"What would have become of me had I not believed that I would see the Lord's goodness in the land of the LIVING. Wait, hope for and EXPECT the Lord. Be strong and of good courage and may your heart (Ned) be sturdy and enduring.....Yes, Wait For and Hope For and Expect the Lord."

Psalm 27:13-14 (Amp)

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Change of Plans

Ned is recovering from surgery quite well. He finally had a bowel movement and began feedings again this morning. He started off with a little pedialyte, but has progressed to breast milk. So far so good, no spitting up.....yeah!!! Mom and Dad have been hospital duty over the weekend while Travis and I came home so I've just been getting 2nd hand reports. The last word in is that Ned is loving the vibrating bouncy seat I sent up there this weekend and is resting really well in it. I was thinking that the vibrating motion may help keep any fluids from settling in his lungs when he was so sedated last week, but now he is back off the pain medications again, Yeah!!!, and the seat is just serving as a place of comfort.....which is great! The poor child deserves a little luxury treatment, I think.

I had planned on going back up to Chapel Hill tomorrow, but I have developed a head cold. So, Travis will have to fill in for me until it passes. I'm just thankful that it didn't really develop until Saturday so I think I should have been away from Ned long enough not to have passed it on. I started to worry about it, but I remembered how much God had protected him from so far and figured a cold wasn't beyond His capabilities.

As I mentioned before, I have spent much more time this Easter reflecting on the crucifixion than before. I have found myself identifying more and more with Peter than ever before. I used to sorta see him as a traitor for denying Jesus until I realized that every time I don't glorify God for the blessings in my life before others, I too am denying Him. I have thought a lot about how Jesus must have been preparing those disciples for their mission after He left. He knew that if those twelve didn't carry the message forward, the rest of us would perish. When you look around at Jesus' influence today, it can trace back to the obedience and faithfulness of twelve men. Isn't that amazing? I wonder if Jesus would have or could have chosen me for such an awesome task and responsibility. He knew they wouldn't fail, but He knew they would stumble. I've just thought how He must have been praying over them knowing what they would endure and loving them so for it! The one thing I have learned about Jesus is that His plans have existing from the beginning of time, they are enduring and they are perfect. He knew those twelve before they were created, He knew their purpose, He knows ours.

I watched a sermon this weekend that speaks to His plan for us like nothing I've ever known before. If you watch it, you will understand more than ever how God has always had a plan for our salvation since the beginning, since creation. If you can possibly take the time to find this sermon and watch it, please do. It is "How Great is Our God" by Louie Giglio. I know you can find parts of it on youtube, but you can probably find it in its entirety on the web somewhere. It was a real eye opening experience for me. It defines the purpose of the cross in a new metaphysical perspective.....wow!


Much Love,
Betsy, Travis, Jack, Ned & Margaret

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yeah for dirty diapers! I am so glad that Ned is continuing to do well. I am sorry that you are sick. Take care of yourself and I hope you get to feeling better soon. I know exactly what you mean about worrying about giving Ned even just a cold. We will continue to pray for healing and for you all to be able to be home together as a family!

Love,

Kelly, Franklin, and Will

Anonymous said...

You can find all the video in parts on www.Godtube.com

Thanks for the share.
You are still in our daily prayers.
God Bless
J Wofford

Anonymous said...

So sorry that you are not feeling well, and hope you get better soon. I am so glad that Ned had a stinky diaper, and is not spitting up he is adjusting and that is so wonderful, I am so glad he has a comfy seat, yes he definitely deserves some luxury. I hope you guys enjoyed your Easter with Jack with all that is going on. Always in our prayers, The Alexander's Kim Donald, Emily and Brock

Anonymous said...

So sorry that you are not feeling well, and hope you get better soon. I am so glad that Ned had a stinky diaper, and is not spitting up he is adjusting and that is so wonderful, I am so glad he has a comfy seat, yes he definitely deserves some luxury. I hope you guys enjoyed your Easter with Jack with all that is going on. Always in our prayers, The Alexander's Kim Donald, Emily and Brock

Julie said...

I too love to listen to Louie Giglieo and anything that has to do with "One Day" If you love Louie, you'd also like John Piper...he's my fav! He'll make your head hurt sometimes though...b/c it's deep...but it's so good...so challenging! He has a website "desiringgod.org" check it out when you have some time. He has a book and sermon called "Don't waste your life" It's really awesome...but his claim to fame is his book "Desiring God." We have it if you'd like to borrow it sometime. Louie and John preach together at One Day.
Julie <><
marciojuliedesa@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy! Yes, this is "Cadenne Hope's Grandma" (Tricia's mom). Thank you for the sweet note on her blog.

I actually have been so impressed with what you write on yours, that I have to hold myself back from commenting every time so as not to become obnoxious.

I have no problem with you having my e-mail address. It is beverlyjl@yahoo.com. Not that you want to write or should write. Just want you to have it.

By the way, my hubby pastors a church here in Woodland, CA and there are people from our church that link to the blogs on Tricia's blog so as to pray for those babies as well. Ned is on those prayer lists.

I am so grateful he is doing so well. God is good. We saw miracle after miracle with Cadenne and still do.

I am believing the same for Ned!