Mustard Revolution

Leadership maxim

2012-01-27T14:24:00.000-08:00

Life mantras or maxims or guiding principles are good to have as plumb lines to live your life by.

One that I have had for the last year or so that is becoming
More and more valuable to my life and calling is FIND SOMEONE WHO IS ONE OR TWO STEPS AHEAD OF WHERE YOU ARE AND FIND OUT HOW THEY THINK.

The temptation is to find out what they do but if you find out how they are thinking you will go to much richer places. This isn't just for pastors. You can do this in the business world and should be doing this in your walk with Christ.

So all skate for the weekend. If you could share a maxim that has impacted the way you live what would it be?

Coming Home

2012-01-27T04:47:00.000-08:00

Won't get in until 9:30 tonight, but I am so ready. Mainly because I miss my ladies.

For my own peace of mind, I organized a little fun for Shaina leading up to her birthday this coming Sunday.

I needed to know she would have continual support and encouragement while I was gone, so I organized 8 visitors who came at various times. She got a note the day I left letting her know when the visitors would come but she didn't know who they were until they got there.

Each visitor then read a clue from an envelope and Shaina would have to find her birthday present that was hidden where that clue led her.

She has gotten everything from Little Debbie Sno-Balls, to tickets for the Columbus Zoo (I'm determined to take Chaia somewhere that kids are supposed to go, rather than to hospitals, doctors and appointments.)

Anyways, that part is fun, but the best part is that some sweet women, ranging from good friends to women in the church to PICU nurses from the Cleveland Clinic have come to help out.

It's been a good week. But I'm ready for home.

How Can We Do This?

2012-01-25T19:43:00.000-08:00

"Dude, you have just been through the ringer with your family. Your little girl has a beat up little heart. You've cried tears measured in buckets. And now you're going to go directly into the rigors and hardship of Church Planting?! Shouldn't you find something a little more stable and secure? How can you do this to yourself...to your family?"

This might be your thought. It's been my thought.

And yet I sit here...in many ways beat up, broken and weary...and all I can say is How Can We NOT do this?

Let me be very clear...THE COST OF OBEDIENCE IS HIGH. Trust me, it's nearly cost our daughter. And the thing that God is calling you to is going to cost you in some way too. The more time I've spent in the Scripture the more adamant I am in saying this: If the Gospel isn't costing you, it probably isn't the Gospel.

For some of you the cost of obedience will drastically change your finances, your location, your vocation, your schedule, your parenting, your marriage, your priorities, your hobbies, your attitude, your relationships, etc. The cost of following Jesus is high.

They didn't tell me that. They said Jesus loves me. That Jesus gives me Heaven and takes away Hell. That Jesus gives me purpose. That Jesus' burden is light and His yoke is easy. That Jesus forgives my sins. But what they left out?

Oh yeah, by the way...following Jesus will demand your very life. Following Jesus will reorient your affections so that all things submit to Him. That following Jesus costs.

What's the Gospel costing you?

For me, it is costing me security (but I've never felt more secure), safety (but I've never felt more safe), and certainy (but I've never been so sure).

Friends, I say it one more time with every ounce of passion and energy I can muster: THE COST OF OBEDIENCE IS HIGH!

But be certain...

The COST OF DISOBEDIENCE IS HIGHER.

Choose this day whom you will serve. Because half-hearted and luke warm are failing.

Being ALL IN with the Thompsons (Part Three)

2012-01-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

You can INtercede for the Thompsons every day in 2012.
You can come INto the City of Columbus with us to plant this church.

And third, you can INvest in what God is doing in and through us as Financial Partners.

A number of churches have joined together to help initiate this church plant financially. They have pledged about $150,000 to be dispersed over three years, which is incredible.

Funding by this model, necessitates the church planter coming up with $100,000 over three years.

The intent is that at the end of three years, the church would be a thriving and self-sustaining movement.

So you may have 100,000 dollars laying around that is burning a hole in your pocket and you want to help out. If that is you, give me a call and I will be over in 20 minutes!

But more likely, a team of financial partners, who believe and affirm God's calling on us and see the need for more Churches in the OSU/Columbus area is needed.

We are looking for partners who will pledge a monthly amount beginning this month (January) and continuing for 36 months.

This is a chance to be creative. You may not be able to swing 100/month or 200/month but maybe your small group, your Sunday School, your church your office coworkers, your local chapter of the Chaia Joy Fan Club, etc. feels called to pool their resources and become INvested partners in that capacity.

If you feel called to be INvested partners, email me (thompson14b@gmail.com) and let me know how God is stirring.

If you do not think that you can afford monthly investment, you can also do a one time contribution.

Either way, you simply need to submit payment. You can make your check out to stadia and send it to
Stadia
Project 4-276
PO Box 19700
Irvine, CA 92623

Put 'project 4-276' in the memo line.

Being ALL IN with the Thompsons (Part Two)

2012-01-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

You can INtercede for us in prayer to God everyday in 2012.

And you can come INto the City with us.

I know not all of you are called to this. But I believe more of you than are willing to consider it are called to this.

We are looking for people who are called to go...not just people who are bored or are looking for a new or better expression of the Church.

Some of you are already in the Columbus area and it is just a matter of you saying, I'm IN with this church! Others, you'll have to pack your bags, take planes, trains or automobiles and relocate with us to Columbus.

There is obvious risk and unknown written all over this journey and all over your journey if you join us. But, risk and unknown seem to be particularly biblical concepts, except they are called 'faith' and 'trust'.

I won't twist arms. I just want to give you the opportunity to consider God's calling.

Because 10, 20 or 30 years from now, I want you to be able to say with confidence that you lived in God's calling rather than 'play-it-safe' disobedience.

Obviously this is a big step. If you are feeling a tug, we should talk before you rent the U-Haul.

If you're called INto the City, email me at thompson14b@gmail.com

Life is too short and the gospel too urgent to play it safe and hide in security.

Being ALL IN with the Thompsons (Part One)

2012-01-23T07:31:00.000-08:00

Greetings from Tennessee!

I am at a boot camp for church planters this week, leaving my lovely ladies back in Ohio. I wanted to take a minute to post some updates.

We have begun shifting our gaze from Hospitals and Doctors to Columbus and Church Planting.

Let me make something clear. We do not think it was a coincidence that the very week we began scoping out Columbus and taking initial steps to follow God's calling was the very week that Chaia began to show symptoms and ended up in the ER.

We also do not think it is a coincidence that through Chaia's story, so many new and old acquaintances have joined with her journey, rooting for her, praying for her, rejoicing with us, weeping with us.

So we want you to continue to journey with us as we transition to Columbus.

There are Three Ways that You can be IN with the Thompsons. I will unpack them on here over the next three days in hopes that you will consider what part God is calling you to play.

The first way you can be IN is to INtercede for us in prayer to God every day in 2012. Every Monday Morning (starting with this post), I will have five things to pray for us. This is the most important way you can join us. It is not coincidence that where God is birthing a new movement of His people, the battle is raging fiercest. We need prayer warriors. We don't need well wishers, finger crossers, positive vibe senders...we need people who will take a couple minutes everyday and pray. Many of you are already doing this for Chaia, and the evidence of those prayers is obvious and tangible.

So, if you would reply to this post if you feel like you can be IN with us in this capacity, we are hoping to get 100 people praying daily for this Columbus Plant.

Five Ways to Pray This Week:
1. Pray for my time at Bootcamp. It has the potential to be a real energizing, affirming time. Pray that God would confirm His calling and that I would leave bootcamp with fervor and passion for the Gospel...and toned arm muscles from the push-ups?...oh not that kind of boot camp.

2. Pray for the Thompson ladies. Shaina has some special helpers coming throughout the week to aid in Chaia's care. Pray that Shaina would remain sane, find rest and even be encouraged in her heart this week.

3. Pray for Chaia. She is growing great...But her heart needs to be healed. Her ejection fraction (how much blood is pumped out of the left ventricle) is 17 percent. Normal human heart is around 60%. It's been this way for a few months, but pray that the calcifications would reverse and her heart function would reverse right along with it.

4. Pray for Columbus. Pray for hearts to be readied even now with the Gospel. Pray for those we will meet in the coming months to have a hunger for Christ and a longing to be caught up in something bigger than themselves.

5. Pray for the Management Team. Over the next few weeks, the management team for the church plant will be formed and solidified. They will serve as the initial elders of the church plant and will have a key role in laying out the vision and the DNA of the Church Plant. Pray that the Holy Spirit would give them vision and clarity.

Thanks! Stay tuned for two other ways you can be ALL IN with the Thompsons!

This Song Has a Hold on Me

2012-01-23T00:24:00.000-08:00

Love the sound...Love the depth of lyrics.

Farther Along by Josh Garrels

Farther along we’ll know all about it
Farther along we’ll understand why
Cheer up my brothers, live in the sunshine
We’ll understand this, all by and by

Tempted and tried, I wondered why
The good man died, the bad man thrives
And Jesus cries because he loves em’ both
We’re all cast-aways in need of ropes
Hangin’ on by the last threads of our hope
In a house of mirrors full of smoke
Confusing illusions I’ve seen

Where did I go wrong, I sang along
To every chorus of the song
That the devil wrote like a piper at the gates
Leading mice and men down to their fates
But some will courageously escape
The seductive voice with a heart of faith
While walkin’ that line back home

So much more to life than we’ve been told
It’s full of beauty that will unfold
And shine like you struck gold my wayward son
That deadweight burden weighs a ton
Go down into the river and let it run
And wash away all the things you’ve done
Forgiveness alright

Chorus

Still I get hard pressed on every side
Between the rock and a compromise
Like the truth and pack of lies fightin’ for my soul
And I’ve got no place left go
Cause I got changed by what I’ve been shown
More glory than the world has known
Keeps me ramblin’ on

Skipping like a calf loosed from its stall
I’m free to love once and for all
And even when I fall I’ll get back up
For the joy that overflows my cup
Heaven filled me with more than enough
Broke down my levee and my bluff
Let the flood wash me

And one day when the sky rolls back on us
Some rejoice and the others fuss
Cause every knee must bow and tongue confess
That the son of god is forever blessed
His is the kingdom, we’re the guests
So put your voice up to the test
Sing Lord, come soon

Chorus

(You're Welcome)

Parenting for Dummies Part 4

2012-01-20T23:14:00.000-08:00

If you missed 1-3...

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. (Proverbs 3:5-7)

Like clockwork, Chaia has been upchucking after her 9 o'clock feeds. She gets potassium in that feed and I think it does a number on her tummy. (I promise this is the last puke post for at least a week haha.)

So, after two weeks of wearing it, watching her erupt all over herself, all over the blanket, all over everything, I've learned a few things. Today I brought in a number of burp cloths and little towels. I was like a freaking Boy Scout. Nicely folded vomit catchers in place and upon first gag noise, I assumed position. Propped her up, grabbed a vomit catcher and placed it directly under her chin and prepared for her to initiate launch sequence.

She projectile hurled over my vomit catcher, onto the blanket, onto the carpet and a little on me.

As the old adage goes "Man plans (or prepares), God laughs."

Proverbs has a word for us. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." I wonder if 'understanding' and 'preparation' could be interchangable.

Shaina and I were 'unwise' to get married at age 20 after our sophomore year of college. We weren't 'prepared' for marriage.

Word to the wise. Sometimes our 'preparedness' is our biggest competitor to our trust in God.

Sometimes our 3 year, 5 year and 10 year plans are idols that steal our obedience.

You can't prepare for life.

And you certainly can't prepare for parenting.

Shaina and I have been married for 8 years and have had discussions and plans that were to prepare us for parenting.

None of those involved how to parent this wonderfully, beautifully mutated gene baby that God has given us. We have these books in the nursery about parenting and how we can prepare our child to reach every milestone...We filled out a birthing plan that we were to distribute at the hospital so everyone knew our plans and how we were preparing to have this baby. (Which couldn't have deviated much more from the prepared plan than it did!)

Shaina and I tried to prepare for this Columbus Church Plant by finishing our time at our beloved Wadsworth church in December and beginning in Columbus in January. We didn't even make it to October at Wadsworth and it is now going to be April for our hire date in Columbus.

My point. Don't let preparedness (or your so-called lack of preparedness) lead you into disobedience.

You have no idea what you're doing.

The more you try to shrug that reality off, the more of a fool you will be.

What I'm NOT saying:

I'm not saying you should be a moron. Trusting God does not mean you don't lay out a vomit catcher. It just means you don't find your security or trust or hope in it.

I'm not saying, planning is evil. I'm just saying the day that your preparations take precedence over the provision of God, is the day that you've lost your soul to gain the world.

The best way you can prepare for the rest of your life is Proverbs 3:5-7.

Trust God with all your heart. (Do you believe Him to be Trustworthy?)

Lean not on your own understanding. (Do you believe yourself to not be trustworthy?)

In all your ways submit to Him. (Are the deepest affections of your heart surrendered to God or worshipped instead of God?)

He will make your paths straight. (Do you believe that God has good in store for your life?---Even if 'good' is not how you would have planned?)

Do not be wise in your own eyes, Fear the Lord and shun evil. (You have no idea what you are doing. There is one God and you are not Him. Would others in your life say that you believe this?)

The best way to prepare for God's work in your life is to stop preparing.

It's the only way.

Six Things I'm Thinking at 1:30 AM

2012-01-19T22:42:00.000-08:00

So my days and nights are somewhat inverted to help with overnight feeds for Chaia. Having to do something at 12,1,3,4 and 6 does not allow for great sleeping...I run the night shift so Shaina can sleep...then I sleep from 6 a.m. until noon.

Here's what I'm thinking tonight:

1. Shaina has three teams to my one team left in our NFL Super Bowl date bet. I have the Patriots. Shaina has the field. I don't like that I have to root for Tom Brady and Bill Belicheck...but I will do it anyway.

2. We were informed that Chaia will not have to return for a check up for 3 weeks to the Cleveland Clinic, at which point, she will see the geneticist and we will get some news back from some DNA testing done in Germany on Chaia, Shaina and my blood. We were told to expect to be up to the Clinic weekly for quite a while, so this jump to 3 weeks is a pleasant surprise, as they are pleased with Chaia's progress.

3. I am flying out on Sunday to Tennessee for a week long church planting boot camp. It is going to be very strange/hard being away from my ladies for an extended period of time. Pray for us, for Shaina and Chaia to keep on truckin' and for me to survive a pretty demanding week mentally.

4. I wonder how many years it will be until Rosie from the Jetsons is fully operational. It seems like she could do the overnight feeds for Chaia. Where are fully operational robots when you need them most?

5. A woman from my church, named Michelle has a brain tumor that she is having operated on this Monday. She will be intubated, which is always a scary thing. She is young with a young kiddo at home. She needs our prayers. Ask God for His glory to be on display.

6. I am convinced more and more that what we do in the hard moments will either deepen our faith in Christ or derail our faith in Christ. You will suffer loss, pain and hardship at some point. And either we will make much of Him who has made death die, or we won't. Suffering lends the opportunity for a magnifying glass to be placed on the glory and goodness of God. But it is only an opportunity...whether we seize it or miss it is everything.

That's all I've got for now...going to pack up a few boxes while the ladies sleep.

Five Dollar Footlongs

2012-01-18T22:29:00.000-08:00

Chaia met up with one of her good nurse friends, Jackie at Subway in the CLE today. They let Shaina and I join in as well.

She sat in her stroller and was just an absolutely pleasant baby.

Then the poop. It wasn't as pronounced as her infamous, patented Chin-Tuck-Eyes-Crossed-Turn-Purple-and-Grunt bowel movement.

But it was the I'm-Sitting-In-My-Stroller-And-I-Bet-I-Can-Shoot-This-Out-Of-My-Diaper bowel movement. On her outfit. On her coat. On her stroller. Yes.

Shaina and Jackie take her to the bathroom to tagteam her wash and wax.

Jackie came back out with a cleaned up, newly outfitted Chaia in her arms while Shaina remained in the restroom.

Next thing we know, Chaia hurls.

On the floor...on Jackie...on Chaia's new outfit. Yes. I go to get Shaina and the diaper bag she had with her. When I return seconds later, she had done it again...A massive milk puddle in the middle of Subway.

Some guy who was on his lunch break and was eating next to Armageddon said it was no worries. He had grandkids and that stuff happened..."though not usually that much."

We still made our check up at the Clinic and I think Jackie and Chaia are still friends.

The whole scene made me think of this...Hope you laugh as hard as I did.

Dinner Complications

Cheaper by the Dozen

— MOVIECLIPS.com

Letting Go of Lemons

2012-01-17T13:30:00.000-08:00

I've sat down to write it a few different times.

But, every attempt at constructively crafting it takes me down a path of resentment and remorse, both of which derail my efforts.

On September 19, we went to the hospital. We knew Chaia was breathing over 90 times a minute and wasn't eating all that great.

We went back and forth. Is it just a bug? Are we first time parents over-reacting at something rather inconsequential?

Then we went. Something nagged at us to go. So we went.

And we entered the ER with this little bundle and went through registration and saw a triage doctor who did vitals, acknowledged the rapid breathing, but said all else was good and to go ahead and have a seat in the waiting room. She suggested it was probably just a little bug.

Three hours later. People had come in after us and been seen and left. We still sat. I checked at the desk. We were still on the list. I don't know if it was the "Over-reactive idiot parents" list or what list we were on. Regardless...we still sat.

Chaia wasn't in distress. She was still smiling, which now that we know a little more about her, it is clear she is a borderline masochist and probably wasn't telling us the whole story of her crisis. But she continued to breathe rapidly.

Knowing what we know now, it is frustrating to think that an ER doctor would shrug us off. I want to blame her. I want to villify that hospital for this gross oversight in care. She was starting a heart attack and you put us on a list?

That part of the story is called resentment.

We made a decision at hour 3 to pray and leave.

We walked out the doors of the hospital.

She actually seemed to rebound the next few days. Less rapid breathing and a little more eating. We chalked it up to over concerned parenting and continued with our time in Columbus.

Then she almost died. Then, 25% of her heart was irreparably damaged.

That part of the story is called remorse.

The resentment and remorse are almost crippling when we let them be. "They should have done that." "We should have done this."

They are almost crippling for you too. Blaming others for your circumstances, your hardship, your life. Being consumed by guilt over your own choices, sin and shortcomings. They cause your rearview mirror to get larger and your windshield to get smaller. Your past consumes your future.

Letting go of lemons is the hardest thing to do. Bitterness doesn't just wash off. It is a stain that needs deep cleansing.

But where I'm finding hope is in the Sovereignty and Goodness of God.

If we get into that hospital, there is a good chance Chaia dies without ever being diagnosed.

Instead the whirlwind of Orrville, lifeflight, Akron Childrens, transport, Cleveland Clinic took place. And a parade of teams of doctors that was easily over 50 at the Clinic jumped on Chaia's case in the first 24 hours...12 cardiologists (both adult and pediatric) looking at Chaia...still not finding a diagnosis until a geneticist who's specialty is rare genetic diseases crosses paths with Chaia. No doctor at the Clinic had ever seen GACI, but this geneticist had read about it and was insightful enough to look for calcium deposits in her other organs.

We ended up at the right place at the right time, and Chaia is still here...with a lot of unknowns...a lot of odds still stacked against her.

And our future kids have a fighting chance if they get this disease, as well.

So, God has infused his grace in ways we only barely have glimpsed.
I have found the story of redemption and hope that He has been working out in the Thompson clan.

It begins where the lemons end.

I'm New to This

2012-01-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

I haven't raised a kid before.

To date, I'd say I'm doing a bang up job...Mutated Genes, More time in hospitals than at home, already multiple little dudes seeking her hand in matrimony.

But one area that I need some insight and parenting wisdom...one area that I thought would not be an isssue until adolescence, but has already reared its ugly head...one area that keeps me up at night wondering how I will make it as a father of this little girl...

Is how she could be going on 7 months old and already need a training bra?

I thought we had a few years of daddy-daughter bonding before this chaos began?

In all seriousness, Chaia is a chub. It'll change, I'm sure when she gets mobile. But in the meantime, we are grateful, because we've seen heart failure kids who have failed to thrive. Who struggle daily to put on weight...to stay up to speed on the growth curve.

But Chaia isn't in that category. She has rolls on her rolls. Dimples where there should be joints. And for a kid that can't take anything by mouth...

I'd say she is festively plump.

Pilgrims and Settlers

2012-01-16T11:05:00.000-08:00

Reflections on a Thought from Sermon Yesterday

Pastor Ebert mentioned this briefly in his sermon and my mind started to churn on it. So I want to reflect on it...may be helpful to you, may not. If not, you get your money back.

There are some significant distinctions to be made between pilgrims and settlers.

Pilgrims are going somewhere. Settlers went somewhere.

Pilgrims are on their way. Settlers have arrived.

When we apply this to following Christ, it is pretty challenging...

It is about what God is doing...(Not about what God did back in 1994).

It is about the journey...(Not the destination)

I think the dangerous mindset of settlers is one of complacency and perhaps the biggest tragedy is when a generation opts for settling instead of pilgrimage...

Because the question that ceases to be asked to the one who has settled is "God, what would you have me do today?"

If God calls you to something new, the pilgrim simply adjusts their sail. But the settler has the labor and cost of pulling up the anchors.

And for many, the anchors are a deterrent to obedience.

So perhaps the question for us this week, is "God, where are you leading me today that I need to adjust my sails and live by your Spirit?"

Church

2012-01-16T02:04:00.000-08:00

For the first time since September 18, the Thompson family was in Church together!

It was good to see so many who have worn out the knees of their clothes on Chaia's behalf.

Chaia celebrated her first time back in church by throwing up all over Dad in the first 5 minutes.

We smelled like rotten eggs the rest of the morning.

You know what it says in Proverbs though, "He who smells like rotten eggs in church, sits in own 'pew'"

But if you smell like rotten eggs and look like this (and are a miracle in progress):

People come love on you anyways.

Every superhero needs a noble steed

2012-01-14T00:08:00.000-08:00

Well, Pediatrician Appointment was cancelled due to inclimate weather.

Grandma and Grandpa came over and gave us an evening away for a date night. To put it mildly, we needed it. Normal things that normal people do was good.

Saturday is a huge day for the Thompson household.

About 120 days ago, we dropped off the matriarch of the family at Grandma's house so we could go with Chaia down to Columbus for the week.

She hasn't been home since.

So, now that we are acclimated to home, I am heading to Grandma's Saturday afternoon to pick up Miss Shadow, our 11 year old puppy dog.

Can't Wait!

Dear Pediatrician

2012-01-12T20:52:00.000-08:00

It's been a little over four months since we saw you, but we're coming to see you at 3:00 p.m.

Usually when we don't see our doctor for a period of time, it means things are going well. No news is good news.

This isn't exactly why we haven't come to see you.

We'll try to catch you up when we meet.

But, you're dealing with a diva/rockstar/mutant who has captured the attention of hundreds or thousands around the world...She is tangible evidence of the glory of God in our midst. She's kind of a big deal.

So hold on to your hat, and handle with care.

Sincerely,

Ben and Shaina Thompson

I Love the Church

2012-01-12T08:49:00.000-08:00

I don't know if I could have said that 5-10 years ago.

But I love her.

Make no mistake about it, we do not make it through what we've made it through without her.

The outpouring of generosity in our time of trouble has been a testimony to Her potential and Her beauty.

The prayers, notes, meals, contributions, social work, creativity, love and support are making things more beautiful in the world.

You won't often hear about it. You'll hear of corruption, scandal, failure and sin.

But I'm telling you, the Church is magnificent, both in her goodness and her guffaws...her beauty and her blemishes...her servant's heart and her shortcomings.

The Church Fathers for over 1500 years have stated that "There is no salvation outside the Church." I think people read this and in their cynicism and skepticism try to attack it or qualify it, suggesting it is bad theology or somehow limiting to God.

But I think the heart of the sentiment is that the Church is the place where God's grace most tangibly intersects humanity.

Lives encountering LIFE.

As Perry Noble has said, "Those who say they like Jesus but hate the Church are booing the bride on her wedding day, and the groom is not okay with that."

The Church is God's Bride.

Beautiful and Hopeful.

And its time you join the movement.

If you're part of the Church, where can you be an agent of beauty and redemption and hope in your neck of the woods?

If you're not part of the Church, what's holding you back (and more important, what's holding you up in times of hardship?)

Just Visiting

2012-01-11T08:46:00.000-08:00

Off to Cleveland Clinic today for our first post hospital appointment. They will be weekly for a while, but let it be very clear.

We are only visiting.

My pillow is staying on my bed at home....where it belongs.

What I am thinking on today:

Romans 5:1-5

Suffering leads to Perseverance. Perseverance to Character. Character to Hope.

And hope doesn't disappoint.

The journey to maturity and Hope in Christ is preceded by Suffering and Perseverance.

And the journey is so worth it.

Mama and Baby

2012-01-10T16:56:00.000-08:00

So cool story that I'm just now sharing with you all (read here: "grab a kleenex")

Shaina posted on the blog a while back and used this picture:

Our friend Courtney Schnee had taken this picture when they were up from Charlotte way back in August (pre-hospital peanut).

Anyways, fast forward to the week of Christmas. I came home to grab our stockings and a few other things for Christmas and I found a couple pretty amazing surprises. One was a love offering from SUMC which was a total, unexpected blessing! Another was a jar of money from an anonymous family who has a tradition of saving a money jar and then giving it to a family at Christmas.

The third was a package that had this in it:

Canvas Painting of the picture. Way back when we asked for a 24 hour prayer vigil to plead Chaia's case to the King, Hilary Siber decided she would paint while she prayed. She chose this photo from the blog.

(The ironic thing is that Courtney and Hilary are sisters but Hilary had no idea that Courtney had taken this picture.)

So the week we finally came home, Shaina got to see the painting and needless to say the tear ducts were prompted to start pumping.

Thanks Hilary for your kindness and for your prayers.

You make us giddy.

Our Dining Room

2012-01-10T01:54:00.000-08:00

...Because our hospital room had to go somewhere...

This has to change before I see us "On the next episode of Hoarders..."

So what's it gonna be?

2012-01-09T12:20:00.000-08:00

John 16:33...Jesus says "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

By weeks end, I will have been to three funerals in 2012.

As Chaia has made her exodus from the Chaia Clinic (I figure they can at least rename the place after her right?), I am sobered by the reality that pain and suffering are all but guarantees in this life.

You will have trouble.

WAIT A MINUTE. I thought the Jesus Package I was sold came with eternal security, God's Relentless Love and a blessing upgrade for good behavior?

I think many shake their fist at God when the trouble comes and question His goodness, His nearness, or even His existence.

"God, How could you?" (Insinuating a deep sense of entitlement that we are owed something better than a life with trouble.)

And for many, this is where our story and His story break up.

"If God is going to allow me and those I care about to suffer and hurt, then what good is He in the first place?"

But for those who see suffering as an opportunity rather than a punishment, as a blessing rather than a curse, as love rather than indifference, the Gospel becomes a thing of beauty.

Some will find hope in the midst of despair. Some will find strength from weakness. Some will find that Making Much of Him is not just some obligatory duty, but is a privilege and delight.

You will find trouble.

You can either take heart in the One who has overcome the world or you can let your circumstances, your hardship, and your suffering overcome you.

Let me say one more thing on this...if you think you can wait in your life to make much of Him when the troubles come without living a life of Making Much of Him to prepare you...good luck.

So what's it gonna be?

Make much of your suffering and pain?

Trust me, there's a better way.

A Day in the Life...

2012-01-09T07:21:00.000-08:00

Midnight...Dad puts milk in my pump and starts it. I'm asleep.

12:50 a.m....Pump goes off. Feed complete. Dad turns my pump off.

2:00 a.m....I wake dad up with grunting and explosions in my pants. I'm actually still asleep. Dad changes my pants and thinks I'm still asleep. Then he looks up and I chuckle at him. I'm wide awake. I can tell he appreciates my jollyness.

3:00 a.m....Dad puts my next feed in the pump and starts it.

3:50 a.m....Pump goes off. Feed complete. Dad turns my pump off and heads to bed.

5:25 a.m....Mom wakes up and gives me Diuril at 5:30

5:30 a.m....My mom pumps, then gets my 6 a.m. feed ready in the pump.

6:00 a.m....She gives me my breakfast along with my Captopril and Lasix.

7:30 a.m....I wake up grinning which melts my mom's heart so she has to play with me.

9:00 a.m....My mom pumps, then gives me my 9:00 a.m. feed, my vitamins, my Miralax, my potassium chloride, my baby Aspirin, my Synthroid, my Pepcid.

9:30 a.m....I hurl a considerable amount of my 9:00 a.m. feed.

9:45 a.m....I take a nap because hurling makes me tired.

9:50 a.m....my feeds go off because I'm done eating.

10:30 a.m....I wake up and am ready to be entertained.

11:30 a.m....I receive my calcification meds called etidronate. Once I receive this (which has to be on an empty stomach), then I have to remain upright for 30 minutes because it is pretty harsh on my esophagus, so mom and dad hold me.

Noon....I get my lunch.

12:50 p.m....My pump goes off and my feeds are done.

1:00 p.m....I get my ativan and my second round of diuril.

2:00 p.m....I get my 2nd round of Captopril and my second round of lasix.

3:00 p.m....Its time for me to eat again.

3:50 p.m....My pump goes off and my feeds are done.

5:00 p.m....I get my Coumadin to thin my blood.

6:00 p.m....Its time for me to eat again.

6:50 p.m....You guessed it, my pump goes off and my feeds are done.

7:00 p.m....I'm in my rarest form...laughing and playing.

8:00 p.m....I'm exhausted but my evil parents won't let me fall asleep.

9:00 p.m....I get another round of feeds, my 2nd dose of potassium chloride, my 3rd dose of diuril, my 2nd dose of pepcid. Then my mom and dad put me in bed.

9:50 p.m....My pump goes off and my feeds are done.

10:00 p.m....I get my 3rd dose of lasix and 3rd dose of captopril.

If I'm an obedient, God-fearing child, I sleep from this point until we start the process all over again with dad at midnight.

----------------
Throw in diapers and normal day to day living tasks and to put it plainly, we are not bored.

But we're home.

With Chaia.

And its worth it.

Home

2012-01-07T21:34:00.000-08:00

We made it.

103 days. 4 hospitals. 1 Helicopter ride. 1 Ambulance ride.

Overcoming 1 drug addiction.

Repeatedly defying odds.

Friday at 4 p.m., Chaia was discharged from the Cleveland Clinic.

What this means:

She is home. Lots of prayers answered right there. She still cannot take her feeds orally, so she came home with an NG tube. She is on round the clock meds. I may post a 'glimpe into the day' post sometime so you can see how many meds we give throughout the day. But she is home. And we slept in our own bed/crib for the first time since September.

What this doesn't mean:

That we are out of the woods by any means. Chaia's heart is still compromised...She is growing and thriving (she wore 9 month clothes on her 6 month birthday)...but there are still many unknowns. So this means you don't get to stop kneeling.

We are elated. I have a couple videos that I want to get on here, but I am about to lose it because of the frustration of the movie making program and the uploading process. So, there may not be videos.

But for now, know we are home and that the benefit dinner put on for Chaia by the Smithville United Methodist Church was a huge hit.

Jesus is good.

And He's not done yet.

Quick Update

2012-01-07T11:51:00.000-08:00

Internet has been down for a bit so that is why you seen much activity in the mustard world recently.

Chaia is still having a good week.

I am heading to Smithville to attend a benefit for Chaia that is being put on by Smithville United Methodist Church.

Hope to see you there!

I Hate to Break it to You

2012-01-05T13:42:00.000-08:00

But My Kid is Cuter Than Your Kid.

:-)

This is truth...unbiased, absolute truth (From a dad who is wrapped around her little finger.)

(Courtesy of Sarah Ishler---Sarah Marie Photography)

How's Your Path?

2012-01-05T04:45:00.000-08:00

Was thinking about this post from last January this morning and thought I would put it up again.

Early African Christians were earnest and regular in private devotions. Each one reportedly had a separate spot in the thicket where he would pour out his heart to God. Over time the paths to these places became well worn. As a result, if one of these believers began to neglect prayer, it was soon apparent to the others. They would kindly remind the negligent one, "Brother, the grass grows on your path."

Prayerfulness above all other things, expresses our desperate need for God. If that is true, then prayerlessness for a Christian is as arrogant and defiant of a sin as could ever be named.

Mow your path...and don't pray petty, self-indulgent, small god prayers. Don't pray out of obligation or duty, but pray because enjoying him is incomparable to any other enjoyment. Pray like your life depends on it...because it does.

5 Things

2012-01-04T12:59:00.000-08:00

1. Chaia has begun bolus feeding. First 24 hours have been good. She is still fed through NG tube, but her stomach seems to be tolerating the bolus route.

2. The scan that Chaia was scheduled for this week to find out if the calcifications have been stabilized, reversed or worsened has been canceled. The documented cases suggest the optimal time for seeing change is after 6 months of treatment. (In some cases change has been identified at 3 months of treatment.) So we will have no definitive knowledge of how the calcification treatment is working for 2.5 more months. This is fine by us...we are optimistic that the fact that she has bounced back from the initial myocardial infarction suggests the calcifications are not worsening.

3. I didn't tell you my New Years Resolution. I'm going to eat one salad a day 365 times this year. Hoping to lose some weight, get a little healthier and impress my wife with my wide range of food pyramid acquisitions. Today is day four...and after dinner I will be 4 for 4.

4. Shaina and I made a bet on the Super Bowl. I know I know, not very 'Christian' to be gambling, but we aren't betting money...we're betting date nights. If I win, Shaina has to take me to a Cavs Game. If Shaina wins, I have to take her to a play. We took turns picking teams and whoever has the SuperBowl winner, gets their date night.

My teams? Green Bay, New England, Pittsburgh, Denver, Detroit and Cincinatti.

Shaina's teams? New Orleans, San Francisco, Baltimore, New York, Atlanta and Houston.

5. Don't forget that this Saturday, the Church I began my walk with Christ, Smithville United Methodist Church is putting on a Soup Fundraiser on Chaia's behalf. It is donation only. Shaina and I are hoping to make an appearance. It is at 5:30 p.m. at the Smithville Church (243 North Milton Street, Smithville, OH). Thanks in advance to the good folks at SUMC for having the heart to do this for Chaia! See you then!

Century Mark

2012-01-03T18:55:00.000-08:00

100 days in the hospital.

I'd be lying if I told you the walls weren't caving in.

Literally, we trip over things, run into things, knock little willowtree angels off the counter and break their heads off...cabin fever is intensifying.

There are days that I'm angry. Frustrated. Pitying myself.

And then I remember the day we came from Akron Children's to Cleveland Clinic. The reason we came was because the Clinic had Heart Transplant capabilities and ECMO, a machine that bridges the gap for critical patients, sometimes giving them time for a transplant...sometimes giving them time to recover on their own.

She was on a Bair Hugger, a machine used to control her temperature because her body couldn't do it on its own. I have yet to see any other kiddos in my time here on a bair hugger.

100 days in a hospital is a gift, when you were looking at funeral arrangements on day 5.

Chaia went into the hospital on a day in the 60s, with sunshine and mostly green leaves. She is going to learn to hate Cleveland weather when she gets out.

When Chaia went into the hospital, the Browns were 2-1...(sigh).

The other day, a nurse practitioner said resolutely that Chaia was a miracle.

But, in many ways, there are still more questions than answers. And there likely always will be with her.

Here's what we do know. God's fame is increasing because of Chaia's life.

And that is what we have prayed for all along.

Be very clear, we have asked God to bring fame to His name through this experience. If that means instant healing...bring it on. If it means gradual healing...bring it on. If it means no healing...bring it on.

So 100 days is a gift...because hearts are softening.

Ezekiel 36:26 is happening to more people than just Chaia.

And so I plead with you, don't waste the gift.

Cry out to God for rescue through Christ.

Do that thing you know you are supposed to be obedient with but have drug your feet.

Reconcile with that family member that you've been acting childishly or bitterly toward for too long.

Go meet your neighbors.

Hug your kids.

Read the Bible.

Serve the poor.

Go to Church.

Change Your World.

But for God's sake, don't waste your gift.

Milestone Announcement

2012-01-02T18:47:00.000-08:00

Yesterday (Sunday) Chaia turned 6 months old. I would be the guy who would normally make fun of the guy who got amped up about 'month birthdays'...but now I'm the guy who gets amped up about 'month birthdays'. Because we have no idea how many birthdays we have with this kid. Plus 6 months is a mark that the majority didn't make it past with GACI.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) is Chaia's 100th day in the hospital. The century mark. I will be honest, Shaina and I are rather irritable at this point and we want our own bed.

But then there is today. And today brought us this announcement.

An Announcement We've Been Waiting For Weeks To Make from Mustard Revolution on Vimeo.

The Warrior Princess is on the move.

Love Well. Laugh Often

2012-01-02T15:36:00.000-08:00

Today was the funeral for my Uncle John Buss. The service was really good. John's pastor shared from the heart and it was meaningful. On the way to the cemetery, the Central Fire District (which John helped start) was along the roadside with a "Thanks John" sign. Pretty cool.

The thing I will value most from my uncle's life is to not take things too seriously. I feel like every time my family and his visited, he had a new joke for my dad.

So I remember one joke in particular John was telling my dad. I remember it really well. I was in 2nd grade at the time.

It went something like this:

There was a guy at the mall around Christmas time and as he walked by the pet store, he noticed a large crowd. He stopped to see what was going on and the pet store owner said, "You have to see Chet the singing parrot!" So the guy went in to scope it out and sure enough, if Chet had a match lit under his left leg he would sing "Silent Night". So the man grew curious, "What would happen if you lit the match under his right leg," he asked the pet owner, who decided to try it and Chet began singing "Jingle Bells." Amazed, the guy suggested, what would happen if we lit the match under both of his legs? The owner tried and the parrot began singing, "Chets nuts roasting on an open fire."

As an innocent 2nd Grader I laughed because thats what all the adults were doing. Soon after that at school, I was waiting for dismissal with a couple other kids and my 2nd grade teacher Miss King. They were exchanging jokes, so I chimed in...qualifying it by saying, I don't really get it...but here it goes...I delivered it to a T...and Miss King, like the other adults laughed pretty hard.

I don't remember if I told my mom that I told that joke to Miss King or if Miss King mentioned it to my mom...but that may have been the moment my mom lost control of me in parenting.

In 2011 he celebrated 50 years of marriage with my Aunt Judy. (This might be a greater testament to my Aunt Judy, depending on how you rated the above joke!) John was a good man.

We found out that a few days before he died, he shared that he wanted his miracle to go to Chaia. The family even asked for contributions to be made to Chaia's Benevolent Fund in lieu of flowers. (Thanks Buss family!)

Love well. Laugh often.

And don't tell pg-13 jokes to your 2nd grade teacher.

Advice and an example to live by.

Merci Beaucoup!

2011-12-31T11:33:00.000-08:00

As 2011 comes to a close, Shaina, Chaia and I wanted to say thank you. We could not even begin to write thank you cards to cover the generosity you all have shown...so, here it is.

Thank you for the hundreds of cards. Thank you for the donations. Thank you for the Au Bon Pain Gift cards, the gas cards, the Subway gift cards, the parking passes, the Browns game, the Monsters game, the Cavs game, yes even the Zips game, the Seahawks Helmet, the Gungor poster, the Cribbs autograph, the Cavs visits, the Ireland football jersey, the 407 headbows/headbands, the sock monkeys (affectionaly named Stanley, Sylvia, Stewie, Sammy, Seneca and Sebastian), thank you for the stuffed animals. Thank you for the Prayin' for Chaia pics, for the facebook encouragement, for making Chaia your facebook profile pic, for taking us to Brunos, to Crankys, to Little Italy, to Melt, to Cheesecake Factory, or bringing us Old Carolina, Subway, Chic Fila or Jimmy Johns. Thank you for the prayer shawls and blankets. Thank you for the 2 free photoshoots. Thank you for the John the Baptist willowtree angel, thank you for coming to us for Christmas, thank you for the beautiful blanket, for the books, particularly SkippyJohn Jones and Walter the Farting Dog, thank you for being our nurses and doctors, thank you for bubble baths and for letting us hold our baby even when she was intubated. Thank you for being honest with us even when it hurt. Thank you for a Christmas tree, ornaments, lights. Thank you for cleaning our house, for getting the mail, for the incredible scrapbooking pages (you freaks!), for the outfits, for checking the blog more frequently than I do, FOR PRAYING, for helping Bombard the Heavens, for relieving us from ministry responsibilities to focus on our little girl, for money jars, for incredible paintings, for muffins and mailbox ornaments, for sitting with Chaia, for sharing your stories of pain and hope, for the blue snuggie that Shaina despises me wearing but I wear anyways to teach her endurance, for lucky pennies, for pink hippos, for laughing with us (or at us) for crying with us, for rooting for us, for loving Chaia, even though many of you have never met her (or us), for the Mountain Dew, for the frames, pacifiers, for turning to God, some for the first time, others for the first time in a long time, for the Christmas dresses, for the PICU tshirt designs, for the zebra shoes, for the sock monkey hat, for spaghetti dinner fundraisers, for soup fundraisers, for covering our costs at Ronald McDonald, for getting Joe Haden to come to visit our suite, for the playlists, for journeying with us, for rooting for Jack with us, for golf, for playing Risk, for thinking of ways to help us that we would never have come up with.

Thank you for helping us to know that God has NEVER been more good, more loving and more near than He has been in 2011.

For virtually nagging God for the miraculous, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

And God, for the ways you are answering, we thank you too.

Happy New Year!

Stadium Mustard Number One

2011-12-31T09:04:00.000-08:00

In my mind, this is the undisputed winner.

Chaia's Story

The Epic Cinematic Experience

Chaia's Story from Mustard Revolution on Vimeo.

James Cameron Eat Your Heart Out.

Two peas in a pod

2011-12-30T20:07:00.000-08:00

Found these two napping.

Insert your caption for this picture in the comment section.

I woke up to this email this morning

2011-12-30T12:06:00.000-08:00

Sooooo....is there something about me that Chaia doesn't like? I slept from 12:15 - 1:30a and your daughter has been up and down ever since. I thought I was settling in at 5a after pumping, changing her diaper and getting her more milk, when I hear her gag...catch the throw up...win...while she's sitting up she poops again...lose...as I am weighing her diaper I realize I set the cup of milk down...in her crib...which she has now rolled over...LOSE. So after a bedding change she is smiling at me. I love her and I am glad to be up with her, but I might kill her!

Love you Daddy,
Mama xoxo

-------------
The night before when I was on hospital duty, she slept from 9:30 p.m.-5:30 a.m., woke up and watched Sportscenter with dad in the rocking chair and then slept from 6:30-8:30...I don't want to speculate on who Chaia loves more, but... :-)

Stadium Mustard Number Two

2011-12-30T09:07:00.000-08:00

This was both amazing and humbling and helped remind us that there are more hearts at stake in this story than Chaia's.

Today's Theme Song

2011-12-29T12:52:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure Jordin Sparks is singing about quite the same thing that Chaia is singing about...but today...day 95 in hospitals is a pretty remarkable day.

Chaia began the hospital journey with this:

After she was extubated she did this:

(The cross between Big Bird and Hanibal Lecter known as BiPap)

Then, she upgraded to this:

And today she said 'arrivedAIRci' to the Vent (R2D2), the BiPap, the CPap, the Hi-Flo, and last but not least the one liter of O2 she has been on for the last few weeks.

This is good news. 95 days of oxygen support...Now day 1 of no air.

We like good news.

Stadium Mustard Number Three

2011-12-29T09:19:00.000-08:00

This is the third best blog entry from the year and its actually a triple feature! I chimed in on three different occasions for posts called PARENTING FOR DUMMIES. I like all three and since it is my blog and not yours, I included them all as the number three entry for the year!

Parenting for Dummies Part One
(Note that this was written pre-hospital, pre-calcifications, pre-mutant)

There are any number of dreams I have for you.

Any number of ambitions, hopes, aspirations.

Any number of idols I might cling to.

I even feel the pull on my heartstrings to be derailed from God's calling for you...to protect you...to preserve you.

But in the end, only one prayer will suffice.

Whether it is one more breath or one more century of breaths, may your life be leveraged for the glory of God, indebted to the grace of God and captivated by the heart of God day after day.

And may my heart, dreams and expectations stay out of your way.
**********************************************************************

Parenting for Dummies Part Two
First, Chaia has had a rough day. She was heading pretty assuredly toward re-intubation which is not great. But there is silver-lining in that...she was heading there because her respiratory system was failing...not her cardiac system...so her heart is ok right now. And because of that we can re-intubate if necessary.

But, they took some tests at 7 p.m. and the results were markedly turned toward the positive, so now we are holding off until the next round of tests at 1 a.m. to see if they think she can continue to battle on her own.

Second. Chaia is not ours. She is a gift. I mean that. It is God who gives life. So the work of parenting is pretty simple. If you commit yourself to the primary work of parenting, you will do well for yourself and for your kids.

Your primary work as a parent isn't friendship. You'll never be cool. You're old.

Your primary work as a parent isn't success. Even if they make great money, they won't give it back to you anyways...Because you're not cool and you're old.

Your primary work as a parent isn't to make them responsible adults. There's no such thing...just a bunch of posers who'd rather be playing with Legos.

Your primary work as a parent isn't "to give them every chance you never had." If you are doing that with your kid...everyone else around your kid hates your kid and hates you for spoiling your kid. (Learn to say "no")

Your primary work as a parent isn't any of these things...Instead it is STEWARDSHIP. In fact your whole life's work should be an act of stewardship. God gifts you with children, with money, with that breath you just took, with friends, with family, with food, with opportunities...and the whole point of those gifts is that you might let them roll right back up to God in thanksgiving and glory.

But in our brokeness, we take these things and distort them...and instead of rolling them back up to the giftgiver, we turn them inward toward ourselves. So money isn't stewarded...it turns into greed and consumerism. Food isn't stewarded...it turns into gluttony or apathy. Children aren't stewarded...they are turned into idols we live vicariously through.

I wrote Chaia a letter the other day before her extubation and I just remember this line that jumped off the pages of my heart. "Your mom and I love you so much...more than words can describe...but we don't love you THAT MUCH. So much that we would make you the center of our lives. So much that we would gain you and lose our souls. So much that you could become an idol. We don’t love you that much, and it is the greatest gift we can give you."

Chaia isn't, wasn't and will never be ours. She is a gift and she belongs to God.

That is what it means to follow Christ...to turn everything about our lives to Him in worship...no matter the cost.

It's better that way. With all that is in us, we know this to be true.
*******************************************************************
Parenting For Dummies Part Three

"No parent should have to bury their own child."

I've heard that said to grieving parents.

I've said that to grieving parents.

Something just donned on me this week. This isn't helpful. And its not true.

I understand the sentiment. What parent would ever want their child to precede them in death? That is an absolutely painful experience.

But as Chaia has teetered on the edge of life and death over the past almost 3 months, I've found a variety of thoughts and emotions going through my head and in my heart.

One of them has been around this thought, that no parent should have to do what we might have to do. No parent should have to go through what we're going through.

And that line of thinking takes me down a path that is very selfish and very belittling to God.

Here's why:

We rebelled. Adam. Eve. You. Me. Fractured relationship with God, because we thought God was slighting us or holding out on us with the whole fruit and tree fiasco. Sin changed everything.

Sin leaves us, things, the world...broken.

Kids are going to die. Because things aren't right. Tragedy is going to strike, because our sin has left a big 'as-is' tag on the world. Storms will come, because we chose to let rain be in the forecast.

So we make the bed, then shake our fist at God when we have to sleep in it.

And so I feel the same story of entitlement come to the surface in parenting. No parent should have to go down this road? Then, God must be slighting us or holding out on us. And my 'why God?' becomes some sort of defiant, entitled, idolatrous questioning...rather than a question that leads us to worship God in deeper waters.

So Chaia may die. Today, tomorrow, in a week, in a month, in a year, in a century. Your kid may die, too.

And perhaps before that, parenting will turn out a million ways like you didn't expect. Your kids will fall, fail and flee when you hoped they would stand, succeed and stay.

So you and I can play the victim...or worse, let our kids play the victim. And refuse to see God for who He really is.

Or we can enter in the the Grand Story that God is telling.

That He saw the 'As-Is' sticker on our world and each of our hearts, and He said "I'll pay double." And bought us with a price.

That in the midst of our deepest pain, sorrow and brokeness, He came near.

That in a world that had chosen to reject Him in the beginning, He would send a rescuer.

That the only one who has a right to file a claim in the complaint department about having to bury a child, is the One who loved us so much that He sent that child to the cross on our behalf.

That you are not your own.

That your child is not your own.

That we are His.

And that changes everything.

Stadium Mustard #4

2011-12-28T18:55:00.000-08:00

I chose this one as a top five 2011 blog post because I like the picture...and I like the X-Men and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, so my bias toward mutant types is shining forth.

Mutants and Mangers

Have I mentioned that this is not how I'd envisioned parenting?

I mean seriously? Shaina carries the same mutated gene that I do and we somehow both choose Mount Union, she falls for my stunning good looks and shoulder length blond hair? We get married and our little mutated genes do the mutated gene dance and out pops this little mutant? Less than 180 cases of this worldwide? There's 7 billion people now. And its Ben and Shaina's mutated awesomeness that gets to be one of the 180?

This is not the story I'd write.

But here we are, day 81 (who's counting right?), and God is using Chaia's story to impact people all over. It is pretty incredible. And the Gospel of God's glory is being revealed. Again, the Trinitarian Huddle in the heavenlies is not having a trouble shooting review session to see if it was Jesus or the Holy Spirit who missed the mutated gene hook up of Ben and Shaina. God has known all along of Chaia's story. And His fame and renown are becoming more tangible through this little mutant, than we ever would have scripted in our own idolatrous versions of the story of raising a child.

It's not the story any of us would have written. And yet this story is better.

2000 some years ago, the King of Kings was born. He could have been born in Rome or in some palace somewhere, to assume his place on the throne, but He was born in a manger...and let's not sanitize it. The scene, the scent, the sounds weren't anything like the nativity in your home. The King of Kings chose a trough not a throne. Chose Shepherds rather than royalty. Chose meekness instead of might.

It's not a Children's story.

And it's not the story any of us would have written. And yet this story is better.

The invitation of both the mutant and the manger is to enter a story that is not of our own scripting. It is much less concerned with career paths and 401ks. It laughs at investment portfolios and 10 year plans. It is a story that interjects hope in the midst of heartache. A story that surprises the condemned with grace. And baffles the broken with peace.

Maybe the best lesson for us this Christmas...

Is to put the pen down.

Stadium Mustard Number 5

2011-12-27T21:04:00.000-08:00

Five Days Left in 2011! So I will break the top 5 blog posts of the year down over these last days.

If you missed numbers 6-11 you can find the links here

Number 5

This video "Mini-Sermon" that I believe with all my heart.

Chaia, Suffering and Worship from Mustard Revolution on Vimeo.

Praying For God's Fame

2011-12-27T20:18:00.000-08:00

My Uncle John is very ill with stage four cancer. He's gone from diagnosis to treatment to hospice in a very, very short time.

So Chaia's prayin' it forward.

And you should too.

What We're Up Against

2011-12-27T05:18:00.000-08:00

Had a couple minute brain-picking session with Chaia's cardiologist.

I share the medical side here, knowing full well, that Jesus has, had, and will have final authority on where her story goes.

Here's where we stand. Chaia's heart still has substantial damage to it. But it has adapted well and with blood pressure and heart meds, it has regulated a new normal.

We have gotten to the point where all of her meds have been transitioned from PIC line to feeding tube with the exception of pamidronate (the experimental calcification drug). Once these have all been transitioned we can remove the PIC line.

Today wraps up the 12th week of calcification treatment. Chaia's 3 month scan is scheduled for next week. This is the biggie. If the pamidronate is working, the calcifications should have either stabilized or begun reversal. If the calcifications are worse, I don't think any thing can be done medically.

The 'H' word is still a distant thing on the horizon. But I'm proud of my girls for hanging in. In a week, we will have been in the hospital for 100 days straight.

One of the challenges since moving to the four-oh is that Shaina and I are rotating between sleeping in the hospital and in the RM house. So it has been a while since I have been elbowed in the ribs and/or kidney for snoring and we both miss that. We also miss our own bed.

But 93 days are down and we'll do another 93 if we have too.

Because we're convinced there's something miraculous taking place.

Keep kneeling.

Christmas Shots

2011-12-25T18:45:00.000-08:00

My mom and sisters' families came up the four oh for a little Christmas time. Good to see everyone.

The family both immediate and extended went in to get us this incredible gift:

Then just before bed, we had a little family photo time:

Have a Blessed Christmas and New Year

2011-12-25T09:01:00.000-08:00

The angel Gabriel appears to Mary and says "Greetings, you who are highly favored by God."

I know its Christmas and we're to be jolly and stuff, but this has been haunting me this advent.

"You who are highly favored by God"...Blessed.

God's anointing. Favor. Blessing. On Mary?

When I think of favor, blessing or anointing, I think of health...prosperity...Midas touch...No matter what I do...It will turn out well.

And yet Mary is a 13-15 year old virgin. She has gotten pregnant out of wedlock, an offense worthy of being stoned in that culture. She has to be looked down upon by her hometown. And how is she going to explain it to them? Or to Joseph? "Oh the Holy Spirit knocked me up!" I'm not sure of the reaction she'd get...actually I'm quite sure of it...and it wouldn't be pretty.

Oh and when you go to have this illegitimate kid...there will be no place for you to labor except the barn. Oh and shortly after you have this kid, you who are highly favored of God, will need to flee for your life from King Herod. Oh and then, this gift from God, oh Mary, you who are highly favored, you're going to watch him be beaten, scorned, mocked, spit on, bloodied, broken and hung on a cross to die.

My point? Maybe biblical concepts of blessing and favor mean something drastically different than the American concepts of blessing and favor.

And God's aim isn't to prosper you, but to crush you and make you new.

So, may you and yours be highly favored and blessed by God this Christmas and New Year.

And may you endure and survive that favor and give glory to God.

Merry Christmas!

Twas the Night Before Christmas

2011-12-24T20:20:00.000-08:00

So we went to our home church in Wadsworth for the Family Christmas Eve service.

Our friends Bruce and Sharon and their son Jordan came and watched Chaia so we could do this and even packed us a great picnic dinner for the trip! (Thanks Keeners!)

We got back, had our Christmas Eve Bath and then had our Christmas Family Photo.

We went on a magical sleigh ride.

...Making Lemonade.

Merry Christmas!

The Eyes are the Window

2011-12-23T20:24:00.000-08:00

So, I feel like the gift of an artist is to capture what isn't there.

Chaia was a crab today. Part of it was she pulled out her NG Tube. Part of it was that she got dual shots in her thighs yesterday and was still feelin' it today. Part of it was she was awake too much.

But anyways, crabby. Grumpy. Cranky. Crying. Whining. Demanding to be held. Demanding a pacifier continually.

So for someone to capture these on a day like today...

means somebody is an artist.

That somebody is Sarah Ishler from Sarah Marie Photography.

She and her husband/assistant/human backdrop came up again today to capture a few more pictures of Chaia. We had never met Sarah prior to her catching wind of Chaia's story and offering to come up and capture Chaia's story through her lens. The two times we've been with her have been a blast and the end result speaks for itself.

Check out Sarah's facebook page, searching Sarah Marie Photography or go to her website here Sarah, you are an artist! Thanks so much!

Chaia has finally gotten past the grumpy stage and is sleeping hard right now...which means I need to do the same.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-23T12:59:00.000-08:00

A lot going on in the past few days. So, consider this a little blogging hiatus...

Chaia got to meet her aunt Mary Beth and uncle Brian for the first time yesterday. Mary Beth took some pictures and this one was perfect, so I thought I'd share it.

Merry Christmas

2011 Stadium Mustard (numbers 6-11)

2011-12-21T20:21:00.000-08:00

Well, I've been at this blogging business for a few years and one of the rewards I get personally from it, is that I get to go back periodically and recall and reflect where life has happened and what God has taught me. It has all the rewards of keeping a diary, but its so much more manly than a diary.

Every year I do a 'best of' to recap some of my favorite posts personally.

So, with you on the edge of your seat, I will share links to the TOP 11 posts of 2011. You'll get the first batch now and the rest in a day or so.

Here Goes...

#11 This post on LEADERSHIP IN THE CHURCH.

#10 This moment of clarity coming back from Passion 2011 the first week of January. If you are in your 20s, you should make this pilgrimage...It is absolutely life changing. In fact, if you decide you want to go and are the first to get back to me, I'll pay half your way!

#9 Some thoughts on whether God still Heals Today. This was from February. God was readying us all along.

#8 This Post on Clean Underpants (and the sixth anniversary of my dad's death)

#7 Chaia's Birthday And Name Explanation. I remember the beauty...the traumatizing, horrifying beauty of that day like it was yesterday. I had it in my head that there would be a screen between me and D-Day and I would hold Shaina's hand and encourage her...After the baby came, they'd clean her up and pass her to our side of the screen for us to ooh and ahh at. That all changed the moment the doctor said "Dad, grab a leg."

#6 Who Could Forget the Night I saved my girls lives?

#5-#1....To be continued.

Happy Birthday to me!

2011-12-20T20:28:00.000-08:00

29 today.

Grandma and Grandpa brought up a cake and I got to go watch the Cavs future in Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson (Irving is the real deal.)

But the best birthday present of the day?

"The EKG came back with relatively normalized heart function. It looks now, like she only had a borderline infarction. And the echo looks to me like it might be a little better too. I'll leave it to the professionals to make sure, though."--Chaia's Cardiologist

It'd be premature to start the celebrations, but it might be that the first echo in months has shown noticable improvement. (Week after week, we've had echos done with "no change"...which was actually good, because Chaia's heart was doing more and more and her damage was not getting worse under the added strain.)

We may know more tomorrow. But, hope is a pretty good birthday present.

Hope is good.

I like hope.

FAQ--Revolutionary Style

2011-12-19T21:50:00.000-08:00

I get a lot of questions on facebook, email, text, etc. I figured I'd answer them here, and then if people ask you or you ask me, the response can just be 'mustard revolution'. It seems fitting that these two words be in everyone's everyday vocabulary.

Like, when you see God at work in your life...just call it a "mustard revolution."

Or when you're eating a hot dog and you drop yellow condiment all over your self, you can say, "well that was a mustard revolution"

Or when you win the game clue by guessing it was Colonel Mustard in the Kitchen with the candlestick...ok maybe a stretch?

Anyways, on to the questions:

1. Why did my friend or my search engine or my facebook addiction lead me to this website?
--5 Minute version...This video:

--Journey with us Version...Scroll down on the the blog and on the left side, you will see blog entries by month. Begin on Wednesday, September 21 "A Flat Tire Kind've Life" and you can see this Jesus-saturated story unfold.

2. How is Chaia now?
--She is ok. Not better than ok...Not worse than ok. She has been very uncomfortable for about the last week and we can't seem to pinpoint what the issue is. Part of this journey is not knowing what is a medical baby issue and what is a normal baby issue. Like when she spikes a fever and becomes agitated and clammy. Well, that could be 1. Her catching a bug that could compromise her heart. 2. Heart Failure. 3. Oh, or it could just be teeth coming in.

We will have a CT scan done in early January to see if after 3 months of Pamidronate treatments for the calcification if we can tell if they have stabilized the calcifications, reversed the calcifications or done nothing to the calcifications. In some instances they have been able to tell at 3 months. More often it is at 6 months of treatment.

3. What is a normal day for us?
--One of us stays in the hospital room over night. The other stays at the Ronald McDonald House. (One of us gets some sleep, the other is hit or miss in the hospital.) We are both at the hospital most days by about 8 or 8:30. The doctors and teams on Chaia's case will round on her anywhere from 8:30 to 10:30 in the morning, run through her case, give a bunch of numbers that used to sound like Dutch, but now we are starting to understand. After this, we do many exhillarating things like push meds, change diapers, read books, work on tummy time, etc. At noon, I typically go to the gym and play basketball with some Cleveland Clinic employees, shower and head back to the hospital. About 4 or 5, the doctors will again round and troubleshoot any issues. Then, most nights, Chaia's grandma and grandpa Penrod come visit and dinner is eaten from Au Bon Pain or the Cafeteria. Grandpa will read SkippyJon Jones (a must read!) and Grandma will work her magic to cause Chaia to move her bowels. Then, every night, we pray over Chaia, anoint her with oil and ask God to do Ezekiel 36:26. Then we do bath time, books and bed by midnight...then repeat the next day.

4. What do we need?

--Prayers. More than anything else, we have found a correlation between people's intention prayers and intercessions for Chaia and her improvement.

Tangibly, what we don't need: stuffed animals. lol. If you want to help, I think the ways the seem most practical right now are A) Au Bon Pain gift cards. I have to find lunch and dinner most days. Shaina gets hers provided as a breastfeeding mother. There is no breastfeeding father perks. In fact that's just awkward. Call the 24 hour Au Bon Pain inside the Clinic (216-721-6473)and you can purchase the gift card and they will hold it for us until we pick it up. B) If you want to contribute financially, there is a fund set up at First Merit Banks. It is the Chaia Joy Thompson Fund. It can be found through that name or probably searched by my name or Shaina's name. C) Come to the Souper Bowl Party on January 7 at 5:30 p.m.

5. What is Chaia's address?

Two options. We have a friend housesitting and bringing up our mail each week, so you can send it to our home.
13892 Cherton Street
Canal Fulton, OH 44614
or to the hospital

Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Avenue
M40 Bed 15
Chaia Thompson
Cleveland, OH 44195
*Just know we have no idea at this point when we will be out of this joint.

6. Are you still planting a church in Columbus in 2012?
--God has done nothing but confirm this calling through this trial. In His time, we are Buckeye Bound. More on this in the next few days.

7. Got any good jokes?

--Well, did you hear about the belt that got arrested?
Apparently, it held up the pants.
(Thank you Josh Hawrot)

May you have a Mustard Revolution Christmas.

Chaia's Christmas Visitors

2011-12-19T13:59:00.000-08:00

From left to right: Antawn Jamison, Alonzo Gee, Ramon Sessions and Samardo Samuels.

Chaia slept through it. After the pictures, she woke up and just stared at these giant Cavs players. Tomorrow we are going with some friends to their first home pre-season game to scope out new draft picks, Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson.

Should be fun. Seattle Seahawks, Joe Haden of the Browns and now the Cavs.

Chaia is going to give me my shot at being discovered and living out my dream to be a professional athlete.

Finally.

It's almost Christmas!

2011-12-18T21:19:00.000-08:00

So this past Christmas, almost a year ago now. This was my post.

"I think God is emphasizing that inadequacy in my heart so that I will press more into him in desperation. There is so little we can control and the faster we relinquish our belief of power to His lordship, the faster we will align with His will."

2011 Christmas Ben has a word of advice for 2010 Christmas Ben...

'Hey, you think you have little control now? Just wait! Cordially, 2011 Christmas Ben'

Alot can change from one Christmas to the next. But one thing is undeniable and unchanging. In it all...

God is Near.

It's the SOUPer Bowl

2011-12-18T06:29:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to throw a date out there for anyone who is interested.

On Saturday, January 7 at 5:30 p.m. at the Smithville United Methodist Church, there will be a gathering for fellowship and food, which is about as good a combination as you can put together.

The point of the gathering is to raise some $ for Chaia. So if you're in the Wayne County area or you live far away and are just really passionate about soup, put this date on your calendar and pack the house for Chaia!

I'm pretty sure the Browns will not be playing a postseason game that day, so what could be stopping you?

Hope to see you there!

243 North Milton Street
Smithville, OH 44677

blah

2011-12-17T11:19:00.000-08:00

Been in bed since yesterday with a lovely combo of runny nose, sore throat, achy body.

Chaia is doing well.

Shaina has snuck away twice to bring me 'medicine' (gatorade, animal crackers and pop tarts).

Anyways, that's why the blog is quiet.

How to pray:

Pray for Chaia to be able to adjust to bolus feeds. This is our best chance at getting her to feel hungry and to re-learn how to take from the bottle/breast. She has not eaten orally since September 25. This could be very hard.

Pray for the calcifications to not only be stabilized but reversed when she gets her scan the first week of January.

Pray that Chaia's heart continues to strengthen and that the damages are contained.

Chaia wins when we kneel.

Don't stop.

Mutants and Mangers

2011-12-15T18:14:00.000-08:00

joy

2011-12-14T11:43:00.000-08:00

Listen to this:

Then read this:

We did some 'slam poetry' last year for our Christmas Eve service...This was what we used for Joy. Read it a couple nights ago and found encouragement from it. Hope you might too. "Joy sings loudest in the midst of the storm"

JOY.
It’s more than a smile.
More than laughter that lasts for a while.
More than a poor soul in denial.
More than a happy-go-lucky kind of style.
It’s contented delight.
In the midst of the night.
When things aren’t quite right.
It’s satisfaction despite,
The Fear and the fright.
It’s a baby leaping in a mother’s womb
At the coming of the One who empties the tomb.
Its shepherds and angels sharing good news
Of the birth of a light that can’t be diffused.
Joy sings loudest in the midst of the storm
It’s melody salvation, because Christ is born.

Chaia's 80 Day Recap

2011-12-13T13:44:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow will be 80 days in hospitals.

Got this from my sister today and thought it was worth sharing in honor of this milestone.

Create your own photo album

Chaia is doing ok in her new Temporary Living Facility.

I woke up with a sore throat this morning (awesome!) so I've been maskin' it up today.

Shaina and I are both pretty worn down...just tired of the unknown and the holding pattern, but God has brought her pretty far from day one in the hospital to day 80...so we are grateful...but nonetheless weary and worn down.

Steppin' Down's a Step Up

2011-12-12T13:53:00.000-08:00

The Thompson convoy, complete with hundreds of cards, posters, books, stuffed animals,etc. has made the move out of the Intensive Care Unit!

We are now in the cardiac step down unit...M-40. We are living it up in room 16.

Step down is a step up...which we are stoked for.

But it is also bittersweet, because we're leaving behind some incredible people in our M43 nurses and doctors. Many have become family...and I don't even mean 'crazy uncle' kind've family...I mean legitimate, love 'em to death family.

But this is a huge step in this process. Chaia is no longer ICU worthy.

So, we are in our new Temporary Lodging Facility (Not calling it a Home...cause we don't intend to stay.)

To our PICU friends...don't forget us over here. Chaia needs visitors!

Start your week off right

2011-12-11T18:36:00.000-08:00

We've been asking God for a miracle. And we've been fortifying Chaia's feeds with Nolan's Cheddar.

The combination can't lose.

(Shown this before, but it is seriously one of the best things I've seen in my life).

Parenting for Dummies Part Three

2011-12-10T20:05:00.000-08:00

Read PFD One
Read PFD Two

"No parent should have to bury their own child."

I've heard that said to grieving parents.

I've said that to grieving parents.

Something just donned on me this week. This isn't helpful. And its not true.

I understand the sentiment. What parent would ever want their child to precede them in death? That is an absolutely painful experience.

But as Chaia has teetered on the edge of life and death over the past almost 3 months, I've found a variety of thoughts and emotions going through my head and in my heart.

One of them has been around this thought, that no parent should have to do what we might have to do. No parent should have to go through what we're going through.

And that line of thinking takes me down a path that is very selfish and very belittling to God.

Here's why:

We rebelled. Adam. Eve. You. Me. Fractured relationship with God, because we thought God was slighting us or holding out on us with the whole fruit and tree fiasco. Sin changed everything.

Sin leaves us, things, the world...broken.

Kids are going to die. Because things aren't right. Tragedy is going to strike, because our sin has left a big 'as-is' tag on the world. Storms will come, because we chose to let rain be in the forecast.

So we make the bed, then shake our fist at God when we have to sleep in it.

And so I feel the same story of entitlement come to the surface in parenting. No parent should have to go down this road? Then, God must be slighting us or holding out on us. And my 'why God?' becomes some sort of defiant, entitled, idolatrous questioning...rather than a question that leads us to worship God in deeper waters.

So Chaia may die. Today, tomorrow, in a week, in a month, in a year, in a century. Your kid may die, too.

And perhaps before that, parenting will turn out a million ways like you didn't expect. Your kids will fall, fail and flee when you hoped they would stand, succeed and stay.

So you and I can play the victim...or worse, let our kids play the victim. And refuse to see God for who He really is.

Or we can enter in the the Grand Story that God is telling.

That He saw the 'As-Is' sticker on our world and each of our hearts, and He said "I'll pay double." And bought us with a price.

That in the midst of our deepest pain, sorrow and brokeness, He came near.

That in a world that had chosen to reject Him in the beginning, He would send a rescuer.

That the only one who has a right to file a claim in the complaint department about having to bury a child, is the One who loved us so much that He sent that child to the cross on our behalf.

That you are not your own.

That your child is not your own.

That we are His.

And that changes everything.

Rockstar

2011-12-09T19:54:00.000-08:00

Potential big happenings in the Mustard world this weekend. Will let you know if and when these said happenings take place, but for now, enjoy this.

Aunt Alicia and her boyfriend Drew came to watch Chaia for the evening while mom and dad went to the church staff Christmas party back in Wadsworth.

When Mom and Dad got back, they came in to this:

This is going to develop into a complex.

Experiencing God

2011-12-09T06:09:00.000-08:00

Since the Hebrews Challenge has finished, Shaina and I have started Blackaby's "Experiencing God".

I'm not sure what led us to this book at this time...but in the first three chapters, we've had stories of God's work when Blackaby's daughter was sick with cancer and a story regarding God's work in church planting.

Two quotes from last night's chapter to hopefully encourage you today.

"If God were to give you a specific plan for your life, you would likely put your focus on the plan rather than on Him. God does not want your life to depend on a plan or an income or a person or anything else. He wants you to trust Him."

"What is God's will for my life?" is not the best question to ask. The better inquiry is, "What is God's will?" Because people are naturally self-centered, we tend to view the whole world--even God's activity--in terms of our own lives. Of course, we want to know what we should do and how events will affect us. But that is actually an inverted life-perspective. Once I know God's will, the my life gains its proper perspective, and I can adjust my life to Him and to His purposes. In other words, what is it that God is purposing to accomplish where I am? Once I know what God is doing, then I see what I should do."

Happy Friday.

Don't waste your life today.

My Day in the PICU

2011-12-08T12:52:00.000-08:00

So I slept in today because I knew I would have some pretty big adventures waiting for me once I woke up.

At rounds, the doctors decided to terminate my milrinone. I have been on that for 74 days. But I am really trying to kick my drug habit. I'm now getting nothing through continuous IV drip.

Then, with my mom away shopping for the morning, my Dad picked out my outfit (I hadn't really worn clothes for a few months!) and got me ready for my Jazzercise class.

My neck muscles need to get stronger to support my massive eyelashes, so it was a tough workout today.

Then, after a hard workout, I went to the spa with nurse Kristen and got in the hot tub for the first time ever.

The Bubbles kind've got out of hand and, word to the wise, they don't taste all that great.

After all that excitement, I needed a nap. Dad tells me I've got to get my rest so I can watch the Browns-Steelers game tonight with him.

He says that watching the Browns produces Christ-likeness and that when Jesus was talking about the last being first, he was talking about the Browns and Draft Pick order.

I hope you're working on t-shirt designs for the contest my dad put together. It will help people remember me after I bust out of this place. So far he's only got three design entries, so I hope you will humor him.

Thank you for praying for me. I win when you kneel.

Song for the day

2011-12-07T20:44:00.001-08:00

Where you go we will follow.

God will never give you more than you can handle.

2011-12-06T19:43:00.000-08:00

Lets have some fun.

Insert your best cliche to encourage us today in the comment section below.

One Challenge Ends. Another Begins.

2011-12-05T16:53:00.000-08:00

Thanks for those who joined in on the two week Hebrews Challenge!

As many of you Revolutionaries know, our connection to you and the support and encouragement and prayers you bring to us have warded off the insanity (at least for Shaina)...I've always been on the fence in this area.

So, now you get a chance to work your way into the legendary annals of The Cleveland Clinic.

I know I know. You're already on the edge of your seat. So here's the scoop.

One of the nurses has asked us to think about submitting a design that could be used on the back of the PICU staff t-shirts for the 2nd Quarter of 2012. The nurses purchase the t-shirts and the proceeds go to benefit the Children's Hospital.

So rather than hog all the hospital glory, I thought we would make this a fun and friendly competition. You guys have until Sunday night to submit your entry for a t-shirt design that would capture Chaia's story.

Here's the stipulations. I'd like to see the Bible reference to Ezekiel 36:26 on the shirt in some capacity. Can be small, like an artist's signature or however you see fit. It needs to be symbolically related to Chaia but not explicitly about Chaia, as these shirts will be worn in the hospital long after Chaia kicks this disease in the pants.

So paint. Color. Draw. Photo shop. Design. Etch. Whittle. Sculpt.

Email the entries to thompson14b@gmail.com or upload them to my facebook page and we will convene some of Chaia's favorite nurses to do the judging and determine our entry to submit for the t-shirt.

I will be thoroughly disappointed if we don't have 30 submissions for this contest. I will pout, throw tantrums, shut down the blog, have a miserable Christmas season and a horrifying new year if you Revolutionaries don't pull through. :0)

Make me (and more importantly Chaia) proud!

Monday Visitors

2011-12-05T09:19:00.000-08:00

Mondays are chaos days.

The weekends are relatively slow and quiet and many of the doctors and staff are off on the weekends.

Then Mondays come.

Pokes, prods, plans, procedures.

Visitor after visitor.

Infectious Diseases. Genetics. Cardiology. ICU. Lactation. Nurses. Doctors. Residents. Fellows. Medical Students. Physical Therapy. Palliative Care. Child Life.

This Monday started out no different.

But then we had a visitor who came a long, long way to visit.

And he didn't smell like beef and cheese.

And yes. She is a snow princess.

Hebrews Challenge Chapter 13

2011-12-05T05:20:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 13:1-25

The verses that are yellin' this morning.

"be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”"

We are going to watch the two other "Longest Stay" Competitors leave the ICU today. That makes Chaia the longest standing resident on the ICU floor.

There are no prizes for that.

Day after day we watch kiddos come on the ICU floor. Some for a day and then they move one step closer to home. Some for a week and then they move one step closer to home.

And we sit here. Still with more unknowns than knowns. More mysteries than clarity.

Time and time again people come in the room and remark about how amazing it is. Cards, posters, scriptures, Christmas decor. It's nice and reminds us of the support we've got all over the world which is incredible, but it also reminds me that we've been here a long time to accumulate such a Hallmark collection.

So God's Word is timely.

"Be content with what you have. Because God is near."

That's the message of the Gospel. The Message of Christmas.

We have HIM.

So a lack of contentment suggests there is something better out there.

And that is idolatry. And that is absolutely not okay.

So today is a day for contentment.

We've made it to 70 days in the hospital.

And if it takes 70 more for God to heal this little one,

Then in full contentment,

We.

Will.

Wait.

Hebrews Challenge Chapter 12

2011-12-04T12:16:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 12:1-29

I've added my thoughts to each of the chapters of Hebrews...about what stuck out and why.

But today...we should just let the passage speak.

7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Amen (So be it)

Hebrews Challenge Chapter 11

2011-12-03T06:41:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 11:1-40

Quite a legacy of faith in this chapter.

Individuals who had faith that who God was and what God planned was better than any alternative.

This reminded me that we are in a narrative that has been written for millennia. Individuals and communities who have traded in something small for something big. Something short-term for something lasting. Something good for something better.

And we are invited to be traders in the next chapter of God's story.

I guess where I am taking comfort in this passage is that many of the examples laid out in this chapter endured significant hardship, pain, and suffering.

Something better does not mean something easy.

But it does mean something (or Someone) worth it.

How will we be known in this narrative?

That we traded comforts for the Comforter?

That we traded little 'g' gods for the King of Kings?

That we traded our lives for the cross?

What will the legacy of FAITH be that we pass on to the next generation?

Hebrews Challenge Chapter 10

2011-12-02T06:01:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 10:1-39

Unswerving.

Not a word that gets a lot of use in our day to day.

Shaina uses that word in her prayers whenever I'm driving.

verse 23. "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

I don't know if it is our situation with Chaia in the hospital or what, but the word 'Hope' grabs me.

Where our hope is found determines who we will become.

I don't hold unswervingly to hope that the doctors will make Chaia well.

I don't hold unswervingly to hope that Chaia will be healed.

The hope I hold onto is in the better way of Jesus. That the cross, the symbol of ultimate defeat and agony was redeemed to become the symbol of rescue, forgiveness, life and joy. And that the one who pulled off that miracle is more than able, more than enough and is able to do more than we could ever ask or imagine.

Our hope is steadfastly, squarely on Jesus.

Because there's nothing better.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Bumbos, Wagons and 5 Month Birthdays, Oh My

2011-12-01T13:19:00.000-08:00

Chaia's 5 month birthday is today.

She's celebrating like Rock Stars do for their birthday.

First she tried out a new adventure called a bumbo seat.

Then, Chaia left the room for her 5 Month birthday parade.

And now she is passed out. It's her party and she'll sleep if she wants to.

No News...

2011-11-30T19:38:00.000-08:00

Had a busy day today.

Kind've weird...went and cleaned out my office at the church this morning. It was neat to find papers, projects, ideas, and agendas from 4 years of ministry and be reminded that God has been so thickly present in our time at Wadsworth.

In our victories and our failures.

In our moments of stellar brilliance and our moments of less than stellar brilliance.

I am amazed that this church we've called home and have tried to serve faithfully and wholeheartedly over the last few years has given us a survival window. So many on our unit have been let go of their jobs, and yet our church has taken care of us in incredible ways to bridge the gap for us as we head toward Columbus in 2012.

Bittersweet to think about our time ending with the Saints at Wadsworth UMC.

On the hospital front: Chaia is ok. I am so proud of her in this because there is contentment and joy when there really shouldn't be.

This kid is marked by God. I don't know where this story is going and of course I have parental bias, but I really see Chaia's life being leveraged for the glory of God in significant ways (as it already has.)

Tomorrow, December 1 is Chaia's 5 month birthday.

Hopefully we'll have a celebration to share with you.

Shaina and I need your prayers. This road is long. And tonight it seems uphill.

Hebrews Challenge Chapter Nine

2011-11-29T16:09:00.000-08:00

First, Chaia's procedure to put a new PIC Line in was hugely successful. Switched from her left arm to her right arm and she has been her normal self throughout the afternoon.

Now, Hebrews 9:1-28

Want to know what Heaven is like?

According to this chapter, you can get a familiarity with at least one aspect of Heaven by understanding the earthly tabernacle/temple set up.

I encourage you to take some time and 'feed yourself' and do some digging into what the tabernacle was like. It can really help to study the design of the tabernacle and then pray through that design. So that's a homework assignment for you.

13 Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. 14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.

With Jesus, we have a better way.

It is interesting to me what the point of the cross is in this passage. It isn't forgiveness (though he certainly forgives us). It isn't our salvation (though we are certainly saved.) It is "so that we can worship the living God." We are forgiven and saved for a purpose...which is to lift His name High.

I think any Gospel that is more about US than HIM is narcissism.

Those who know Jesus and have been redeemed by the cross and resurrection exist to make much of Him.

So the challenge for me and for you...How are we doing? With our friends? Our family? Our coworkers?

Do they know that you carry the name and fame of Jesus by the way you treat them, work and care?

Updates and K.O.

2011-11-28T19:39:00.000-08:00

First, remember this?

Well, the guy in the middle is K.O. and he also does this:

And he has been on the Sing Off on NBC doing this:

And tonight, his group, Pentatonix won the Season Three Title and he loves Chaia (the sign he signed says so).

So, my point? Chaia is essentially a rockstar...for those of you still not convinced.

Updates:

Jack is at a rehab hospital for the next 6 months to a year in Ireland. Its an hour and a half from home, so the challenges and strain on the family continues. Pray.

My Grandma Thompson had the pressure removed in her head. She has been alert and responsive and is now heading to Wooster tomorrow to begin her rehab.

Shaina's Grandma Penrod was released on Wednesday, spent Thanksgiving at home then had some bleeding in her stomach and was readmitted again Friday, but is doing ok and last we heard should be on her way home this week.

New one: My uncle John found out he has cancer today. I don't know the details as of yet, but pray for him and the Buss family.

Chaia had a good day today. The adventures begin tomorrow. They will be removing her PIC Line and trying to insert a new one in her other arm. It is a relatively low risk, normal procedure, but nothing really is normal these days, so pray for her, for us and for our entire family as we've been hit sorta hard the last few weeks. Chaia's PIC Line starts at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday Morning.

Jesus is Better...Still.

Hebrews Challenge Chapter 8

2011-11-28T05:53:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 8:1-13

Hope you're joining along in the challenge to read through the book of Hebrews with us.

The author is making an appeal to his audience by saying, "You know this really great thing in the story of our faith? Jesus is better."

You know angels? Spiritual beings of the Lord Most High? Jesus is better.

You know Moses? Spiritual juggernaut and faithful servant in God's house? Jesus is better.

You know the high priests who have led the faith and worship in the tabernacle for centuries? Jesus is better.

You know Melchizedek, this priest of all priests that even Abraham paid homage to? Jesus is better.

And now chapter 8. You know the law that has been your gold standard for how to live and how to be in covenant with your God? You know the instruction manual for how to love God and live in obedience? Jesus ushers in a new way. A new covenant. And Jesus is better.

That's the message stirring in my heart this morning. I sat on Chaia's bed when we arrived at the hospital and just thought about what her future holds. I love her and want her to be healed. I want to get out of this hospital so that we can begin the transition to our new calling to plant a church in Columbus. I want to watch Chaia in school plays and take her on daddy-daughter dates to cool places so that she will secretly like me more than mom (kidding). I want to walk her down the aisle to marry some guy who had survived my shotgun interview (not kidding). I want to be a grandpa who's heart swells as each grandchild lives and thrives. What could be better than that?

And the message that I hope you get by now...is that the message of the Gospel is that JESUS IS BETTER.

Better than my hopes, dreams, ambitions and idols. Better than my daughter, my wife, my very own life. Better than success and joy and happiness. Jesus is better.

The point of the New Covenant that the writer of Hebrews is talking about is Hebrews 8:11...And they shall not teach one another or say to each other, "Know the Lord" for they shall all know me.

In church yesterday, we heard a message on John 17 and the verse that grabbed my attention was verse 3. "And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."

Eternal life = We get HIM.

And there is absolutely nothing better than that.

Advent

2011-11-27T18:07:00.000-08:00

The day after Thanksgiving has been the day in the Thompson household where we traditionally have marched out into the forest. Me, with my lumberjack flannel button up shirt and saw. Shaina with her keen eye for the perfect tree...not too tall...not too plump...not too filled with wild animals.

This year it just isn't going to happen. So that means we needed some new traditions.

So, after the Browns flubbed away another one...our friends Jess and Bryan Javorek came to visit Chaia. And they brought this:

So we decorated it. And then Shaina and Chaia and I watched this:

And then our own little elf was pretty wiped.

This is a big week for Chaia.

There are talks of surgical procedures...to replace PIC lines (because the one she has is gradually becoming compromised)...to insert a G tube for feeding.

We will know more in the next few days about these steps but for now we just rest knowing Jesus is LORD.

Chaia still wins when we kneel. I hope you'll continue to join us.

Shadows and Sunshine

2011-11-26T20:51:00.000-08:00

Listen to this:

And think on this:
“I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my seventy-years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my existence, has been through affliction and not through happiness, whether pursued or attained. In other words, if it ever were to be possible to eliminate affliction from our earthly existence by means of some drug or other medical mumbo jumbo, as Aldous Huxley envisaged in Brave New World, the result would not be to make life delectable, but to make it too banal and trivial to be endurable. This, of course, is what the Cross signifies. And it is the Cross, more than anything else, that has called me inexorably to Christ.” --Malcolm Muggeridge

Never forget...the Shadows prove the Sunshine.

I'm living proof.

And so is she

Hebrews Challenge Chapter 7

2011-11-26T18:50:00.000-08:00

Saturday

Hebrews 7:1-28

Jesus is greater than angels. Greater than Moses. Greater than the high priests. And now in chapter 7, he is greater than Melchizedek, who made a rather brief and somewhat strange appearance in Genesis with Abraham.

But through the years, Melchizedek war revered as a mysterious, holy priest, a prefigurement of some God initiated line.

And Jesus is from that line.

And "Such a high priest truly meets our need." (v. 26)

Jesus...meets our need. Truly.

And these days, our need is great.

For salvation.

For forgiveness.

For hope.

For healing.

But above all...

For Christ Himself.

We get Him. That is our reward. That is our purpose. That is all we need.

I Like Hockey.

2011-11-25T20:22:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm starting to anyways.

Someone donated a Suite to the Lake Erie Monsters game for tonight. Shaina and I needed a little normalcy so Grandma and Grandpa sat with Chaia and we hooked up with our friends Aaron, Candace, Brett, Mary and Todd. We got to the game and scored the most epic promotional item ever:

Stick on Mustaches.

In honor of Movember...Mustaches to promote prostate health and awareness.

So the Monsters are crushing whoever it was they were playing. And suddenly on the Jumbotron appears Joe Haden, Cleveland Browns shut down cornerback, and one of the cornerstones of the future of the franchise... who is at the game. So, utilizing social media in all its glory, Aaron, or Neal as he is known by those closest to him, tweets to Joe Haden whom he follows on Twitter and says that there are Chicken Fingers waiting for him in Suite 223.

A little later, we had a visitor.

It was awesome to meet him and he's a solid guy. It was funny because he kept introducing himself to each of us "I'm Joe"...No duh man...you're only one of the best cornerbacks in the league in your second season. haha. He didn't take any chicken fingers which is good because he has to lock down A.J. Green on Sunday.

It was a fun night.

And when we got back to the room we found out that Chaia and Stanley the Sock Monkey were campaigning for prostate health too.

Hebrews Challenge Chapter Six

2011-11-25T05:52:00.000-08:00

Friday
Hebrews 6:1-20

Faith and Works.

For Christians, the Gospel is that Faith alone in Christ alone is what saves. In other words, contrary to many other world religions, where salvation, release, enlightenment, etc are earned through good works, Christians are saved through the cross and resurrection of Jesus. Not by our good works...We can't earn it. It has been earned for us.

So some people shudder when they hear "faith and works"...as if there are two things neccessary for rescue. But Hebrews 6 is pretty clear. Land that has been made good, makes good fruit.

Hebrews 6 is suggesting that it should be Faith FOR Works...That yielding our lives to Jesus Christ can't help but change the landscape of the world. It is that yielding that initiates the transformation of the heart ('the land') into something good. And then the natural result of our heart change is fruitfulness.

So...gut check time. Where are the thistles and thorns in your own life and what does it look like for you to yield that area to God to be transformed to good?

Love verse 19..."We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."

Hope in Jesus Christ helps us weather storms.

Thompson Family Thanksgiving- 02 Style

2011-11-24T17:16:00.000-08:00

It was a good day today. Chaia is stable. They put in an NG tube and are back on feeds for the first time in a week. That means better nutrition and nastier diapers.

I went to Smithville for the 8th Annual Alien Bowl this morning and lived to tell about it. My team took 2nd out of 4...My cousin Steve Franks ended a curse on par with the Chicago Cubs by winning his first Alien Bowl (Congrats!)

Sayre's Food Center in Smithville, who has "Pray for Chaia" on their marquee sign sent us dinner for two, a Thanksgiving dinner with all the staples!

So here is Thanksgiving 2011:

Chaia's first Turkey day wore her out substantially, so she joined her dad in pretending to watch football and passing out for an afternoon Thanksgiving Nap.

Tomorrow Shaina and I are going to go out for the evening and watch the Lake Erie Monsters hockey game. Nothing fans the flames of romance like a bunch of grown men with half the teeth they ought to have, smashing each other for a couple hours.

Thankful

2011-11-24T01:29:00.000-08:00

Shaina and I were reminiscing about some Thanksgiving memories and I thought I'd share one of our funniest moments from Thanksgiving together.

It was our first Thanksgiving married.

It was like the week before Thanksgiving or something like that and Shaina's workplace gave out turkeys to all its employees. We had plans with the fam for Thanksgiving day, so this turkey was to be our own treat.

Neither of us had ever done anything with turkey other than put it on our plate and eat it. So, there we stood in our hallway...(a.k.a. our kitchen) in our first little apartment.

Step one. Pry our not so feathered friend's legs apart. I don't know if it was that our turkey was partially frozen still or was a particularly modest turkey, but Shaina couldn't get those legs pried open. So, in comes me in all my masculine glory. After several attempts of prying this Herculean bird of war's legs apart with my bare hands and miscellaneous kitchen gadgets, I grabbed a screwdriver and a hammer. Finally, the direct descendant of the pteradactyl fell victim to my Peyton Hillisesque biceps (Its my story.) We had access to the inward parts.

Step two. Reach inside defeated poultry and pull out "the bag". We didn't exactly know what "the bag" was, where it was located or how to remove it. We just knew it was in there and was to be removed. After phone calls to both our moms, I courageously reached in and grasped for this treasure bag of goodies. I found the treasure and excitedly attempted to pull my arm out of the bird's nether-regions. In my excitedness, the bag caught on something inside the turkey. Without contemplating the sturdiness of the bag I was pulling on or considering the sharpness of the object I was pulling against, I pulled harder. Suddenly the resistance stopped and with a surprising amount of force my hand and the sought-after bag came out of the turkey...only the bag was torn. By the time I had stopped the momentum of my arm and the shredded bag, the contents of the bag continued moving and when the dust settled, there on the kitchen/hallway wall behind us, splatted and oozed downward six inches by earth's gravitational pull, stuck the turkey's heart. Other organs landed on the floor...but the heart stayed plastered at eye level on the wall of our kitchen.

Step Three. Clean up the bird organs.

Step Four. Place in oven, cook and enjoy.

*************************
I find myself more aware of gratitude and thankfulness these days.

Thankful for the cross. Thankful for our family. Thankful for you all and the support you've graced us with. Thankful for one more day with Chaia.

Gratitude is a holy attitude.

In 5 Words...what are you thankful for?

Me?

THANKFUL FOR LIFE AND JOY.

Hebrews Challenge Chapter Five

2011-11-22T19:15:00.000-08:00

Wednesday

Hebrews 5:1-14

The role of high priest was one that had been initiatied way back in Exodus with Aaron and his sons.

The high priest was the one who offered sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins and led the worship of the people. It was a very important position, initiated by God's calling.

Not only was the author of Hebrews demonstrating that Jesus was greater than angels and greater than Moses, but now the author is laying out why Jesus trumps any of the high priests before him.

"Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered." (verse 8)

What if there is a direct correlation between the depths of God and suffering?

What if knowing God's mercy and love in thick, life-shattering ways necessitated the agony of a cross?

For Jesus, obedience was costly.

For us, it is no different.

Suffering often plunges us into the depths of God. Why then is our cry for immediate and quick relief? For me, it is because I fear what God might reveal about me, in those vulnerable and intimate spaces. But when God redeems my fear, I discover that suffering allows God to reveal more about Himself.

Do we really believe that His way for our lives, may very well involve a cross?

Hebrews Challenge Chapter Four

2011-11-22T07:21:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 4:1-16

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight." (Hebrews 4:13)

This verse is in a passage that is talking about sin/disobedience. My deepest secrets, shame and darkness, are uncovered by His light...every time. That is why the warnings to 'pay careful attention' are so important. Don't get stuck in something less than God's plans and purposes for your life. Or as Andy Stanley puts it in talking about Jacob and Esau from Genesis, "Don't trade your future for a bowl of stew."

But, that verse caught me in a different way too...not only are my sins and secrets unsurprising to God...but everything about me is unsurprising.

My ambitions.

My idols.

My love.

My strength.

My weakness.

My joys.

My mutated gene and my wife's mutated gene, identically matched.

As shocked as we were to hear this diagnosis, God wasn't the least bit befuddled. He wasn't sitting in the Heavens leaning over to Jesus at His right hand saying, "Hmm, that's shocking" or "Oops."

He is, was and always has been aware of Shaina and I's freaky genes getting together and making an absolutely adorable freaky gene kid.

And because Jesus has made a way as our high priest, we get this closing verse that tells us that we have hope.

"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Pray this verse for us and for you today.

Hebrews Challenge Chapter Three

2011-11-21T05:41:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 3:1-19

Shift.

"Moses was faithful as a servant in God's House. Jesus is faithful as a Son."

It's a pretty powerful assertion.

Not only is Jesus greater than angels (and some would have certainly been enamored with angels...just like many are now)...but Jesus is greater than Moses.

You know...the key figure of the Old Testament narrative? Moses. Jesus is greater.

And the shift the writer points out means everything to us.

Moses was a servant in the household. So if you claimed connection to God through Moses, you could get as close as a servant. Servants were part of the household...but they were secondary. They were subservient to the Master, directed by the Master, used by the Master.

Jesus is a Son in the household. Sons have connection. Relationship. Status. Love. Inheritance. If you claim connection to God through Jesus, your position to God Shifts.

That shift changes everything.

Not just a servant that has a to do list. You're a child of God.

Too many who follow Jesus only get as close to God as a Servant...but we are sons and daughters.

It all comes down to 'do we know Him?'

Bittersweet, Browns and Ballers

2011-11-20T17:54:00.000-08:00

So today is a good and sad day. Our friend, Jack and his great family left this morning to head back to Ireland. Jack is doing well and has some rehab ahead of him in Dublin. We like this family a lot and we know many of you have come to like and root for them, so it is bittersweet. I remember the first weekend we were at the Ronald McDonald House (same with them) and I sat down and taught Mick everything about football. And then shortly after that I taught him everything about golf. :-) It's bitter because we have journeyed together through this nightmare. Sweet, because Jack is on the mend.

After saying goodbye to our friends, I met up with 5 buds and we went to the Cleveland Browns game. Apparently someone in the Clinic had Club Seats. They told someone who works on our floor and asked if there were any deserving families of these tickets. (I don't know if they meant deserving of a nice day out or deserving of further suffering.) But the person thought of us (Thanks Andrea!). And so 6 tickets at the 50 yard line in the Club Level...a good game (plus some hilarious peewee action at halftime) and the Browns holding on in a thrilling finish made for a great day.

I came back to the ladies in the hospital and opened up a little gift Jack and his family had given to Chaia.

Chaia is the cutest footballer I've ever seen...But Mick is going to have to educate Chaia on this strange thing called soccer.

Good days are great days these days.

Shaina is better. Grandma Penrod is extubated and already thinking Thanksgiving. Grandma Thompson is still intubated, but responsive. And Jesus is still Lord.

Hebrews Challenge Chapter Two

2011-11-19T20:00:00.000-08:00

First updates: Grandma Thompson is stable and seems to be doing ok. Took Shaina to get checked out and she has Strep. Some antibiotics and she should be good as new in a couple days. Jack and family are leaving for the airport tomorrow morning and heading home to Ireland. Absolutely bittersweet. Shaina's Grandma Penrod was taken by ambulance to the hospital with fluid on the lungs/respiratory issues. She has been intubated. Chaia is hanging in there. Actually slept the bulk of the day, which was good because she needed to rest after her adventures the last few days. After about three days of fussy, and talks about possible heart failure, I said to Shaina yesterday that I hoped we hadn't seen the last of her smiles. A couple hours later, when it was just me and the bean...she did this:

(Insert jolly weeping here)

Now for day two (Sunday...Hebrews 2)
Hebrews 2:1-18

"14so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death."

This week has held a lot of hardship and suffering for us. I've started wondering if my family needs to distance themselves from us before something like Job's story sets in.

But with two grandmas and our daughter all in precarious spots this week, I want to hone in on these two verses. We live in a culture that is enslaved by its fear of death. A disease comes along and we deem it unjust and throw money at coming up with a cure. We get angry at God when death comes when we weren't wanting it to.

But what Jesus (remember...the singular focus) does is he sets us free from fear.

For those with this singular focus (who pay careful attention, as the beginning of this chapter states) the cross and resurrection tells us death is defeated, and the enemy's power with it.

Now don't get me wrong.

This is hard. This is sad. This is painful.

But it is not the end.

I do not only believe in the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ...I'm counting on it.

When we align ourselves to Jesus, the grip death has on us is released...because suddenly death doesn't have the final word.

And from where I sit...that is good news.

Hebrews Challenge Chapter One

2011-11-18T22:34:00.000-08:00

Check out the Hebrews Challenge Here

Hebrews 1:1-14

I like how the writer of Hebrews cuts straight to the point. In the past, God has spoken in a variety of ways, but now He's speaking through His Son, Jesus.

The writer is announcing to his audience that there is one focus that he is going to hone in on...and that is Jesus. So, what can we learn about Jesus from chapter one?

Heir of all things.

Involved in creation.

The radiance of God's glory. (I love this!)

Exact representation of God.

The sustainer of all things.

Purifies sin.

Sits in authority in Heaven.

Has authority over angels.

---------------------------
What we believe about Jesus, determines how we will live. As some nerds out there might recognize from a movie..."Your focus determines your reality."

The writer of Hebrews suggests that there is a singular focus. And that is Jesus.

The line that grabs my attention is that Jesus is the sustainer of all things.

I've been looking at milrinone...vents...pamidronate as sustainers of life.

But Jesus is better.

That breath you just took. He gave you. That one too. He knows the number of your days. He sustains life.

When my focus is singular, I know my hope is singular as well.

Another Weekend. Another Challenge.

2011-11-18T17:33:00.000-08:00

So we've made it to our 8th straight weekend of hospitalpalooza. Thank you guys for praying us this far. We've had a variety of challenges that you have journeyed with us through.

Here's one to last us a couple weeks.

There are times in this journey where it is really hard to pick up the Bible to find hope. It's not that I don't believe the Bible. It's not that I don't have time for the Bible. It is just that sometimes it feels like it weighs 2000 pounds when I go to pick it up. But I am convinced that God wants to teach me/us. So I'm inviting you to join me in a two week Bible challenge. I'm diving in to the book of Hebrews in the New Testament.

Some of you are like, "I've got that book memorized". Others are like "What's a Bible?" So, with that kind've mix, I think we could have a good journey. Reading the Bible might be new for you and that is absolutely fine...just give it a shot for two weeks.

A chapter a day.

I will post on what God is working in my heart for each chapter. And then you all jot down a comment of a word, a phrase, a verse, or a couple sentences of what you got out of reading it.

The goal is that we could get at least 25 comments on what God is teaching us each day for two weeks.

And when its all said and done, we will have read a book of the Bible together. We start tomorrow (Saturday).

Join the movement. Feel free to post your comment/thought/prayer each day on Facebook as well.

Prayin' For Chaia Winner

2011-11-18T12:32:00.000-08:00

How you get these kids to cooperate for this is beyond me. Did you get ahold of some of Chaia's sedation meds?

Congrats to the Schnees for winning the MOST CREATIVE Category.

Chaia has had a rough 24 hours. She is back on BiPap (think big bird beak with a helmet). They think she might have a virus. Viruses in you or me often just need bed rest, liquids, and some medicine.

Viruses for a little one in heart failure can be a bit more complex.

The hard thing is that her symptoms for a virus look very similar to her symptoms for heart failure.

So, this is a pretty significant step in the wrong direction...But if its not a virus, then we're looking at heart failure. Hard to believe we're rooting for a virus.

The other part of this story is that Shaina is sick (the doctors are suggesting with the same virus). Fever, aches and pains.

So...navigating these waters is tricky.

Will adversity and suffering shape us or crush us?

God has counted us worthy of suffering...So finding ways to delight in His sustaining grace is our task, goal and privilege.

But this delight seems like a violent swim upstream.

Anyone got some water wings?

Or a motor boat?

ABC remixed.

2011-11-17T19:41:00.000-08:00

Chaia's ABC Book is a little different than most little ones' ABC books.

A is for Ativan which is like IV chocolate, soothing my soul.
B is for Boyle, which is the name of the Doctor who is trying to help my heart.
C is for Calcifications which make my vessels lose their elasticity.
D is for Diuril which makes me pee my pants in abundance.
E is for Epinephrine which I haven't had to take for six weeks.
F is for Fentanyl which helps me feel pain free.
G is for Glycerine which makes me poop my pants in abundance.
H is for Heparin which keeps my blood thin to let my heart work less.
I is for Intubation which is what they had to do three times to keep me alive.
J is for Jesus, who is my only hope.
K is for Kisses which are what my grandma gives me and they are great medicine.
L is for Lasix which works alot like Diuril and makes me pee my pants.
M is for Milrinone which helps my blood vessels remain widened so the heart has an easier time.
N is for nurses who play with me and take care of me all day and night.
O is for oxygen which is going in my nose to help my heart.
P is for Pamidronate which is what my body needs to get rid of the calcifications.
Q is for quaque which is Latin and means 'every'. The doctors try to impress me by saying I get my meds 'Q6' instead of 'every six hours'.
R is for retractions which aren't good in my breathing, but sometimes I like to breathe this way just to stress people out.
S is for Stethoscope which the doctors forget to warm up before they put it on my bare skin.
T is for tachypnia which is what I have a lot and means I breathe rapidly.
U is for Urinary Tract Infection which I had one day because some yucky things got in my hoohoo.
V is for Ventilator which is what helped me breathe when my heart was tired.
W is for Withdrawal which is what I go through because I'm a drug addict baby.
X is for X rays which I had to get every morning when I had the breathing tube in.
Y is for Yankauer which is the sucky thing that Grandpa uses to clean out my drool. Sometimes I drool extra just to make Grandpa happy.
Z is for Zebra, which I have on my headband while my mom and dad try to figure out medical terms for every letter of this silly alphabet.

Chaia, Jack and Grandma T.

2011-11-17T16:40:00.000-08:00

Chaia: Rough day today. Fussy. Uncomfortable. Not sure if its just a 4 month old's growly day or a 4 month old with heart failure showing a deeper story. I think that dynamic will be present throughout our stewarding of Chaia. Pray that her heart and lungs would rest and have an easier go of it. Pray also for a 'family meeting' we are having tomorrow with all the doctors involved in Chaia's care. This is new and maybe intimidating.

Jack: Jack is out of the hospital after his second operation. He hasn't regained a whole lot of speech yet, but they expected that it would take a couple weeks of therapy to determine where he'll land with that. Nikki, Luke, Alex and Jack head home to Ireland, God-willing, on Sunday. Pray for Jack to be strengthened, renewed and encouraged in rehab in Dublin and pray for his speech to return.

Grandma T. So this is new, but my grandma fell yesterday and was taken to the hospital. She has some bleeding in her head that is causing pressure on the brain that isn't good. Doctors are uncertain about whether to operate, because she is on blood thinners. Pray for peace and comfort for my grandma and for my grandpa as well, as this has to be scary for them both.

So, this isn't the time to grow weary of kneeling.

I read a verse in Hebrews 1 yesterday that is sticking with me. The writer refers to Jesus as the "Sustainer of All Things."

So it's not up to the doctors, nurses or me or Shaina or anyone to determine whether Chaia, Jack, Grandma T, you or me make it until tomorrow. Jesus sustains all things. If he chooses, we get tomorrow.

This will cause fear and terror in some...peace and comfort to others.

The camp we fall in comes down to whether we KNOW the Sustainer or not.

Praying for your peace and comfort tonight.

Cups and Hearts

2011-11-16T06:34:00.000-08:00

Matthew 23:25-28

We were talking last night and the above passage came to mind.

Jesus gives an indictment to the religious leaders. He says that polishing the image...saving face...looking the part of being righteous isn't going to cut it. You can look clean on the outside, but if you're messed up on the inside, it's no good.

Jesus is talking about sin, shame and darkness here. There's no room for hypocrites.

But as with many things these days, my mind turns to Chaia.

She looks great this week. She is pink. She is smiley. She is bright eyed. She is building her neck muscles up. She wiggles like crazy. She coos. And, at least right after her bath, she doesn't smell bad.

But that's the outside of the cup. On the inside Chaia is still very sick. I know there have been lots of positive reports which has been amazing and miraculous. Crushing R2D2, Weaning well and moving to the end of the hall are fantastic things. But, its still not a great prognosis.

Her heart is damaged. Her breathing remains rapid. There is uncertainty to whether she will live apart from meds and pain killers and oxygen. Even if she gets out of the hospital, the next set of questions are whether a growth spurt of an inch here or a pound there will cause her to go into heart failure again. Then there is the disease itself. Will the pamidronate eliminate the calcifications? If not, then her heart, kidneys, liver, brain...they are all in danger of being compromised.

I share all this not to be a debbie downer, but to be honest that there are still very significant risks and unknowns in this journey. While we love the outside of the cup being clean...enjoying laughter together and having a high functioning baby compared to many of the other heart failure patients in the ICU, we are very aware that this can turn on a dime in a moment and the inside of her cup will reveal itself.

And as has been so often the case, Chaia's story is our story.

Whatever you and I let fester in the secret places of our heart. Whatever wickedness, shame, brokeness and sin that we have. It will eventually rear its ugly head. The inside of our cups will always reveal itself on the outside.

And both for Chaia and for us...the work of Jesus to miraculously change us from the inside out is our only hope.

And the Winner Is

2011-11-15T07:01:00.000-08:00

Well, we had three categories for competition: 1. Most Creative 2. Most People 3. Furthest Away

So we determined number 2 and 3 and will give you the five finalists for the Most Creative for you to vote on.

2. For the Most People

GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH in Florida. (The NC State photo's authenticity could not be verified).

(Honorable Mention Goes to Sayre's Food Center...because if everyone who drives by that sign prays, then they would be the winner!)

3. For the Farthest Away from Cleveland
If my mapquest investigation is correct, Amsterdam was the longest distance from Cleveland!

(Honorable Mention goes to Clermont, France)

And in the area of MOST CREATIVE...Here are the 5 finalists...You can vote for your favorite by picking A,B,C,D,or E and writing it in the Comments section of this post.

A.

Submitted by Leslie Young in North Carolina

B.

Submitted by the Schnees in North Carolina

C.

Submitted by the Ringers in Wadsworth

D.

Submitted by the Sayres in Smithville

E.

Submitted by the Hardmans in Florida

50 Days Prayin For Chaia

2011-11-14T05:12:00.000-08:00

Thanks for all of you who participated!

Winners to be determined later today. :-)

Headbands, Spaghetti and Adventureless Days

2011-11-13T18:52:00.000-08:00

So yesterday Shaina and I went down the hall at the hospital to get a drink of water.

I came back to find the Warrior Princess defeated...

...by a headband. It wasn't her greatest moment.

Today Shaina and I went back to Wadsworth for worship and to attend a Spaghetti Dinner benefit that some awesome folks from the church put on to raise some money for Chaia.

The rest of the day has been very quiet...and quiet is good.

Monday is a big day. We will release all your work in the Praying For Chaia video and celebrate Chaia's 50th day in the hospital.

Most days I want to curse at the hospital experience because it is hard and sad...and 50 days stinks in one sense but is absolutely beautiful in another. To think that Week 2 began with a bad prognosis and a very, very sick little lady...that makes 50 days pretty significant.

And if it takes 50 more days for God to do this work He is doing, then bring it on.

But if it can be done in 3, I'd take that too.

Abe, Ike and Chaia Part Two

2011-11-12T17:20:00.000-08:00

You can read part one here.

Genesis 22:1-19.

Abraham waited 25 years for God to come through on what He said He would do.

Father of a nation...a blessed nation...only problem was Sarah was barren.

Granted he tried to take matters into his own hands a few times...but 25 years later...finally Isaac. Finally the promise could begin to be filled.

And then Genesis 22.

Isaac is a young man by now. Maybe pre-teen or teen. And God calls Abraham to sacrifice his son. Sacrifice the promise. Sacrifice the thing that was 25 years in the making. Sacrifice his future.

I know I have hopes and dreams for Chaia's life. For her future. Some are selfish (like I think she has a legitimate shot at the LPGA if I begin working with her now :-) ) Some are deeply spiritual.

I see Daddy-Daughter Dates. I see me coaching her softball teams. I see us praying every night together. I see her surrendering her life in signficant ways to serve and love God. I see me taking her in my arm down the aisle on her big day and kissing her and handing her off to a man of God. I see so many things big and small of this little life. And I think of the joys of those things coming to fruition. And all I can think is what can be better than this?

And now our future with her is very much unknown and up in the air.

God hears my question: "What can be better than this?" And He answers, "ME."

And what I'm realizing is that God doesn't just want us to offer up our past. He wants us to offer up our future as well. My hopes and dreams for Chaia must never become something that steals my affections from Jesus. That is idolatry.

Abraham had everything he had waited his entire lifetime for. And God leads him to offer it as a sacrifice.

Be sure of this. God wants everything in you to find its satisfaction in Him. Not in ambition. Not in dreams. Not in children. Not in hopes. He is the point. He is the reward. And so if Abraham had to give up Isaac, it was going to be ok because God was worth it.

And if we have to give up Chaia, it is going to be ok because God is worth it.

Now at the last moment, Isaac was spared by God's grace and intervention. Chaia's story remains to unfold. We love her immensely and pray for her healing. But one thing is certain. Our future and her future are in His hands.

We want Chaia. But we want God more.

Abraham's story is our story.

And its your story too.

Do you have more desire for the promises or the Promise Giver?

Life in the 0-2.

2011-11-11T19:22:00.000-08:00

We moved from 43 room 06 to 43 room 02 (instead of 14).

I think its an upgrade to a suite. We have a bathroom to ourselves. I'm thinking its like we've racked up frequent flyer miles or something and we get some nice perks.

It has been an ok day today. Chaia's number are still ok...She's done a lot over the past few days and so now she gets the weekend to make sure she is effectively weaning.

Don't think for a second that your praying days are done.

She has a long road ahead of her with very few guarantees.

So pray.

And don't forget to get me your PRAYING FOR CHAIA pics by Sunday at the latest!

We are around 75 entries to date so we need 25 more to hit our goal. I hope you can help. Just read here about how to do it.

Birthdays, Big Rats and some fun.

2011-11-11T06:28:00.000-08:00

So Jack had his surgery yesterday and he is responsive which is good. Keep praying for him.

Jack's dad Mick and his older sister and Nana (grandma) all had gone back to Ireland earlier in the week before another surgery was in the works.

So its Jack's mom, Jack and Luke and Alex, his two younger siblings. And the plan is for the four of them to hang out in the ICU for the next 5 nights.

So, we decided to let Jack and his mom get settled in.

And we took Alex and Luke and met up with our friends at some rodent infested joint to celebrate Alex's 7th birthday.

Happy Birthday Alex and thanks to Sharon, Jay and Brandie for joining us for some good fun!

David 27

2011-11-11T06:03:00.000-08:00

Some good developments for Miss Chaia over the last few days.

She has been a really big 'weaner' this week.

She is off the Hi Flo! So she has a normal O2 Canula on at 30%! She's doing the bulk of breathing on her own.

Her echo yesterday didn't show much in way of changes. This is good because it is showing that her heart is handling feeds, breathing and less sedation without further damage.

She is on lower doses of Fentanyl, Milrinone and Adavan.

She is off Versed! One of the primary sedation/pain killing meds has been eliminated.

They have deemed Chaia improved enough to not have to be next to the nurse's station (which is where the more at risk patients are on the ICU floor). That's the good news.

The bad news is that our room, room 06...the one that is decorated like nothing the director of nursing has seen in 30 years...the one that has all your cards, posters and Scripture plastered all over the walls...is not our room any more.

We are heading to the end of the hall...Room 14.

But first we need a U-Haul.