As most of you know, when Isaiah was whisked away from us right after he was born, he was rushed to the greatest children’s hospital EVER, Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville. The following morning, Paul and I were able to see him for the first time since the quick glimpse we had gotten immediately following his birth and the prayer time we had with him in his incubator through glass and tubes right before he was taken to Wolfson.
Upon arrival at Wolfson on Sunday, we were greeted by the best staff in the NICU business and gifts that had somehow already been delivered. The first round of gifts we received were from the PGA TOUR’s Boo and Karyn Weekley, Christ’s Starfish Foundation and the owners of a local Hallmark Store, Mary Ann and Martin (if ANYONE knows their last name or how to reach them, PLEASE contact me so that I can thank them properly!). In the gift package from Hallmark was this awesome book, “100 Bible Verses to Bless Your Baby Boy“. We have read to Isaiah from this book every day.
The first day we got the book, we turned to #11 (of course) and read him what you see above. Yesterday I read it to him again. It’s a reminder to Isaiah and to me and Paul that there is no reason to be afraid. God is watching over us at ALL TIMES. The message is so simple, so perfect. When you have those moments in life when you feel overwhelmed (maybe you’re leaving your newborn son and your wife to go back on the road and will be away from them for a week? Perhaps you just had a baby and you’re super tired? <—— Yeah, that’s us! Maybe you’ve just been diagnosed with cancer (Apryle, we love you). Perhaps you’re stuck in the travel madness that is happening with this crazy southern snow/ice/sleet weather (Sara, Laura, Jason, Ashley and about a hundred thousand more of you!). Perhaps you’re having trouble with insurance (Colleen). Maybe you just want to go see your grandson (Mom)! Whatever it is that you’re dealing with, it’s not about comparing with others. If it’s hard for you, it’s hard. It’s that simple. That’s your reality. So here’s the message from above: Rest assured that God has placed within you the ability to handle ANY situation that might come your way. When you pray, He will give you guidance so that you might be sensitive to His leading and gain His wisdom.” This message isn’t just for me, Paul or sweet baby Isaiah. We all deal with “life” in our everyday lives. Everyone. Believers and non-believers. Old and young. All of us. Just being a Christian doesn’t alleviate us of challenges. But knowing that God is in our corner, that he will never leave nor forsake us, that we need not be afraid… it’s how Paul and I have been able to get through the last 3 weeks and how we will embrace the next dozens of years! We can’t wait!
We just wanted to share this with you today. Oh, and to encourage you to tune in to the Golf Channel tomorrow and Friday, then to CBS on Saturday and Sunday afternoon (before the Super Bowl!) and cheer on Team Simpson and all our other friends out there playing in the Waste Management Phoenix Open this week!
God bless you all! Happy Wednesday!
Upon arrival at Wolfson on Sunday, we were greeted by the best staff in the NICU business and gifts that had somehow already been delivered. The first round of gifts we received were from the PGA TOUR’s Boo and Karyn Weekley, Christ’s Starfish Foundation and the owners of a local Hallmark Store, Mary Ann and Martin (if ANYONE knows their last name or how to reach them, PLEASE contact me so that I can thank them properly!). In the gift package from Hallmark was this awesome book, “100 Bible Verses to Bless Your Baby Boy“. We have read to Isaiah from this book every day.
The first day we got the book, we turned to #11 (of course) and read him what you see above. Yesterday I read it to him again. It’s a reminder to Isaiah and to me and Paul that there is no reason to be afraid. God is watching over us at ALL TIMES. The message is so simple, so perfect. When you have those moments in life when you feel overwhelmed (maybe you’re leaving your newborn son and your wife to go back on the road and will be away from them for a week? Perhaps you just had a baby and you’re super tired? <—— Yeah, that’s us! Maybe you’ve just been diagnosed with cancer (Apryle, we love you). Perhaps you’re stuck in the travel madness that is happening with this crazy southern snow/ice/sleet weather (Sara, Laura, Jason, Ashley and about a hundred thousand more of you!). Perhaps you’re having trouble with insurance (Colleen). Maybe you just want to go see your grandson (Mom)! Whatever it is that you’re dealing with, it’s not about comparing with others. If it’s hard for you, it’s hard. It’s that simple. That’s your reality. So here’s the message from above: Rest assured that God has placed within you the ability to handle ANY situation that might come your way. When you pray, He will give you guidance so that you might be sensitive to His leading and gain His wisdom.” This message isn’t just for me, Paul or sweet baby Isaiah. We all deal with “life” in our everyday lives. Everyone. Believers and non-believers. Old and young. All of us. Just being a Christian doesn’t alleviate us of challenges. But knowing that God is in our corner, that he will never leave nor forsake us, that we need not be afraid… it’s how Paul and I have been able to get through the last 3 weeks and how we will embrace the next dozens of years! We can’t wait!
We just wanted to share this with you today. Oh, and to encourage you to tune in to the Golf Channel tomorrow and Friday, then to CBS on Saturday and Sunday afternoon (before the Super Bowl!) and cheer on Team Simpson and all our other friends out there playing in the Waste Management Phoenix Open this week!
God bless you all! Happy Wednesday!