Moms Visit

This past weekend, John's mom came to visit. What a treat to have "Moms" (this is what the grandkids call her) in our home. She got to see Brenna play soccer and also got to see Brandon and Bradley play baseball. We were thrilled to have her here for a visit. Moms, please come back again really soon! We love you!!! Enjoy this picture of she and the kids!

Heartbeats

Thank you to everyone who has prayed for Emma Cox. She is the two week old baby in our church that had open heart surgery this past Thursday to close a narrowing in her aorta and to see if the dr. could turn her one ventricle heart into a two ventricle chamber heart. God was awesome; and the dr. was able to do both of those things successfully. After an initial prognosis that was bleak in Austin, the doctors in Dallas at Children's Hospital have now given her a great prognosis after this successful six-hour surgery, despite being diagnosed with Down Syndrome. The most amazing thing for me was to see little Emma after the surgery. I stood in the hallway with Kristin and Chris, Emma's parents, outside the Operating Room as they rolled Emma back to her room after surgery. The dr. had spoken to us already to let us know that they left Emma's chest open because they did not want to add any more trauma to her already long day of surgery (the dr. closed her chest yesterday). So when we saw Emma, the incision in her chest was only covered with a piece of mesh or some kind of surgical tape. When her heart (which is only the size of a walnut) would beat, I was able to see the heart literally lift out of her chest through the opening. I was simply speechless. What an incredible, awesome God our heavenly Father is. He literally holds our heartbeat in His hands.
Please continue to pray for Emma's speedy recovery and complete healing. posted by John

A Trip to the Farm

Bethany's class at her preschool went on a field trip yesterday to Crowe's Nest Farms. I had the opportunity to go with she and her class. What an adventure with three 3-yr. old preschool classes at a farm. Thankfully, lots of parents went along to help keep up with all the little adventurous preschoolers. Here are a few photos from the day. We did lots of fun things. We went on a hay ride, saw lots of farm animals, had a cow-milking demonstration, learned about ostrich's, and had a picnic.

Bethany liked these little animal statues. Thought she'd try one out!

They had several snakes there to look at. Bethany was not scared of these at all. You can see how closely she was looking at them. This particular snake was even moving his head close to the glass, and it didn't even bother her. She said, "I like it, Mommy!" I'm glad she does, because I hate snakes!!!!

She's not afraid of goats either! Here she is climbing on the fence right up next to this goat's face! The goat thought one of us was going to feed it. I'm glad Bethany didn't try to feed him!

Here we are in front of their pumpkin patch! What a fun day!!! Thank you Lord, for all you've made for us to enjoy!

Views on Marriage from McCain/Obama

There are a lot of issues in this presidential race between McCain & Obama. The economy has taken center stage. Iraq, the war, national security, and foreign policy have gotten a lot of press as well. All of those issues and others are important to me. But for me as a Christian with a biblical worldview, where the candidates stand on the family, marriage, and abortion are the most important issues in determining who gets my vote. Here's a link that gives the candidates clear views, in their own words, on marriage and gay rights:

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29148

Here's a link from a lady whom God physically saved from death at birth, despite the fact that her mom attempted to abort her. Check out her story at the following websites & her crusade to take on one presidential nominee's record on abortion:

http://www.citizenlink.org/content/A000008470.cfm
www.bornalivetruth.org

God help us. posted by John

The Great Moon Adventure & Worship

Sunday night after AWANA, Brenna wanted to ride home with me. As we drove home Brenna was looking out the window; and as I turned from going one direction to the next, she noticed that the moon would change locations (from her perspective) when I turned. It struck up a very unique conversation with me and Brenna (mostly one-sided) about - of all things - the moon.
The conversation went something loosely like this: Daddy, why is the moon moving in the sky? The moon actually stays in the same place, honey. It just looks like it is in a different place every time daddy turns or goes a different direction.
Daddy, if you touched the moon will it burn you? No, the moon won't burn you.
Daddy, have you ever been to the moon? No, I haven't Brenna. I've been to the moon, she said. How did you get there? I inquired. It's a long, long way to the moon. I stood on top of MawMaw and PawPaw's head. Oh really, I said. MawMaw and PawPaw are not tall enough to help you reach the moon. If you stand on their heads, you won't be able to do it. Well, she said, there were a thousand stools stacked up on top of each other to help me reach the moon. Where did you get those stools? MawMaw took me to all the Wal-Marts in Longview to get all the stools. Who paid for all those stools? MawMaw and PawPaw did. I don't know if you could reach the moon even if you're standing on top of 1,000 stools. If you can't, how are you going to touch the moon? PawPaw will throw me all the way up to the moon. You're PawPaw must be very, very strong. :)
Well, you get the picture. Brenna has a very active and creative imagination. Thank you, God, for giving it to her. She also has the gift of gab; and in this 15-minute ride home from church where Brenna barely came up for air in-between all her moon questions and my feeble attempts to answer them to her satisfaction, something unique happened. I had an encounter with God. That's right - I worshipped God with my four-year old through a silly conversation about the moon. Thank you, heavenly Father, for creating the moon as an instrument, not to be worshipped, but that could stimulate worship. It did for me. I look at the moon and am in awe at Your incredible handiwork. I look at and listen to Brenna; and I'm likewise stunned and amazed at Your masterpiece work of human art that she is. Help me not to miss the 15-minutes of memorable, magical moments of worship that are waiting in future conversations with each of my children or my wife or a stranger as well as in Wal-Mart or at the gas station or in my car or at work. I'm sure I miss them way too often. But I know that only You, God, can take the mundane and average elements of daily life & use them to create personal, life-changing reminders of Your greatness, goodness, and faithfulness. Help me watch for Your creative genius in these times; and when I do, to stop and worship You - in prayer or in song, out loud or in silence, at work or at play, at home or away, whether pleasant or painful. Because when I truly encounter You, I can never stay the same. In the words from Steven Curtis Chapman's song "Moment Made For Worshipping", every moment is truly one that is made for worshipping:

This is a moment made for worshipping

Cause this is a moment I'm alive

And this is a moment I was made to sing

A song of living sacrifice

For every moment that I live and breathe

This is a moment made for worshipping

Now, who's ready to go to the moon? posted by John

Needs Prayer

We have several critical needs in need of prayer in our circle of family and friends. Thank you for praying on behalf of these we love: 1) Emma Rae Cox (10 days old) pending heart surgery sometime the end of this week at Children's Hospital in Dallas; 2) One of my sister Janie's very good friends, Jamie Young, passed away today after nearly a five year battle with leukemia. She was only 36. Pray for her husband Ty and her mom and their family. 3) Beth Lee - diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. She'll be having a mastectomy on Wednesday. She and her husband Paul and boys Austin and Adam are good friends of ours and are a part of our previous church (East Paris B.C.) in Paris, Texas. 4) Pete Sisson - critical condition after surgery with infection and pneumonia. Pete is the husband of the financial secretary that I worked with at East Paris. Her name is Betty Sisson. Please remember each of these very important needs in prayer. We serve a big God; and he implores us to "...approach the throne of grace with confidence that we might find help in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16 posted by John

Christmas Trees, Pumpkins, and Lots of Fun!!

We made a trip today to the Elgin Christmas Tree Farm! The boys were out of school today, so we thought we'd enjoy some family time! They had lots to do there! The kids enjoyed seeing some farm animals. They jumped in the hay, went on a hay ride, ran through a hay bale maze (being chased by their daddy), chose a pumpkin to bring home, and smiled for lots and lots of pictures for their mommy! Here are a few shots from today!

Cute, Cute!

Posing on a tractor made from hay bales!

I love this picture! Here are the guys in mid-jump, jumping from the hay bale tractor!

Bethany was walking up ahead of me at one point today. I called her name and as she turned to look at me, she posed for the camera! Look at her foot! Too funny!

Brenna is sometimes my hard one to get a good picture out of. But, I actually got this really good one of her. She was looking at her daddy, but I thought it turned out really well. You can even see the Christmas trees in the back ground. I loved this place! We'll definately have to go again!

Two Praise Reports!

I have two praise reports to share with you. The first one is about the darling little baby girl in the previous post, Emma Cox. She has been moved to Children's Hospital in Dallas, and will have surgery the end of next week. She is not out of the woods, but the family is very hopeful by the news they received yesterday. Please see their website below for updates on baby Emma! Also, please continue to pray for this precious baby and her entire family.

www.caringbridge.org/visit/emmaraecox

The other update I wanted to share with you is about our friends, Kevin and Shanna Sherman. You probably remember from previous posts that Kevin had brain surgery not long ago. I spoke with Shanna on the phone today and she said they are doing really well. Kevin has been in rehab but is now home. He still has some obstacles to overcome but this will take time. Please continue to pray for them. Two specific things to pray for are his vision and his speech. These were effected by the surgery. Thank you for remembering our friends and for continuing to lift them up. God is so BIG and is totally able to heal him completely. I'm asking Him to do that! Kevin and Shanna, we love you and are so thankful for what God continues to do in your family. He is good!

Emma Rae Cox

This beautiful baby is Emma Rae Cox. She was born last Friday, Oct. 3. The proud parents are Chris and Kristin Cox, the proud big brother is 15 month old Colton. This sweet young family are a part of our FBC Pflugerville family, and they need your immediate and constant prayers for Emma. They knew she would be born with some major heart problems that would have to be treated with medicine and surgery pretty quickly after her birth. What they did not anticipate was that she would be diagnosed with Down Syndrome. As I was in the room with them late yesterday afternoon, the dr. confirmed this diagnosis. With Emma's heart condition, this is not a good combination. Their options are limited; but we serve a great God. Please join me in praying for wisdom, strength, guidance, grace, mercy, life, health, & healing for Emma and this sweet family. You can check out more info regarding Emma's birth and family and condition at the following website: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/emmaraecox

I will keep you posted on her condition and prognosis. She is currently at Dell Children's Medical Center here in Austin. Thank you. posted by John

Happy 66th Birthday Papa John!

Today is Papa John's 66th birthday! John and I treated him to some yummy Mexican food for lunch today, his choice (pretty good choice in my opinion). The kids showered him with surprises this afternoon. They always get so excited when it's time to give gifts. They wrapped the gifts themselves and proudly came downstairs for Papa to open his prizes. Brenna and Bethany treated him to a new Longhorn t-shirt. Brenna also made him some pictures. Brandon and Bradley bought him a new Longhorn ball cap with their own money. Bradley also drew Papa a picture of a Longhorn. You can see it in the picture below. Overall, Papa had a great day! Happy Birthday Papa!!! We love you and thank God for you!

Look At This Cute Little Pillow

I was letting Brenna watch her favorite cartoon, "Barney" yesterday. I walked into the living room and saw her curled up in this pillow case. I had a stack of clean laundry on the coffee table and she helped herself because she was cold. I thought she looked so cute so I grabbed my camera. There have been so many cute moments that I've missed because the camera wasn't handy. But this time, I was able to capture this cute moment! Enjoy!

A Trip to the Dinosaur Park

Brenna's preschool class had the opportunity to go the Dinosaur Park last week. John was also along for the fun and got some cute shots of Brenna and her friends. Someone even got this funny one of John & Brenna in the mouth of a T-Rex! Yikes!!! They had a great time! WeeOnes is a wonderful preschool program and our girls are enjoying it so much!

I love the grin on Brenna's face here!

Daddy had lots of fun too, can you tell??

Here is Brenna and her buddy Garret. John said they held hands all day! When I asked Brenna about this, she said she was keeping Garret from going into the woods. Garret called it the forest! They are too cute! Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Bye for now!

Praise Report and "Thank You" from Kevin & Shanna Sherman

I spoke with my friend Shanna on the phone yesterday and was thrilled to hear her say that she and Kevin were on their way to Abilene (which is where they live). Kevin has been released from the hospital in Dallas and has moved to a rehab facility in Abilene for a couple weeks. He is doing well and Shanna was very excited to be going home to see their children and to sleep in her own bed. She also wanted me to thank all of you for praying for them during this difficult weeks. Thank you Lord for all you've done and continue to do. We continue to ask You for a complete recovery for Kevin.