Life Update

Thank you so much to all who have been praying for Life Larsen. She has made AMAZING progress, that none of the doctors can explain beyond God's hand. A litte snippet from Matt and Lauren's blog...

"Life is off the ventilator. We can see her little mouth again. Everything went great. Her oxygen saturation is better than ever. She is breathing all on her own. She is showing no signs of Pulmonary Hypertension at this point. Her head sono just came in ... the bleeding is unchanged and the ventricule dilation is resolving.

Good News,
Great Joy,
To All [of us] People!

God has come to rescue and restore! He has worked mightily. He has broken into the pain of our world, carried our burdens for us, restored us, and transformed our sadness to joy, our despair to happiness.

I got to hold Life first, since Lauren got to hold her already. I got so nervous. I kept asking "How do I do this?"

We sat in the rocking chair and had a staring contest for about 15 minutes. We eventually had to call a truce because I wanted to see my wife hold her.

I just kept thinking to myself, "My God, we have come ... You have brought us ... so far!" I am no longer holding the weight of the world on my shoulders, but rather a beautiful 6 pound baby girl in my arms. I used to feel stressed, now I feel like a father."

Pray for Life

If you are reading my blog today, please take the opportunity to visit the following link:
http://www.aroyalallegiance.blogspot.com/

Through our Bible study group from DBC, we have been praying for Matt and Lauren Larsen. Lauren had some complications during her pregnancy that resulted in periods of bedrest and such. Baby Life was born premature, but appeared healthy. Shortly afterwards, however, things quickly turned serious.

While Life has made progress, it seems to be 2 steps forward, 1 step back. Her current condition has the potential to cause severe brain damage. Pleae pray for her quick and complete recovery, as well as peace and comfort for Matt and Lauren.

I know that our God is the Great Physician, and can heal even the deepest wounds.

More Than You'll Ever Know...

I can't stop thinking about how blessed I am to have such a wonderful, PRAYERFUL family, and friends who are family to me! This is one of my favorite songs by Watermark, and it pretty much says it all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Something brought you to my mind today
I thought about the funny ways you make me laugh
And yet I feel like it's okay to cry with you
Something about just being with you
When I leave I feel like I've been near God
And that's the way it ought to be...

'Cause you've been more than a friend to me
You fight off my enemies
'Cause you've spoken the Truth over my life
And you'll never know what it means to me
Just to know you've been on your knees for me
Oh, you have blessed my life
More than you'll ever know,
More than you'll ever know

You had faith, when I had none
You prayed God would bring me a brand new song
When I didn't think I could find the strength to sing
And all the while I'm hoping that I'll
Do the kind of praying for you that you've done for me
And that's the way it ought to be...

You have carried me
You have taken upon a bruden that wasn't your own
And may the blessing return to you
A hundredfold,
A hundredfold

Kids do the Darndest Things!

Ben and I were told about this article by a friend and had to see it for ourselves. Although amusing, we found it to be completely frightening.

Considering I live in Denton, I know exactly where this place is, and drive by the Imagination Station several times a week. Here's how I find it to be all kinds of wrong:
a. the kid ended up at Hooters (where he was eventually picked up by authorities)
b. he crossed a major road that is a main entrance to highway 35
c. he potentially encountered many a less than "friendly" stranger
d. his day care did not pay enough attention to the fact that he was obviously NOT in the bathroom, and had left the center for quite some time, nor did any one except for the "hooters staff" notice him on his hike!

Unbelievable! Check it out for yourself!


Five-Year-Old Boy Leaves Daycare; Goes To Hooters
posted 4:20 pm Fri July 25, 2008 - Denton, TX

The five-year-old boy walked out of the Imagination Station day care near 35E Northbound, crossed Dallas Drive and went to the Race Track gas station to buy a soft drink and snacks. He then ended up in the Hooters parking lot a half a mile away.

"I was pretty impressed that he made it that way without getting hurt," says Hooters General Manager Brian Mason. Mason and his workers spotted the child before 5 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. "He let us know that he looked both ways before crossing the road," Mason says. "He stopped in the middle and looked both ways."

Mason says the boy was not afraid, but called police anyway. "We kept him in the back, coloring, and kept him preoccupied until the police showed up." The day care's owner Debra Pugh did not want to be interviewed on camera, but says the boy asked to go to the bathroom about ten minutes before five. When his father arrived minutes later to pick him up, workers realized the child was missing. They believe he got out through a fire exit that by law has to stay unlocked. Investigators are looking into the incident.

"We are looking into the timeline," says Officer Jim Bryan. "But I think the greater concern is the distance that this child went in the time frame that he was at the day care." Imagination Station is a plan one center, which means inspections are conducted every three to five months. Regardless of what plan they are on or how often they are to be inspected, parents we spoke with stand by their day care. "She's a caring woman and I like her. She really takes her children like her own children. She really cares for them."

HILARIOUS!

Ok, so I couldn't resist sharing this with the world. It is just too funny for words. I've watched it a million times, and every time it just gets more hilarious to me. Enjoy...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=gUpfqO7jIwc

Sunday Mornings...

Ben and I have been teaching in the 11 o'clock Young Toddlers class for four years now! It is crazy how the time has flown by, and I was reflecting today on just how blessed we have been to serve in this ministry. We have the privilege of getting to know so many Godly parents and children. It is neat to see how Christ is woven into their lives from such an early age.

One of the coolest things we get to experience, are the relationships we develop with some of the families as their 1st born, then siblings, come through the room. I cherish the time I get to spend with such Godly counsel.

Ben and I have started babysitting for a few of the families. Last Friday we got to sit for 5 yr. old Jake and 2 yr. old Jed Simpson. We played with Jake's new bike, ate popsicles, and watched Garfield & Friends!

On Friday we are going to spend 3 whole days with the cutest kids in town, Lauren and Luke Rumley. We can't wait to take them to the water park, playground, and some other special treats while their mom and dad are out of town.

I learned today that another one of our toddler families lost their 3rd baby to miscarriage suddenly this week. The sweet mommy sent me a text this afternoon just letting me know she appreciated the love I was able to share with her toddler at Sunday School. Just hugging her little one helped her to know how much we're hurting for them.

I'm so thankful to the LORD that he has entrusted us with these precious ones. They are a sweet spot in my week, and I pray that each of them comes to the knowledge of our Savior quickly. He is our only hope in a fallen world.

A New Song

I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt
And though sometimes my prayers feel like
They're bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won't let me go
And is the reason why...


I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved


Bitterness has plagued my heart
Many times before
My life has been like broken glass
And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams
and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It's grace I'm standing on

And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I've worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved

- Natalie Grant "Will Not Be Moved"