Great weekend

So, we celebrated Megan's 2nd birthday over the weekend. She turns 2 on Thursday, so we did it a bit early. It was an awesome time of celebration, fun and not really focusing on any of the bad things going on in her life. We had about 70 people show up, not all at the same time but throughout the day, and we are blessed to report that we raised over $1400 for the UMDF, in Megan's honor. In case you might be wondering, we chose to go with UMDF donations over gifts, for the simple reason that everyone has given so much to us, that we didn't feel right wanting gifts. So we asked that people make a charitable donation to the UMDF in Megan's honor, if they could. We were floored by the amount we added up. We had a great time. We were able to introduce everyone to Megan's nurse Trishia, and embarrassed her in the process with a small gift to show our appreciation for her taking care of Megan. We also made a video camera available for folks to leave birthday messages for her. Stacy's good friend Emily brought the food, a taco bar, and her husband took pictures (which I hope to have up here soon). All in all, it was a blessed time. My prayer for her party was that we made it a time of celebration, and not of her disease. It turned out perfectly. Anyhow, here are a couple of things that have transpired since her last birthday:

*Yes, we found out what exactly she had, as far as a diagnosis
*She is now able to eat Cheerios, after receiving the OK from her GI doctor. She calls them "cookies". LOL
*She can sip out of a sippy cup, again with the OK from the doctors
*She pretty much has free roam of the house. Can walk up and down the stairs with help from us.
*Finally, if you didn't see the tube or notice her tiny stature, you would never know that he had a disease at all.

Some people have mentioned over these two years as to what keeps us going, or why does God allow things to happen to children, etc. Let me answer by using an example. Many of you probably can attest to knowing someone like this, but this is my perfect example. There is a young girl, name Grace (for a perfect reason), that was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2002, and was given less than 5% chance of living. I had the privilege of seeing Gracie and hearing her parents talk about the doctors pretty much giving up hope. BUT, there is a God, and He hears the cries and prayers for help. As of today, 2/25/08, she has been given a 94% chance of living to adulthood. For her being on her death bed, to having the chance of living out her life, is truly phenomenal. It was by the power of God, and through the prayers of many, that this miracle happened. No coincidence, no fate. Faith in God our Father is the reason. This brings me back to my point. We do not believe that God is doing anything to our daughter. He is simply working through her to bring others to him. It has happened twice, that I know of, and she is serving God's purpose. If He decides to take her home early, there will NOT be any second-guessing. It is His will, not mine. Sometimes we are not supposed to know why God does what He does. He will share it with us, if He wants to. Just know that it is His will, and that He will take care of us. By faith we live our lives, and it is faith alone that we shall see the our daughter through. Take care everyone and God bless you all.





James 5:15

15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.

Mark 11:22-25

Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. 25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”



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JR