Rocked

Well, I guess I'll just jump right on in with a little transparency:  My world has been rocked.  Our family had a great summer.  It was a very different kind of summer without BaseCamp, Mission Expedition and a convenient and free pool to get into, but it was good.  We did some exploring around our new "city":  There's a great little farmer's market here every Tuesday that includes lots of food and free train rides for the kids.  My mom and my sister-in-law came to visit in July bringing with them my two-year old nephew, Wesley, whom we had never met!  That was a fun week getting reaquainted with Chrissy and watching my kids and Wesley get aquainted  for the first time.  BOOMBAH!!!!  Anyway, after that, my oldest child went to Missouri for two weeks to hang out with her grandparents.  She got back just in time for Vacation Bible School.  Now that was a long week!!  My brother also came for a visit during that week.  I LOVE having my family visit, especially now that I have enough places for them to sleep!  After that came our much anticipated family vacation:  an eight day trip to Walt Disney World!!  What an incredible week!!  Then we came home...and my world was rocked.

OK, big breath...while we were on vacation, I noticed that one of our boys was just not acting like himself.  He was thirsty ALOT, going to the bathroom ALOT, was thirsty and hungry ALOT, was cranky and crying ALOT, started wetting the bed (not like him at all)...just not himself.  He was also complaining of headaches and tummyaches the whole week we were in Orlando.  When things didn't get better when we got home, I emailed our pediatrician to ask her thoughts.  She told me to get him in to the doctor right away!  So, I took him in.  They ran a urine test and sent us to Children's Hospital where they ran a series of blood tests.  They sent us home with no definitive answers, but made us an appointment for Monday with an endocrinologist. 

Monday morning came and we sent our two older kids off to their first day of school, took the baby to a friend's house and drove our son to his appointment.  When we got there, the doctor, after taking another blood test, confirmed our fears:  Our son, Gage, has Type 1 Diabetes.  He is insulin dependent, needing four shots a day. We also have to prick his finger four times a day to check his blood sugar.  After hearing his diagnosis, we then sat through five hours of classes to learn about diabetes, how to measure insulin and give shots, how to check blood sugar, how to eat and at what times, signs to look for with low blood sugar and high blood sugar...we were reeling.  I say "were" because slowly we are adjusting.  Gage is getting braver by the day.  Now we're not so much reeling as we are overwhelmed and at times incredibly confused.  And we desperately need prayer and to feel the Lord's nearness to us in this time.

I'm learning to lean on the Lord (trust has always been hard for me), my husband, and the numerous friends that have reached out to us.  I can feel the Lord's calming hand on my heart and my mind in those overwhelming moments.  But, friends, please pray for us.  We need the Lord to be Our Provider in this time.  The cost of diabetes supplies and insulin is outrageous!  More importantly than that, we need to know how to reach out to our other kids so that during this time when Gage is getting so much obvious attention (and new snacks that are just his) they don't feel left out or unimportant.  And the most important need is that we would trust the Lord's hand on our lives and turn to Him rather than push Him away.  It's hard sometimes to lean on the One that you feel is trying to crush you.  In closing, I want to share the words to a song that ministered to me this morning when I took the kids to school.  I hope it encourages you in your "moments" as well.

"You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire and heal all my disease
I trust in You
I believe You're my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my Portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus, You're all I need.
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands
I believe You're my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my Portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus, You're all I need
You're more than enough for me."
(Healer by Kari Jobe)

Until the world sees and is amazed by HIS awesomeness!!