The Ever Growing, Throwing Up Girl

We took Macayla to a nutrition visit yesterday. For the past few days, Macayla has had increased reflux and hiccups. Saturday, there even seemed to be an extra number of noticeable seizures and I wondered if that was making her reflux more. Sometimes seizures can cause the muscles in her torso to spasm and push up on her stomach. Yesterday before we left, she kept acting like she may have reflux and started to gag. I would suction her, but nothing would come out. It was as if she was gagging on something imaginary. On the way to the nutritionist, Macayla threw up in the van. She did not have a seizure as far as we can tell.

We continued on to the visit and even made it on time! She weighs 82 lbs and is 57 inches long! She has not stopped growing. Fortunately, her height has grown faster than her weight so her BMI is good and headed in the right direction. But my back wouldn't mind if we were dealing with smaller numbers all around! Now we hope and pray the reflux quits.

Surprised by Surpsise

Jacob and Macayla seem to grow so fast. Jacob has had a lot going on this year and the year is almost over. It was a blur. In fact, you can see a video of him on the other blog Smoak Lens or on Youtube. Plus, his page should be updated soon, so keep a check. The kids have outgrown so many clothes and Jacob's interest and thinking are changing. But why is it we get so surprised by the passage of time?

If we see a child we have not seen for some time, we may say, "I can't believe how much she has grown!" Even financial advisor, Dave Ramsey, says to always keep an emergency fund available for emergencies, but the kids outgrowing their clothes does not constitute and emergency! Kids grow. It is predictable therefore budget for it! We are surprised by the passage of time and I find that surprising when I think about it. Time passes, things change and we often find ourselves taken off guard by it in spite of the fact we know it will happen. We get so wrapped up in the menial tasks of daily life, that when we actually pause and take inventory of where and when we are, it is a surprise. This has such a profound impact on us as humans that it is the inspiration of multiple songs.

Maybe it is because we were created for eternity which is most like the Present and not the past. Paul the apostle wrote, "So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you...life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you; and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God." 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 It is notable in Paul's list that "things past" is missing. If we belong to Christ, our past does not define us but Christ does. We cannot change our past failures and successes. We can only turn those over to the cross of Christ and let Him utilize them in the best way. In Him, we can be focused on today and the future to make the most of it. Certainly, we can learn from the past, but the best way to do so is through the lens of Christ. He can take our past and utilize it to shape our day and our tomorrow and our eternity infinitely better than we can.

In the meantime, we may still be taken off guard by the passage of time. I can't believe October is almost over! This is a symptom of living in the fabric of space/time I guess. But that passage of time will be without regret if we belong to Christ through it all. We can know today in Christ prepares us for an eternity with Christ, so we must make the most of today. We do not want to be surprised in the future by the fact that what mattered most in the past was if our present day was lived for Christ. In other words, today is tomorrow's past. If we live today for Christ, then tomorrow already has a better foundation. Then the biggest surprise of all will be the view from eternity when we see how Christ plugged our story into His bigger plan of redemptive history.

I Touched the Pacific!

For the past two weeks, I have been in Los Angeles doing some work for some friends on their home. They graciously flew me out here and it was an opportunity to see them, my sister and cousin and see LA. Unfortunately, being out here means I missed seeing Jacob lose his first tooth. Jennifer sent me a picture of it on my phone. Macayla had one grand mal while I was gone and Jacob got the flu. Either I timed this trip really bad or really well!! Jennifer had a lot of help from the grandparents and our nurse while I've been gone.

This was my first time in California. LA has some amazing food and interesting people in it. Venice Beach is a sight! Imagine a carnival on steroids and drugs at the same time and you have some idea what it is like. I did get to put my foot in the Pacific ocean for the first time in my life, which may not sound like a big deal, but not many people have seen both the Atlantic and Pacific. It was really cold! My sister took me to the Getty Center, an art museum, and we saw some amazing pieces. She took me with her to a film set and it was stranger than fiction! I couldn't have made up the characters I met there.

I'm almost done with my trip to LA and I head home this weekend. I have had some interesting and even surreal experiences here. LA seems to have a ton of people living close together and at light speed with little regard for what is around them. It is very different from the laid back pace of the South. To be a Christian here is out of the norm. In spite of these differences, I have spent some wonderful time because of some good friends and family. I miss Jennifer and the kids massively and can't wait to see them.