What a month!

So in my previous post I let everyone know we'd be in the hospital for a couple weeks. One week quickly turned into two. Two weeks quickly turned into three. Three weeks almost turned into four but a couple days shy of four weeks we finally made it home!
Madyson is doing great and she's adjusting nicely to her new environment. Her sisters aren't nearly as loud and busy as the NICU and we're very blessed to be well adjusted to the hospital's feeding schedule. Madyson eats every three hours (wish I could afford to eat every three hours!) and she seems to enjoy sleep between feedings, especially at night! Praise the Lord!

So Beverly and I had a lot of time together, sitting by Madyson's bedside, sitting together in the family lounge, sitting together in the cafeteria. I have to say that God certainly blessed me with a wonderfully strong and courageous wife! I don't mean to make you other men envious but the younger guys should certainly prayerfully seek a woman like my beloved.

During some of our conversations we recounted some of the blessings we'd experienced that we'd have missed had we not been sent to the NICU at Akron Children's Hospital. 1. We met a great couple who also had a daughter in the NICU. They first approached us after they noticed Beverly and I at breakfast. They told us how encouraged they were by having another Christian married couple in there with them. (being married and committed Christians wasn't really the norm) 2. When asked by a newlywed guy about our marriage (he said he'd noticed we were really close and wondered how long we'd been married, how long it took to get as close as we are, etc.) we had the opportunity to share how having a God-centered marriage has been the key to our happiness together. 3. I had the unique experience of helping a homeless man reach his destination at Haven of Rest Ministries in Akron. Had I not been headed to the hospital that day I doubt I'd have volunteered for the task. 4. We had the opportunity to witness with our lives, sharing our faith by just being polite and respectful to all.

I had the opportunity to share all of this with our youth group on Wednesday night. As our 4:12 Students worked through Exodus we came the part where the Israelites are constantly grumbling to Moses and Aaron about their conditions (see Chapters 15, 16). I paralleled that by explaining how easily Beverly and I could have shook our fists at God - many people do. Instead we took the Job route and praised Him all the way!

Though I don't recommend having a near month-long stay in a NICU I can't say for even a moment that it wasn't a rewarding experience! Whatever God's purpose we took peace in knowing He had one - even if it wasn't the most comfortable ride for our family.

Now that we're back home I plan to get kickin' on some GBB stuff. There's lots to do and not enough time in each day, days in each week, weeks in each month...

I can do everything through HIM who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13