Alexander

I am hurting today for our friends at the Flames House.  Their little boy Alexander slipped into a coma last night (because of an inoperable brain tumor) and they are praying for God to take him home.  Dear little boy..you are so loved.  Soon you will be in Jesus' arms and dancing with angels.  But oh the pain of saying good-bye..we both long for you to be free of your pain and long for you to be here too.

It's hard to think of anything else this morning. 

I loved to watch him play with his Thomas train set and sit with his parents at the table.  Little blue doggy in hand, soother in his mouth.  The coolest tattos on his arms and legs. And so in love with his mommy and daddy.  I can still see him in the kitchen with his arms around your necks, and sitting at the table, so bravely eating his cereal on his own, and asking for ice cream.  We only knew him for a week but he has made a deep impression on our hearts. 

sigh - sometimes it feels like there is too much pain. God, shine some light down here please...

Rachel is doing well.  I walked all three kids to Ethan's playschool this morning,  with morphine and Hospital number in my bag - just in case.  I have been feeling nervous about something happening while I am alone with the kids.  So, my mom is flying out tonight.  Thank-you mom.  Dad is also coming out next week and then they will drive back together. 

Yesterday we were so blessed by a friend from church - she came over to help us with getting Ethan to playschool (turned out we didn't need her help in the end) But then she went grocery shopping for us and brought us supper.  Thank-you so much.  It is good to be home.  I was quite nervous packing up yesterday.  And I still haven't unpacked the kids stuff or my clothes - maybe I'm still half wondering if I need to.  But at the same time I am really glad to be home.  The kids are so much happier!! It is wonderful seeing them play contentedly again, so obviously glad to be here.

We weighed Rachel a few days ago after a bath. She is now 6 pounds 11 ounces, the same weight as Abigail when she was born.  She has been drinking such tiny amounts lately - I was surprised that she had grown at all.  Way to go, precious! We are cheering you on.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.  Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up." Hebrews 12:1-3