exhale

the past week has been quite a challenge, for several reasons. but how kind of the Lord to bring us through, walking with us each step of the way. thank you to everyone who was praying for us with zac's cat scan. the final verdict: "big head" from the paternal side. (he does have some fluid but it's evenly spread out and not going to be a problem, unless he would sustain serious head trauma - fall down steps, car accident, etc).

Turn your eyes...

...upon Jesus.
yesterday (01-24) zac had his cat scan of his head. he did so good, and he looked really cute in the bright yellow hospital 'jammies he had to wear for it. we are waiting to discuss the results with our pediatrician. please continue to pray for our little family through this trial. although we realize this is yet another opportunity to grow our faith in the Lord, it can tend to become wearisome as we journey along this path the Lord has laid for us. ...what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.

snowy day

what crazy weather we've been having...oh well, it is january. zac is dealing with his first cold...poor little guy. not sure if it's truly a cold, sinus issues from the dry heat inside, teething, or a combo. i'm not complaining; i'm glad it's only mild, and it's a distraction that i think the Lord has brought this week particularly for me to keep from dwelling too much on zac's upcoming ct scan and to keep me relying upon Him.

what's that you say?!...

...a tooth?!?!? yup. zac is finally cutting his first tooth - hooray! perhaps the drool factory will calm down a bit; but perhaps not.

this past thursday (01-10-08) zac had a follow-up apptm with the pediatrician regarding the fast growth of his head. although the increase in measurement this time wasn't as drastic on those "growth charts" as previous visits, it is still not quite where the dr would like to comfortably see it. so, zac has to have a cat scan done in order to rule out any extra activity going on within his head (extra fluid, etc). although kevin and i feel that the explanation for the big jumps in his head measurements are truly hereditary (have you seen kevin's baby pictures lately??), we do feel it is wise to have this scan done in order to make sure the issue is only "familial" and not a problem. preemies are at a much higher risk of having fluid-brain issues than full-term babies. the pediatrician feels the issue most likely is a hereditary situation but wants to be "sure". once this scan is done, and Lord-willing a good result is obtained, then zac will be labeled "big head" and that will be the end of it. (for once, having a label won't be such a bad thing) please pray for the scan, which will take place on Thursday, January 24 at 9:30am at the CHOP imaging center in King of Prussia (approx 1/2-3/4 hr drive). we'll have to have zac there at 8:30am and most likely he'll have to be sedated (orally), which means he won't be able to eat for 6 hours before it. the tricky part is he eats when he gets up in the morning, which is generally around 7:45am. i (kerry) will need prayer probably more than zac. but the Lord is faithful; He will bring us through this just as He has carried us in the past - another trial, another opportunity for growth. (kerry)

Dedication

this past sunday (01-06-08), our second little man, zachary, was dedicated to the Lord at our church, Grace Community Church, in Souderton, Pa. What a joyful celebration for us! it was almost surreal to be standing up in front of our church family, finally able to be there holding one of our children, with our hearts overflowing with thankfulness for the blessing and opportunity to have zachary in our home and to commit as parents to raising him up in the Lord. (kerry)

Welcome 2008

Greetings to you, and Happy New Year! It seems that the new year always makes people nostalgic, for many different reasons. Here at 402ec, we have come through yet another year of continuing to be filled with awe, wonder, thanksgiving, and praise to our God for how He has orchestrated life for us. We have celebrated with tears and laughter, the first birthday of our son Ryan in April and the birth of our second son Zachary in May. So far, Kerry has been able to stay at home with Zachary, and Kevin started a new job in October. We have shelter, water, food to eat, heat and clothes and blankets to keep us warm, good health, loving relationships with our families and close friends, and a warm local church family. And on top of all of that, we are privileged to say of the Lord, "isn't He good, isn't He kind, hasn't He blessed us time after time". (kerry)