoothly, but throw a couple of wrinkles into the mix, and you get to see what you really have.
This has probably convicted me more than most things lately. Even when things aren't going well, I like to think that I have some sort of control in the matter, but now that I have a wife on bedrest, two little boys that need attention and stability, a job that is ending, and no real solid replacement at this time, I find myself "on my knees" so much more. Sometimes literally, but even figuratively. For those of you that don't know, I have a pretty decent commute to work (35 miles one way through the heart of traffice) so I get quite a bit of car time. God has really shown me lately that, rather than get upset with all the other non-qualified drivers in the state of Minnesota, I can just let traffic be what it may, and spend that energy in time talking to Him. He has shown me so much when I take the time to look and listen!
Anyway, just to update our current situation, Jody is really starting to feel cruddy. She even expressed this weekend that she thinks things are going to happen sooner than even we expected, but we are relying on God. The boys are starting to feel the stress of the situation, even though we are trying to keep their lives as normal as possible, which is difficult to do when you have two, and somtimes three, different people in your house each day. The job situation is starting to wear on both of us, but we know that God will provide in His time.
Sorry for the rambling, but I just felt I needed to get this out. We thank you for your prayers, and ask that you continue to pray that Jody doesn't feel undue stress from things, that the contractions will not continue to get worse, and that the boys will not be overwhelmed with the whole process of things.
Thanks again,
Brian
This has probably convicted me more than most things lately. Even when things aren't going well, I like to think that I have some sort of control in the matter, but now that I have a wife on bedrest, two little boys that need attention and stability, a job that is ending, and no real solid replacement at this time, I find myself "on my knees" so much more. Sometimes literally, but even figuratively. For those of you that don't know, I have a pretty decent commute to work (35 miles one way through the heart of traffice) so I get quite a bit of car time. God has really shown me lately that, rather than get upset with all the other non-qualified drivers in the state of Minnesota, I can just let traffic be what it may, and spend that energy in time talking to Him. He has shown me so much when I take the time to look and listen!
Anyway, just to update our current situation, Jody is really starting to feel cruddy. She even expressed this weekend that she thinks things are going to happen sooner than even we expected, but we are relying on God. The boys are starting to feel the stress of the situation, even though we are trying to keep their lives as normal as possible, which is difficult to do when you have two, and somtimes three, different people in your house each day. The job situation is starting to wear on both of us, but we know that God will provide in His time.
Sorry for the rambling, but I just felt I needed to get this out. We thank you for your prayers, and ask that you continue to pray that Jody doesn't feel undue stress from things, that the contractions will not continue to get worse, and that the boys will not be overwhelmed with the whole process of things.
Thanks again,
Brian
Monday, February 18, 2008
Latest word
Well, Jody went to her bi-weekly appointment last Friday, and we never heard back, which means nothing has changed yet. That is a good thing. Even more exciting for Jody was that her doctor told her that he was going to take her off bed rest around April 7, and then she is free to, and I quote, "run, jump, skip, walk the malls, shop to your hearts content" etc. in order to make this baby come. The only thing is that we figure by April 7 she will be off bed rest because the baby will have been born. Either way, we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Please continue to pray for her though, as her contractions are starting to hurt much more, and she made the comment to me over the weekend that her contractions are starting to feel more like labor pain contractions and less like "just some tightening", which is not necessarily a good sign. We really need to get at least another 3 weeks, and preferably at least another 4 weeks, so we really covet your prayers. Obviously it is all in God's hands, but as human beings, not having the "timeline" in hand really makes it a challenge.
Also pray for my family as everything is just taking its toll on Jody and the boys. Between the bedrest, the constant crudiness (not even sure if that is a word, but Jefferson just doesn't seem to be able to shake it) and all the uncertainty surrounding my job situation is putting a lot of stress on the three of them. Just pray that God will give them extra strength at this time.
As for the job situation, it is interesting, because right now I am averaging one call about a job opportunity here in the Twin Cities for every five to seven calls about job opportunities elsewhere in the U.S. We are anxious and excited to see what God is going to do in our family this year!
We also want to say thank you again to all our friends and ladies of the church that are taking time out of their schedules to take care of things for us: cleaning our house, watching the boys, helping Jody. I really don't know what we would have done without all of you.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Brian
Please continue to pray for her though, as her contractions are starting to hurt much more, and she made the comment to me over the weekend that her contractions are starting to feel more like labor pain contractions and less like "just some tightening", which is not necessarily a good sign. We really need to get at least another 3 weeks, and preferably at least another 4 weeks, so we really covet your prayers. Obviously it is all in God's hands, but as human beings, not having the "timeline" in hand really makes it a challenge.
Also pray for my family as everything is just taking its toll on Jody and the boys. Between the bedrest, the constant crudiness (not even sure if that is a word, but Jefferson just doesn't seem to be able to shake it) and all the uncertainty surrounding my job situation is putting a lot of stress on the three of them. Just pray that God will give them extra strength at this time.
As for the job situation, it is interesting, because right now I am averaging one call about a job opportunity here in the Twin Cities for every five to seven calls about job opportunities elsewhere in the U.S. We are anxious and excited to see what God is going to do in our family this year!
We also want to say thank you again to all our friends and ladies of the church that are taking time out of their schedules to take care of things for us: cleaning our house, watching the boys, helping Jody. I really don't know what we would have done without all of you.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Brian
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Day by day
Well, we have entered into week 28 and so far - no baby! I know that probably sounds crazy, but we are actually very estatic. That means our baby girl is still growing and protected. We do ask that you continue to pray for us, as we have a lot to deal with right now.
First and foremost of course, is Jody and the baby. She has been on bedrest for 3+ weeks now, and I know she is getting sick of the whole thing. The contractions have started to hurt a little more, but still everything looks good, the baby is VERY active, and mom is doing well too, all things considered.
Also, pray for the boys. This has been very hard on them. We are so blessed to have so many family and friends that volunteer their time to come into our home Monday through Friday, cleaning, taking care of the boys, cleaning, helping Jody around the house, cleaning, making meal, oh, and did I mention cleaning? (ok, it is very selfish of me, I admit, but it is nice to know I don't have to come home and try to keep up with all of that too!). It is so hard on the boys though, having two different people (on most days) each day in the house, but they are doing very well. I feel bad for them, and will be glad when all of this is over and "normalcy" can take over again.
We also need your prayer as my job situation is really causing a strain on Jody. For those of you who don't know, I started at this company last June and thought I had found "work Utopia". I am working with wonderful people, my department is probably the best I have ever had, and I really enjoy going to work. In November, a merger between us and our biggest competitor was announced. Last Wednesday it was finally announced that the office would be moving to South Dakota, which means the majority of us here probably will not survive the merger shift. I have been looking since November, but not very seriously. I have had interviews and some potential, but now it could start to get more serious. Well, last week Tuesday and Wednesday I took a whirlwind trip to Boston. A company just outside of Boston flew me out to interview with them. This could be a potential new job, but it is hard because we would be moving away from friends and family to a place neither of us really have been (outside of my 20 hour trip) and a place where we do not know anyone (this is where Hebrews 11:8 gives us a little comfort). Top that off with a very pregnant wife, a son who is supposed to be starting school this fall, and several other things, and now Jody kind feels like the weight of the world is on her shoulders. Please pray that God works everything out in HIS time, but also that Jody will feel HIS peace and comfort on her. There are some job opportunities here too, so we are just looking and praying for HIS guidance.
Again, please pray for my wife and boys as they are really being stressed and taxed through all of this. Thank you
Brian
First and foremost of course, is Jody and the baby. She has been on bedrest for 3+ weeks now, and I know she is getting sick of the whole thing. The contractions have started to hurt a little more, but still everything looks good, the baby is VERY active, and mom is doing well too, all things considered.
Also, pray for the boys. This has been very hard on them. We are so blessed to have so many family and friends that volunteer their time to come into our home Monday through Friday, cleaning, taking care of the boys, cleaning, helping Jody around the house, cleaning, making meal, oh, and did I mention cleaning? (ok, it is very selfish of me, I admit, but it is nice to know I don't have to come home and try to keep up with all of that too!). It is so hard on the boys though, having two different people (on most days) each day in the house, but they are doing very well. I feel bad for them, and will be glad when all of this is over and "normalcy" can take over again.
We also need your prayer as my job situation is really causing a strain on Jody. For those of you who don't know, I started at this company last June and thought I had found "work Utopia". I am working with wonderful people, my department is probably the best I have ever had, and I really enjoy going to work. In November, a merger between us and our biggest competitor was announced. Last Wednesday it was finally announced that the office would be moving to South Dakota, which means the majority of us here probably will not survive the merger shift. I have been looking since November, but not very seriously. I have had interviews and some potential, but now it could start to get more serious. Well, last week Tuesday and Wednesday I took a whirlwind trip to Boston. A company just outside of Boston flew me out to interview with them. This could be a potential new job, but it is hard because we would be moving away from friends and family to a place neither of us really have been (outside of my 20 hour trip) and a place where we do not know anyone (this is where Hebrews 11:8 gives us a little comfort). Top that off with a very pregnant wife, a son who is supposed to be starting school this fall, and several other things, and now Jody kind feels like the weight of the world is on her shoulders. Please pray that God works everything out in HIS time, but also that Jody will feel HIS peace and comfort on her. There are some job opportunities here too, so we are just looking and praying for HIS guidance.
Again, please pray for my wife and boys as they are really being stressed and taxed through all of this. Thank you
Brian
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