Gift of Life

On this day (Sunday, December 30th) 5 years ago we sat in a Children's waiting room while our 13 month old baby boy got a new liver.  (Click here for a play-by-play look back at that day.)

Because of our own experiences, I am always touched by similar stories.  The most recent was one I saw on the news just before Christmas, the story of a little girl living at 'our' Children's for over 4 months waiting on a heart transplant.

My emotional connection to that particular story probably had a lot to do with it being Christmas, since Alan's own life-saving transplant came less than a week after Christmas Day.

Her story stayed with me enough that she came to mind during a middle of the night feeding.  As I nursed Daniel, I began to pray for the little girl.  I prayed she would receive her new heart soon.  As it often happens in these situations, I realized all over again what that would mean.

For her to get a new heart means someone will have to die.  Someone that is living right now, laughing, and loving.  I have come to believe that to pray for these situations is not to pray for someone to die, because that is,sadly, going to happen anyway.  We are praying for that poor family to say 'yes' to donation.

That still doesn't make the thought any easier that someone has to die for another to live.

Then I think about myself, and my own once-terminal condition.  All of us, at some point, are dying.  Except unlike the girl in the news story, who has done nothing wrong to cause her body to fail,
our spiritual death is the result of our own wrongs.  Our hearts are broken, diseased, and filled with selfishness and sin, and the only way for them to find new life is death.

The death that paid for my own condition began as a tiny new life in a manger many years ago.

The Lord of all Creation was born as a baby that grew into a boy, and a man.  He lived and laughed and loved, too.  And then he died.  For me.  For my diseased heart.  And for you and yours.  But praise God, Jesus conquered death and lived again. He lives today, waiting for each of us to come to him.

In this season of gifts and giving, let's not forget the One gift, the only gift, that really matters.  Our Children's hospital's motto is "The One for children".  Just so, Jesus is The One for you.  I know from experience that when the gift of physical life is offered we humbly and gratefully fall to our knees and accept it.  It is our only hope.  The gift of life that Jesus offers is our only spiritual hope.  Without it, without Him, without humble acceptance of our broken, sinful condition and his perfect gift, there is no life and healing.

We are spending this day thankful for Alan's life and the willingness of his donor family to say 'yes'.  

We praise God for the help and healing he has given us these past 6 years.  We pray for our precious donor family, and we pray for you, to know the Gift of Life that God has given, his own Son, for each of us.

Modern wonders

Alan loves the Little House story books, and recently we started the Little House in the Big Woods chapter book for a read aloud.  The week before Christmas we read the chapter about Laura's Christmas and checked out the corresponding storybook from the library.

One of the activities the Ingalls girls did was make molasses sugar candy.  

When it snowed here on Christmas Day one of the first things the boys wanted to do was make molasses sugar candy.  

The last day before the snow began to really melt we brought in a couple of panfuls, boiled some brown sugar and molasses and began drizzling.

 As a hands-on project, I guess this was a success.  The boys had fun doing something they had read about.

As far as something edible, it was a waste of brown sugar and molasses!  So far I'm 0 for 2 on Little House projects come-to-life.  (I'll save myself the embarrassment of telling you what happened when we tried to make butter a couple of weeks ago!)

While I usually prefer wholesome, vintage, all-natural, simpler-the-better type stuff, I have to admit this next project was a big success with all of us.

The boys received a rice crispie treat kit for Christmas.

 Daddy mixed the gooey stuff and filled the molds, and then boys (and I!) each decorated one car.

The best news: the molds are reusable, so we can make a rice crispy treat train next Christmas, too!

Did you really even have to ask?

Daddy and the big boys have had a couple of big days out this week, going and doing.  One thing they planned was a night of fireworks.

This afternoon the guys all headed out for some other fun with plans for fireworks after dark.  Tyler was pretty upset at being left behind, and the guys tried to help by telling him they were going on out to get a show ready and he could come watch it later.

Tyler accepted that bargain and settled in a little reluctantly at home with Mama and the babies.

A few hours later we bundled up and ventured out in the cold night and leftover snow to see the show, picking up Mimi along the way.

Mom and I enjoyed our visit on the drive out, but really couldn't believe we were out of our warm cozy homes and into dark and cold.

I finally asked "For whose benefit are we doing this, anyway?"

The answer to that, of course, was "Tyler's".  

As we turned into the driveway for the show, I teasingly called to the back of the van, "Tyler, you better enjoy this!  Are you ready for the show?"

.....

From the darkness all we could hear was....

.....silence.

"Tyler?  Are you awake?"

"No," came the tiny reply from the back.

Parked by now, we turned on the light and turned to see our little buddy:

I asked again, "Tyler? Are you awake?"

Without moving a muscle, or opening his eyes, my little boy, 95% O.U.T. responds:

"I said, 'no'."

Snow Day!

Tyler and I enjoyed a walk together today in our rare Christmas snow.

 We had so much fun, just the two of us!

 Walking together, I learned snow is good for one thing to Tyler...

 ...eating!

 We would walk a few steps...

 ...stop...

 ...reach way in..

 ....and eat!

 We repeated this process over and over again.  He'd say, "I want to go somewhere else."

 Or, "I want some different snow." 

 And we'd tromp a few more feet to sample a new patch of white stuff.

 Fun -even if a bit chilly- times with my sweet Tyler!

Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 19:13-14

Being still

Today was one of those Sundays that we thought we were doing great on time and then realized as we headed out the door to church - we were late.

As I ushered everyone out the door to the van, I went back in for one more thing and realized not one child out there buckling up had their hair combed.  Apparently being rushed and late wasn't bothering me too badly, because as I reached into the bathroom cabinet I heard this little ditty in my head:
"Oh the hair outside is frightful,
but the clothes are so delightful.
And since we won't be at home,
Grab a comb, grab a comb, grab a comb!"

Why yes, I was quite amused with myself.

Turns out we were just a few minutes late - no big deal.

During Sunday School I sat in a quiet room nursing Daniel and thinking.  (Ok, I'm not gonna lie - I also put a second coat of polish on my nails.)  First I thought about how fast the first 10 weeks of Daniel's life have flown by.  Then I thought about the week of Christmas festivities ahead and wished they would pass slowly.

It seems like when you are busy with a list of things to do time rushes past, but when you are waiting on something things go slowly.

So I wondered, even with all of the Christmas preparations left to do, how could I reverse that and savor these days instead of rushing through them?

And then it hit me:

"Be still, and know that I am God" -Psalm 46:10

and 

"Wait on the LORD" - Psalm 27:14

With those verses in mind, my goal over the next few days is to be able to stop in the midst of the busyness and enjoy God's presence and his presents.  The gifts of his son, his word, my kids, family, and even this season itself, to celebrate.  I want to savor and enjoy this week, not just look back on it later and wonder where it went as I stayed busy preparing for it!

Merry Christmas to you!  Slow down and enjoy it! :)

My Favorite Christmas Cookies

Ok, so I'm not sure I have one favorite.  But these are up there.  Way, way, up there!

Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

1/2 c butter

1/2 c shortening

1 c. sugar

1 c brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

zest of 1 orange

2 Tb orange juice

1 1/2 c flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

3 c oats

1 c dried cranberries

In a large bowl mix shortening, butter, and sugars.  Add in eggs, vanilla, zest and orange juice.  Mix together flour, baking soda, salt and spices and add to other ingredients; mix well.  Stir in oatmeal and cranberries.

Drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 until lightly browned, 10-12 minutes.

This recipe makes around 5 dozen small-medium sized cookies.