Merry Christmas

Our Christmas this year was certainly unusual and unique. Several of the families here at the Children's House got together to help put out presents for all of the children and do our best to make it seem like home. We gathered with two other families this morning to open gifts and celebrate our Savior's birth.

After that, we had breakfast served by a local family - very delicious - even had pancakes shaped like snowmen.

A little later in the day, another family and local restaurant served lunch/dinner. We are completely full of good food and drink and also thankful for God's mercy and grace.

We are reminded of the lyrics of one of our favorite "non-traditional" Christmas songs, sung by one of Daddy BA's favorite country groups, the Oak Ridge Boys. The song is entitled "Inconvenient Christmas" and tells the story of a family where nothing was what we would consider normal. Everything from the gifts ordered to the travel plans - nothing was going according to plan. In the midst of this, the family ponders how inconvenient all of this was, but then are reminded that "the most inconvenient Christmas that ever was, was the first one when God came so far to give Himself to us. So when stress hits each December, how it helps us to remember God is with us most when things just can't get worst. The most inconvenient Christmas ever was, was the first."

The song continues by describing the circumstances of His birth - "a young girl expects a child she can't explain. Forced to walk 100 miles just to give birth in the hay. While the king at that same hour, fearing challenge to his power, sent his troops to track them down and wipe them out. Yep. Hands down. The most inconvenient Christmas ever was, was the first."

But what a great gift - the greatest of all - that God so loved the world that He sends down His only Son.

PS - Jacob continues to make a little bit of progress each day with his cathing. Tomorrow he is going to the clinic for a quick check-up with Dr. G's nurse. The plan is to continue as we have been at least until next week when Dr. G returns to the office. The likely next step will be removal of the SP tube and hopefully we an also squeeze in a couple of doctor visits with ortho and neurology.

As you pray, please continue to pray that Jacob will consume sufficient water to keep everything flowing as it should. Also, please pray that we will be able to figure out if the tethered spinal cord is becoming more pronounced (he has been tip-toe walking quite a bit lately). We'd love to be able to find out, while we're here, if this is something that will soon need to be addressed.

He had a surgery on his tethered cord way back in 2007 and at the time, the surgeon said he may need to have it again down the road.

May God grant us the wisdom to step out in faith, knowing the He will guide us.

Mommy and Daddy