Plans

After the chaos that has been our lives for the past month things are starting to get into a "normal" routine again. I have been able to come back to work at the church consistently, which is good because the summer is one of our busiest times. It's hard though to leave my little guy though, much more so than I ever imagined but mom is taking great care of him and loving on him all the time so he's alright.
However, over these past few days Mindy and I have been diving into a conversation that seems to always come back to a similar theme. That theme is plans. Throughout both of our lives we have been planners. We schedule details, plan ahead, and work to have all of our ducks in a row. With the birth of our son, we had our plans laid out that he would be born on Friday morning and be in our arms in a matter of hours. However, someone had other plans. That someone would be our Heavenly Father and Divine Creator, God. As we went through the process of waiting three weeks and six days to get our boy home we were unable to see the big picture that God was teaching us. However, now as we look back on things we are able to see His hand that we knew was there but many times couldn't see. His hand was upon all three of us and in hindsight was teaching us that our plans are not really that important unless they are His plans. After looking back on everything we went through we have come to realize that God's plan is so much better because we not only have a son now, who even the nurses didn't think would make it at first, but he is healthy and active. This process has shown us the importance of God's plan and our need not to be so stuck in our own plans that may lead us off course. Just some food for thought and this will be a sermon I'm sure with a little more work and time. Thank you again to everyone who prayed for is loving on our son. We love you all!

Final Update on Corban

Yesterday was an amazing day. We were able to bring our little boy home. It was one day shy of a month in the NICU. A song that we have been listening to a lot lately has really been stuck in my (this is Mindy) mind. It is called Waters Gone By and is based on Job 11:13-20. I would encourage you to read these verses but I am going to write the words of the song.

You will lift up your face without shame

You will firmly stand with no fear inside

You will surely forget your troubles and pain

Recalling them only as waters gone by

If you put away the sin in your hand

And allow no evil to dwell

If you devote your heart

And stretch out your hands to Him

You'll be secure for there is hope

And you will safely take your rest

You will lie down

With no one to make you afraid

But the eyes of the wicked will fail

Darkness gives way to morning's light

Life will be brighter than noon day

As the waters go by into the night

I will lift up my face without shame

I will firmly stand with no fear inside

I will surely forget my troubles and pian

Recalling them only as waters gone by

As waters gone by

-Shawn Lewis-Glory Revealed CD

As Matt and I have recalled over the last few days the journey that Corban has taken in his month of life we are reminded of how far God has brought him. I don't know what God has planned for his life but I am sure that it is going to be amazing. He has an incredible story to tell. The past is "waters gone by". I hope that this has been an encouragement to anyone that is going through troubled waters. He will bring you through and "life will be brighter than noon day." Trust me....I've lived it.

Thank you for all your prayers and support during this difficult time. We appreciate it and know that God heard and answered each one.

Update on Corban - June 1, 2008

I know that it has been a few days since our last post about our little boy and honestly it's been because things have been really crazy. Corban is continuing to move forward and has been off of an oxygen support at all since Wednesday or Thursday of last week. His medicine ends on Wednesday, which is great since it was on a twenty one day cycle. Finally, his feedings have been a struggling point, but he seems to be getting the hang of it now. For a while he was stuck around 30 cc's but this afternoon he seems to have cracked that barrier with a little help from mom & dad. We realized that he just needs a little more time, sometimes a break, and occasionally a diaper change to get him through the feeding. We are willing to take whatever steps are necessary to get our boy home. We are in the process of doing the discharge stuff and are hoping to be home by the end of the week with our boy. Please continue to pray for little Corban so that he can get his feedings up to where they want them so he can go home. Also, if you all could say a special prayer for Mindy and I as we are getting worn down and tired of living out of a suitcase. If you would pray for these things it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much and we love you all.

In His Name,
Matt, Mindy, & Corban