A Prayer for Vegetables

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Our oldest child has a sincere dislike for most anything from the vegetable family. This does not cause much of a problem at either breakfast or lunch, where fruit tend to dominate, but for dinner - boy, oh, boy - does this ever cause distress.

If you were a fly on our wall at most dinner times, you would get an eye and ear full (that is, if flies have ears?). It seems every dinner is plagued with complaining from one side of the table and pleading and demanding from the other. I'll leave it to you to figure out which side I'm sitting on. But as it is, I refuse to let my child determine his own diet, so the veggies must be eaten.

Before you start leaving suggestions as to how to get him to eat veggies cheerfully, I'm fairly certain we've tried it all. Butter, cheese, ranch dressing, holding your nose, mixing with food, drinking copious amounts of water and even pureeing them to secretly add to the main dish have been attempted and failed on most accounts. When we think we've discovered a way that he will tolerate, more times that not, by the next serving he has changed his mind and once again fights having to ingest them. On more than one occasion, I've reminded him that I caught him eating dog food multiple times as a toddler and then I reassure him that my green beans with bacon are much tastier than that, but no luck. He still won't budge.

So I wasn't surprised when he reported to his grandmother that he often prays that he will like vegetables. We've had that discussion, too. Unfortunately it hasn't seemed to work yet, and he is only too aware of that fact.

So where does that leave me? I'm praying and pleading with God, too. Only not that he would just eat the stupid vegetables and make my life and our dinner time more peaceful (although I would take it!) but I'm begging God to answer his tiny prayer. I'm asking God to give him the ability to do what is right, that is in this situation, to eat his vegetables without complaint, and to make it so powerfully different that he sees it as a direct answer from God. I want him to grow up knowing a God who can and will help you do difficult things and I want him to run to God at every turn, especially when life gets difficult.

Is that too much to ask of my Heavenly Father? I don't think so. Please, God, make yourself real in my child's life, even if it means answering a silly request like being able to eat vegetables.

I found out last night that the youngest victim of the Omaha mall shooting, Maggie Webb, was a sister to an acquaintance of mine from my hometown and home church. So when you think to pray for the families of the victims, please remember Trish Abaca and her husband, Mike, by name.

Amazing how knowing someone who knows someone in a tragedy makes it feel so much closer to home . . .

New View from Our Corner of the World!

I've been thinking about trying a new template for sometime, and today I decided it was time! The pink of my old template was starting to annoy me, so it is time for some changes! I'm trying out some new titles for my blog, still thinking about the right one, so check back for that change. Also, I hope to update my friend's blogs link and the links for the blogs I check on a regular basis. No time like spring to do some organizing and updating!

Also, thanks to everyone who has been praying for my dad. He is out of the hospital and enjoying (last I heard) the extension of their vacation that was interrupted. I really appreciate all the notes of encouragement and prayer.

Prayer Request Update

Things are looking better for my dad in TN. Nothing has grown on the culture they took, which looks good that it has not affected his heart. His arm is looking better, and after 3 days on antibiotics, he should be getting out tomorrow. Then they go on their way, continuing the vacation that was so rudely interrupted. He needs to check back with his cardiologist when they return home, but for now, things look good. Thanks, everyone, for praying.

Is this what life looks like when your parents get old?!?!?! ;-)

Prayer Request

I have a prayer request for you all. My mom and dad are on vacation in Tenesee and my dad somehow cut his arm (he doesn't know how it happened). Well, they woke up on Sunday, their 35th anniversary, and his arm was swollen and sore. They went to the emergency room and he was diagnosed with a staph infection, treated with IV antibiotics and sent on their way.

Monday morning his arm was no better, so they travelled to the next town and went to the ER again, only to be told he would have to be admitted. It looks like he will spend the next 3-5 days in the hospital while they treat the infection. As you probably know, staph can be VERY dangerous. In fact, the doctor who is treating him thought she heard a heart murmur and questioned whether this could be a sign that the infection has travelled to his heart. If you know me well, you will remember that this exact thing happened several years ago and damaged his heart to the extent that he needed valve replacement. Back then, if they had waited a day longer, it probably would have taken his life.

So . . . please pray that the dr's will have wisdom in treating this. He is not sick at all, not running a fever (a very good sign that they caught the infection early), and is just sitting in a bed waiting and wanting desperately to be at home. They are travelling with a camping trailer and my mom doesn't feel comfortable towing it, so hopefully she will not need to move it before dad is released.

I'll update as I get more information. Thanks for praying.

Update

I posted a while back (see here and here) about our friends, Kate and Aeron and their pregnancy troubles. Kate has been on bed rest since right after Thanksgiving, while trying to take care of their little one, too.
Well, I rejoice in telling you all that their baby girl was born, safe and sound, on Friday! They will definitely have their hands full with a 12 month-old and a newborn, but God sustained her pregnancy, and for that we are thankful!
Praise God for His undeserved goodness!

Update

Thanks for the prayers for our two friends who are struggling right now. I promised an update, so here goes:

Jenni and Scott are home with their baby, giving her anti-seizure medication every 12 hours. It seems to be working. I am blessed beyond belief to see the faith and trust they put in our Savior's sovereignty during this whole trial. They are looking at 6 months of the medicine, then tests to see if she is able to come off of it. They won't diagnose epilepsy until toddlerhood or later, after they see a pattern of seizures. The doctors are hoping it is a newborn genetic thing that causes them, and not epilepsy.

Kate and Aeron have not had a baby, and that is great news! She is now 26 weeks, which is where their last daughter was born at. They know the trials of having a preemie, so everyday this baby stays inside where she is supposed to be is a good day. Kate is in the hospital until at least 30 weeks, which means no Christmas at home. Pray for her spirits, as well as Aeron's, as he is rushing around from work, school, home and back to the hospital to spend the night there as a family.

Thanks for praying and keep it up!

Urgent Prayer Requests

My heart has broken for 2 families in our church as they face major trials. I post it here because I know my readers pray. Please do . . .
For Kate and Aeron, who are currently in the hospital facing preterm labor. Kate is only 23 weeks along, and less than a year removed from the 3 month premature birth of their last child, their little girl. Now Kate either spends the rest of the pregnancy in the hospital or at home on bed rest. This situation is familiar to me, and so my heart breaks for them and I plead to God to save this child for His name's sake.
Also for Jenni and Scott, whose one week old baby girl in currently in the NICU at Children's Hospital for seizures. She had her first one when she was only 5 days old. Some preliminary tests have come back good, but they will keep her on an anti-seizure medication for 6 months. This is their first child, and I can't imagine the fear that threatens to overwhelm them.
Praise God that both couples show great faith in these trials and that God has given them unmeasurable grace. Please bombard the Throne of God for both of these families. I will keep you updated.