Our church, Reston Bible, has an opportunity for us to dedicate our children back to the Lord. We had the privilege of doing that for all three of our boys when they were infants. This time it was Brayden's turn. Jeremy and I shared a testimony during the dedication. Below is what we shared.
I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
"Praise You In This Storm" by Casting Crowns.
In the fall of 2006 we found out that we were expecting our third child. The pregnancy went pretty well, despite extreme morning sickness. The sonogram looked great and we found out that we were having our third boy!
On April 17, our third son, Brayden, joined our family. That day was filled with joy and excitement. The day after he was born, concerns about the size of his head were expressed. His head was extremely small; it didn’t make it on the growth chart. Tests were done for exploration. He appeared to being doing well, we thought all of these test were precautionary and everything was fine. Brayden had a head ultrasound and it revealed that he was missing part of his brain and had additional abnormalities. The ultrasound could not provide a clear picture and we were instructed to schedule a MRI to review his brain in further detail after he was three months of age. Thankfully Brayden was nursing well and he was able to come home with us.
The next few months were filled with tests and specialists. All of his major organs needed to be checked to rule out additional complications. We saw just about all of his insides, all of which were functioning and doing well. The big test was the brain MRI. The MRI revealed that Brayden’s brain was missing parts and the rest was abnormal. Today we are still learning what all of this will mean for his life. We do know that he is and will be developmentally delayed. He is nine months now and still working towards holding up his head. Brayden struggles with seizures and we try to regulate them with medication. He is visually impaired and is struggling with eating orally and may need a G tube for feeding. He was just fitted for his first wheelchair/stroller that will help him get around. Brayden sees a list of doctors and specialists on a regular basis: neurologist, ophthalmologist, occupational therapist, feeding therapist, vision therapist.
Two big things we are learning: control and community.
Jeremy and I are both first born, type A personalities and we like to have things under control. When I was pregnant with Brayden, I remember loading the boys in the car one morning and running a bit late. Everyone was buckled in. I had the book bags, lunches, and the gear to get through the day. I sighed and thought to myself “ok, I have this under control”. After Brayden was born, my sighs and thoughts are “ok Lord, you are in control.” We have no control over what Brayden’s capabilities will be. We can do all the things we can to help him but no control with what the outcome will be for him.
Community has played a big part in the past nine months. The moment we found out about Brayden’s brain, prayer went out across the globe. We try to send out emails updating his progress. These emails have been forwarded around the world. We have heard from complete strangers, old friends, new friends, grade school teachers, missionaries, other families that have children with disabilities and countless others. All have offered to help in some way, whether it was a meal, watching the two older boys during doctor’s visit, or prayer. The Moms Connection at RBC has provided meals and check in with us to see if there is any way for them to help. Neighbors have taken our boys to their house when we have had to go the ER for Brayden’s prolonged seizures. A family at RBC, has a child with a brain tumor, continually emails, calls and sends care packages to help lift our sprits. They check to see if we will be at Children’s Hospital simultaneously so we can get together and pray. A college friend’s five year old daughter sent pictures that she drew of Brayden and little notes for the older two boys. The morning of the MRI, we woke to find a voice mail from a friend in Chicago. It was a long prayer for us and Brayden to get through the MRI and the big day. Every time we walk into church someone is embracing us in a big hug and asking if there is anything they can do to help. Our community is continually supporting us.
The dedication is important to us and we applied this verse, which has taken on a whole new meaning.
Psalm 139: 13-18
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you…Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
When Brayden was in the womb, only the Lord knew what was to come. All of the prenatal tests and doctors did not reveal anything. No matter how Brayden progresses, he has been wonderfully made. We know the Lord has a plan for him and our family.
I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
"Praise You In This Storm" by Casting Crowns.
In the fall of 2006 we found out that we were expecting our third child. The pregnancy went pretty well, despite extreme morning sickness. The sonogram looked great and we found out that we were having our third boy!
On April 17, our third son, Brayden, joined our family. That day was filled with joy and excitement. The day after he was born, concerns about the size of his head were expressed. His head was extremely small; it didn’t make it on the growth chart. Tests were done for exploration. He appeared to being doing well, we thought all of these test were precautionary and everything was fine. Brayden had a head ultrasound and it revealed that he was missing part of his brain and had additional abnormalities. The ultrasound could not provide a clear picture and we were instructed to schedule a MRI to review his brain in further detail after he was three months of age. Thankfully Brayden was nursing well and he was able to come home with us.
The next few months were filled with tests and specialists. All of his major organs needed to be checked to rule out additional complications. We saw just about all of his insides, all of which were functioning and doing well. The big test was the brain MRI. The MRI revealed that Brayden’s brain was missing parts and the rest was abnormal. Today we are still learning what all of this will mean for his life. We do know that he is and will be developmentally delayed. He is nine months now and still working towards holding up his head. Brayden struggles with seizures and we try to regulate them with medication. He is visually impaired and is struggling with eating orally and may need a G tube for feeding. He was just fitted for his first wheelchair/stroller that will help him get around. Brayden sees a list of doctors and specialists on a regular basis: neurologist, ophthalmologist, occupational therapist, feeding therapist, vision therapist.
Two big things we are learning: control and community.
Jeremy and I are both first born, type A personalities and we like to have things under control. When I was pregnant with Brayden, I remember loading the boys in the car one morning and running a bit late. Everyone was buckled in. I had the book bags, lunches, and the gear to get through the day. I sighed and thought to myself “ok, I have this under control”. After Brayden was born, my sighs and thoughts are “ok Lord, you are in control.” We have no control over what Brayden’s capabilities will be. We can do all the things we can to help him but no control with what the outcome will be for him.
Community has played a big part in the past nine months. The moment we found out about Brayden’s brain, prayer went out across the globe. We try to send out emails updating his progress. These emails have been forwarded around the world. We have heard from complete strangers, old friends, new friends, grade school teachers, missionaries, other families that have children with disabilities and countless others. All have offered to help in some way, whether it was a meal, watching the two older boys during doctor’s visit, or prayer. The Moms Connection at RBC has provided meals and check in with us to see if there is any way for them to help. Neighbors have taken our boys to their house when we have had to go the ER for Brayden’s prolonged seizures. A family at RBC, has a child with a brain tumor, continually emails, calls and sends care packages to help lift our sprits. They check to see if we will be at Children’s Hospital simultaneously so we can get together and pray. A college friend’s five year old daughter sent pictures that she drew of Brayden and little notes for the older two boys. The morning of the MRI, we woke to find a voice mail from a friend in Chicago. It was a long prayer for us and Brayden to get through the MRI and the big day. Every time we walk into church someone is embracing us in a big hug and asking if there is anything they can do to help. Our community is continually supporting us.
The dedication is important to us and we applied this verse, which has taken on a whole new meaning.
Psalm 139: 13-18
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you…Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
When Brayden was in the womb, only the Lord knew what was to come. All of the prenatal tests and doctors did not reveal anything. No matter how Brayden progresses, he has been wonderfully made. We know the Lord has a plan for him and our family.
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