The Leary Landing

The waiting game

2010-07-01T09:38:00.005-04:00

Most of the preparations are complete. The beginning of summer brought the joys and pressures of anticipating the arrival of the new member of our family. The nursery is ready. The furniture is in place. We have also done our best to prepare Braydon for what it means to be a big brother. The family also enjoyed a day at the beach in June. Braydon also loves to play lots of baseball in our front yard. This month we hope to post some more updates on the blog as it gets closer to the new little one's arrival.

Below, Braydon enjoyed a day at the beach and building a sand castle this month.

He also loves a few innings of Baseball in the front yard.

The little sister

2010-02-25T11:46:00.001-05:00

We found out this morning that our new little one on the way is a girl. She is already stealing our hearts. All of the early indications and tests show that everything is fine. Braydon is pretty excited that his little sister is on her way. Although he doesn't understand how his world will change. Let pink painting begin!

Quite a Winter

2010-02-15T16:48:00.005-05:00

We have had a wild winter here in South Jersey. Braydon has definitely enjoyed this season. Several winter storms have made for lots of family time watching the snow come down. We are a month away from Braydon turning 3. Very hard to believe. With that comes the news that Braydon is going to be a big brother come July. We are trusting God for this new little one's future. Because there are possibilities that they may carry some of the health concerns Braydon has had in his life. But time will tell. Thanks for your prayers. Below are some pictures of him enjoying the winter storms of Feb 2010.

Braydon getting ready for some time in the snow with Grandmom.

Braydon could not believe how much snow was outside.

Disney 2009

2009-10-31T20:44:00.006-04:00

Disney Vacation with Mommy and Daddy

Braydon was able to enjoy a once in a lifetime trip to Disney this month. He stayed with his family in the Contemporary Disney Resort and made trips to several parks including Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. He also spent an entire day at Animal Kingdom.

Although the highlight is pictured above. Braydon loved the interactive water fountains at the Contemporary Resort's Pool.

Enjoying the fountains.

He spent some time discussing his great trip with Pooh his new friend.

Got to meet Donald and Mickey at the Character Breakfast

This was a great Carousel Ride.

And the Castle looked Beautiful in the evening.

Braydon's Big boy bed.

2009-07-17T10:01:00.002-04:00

This past week Braydon's bed was converted into a day bed. He now realized that he is a big boy and can get in and out of it himself. He was quite a trip the other night when we changed it over. You can see how proud he is in this picture. Shelly and I cannot believe how grown up he is getting.

GI Doctor

2009-07-13T13:59:00.002-04:00

Braydon had to visit his GI doctor Dr. Mascherenas today. She was happy with his progress and now has him on his Axid Medication once a day. She still wants him to have a high calorie diet which we continually try with him. However Braydon does not always want to cooperate with us on that. She believes he still may have a stomach emptying issue but the jury is still out on that. We will see her again in four months.

July at the Beach

2009-07-03T14:48:00.008-04:00

Today Braydon enjoyed a day at the beach with Shelly and I. Grandmom and Grandpa came also. As well at Christine and her 1yr old daughter Kylie who Braydon loved having there.

Braydon and Kylie in his wagon. Their first ride together.

Here is the little guy taking the whole beach scene in.

Here are Braydon and Kylie together.

Braydon and Shelly taking a stroll near the water. He loved jumping the waves.

June is Here

2009-06-01T14:31:00.003-04:00

June is here and Braydon visited Ocean City with Mom and Dad. It was a lot of fun when we went down yesterday. He went on all the rides he was able to at Gillians. His favorite was the Carousel and the little race cars. It was his first time being there and he was really able to understand the wonder of being on the coast with the ocean and the boardwalk present.

Enjoyed the Carousel with Daddy and Mommy

He was so confident on the carousel he held on with one hand.

Here he is showing Mommy the big waves and the guys on surf boards. The water was a little too cold to go in.

2009-05-07T15:26:00.007-04:00

This past weekend we visited family in West Virginia. I think it rained most of the time we were there. No complaints. Here are some highlights of our time with Uncle "Burp" (Greg) and Aunt Kathy.

Braydon ready for the long road trip!

Visiting the cabin in Kumbrabow State Forest.

Watching his 10 yr old second cousin Sidney play softball.

Here is his cousin Sidney in her uniform.

This is Braydon's first attempt at Turkey Calling.

Easter

2009-04-16T15:57:00.002-04:00

We enjoyed a great Easter weekend. Here is a picture of Braydon's Easter Egg hunt at our old church. Always busy but we never forget why we celebrate it.

Two Year Doctor's Visit and Gi

2009-04-07T15:52:00.002-04:00

Braydon had back to back doctors visits this week. Culminating with his two year pediatrician visit. Dr. Bruner his pediatrician is amazed at how much Braydon knows and does. He put together a 5 word sentence for him and Dr. Bruner was impressed and asked, "He says stuff like that all the time?" And Shelly proudly said yes he does! His GI doctor also was happy with he eating and weight. Braydon is shooting straight up the growth chart. All in all is he is in good shape for being a two year old with Noonan's Syndrome. We cannot be more happy.

Braydon's 2 Yrs. Old!

2009-03-31T15:30:00.005-04:00

It is hard to believe that our Braydon turned 2 yrs. old today. As we look back on where we have been we can see the Lord's leading in all Braydon's first two years of life We thank Jesus everyday for the blessing that Braydon is to us. We also thank our family who has supported and prayed for us through first two years of his life. Our friends have also been an anchor as well. We are looking forward for what Braydon will do and learn this next year. See the pictures of his "low key"birthday this past weekend.

He also got a new pickup truck this year.

Braydon loved everyone singing the Birthday Song to him.

Sickness

2009-03-17T08:46:00.002-04:00

Well Braydon is coming off a very difficult week to say the least. He came down with a very serious bug last Tuesday night. Then for the next three days the boy guy could not even lift his head. He drank only pedialyte for those three days. Shelly and I grew very concerned. The Flu is not something you can play around with any child. Let alone with Braydon who has a Congential Heart Defect repair. So Friday night we were finally able to put his shoes on and he started to stand up for a few minutes. That was a plus. He has still not had a full day of meals but we are getting there. Yesterday he also got his last round of Synagis shots to prevent against RSV which is a more serious flu like strand. We are really glad that and the flu are behind us. Last night is he was really back to his silly stuff which we had missed.

Braydon and Winston

2009-01-15T16:34:00.003-05:00

Well as our Little Man gets older, he gets more feisty. Needless to say Winston our Shih Tzu, and Braydon are not best of friends. The video below is proof of that.

Christmas

2008-12-28T15:27:00.007-05:00

Well we had an adventurous Christmas this year. Braydon is now 1 1/2 years old and really loved opening his presents. He would clap and yell as he peeled each paper off.

We visited Santa at Grammy's and Grandpop's Community Clubhouse.

He was thinner than most Santa's out there. Braydon was not keen on sitting on his lap.

Here is one of Braydon's favorite presents. Dad loves shooting hoops with him.

2008-12-09T21:39:00.005-05:00

Wow it has been awhile since I posted. I am sorry for all those who check regularly. Braydon is doing quite well and is enjoying the special time of the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. But now is the time of year when I hope he begins to see how important family is and how important this time of year is. We try not to get overwhelmed with everything going on and concentrating on the idea that smaller is better. Check out the picture of our treasure below. This was from Halloween. He loved being a golfer like Tiger Woods! Oh and he weighs 20lbs now! Still a skinny mini.
Please pray for the Shafer family. Their 10 month old special treasure Zach is now with Jesus and is no longer suffering but his family will miss him dearly.

2008-10-30T10:19:00.003-04:00

This week we had three Doctors visits.
Monday we saw Dr. Sanchez from CHOP Cardiology. Braydon had an EKG done and was evaluated. Dr. Sanchez felt Braydon is coming along nicely and doesn't need to be seen for 18 months.
Tuesday Braydon saw his urologist at CHOP. He looks great there and doesn't need to go back until puberty..
Wednesday Braydon made the trip into CHOP Philly to see Dr. Mangino from Hemtology. Two out of his four Blood tests have come back abnormal for PTT and PPT factors.. They can't figure out why because he recovered so nicely from his surgeries. So Dr. Mangino and the attending Dr. Lambert decided to do one more "ouchie." They want to test from Thrombin Time and Fibrinogen. From what I gather they are more additional factors in clotting and is sometime seen in kids with Noonans Syndrome. So they are going to call us in a few weeks and if they are normal, we do not have to go back anymore.
And Braydon says yeah for the Phillies, who are World Series Champs!!

Hematology News

2008-10-07T20:24:00.003-04:00

We got a call from Dr. Mangino from the Hematology department today. He had more test come back abnormal. They do not know why. So he has to go back for more "ouchies" on Tuesday 10/14. Then we have a Cardiology followup with Dr. Sanchez on 10/27 at CHOP Voorhees and hopefully a clear explanation from Hematology on 10/29 at CHOP Philly. Pray these will come back with good updates. We would like to know what is causing the abnormal results from Hematology but they don't seem to know much.

Pumpkin Time

2008-10-04T20:19:00.002-04:00

Braydon enjoyed some time at Duffields today. He went on his first hay ride and pumpkin picking excursion. Judging from the fun he had we will probably make it an annual trip.

No News

2008-09-25T20:53:00.003-04:00

Right now things are going well. We still have not found out any results from his last few tests so it is a waiting game till we find out. When we get some news from CHOP we will let everyone know on the blog. Here is a picture of some "training" on the soccer field. He loves his Daddy's favorite game!

GI

2008-09-16T17:15:00.002-04:00

Braydon had an Upper GI procedure today at CHOP. It was not easy and he was not a fan of it. But the Doctors and Nurse moved quickly and made it as painless as possible. We should get the results of this test and the blood test in a few days.

The Stats

2008-09-08T20:59:00.003-04:00

Well, last week we went to Children's Hospital on Wednesday Sep 3. Braydon had a follow-up with Genetics and Hematology. The Genetics was a good update with some more explanations. Also there was time with Hematology. They took more blood and ran more tests. There was an abnormality with one of his levels. Ask Shelly for specifics but it is related to his clotting factors. Anyway he is going back tomorrow for another round of tests because the test they took last week came back abnormal for second time. I will post the results from tomorrow when I get them.

At the Zoo

2008-08-29T17:00:00.004-04:00

Today Braydon took his second trip to the zoo. He was there last year but we're sure he did not remember it. But he loved feeding the goat and sheep at the petting zoo.

As you can see all the animals wore him out.

Last Days of Vacation

2008-08-07T18:00:00.000-04:00

One more day till Braydon has to come home. So he took this opportunity to go on an hour long Boat Ride. He did not care for the life jacket too much but he loved being on the water.
He is also catching a little bit of a cold being with all the kids this week but he will hang in there.

Sandy Cove Vacation

2008-08-06T22:16:00.007-04:00

So I know that a lot of you are wondering what the little guy is up to. Well this week we are on Vacation at Sandy Cove. I spent many a summer here as a kid. My Grandparents came here and my parents met here. So now the next generation is making their mark. Here are some pictures of Braydon's travels. He is having a blast.

Braydon gets to spend mornings and evenings with kids his age. He also has some great child care workers who take good care of him while Shelly and I are in meetings and services. Tomorrow he will get to play on the moon bounce and sprinklers.

3 more Pounds

2008-07-13T18:45:00.004-04:00

Braydon visited his Nutritionist this week and now weighs a skinny 17lbs 10 oz. He is now almost 16 months. So the title of this post "3 more pounds" is Braydon's prayer. He hopes to be 20 pounds and turned around in his car seat very soon. As you can see he is eating Granny's home made food that is putting the weight on. He is learning his manners but loves feeding Winston a little too much.

At our friend Beth's birthday party and enjoying the pool.

Sitting on the guestroom bed with Winston!

Little Speedster

2008-07-09T19:32:00.001-04:00

Here is more video of the little speedster. He is too hard to keep up with now. We had everyone telling us it would only be a matter of time.

July 4th

2008-07-05T20:45:00.000-04:00

Happy Independence Day Everyone. Braydon has a great time with his cousins. He enjoyed swimming, barbecuing and blowing bubbles.

He was also on the trampoline with his big cousins Chris and Bobby. It will be our little secret...

I am walking!

2008-06-26T07:03:00.004-04:00

Yes that is right, the boy is now walking. He is quite a character. See the video below.

First Phillies Game

2008-06-25T18:48:00.004-04:00

We went to the Phillies game on Saturday night. They lost. But below is some video of Braydon having a fun time. Along with a few pictures.

Enjoying a pregame Cheesesteak of course!

Where is Chase Utley and that win I want to see?? Can anyone hit the Ball?

Since the game wasn't exciting Braydon decided to entertain himself.

Maybe we will see a win next time!

Pop

2008-05-02T19:47:00.002-04:00

My Grandfather passed away this morning around 6:00am. My parents are heading down to West Virginia tomorrow to be with the family. The rest of us will be traveling there on Monday in time for the viewing. It will be a tough week for us all and would appreciate your prayers. He did know the Lord and has joined my Grandmom Bea in heaven today. See ya Pop!

Good Update

2008-04-29T18:08:00.003-04:00

This morning we took Braydon to the cardiologist for a surgical follow-up. He had an extensive echocardiagram done showing his heart looks great. Dr. Sanchez does not need to see him for another 6 months and has reassured us that no more surgeries are needed. As you can see from the picture above Braydon is a becoming a BIG boy and loves to show off his battle scars which are healing nicely. Thanks for the prayers and remember our CHOP friends like the Urbanicks before the Lord as well. Their little guy Dylan still has a long road of recovery ahead of him.

Children's Hospital Visit

2008-04-21T21:53:00.002-04:00

Last week Shelly and I had to take our son Braydon to the Hospital to visit some specialists. While we were there we stopped to visit a dear friend Melissa and her son Dylan who has some serious health concerns. He has been a Cardiac ICU patient for a month now. It was his 6 month birthday that day!! When he takes a few steps forward there always seems to be 3 steps back in his recovery and has been on and off a vent for a few weeks. Please keep the Urbanick family in your prayers. Melissa is a loving Mom and needs lots of support at this time. She knows our church is praying. Keep it up!

Nailed

2008-04-21T21:37:00.007-04:00

Finally some notes from my Sermon that I promised two weeks ago. My fault.
I got a lot of good feedback from people and I thank the Lord for that.

I. Culture in Paul’s time

Acts 17:16: Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was beholding a city full of idols.

A. Who or what are people worship.

Act 17:22-28

1 Corinthians 9: 22; I have become all things to all men that I may by all means save some; This is why Paul was in Athens in the first place.

B. Christians and the church need to be there where the culture is. Paul did that. He was in the city and engaged the culture of that day.

II. Culture would rather be about themselves

Verse 18 – They made fun of Paul at first. Of course they would. He was preaching about Jesus to the JEWS – and the Gentiles. The place was full of idols.

Verse 22- 31 Paul preaches a sermon.

He leads them to GOD the creator v.24

Then is says that He is close to us through Jesus v. 27

Uses their poetry

Then REPENT v.30 (That’s preaching) REPENT of your SIN

God is coming to judge you! Trust in Jesus!

It has stopped being about Jesus

D.A. Carson: “One generation confirmed it, the next generation affirmed it, this generation denies it.”

A. Stirring opposition

In Paul’s day he looked at what his world was about and reached it. What kind of world are we in today? THAT DOES NOT STIR OPPOSITION. Culture would not oppose that.

We need to talk about what Christ has done and see that sin is a condition that we are in and deserve God’s judgment.
II. Culture and the church no longer understand the gospel

H. Richard Neibuhr once said about Protestant Liberalism “ A God without wrath brought men without sin into a kingdom without judgment through a Christ without a cross.”

Christian Smith, University of North Carolina sociologist said American teens working religion, both church and unchurched is a form “moralistic therapeutic deism.” See his site.

Plus Christianity is not a culture

Jim Gilmore, a Christian economist said something really intriguing I heard. He said the church always tries to catch up for what the world is doing. Gilmore said this, “Culture is that set of behavior which remains even after you have 100 % turnover in the people.” He goes on to say that, “The church should be focused on what began in Genesis 3 and the culture of sin, there is nothing new about that, but it manifests itself differently.”

IV. Christ our substitute

A. The meaning – Quite simply Christ suffered as our substitute. The advantage is to us. We could have atoned for our sins if we could have suffered eternally the penalty that sin incurred. But we could have never done that. God stepped in this hopeless situation.

B. The Day of Atonement Leviticus 16

This was the most important day in the Jewish calendar.

The main purpose of this day was to deal with the sin of the people. Between Israel and God. The predominant theme that was used to prepare the people for Jesus was blood. We can clearly see that here in Yom Kippur.

Two healthy goats without defect were chose and brought to the priest. They were to represent sinless perfection.

The priest brought one goat into the Holy of Holies and slaughtered it there. He sprinkled its blood on the mercy seat. This was to show that the goat was no longer INNOCENT but took the guilt of the sin of the people and gave its life as a payment to GOD. Because the people deserved the violent death for their sin. The mercy seat was on the ark of the covenant.

The Blood slaughter of the goat on the Day of Atonement represents Propitiation. It means God’s wrath, mentioned 600 times in the Bible was turned away. Satisfied by the death of an innocent

So we that God’s wrath was satisfied once for away in Jesus. God’s wrath was put upon Him turned aside from us.

Colossians 2:8-23

One of the reasons why Paul wrote Colossians is to protect this church from empty Philosophy. This is what He says in verse 8.

He wants to point his people to Christ. Because He was God while on Earth. Deity, died on the cross. Mark 15:39 the centurion called Him the Son of God.

Paul says that we were completely dead in our trespasses and sin. We were lost, condemned to hell!! God had to do something. There had to be a mediator. There had to be a sacrifice.

It was nailed to the Cross. THIS IS A GREAT image of what happened at the crucifixion. Our debts, our withdraws in the debt ledger of our checkbooks was paid at the cross by Christ.

16-23

Paul lays out the elementary principles of what people followed.

He calls this self made religion and has no value against sin!! It cannot make you sinless, or make you more godly. A godly person is aware of their sin.

An objection

Some say this makes God unjust since He (God) condemned his own Son for the sins of mankind. They call it divine child abuse.

John 10:18 No one has taken it away from Me but I lay it down on My own initiative I have authority to lay it down and I have the authority to take it up again.

I Peter 3:18 For Christ also died once for all, the just for the unjust in order that He might bring us to God having but put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:13-15: For if we are beside ourselves it is for God. If we are a sound mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, having considered this that one died for all therefore all died; and He died for all that they live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

2 Corinthians 5:21: He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

The several verses have the tone of substitution throughout this. Including the passage in Isaiah 53 which also includes several verses of substitutionary themes. Most importantly verse 12; “For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

VI. Application - Repent

Let me give you an example

Silly Rabbit Article

“But we preach Christ Crucified!!” Let me add, “even though to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Gentiles foolishness.” “But we still preach Christ crucified..

Matthew 28:18 All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on Earth.”
2 Timothy 2:25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.

2 Cor 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation.

Happy Birthday

2008-04-03T17:32:00.005-04:00

Braydon turned 1 on Monday, March 31st. I would have posted sooner but our internet had been down for 4 days.
All kidding aside this first year with Braydon has been a trust experience. God has been in control the entire time and we praise Him for that. What a boy He has blessed us with! Can't wait to see what the next year holds. Thank you family and friends for your prayers and support. And what a party it was on Saturday and Nana and Pop Pop's house.

One Week Away

2008-03-28T20:49:00.002-04:00

One week away until Young Adult Sunday. I will be preaching. Pray that I am able to communicate God's word clearly and thoughtfully. I have been working on something for a few weeks now and believe it is what God wants to be shared. Also Aaron, Kevin and Josh along with a Renee, Beverly and Mary will help lead worship. Leading worship and preaching is a lot to do on a Sunday. I will need the Lord's strength.

"Good Friday"

2008-03-22T09:08:00.002-04:00

We just had our Good Friday service last night. I came to the conclusion that I go through that service very angry. I still don't know why. A good bit of my feelings stem from my reading of Isaiah 53 and the words "pierced for our transgressions." He was like a "lamb lead away to slaughter....and say nothing." I have a hard time celebrating Good Friday. So going through that service is difficult. We sung "The Wonderful Cross" last night and but I will never really wrap my mind around that day as He hung there. Can I really say how wonderful it is or really survey it as the song says? I will never know how excruciating the suffering was. They had to invent the word excruciating, which literally means "from the cross." He did it all for me. My sin. My deny God, My failures. My failing to serve God faithfully. My not doing what He commands. My not saying yes to Him. My not giving my heart to Him. My not allowing Him to reign in my heart. On and On and On.
I Corinthians 15:3 says that "Christ died for our sins;" and made atonement for me. Thanks be to Him.

Prayer Request

2008-03-18T20:21:00.001-04:00

Church Family,
Please pray for the Urbanick family. We have gotten to know them through our Children's Hospital experience. Their son Dylan was life-flighted to CHOP tonight. We don't know the details but please lift them up in prayer.

Church Avoidance

2008-03-08T20:54:00.004-05:00

Here is an article analyzing church attendance and avoidance for that case. Again this is a second article about the relevancy of church and how it is not speaking to this generation. I think I also hear from this article that people are considering themselves Christians but are more and more unattached from the faith community.

Barna Article Here

New Survey

2008-03-01T22:03:00.002-05:00

Check out the new forum on Religion.
Are we effective in reaching out to others.?
See the Article Below.

CNN Article

What a Book

2008-02-27T19:30:00.003-05:00

I am reading a new book. I can't help it, ADHD. But a good friend referred me to CS Lewis' The Problem of Pain. Amazing book so far. Its pretty small and should be a short read but man, it is powerful.

Here is something to hit me today: "It (Christianity) is a not system in which we have to fit the awkward fact of pain: it is itself one of the awkward facts which have to be fitted into any system we make. In a sense, it creates, rather than solves, the problem of pain, for pain would be no problem unless, side by side with our daily experience of this painful world, we had received what we think a good assurance that ultimate reality is righteous and loving.

Needless to say, this statement is pretty loaded. What he is talking about is that Christianity was not some philosophical conclusion but a people and a movement that has changed history, from Christ's death and resurrection to now. So because of that we can see the pain the world experiences through the spectrum of Scripture as revealed to us through the Holy Spirit. Pretty relevant today.

Truefaced

2008-02-23T11:38:00.003-05:00

God designed release of influence this way on purpose, because immature people have an incredibly negative impact on those they influence. When we don a mask:

They too must live a two-faced life
They too must present an idealized person
They too must hide what is true about them
New Life in Christ doesn't really work
They will remain stuck in their unresolved life issues
It is better to be unknown than to risk rejection
Self protection is their only hope

As I have been reading Chapter one, I have been increasing convinced of who I am and what my Mask is. There is a huge link between mask wearing and unconfessed sin. The fact of the matter is that mask wearing is almost a refusal to recognize who we are in Christ. We want to place a higher emphasis on other people opinions, thinking they have it all together.

Oh, Sunday night most of us loved the New Testament Gamble. I found the link : The Gamble

What's our True Face?

2008-02-13T21:34:00.004-05:00

We admire people who live the "Truefaced" life, but our loss of hope has forced us into desperately trying to discover safety from behind our masks. In a real sense, we are all performers. Because of sin, we've lost confidence that we will always please our audience, and so we put on a mask. As an unintended result, no one, not even the people we love, ever get to see our true face. -- Truefaced; page 16

Wow, so we all should have started reading the book TrueFaced, "Trusting God and others with who we really are." It has been revealing so far. The first chapter has us dealing with authenticity in our walks with God. How often do we all walk into church with the "happy face." Walking around convincing and saying to ourselves, "I'm fine," "Everything's fine," "The people around me are fine," "My life is fine." When the truth is we often want to scream to our fellow Christians, "I need help!" "I need encouragement!" Or, "I need you to pray with me, and not look down on me because of my problems." Church's need to begin to build ministries with authenticity. Environments that are safe for discipleship building and encouragement. We all need it.
So I hope that we all feel the opportunity to make posts and converse about where this study is taking us. I can't wait to see where God leads.

What happened to the Cross?

2008-02-07T21:11:00.000-05:00

"For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with the wisdom of the words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" 1 Corinthians 1:17-18

It is time I get back to blogging about where my study is taking me right now and what I am working on for the ministry.

I am beginning to work on my next sermon which will be on April 6th. The service will be with a young adult flavor. Whatever that might mean. We don't know yet. But these verses seen above, are really sticking with me right now. When some of the top-selling books on the New York Times are about becoming better and the secret to getting things you want, I wonder if that would fit into the category of what Paul calls, "the wisdom of words."

When people want to become better (which needs to be defined), how can you leave out Jesus? How can you leave out what He accomplished in our place and finished on the cross? You don't hear that much anymore. Not in what we call "evangelical churches or circles." The cross is too scary, too depressing, or we decide to leave that for Good Friday, and do "church light" the rest of the year. Yet Paul tells that is where the power of God comes from. Why avoid teaching the cross? More to come later. Any comments let me know.

Noonan's Boy

2008-02-04T18:57:00.000-05:00

Today Braydon had an appointment with the Geneticist to discuss his Noonans. Overall, it was a lot of good information and ideas to be proactive with the genetic defect Braydon has been diagnosed with. So more doctors and specialists are going to be added to Braydon's little black book; soon he will be the best known blue eyed baby at CHOP (sorry, I'm just a little biased). Thanks again for all the thoughts and prayers, and especially keep Shelly in prayer as she goes back to work and we settle back into "normalcy"

Sleep, Baby Sleep....

2008-02-02T10:59:00.000-05:00

Braydon is continuing to keep mom and dad on their toes, especially during the night. We were used to Braydon sleeping 8pm - 7am and now he is up every couple of hours, just like a newborn. I know that this is just a little request and we are praising God that Braydon is home and healing well when so many of his friends are still in the hospital dealing with major issues.
Please keep Braydon's friends in prayer, especially Hartley and Dylan.

Visit with Dr. Sanchez

2008-01-30T16:52:00.000-05:00

Today Braydon went to Dr. Sanchez's office in Voorhees. He got a great update there after the echocardiagram was done. His last suture was removed and and the steri strips were pulled off his incision. It looks great!!
He needs to sleep through the night and is still cautious around strangers. All results of time in the hospital. Plus he is getting more teeth and is really congested.
Thanks for the prayers.
Posts for the Young Adult Ministry will be back in a few days. The ministry has some big events coming up in the near future and our Bible Study is starting in a few weeks. Keep checking back here.

Healing...

2008-01-27T15:07:00.000-05:00

Braydon continues to heal from his surgery. He has had a couple rough nights at home. Although the incision is itchy and he can't or rather won't do some of the things that he is used to (roll over on his belly) because of the pain, he continues to play hard and talk up a storm. Thank you for continuing to pray for us as we readjust to home life without the great nurses and docs.

Braydon says, "No more vitals!!"

2008-01-25T20:28:00.001-05:00

Praise the Lord, we are all home safe and sound this evening. Braydon is home with instructions to take only two meds and a special formula to take for a month. Hard to believe. He is allowed to regulate himself and the activities he wants to do. With the looks of this picture he is ready for tackle football. Not quite. We are so thankful to be home and thank the Lord for His goodness to us this past week. It was truly a roller coaster ride.

Silly Braydon

2008-01-25T20:13:00.000-05:00

This video is Braydon displaying the fact he is happy to be home. Back to his old goofy self.

Picture from today

2008-01-24T18:24:00.001-05:00

Just saying hi to everyone who has been praying for me. I should be home tomorrow. Yeah!!

A Popular Kid

2008-01-24T16:15:00.001-05:00

Braydon has taken several trips in his stroller today. Each ride he gets more and more attention from the hospital staff. All of them comment on his eyes!! But he still does not quite understand why he is getting all of the attention. I can see in his face that he is thinking, "Whats the big deal???"
The doctors are pleased with his progress. He is now taking meds by mouth. He had an xray and an echocardiagram today telling us things are looking good. Discharge tomorrow? We are still waiting to find out.
Continue to pray for some of his unit friends, Hartley (from Mississippi) and Baby Dylan (from State College). Also for Andrew and his family who received bad news on their baby Sofi in the CICU. We have grown close to them.

Unhooked!

2008-01-23T13:44:00.000-05:00

Braydon's second chest tube was taken out this afternoon. Definitely good news. His surgeon Dr. Spray (the best cardiac surgeon in the world, not to brag) was happy with his progress and the results of the drain, and it was decided to go forward with the removal.
We are getting his stroller ready and it will be time to venture into the outside world of his unit! Today a nutritionist came in to check on his diet and she said he looks bigger than she expected. That was news to us. Braydon is happy being unhooked from everything and is rolling around in his crib. He just keeps us busy. But that is definitely a great thing...

Braydon's Noisy Room

2008-01-23T10:31:00.000-05:00

Someone's vocal chords woke up all of a sudden. The little guy is telling us how happy he is by screaming and yelling and making his animal noises. There is also a lot of playing and giving the nursing students a hard time.
We were concerned overnight by the change in the fluid color of his lungs. Due to his genetic characteristics, his lymphatic system recovers different from us. So his fluid is not the way it should be and will slow his recovery. All the medical team is going to change is his formula for now. No worries for this morning though. He is a happy guy. Thanks for your prayers.

We heard Mama, Nana

2008-01-22T17:11:00.000-05:00

The title says it all. Braydon is getting a little bit of his personality back. He started to talk again and wanted to play with his toys. The Childlife therapists were his friends because they brought "new" Baby Einstein videos. He likes Noah's Animals the best.
The chest tube is still in helping with the draining of any remaining effusion. There were not numerous visits by the doctors like yesterday. They were happy that he began eating a little bit and also got some strength back. Lets hope for more of the same tomorrow. Maybe he will be able to take a little walk and see the world outside his door.

The Sign says, "This is Sara's last round of chemo."

2008-01-21T17:05:00.001-05:00

We have visited CHOP a few times before. In October we had to spend the night. This time around it will be 5-7 days at least with CHOP being our home away from home.
But when my eyes first saw the sign, "This is Sara's last round of chemo" hanging in a window above the atrium I had different thoughts. You know my little guy has a heart condition. But this little trip to CHOP for a surgery should fix him in the long run. He has the 2nd most common form of a heart defect.
Leukemia, cancer, bone marrow transplants, premature infants, etc. bring so many more challenges. Kids live here at CHOP weeks and months at a time. Braydon will most likely have one week stay and he is out the door good as new. I can't imagine what families feel coming here day in and day out. They can only cling and hold on to the encouragement of their families and the care and support of hospital staff. And if they know the Lord they can feel His love and His peace which passes all understanding (Phil 4). Our family has come to know several families in much more dire situations than ours and we reassure them that as we go through our adventure we remember them in prayer daily. Please do the same.

Braydon's Update. MLK Day one to remember

2008-01-21T17:00:00.000-05:00

Thank you all for your prayers, Braydon developed some fluid around his lungs and required a chest tube be put in to drain the fluid this afternoon. He made it through the procedure fine and is resting comfortably now. He showed he was having trouble breathing and kept flaring his little nostrils and just won't eat. Lord willing the tube will open his chest back up and he will be more comfortable. Also keep praying that he will eat (since he hasn't in 2 days) and that he will get up and moving and playing and back to his old self. He is making lots of friends on the CCU floor and everyone loves his blue eyes. The doctors, nurses and especially his family can't wait to see him when he is feeling good again. Keep checking back here for updates.

Sunday Morning from CHOP

2008-01-20T09:43:00.000-05:00

Well, we had quite a weekend. This morning I am writing this post from Braydon's hospital room. overlooking the main entrance. I went home last night and left Shelly and Braydon here. He had an ok night. Hoping for a better day with him waking up more and maybe even a little play time.
He is progressing well. Still a little sleepy and fussy. We need him to have some playtime today and get moving a little bit to loosen his lungs.
Will post more later.

Be Content

2008-01-17T21:33:00.000-05:00

As I read on in Philippians 4, the night before my son's surgery something sticks out to me. In verse 11 Paul tells us, "Not that I speak from want for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstance I am in." How can an Apostle of Jesus Christ say that while he sits in a prison probably starving, thirsty, black and blue from the daily beatings?
That truth has to stick with me this weekend. I have to trust in the sovereign LORD of my life, and my family's life. God is teaching me to rejoice (V. 4), not be anxious (v.6), know HIS peace (v.7), dwell on Him (v.8), be content (v.11), and finally, He will supply all my needs (v.19). What a passage!!!

Big Week

2008-01-14T21:41:00.000-05:00

Paul reminds us while he was in prison: "Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

That is the prayer for our family this week as Shelly and I approach Friday when our son Braydon goes into open heart surgery. We are trusting God through all of this and He has an ultimate, sovereign, plan for our family. He provides the peace and understanding through His Son Jesus Christ.

Check back in the coming days for updates.

"24" without the writers

2008-01-12T21:24:00.000-05:00

I am a big fan of 24. It should be starting this month but due to the WGA strike it has been pulled indefinitely. Day 6 was a terrible season and the show needs to bounce back. I dug up this video described as 9am -10am without the writers. Pretty funny..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7RY_eBgNFQ&eurl=http://24fans.com/

Go Mountaineers!

2008-01-05T07:47:00.001-05:00

We were cautiously watching the Fiesta Bowl on Wednesday night. Happy with the win and the New Coach! Go Neers!