Dear Friends,
It really is a special thing to us that you are here checking in on us…Thank You!
We were told last week that Sean has more air in the space between his lung and the lining. This is causing his right lung to be a bit collapsed. The CF doctors have expressed concern about a specific spot that is still showing up on the X-Rays. They have talked about removing that section…but then the surgeon looked at him and talked about how Sean is running around like a 7 year old and seems to feel OK…and so the surgeon wants to simply remove the displaced air and see how Sean does with his Lung fully inflated…
We thought that we would be going back in last Friday but never got the call…and so on and so on…we finally heard from them and we will go in on Monday for them to look at Sean again. Glad to not be in the hospital all week but we were a little concerned that what if Sean needed to be in…anyway, that is where we are…just trying to be who we’re supposed to be.
Who is that by the way? Has a whole lot more to do with reading my bible daily, seeking Him daily, having my heart turned toward Him a lot more than I’m naturally inclined to do…daily. I am amazed at how easily I can be distracted and lose focus.
My wife and children PROSPER when I am in closer fellowship with God. Tires last a little longer, checkbook holds up a little stronger, I have real conversations with my family as opposed to daily logistical chatter. Know what I’m talking about?
We have been watching TV a whole lot more here lately…and here recently I’ve been reminded that most of what I see in movies and TV shows…well…is there simply an absence of God or reverence to Him?. It is rare to see someone on TV or in the movies stop in the morning and open their bible. Hardly ever do I see a father stop to hit his knees to pray when he’s in trouble. I have found that on my knees is the first place I go in time of trouble and triumph. Don’t let me be a hypocrite…I can be shameless in my desire and exercise thereof to ‘veg’ out in front of the boob tube. But I have concerns about the model that I exhibit for my children? There is a lot of life shown in at least a thousand different ways. Am I at least showing them enough of the daily reality of a Godly man? Do my actions balance out the romantic version of things they see on TV? Ten years from now, which set of values will I have instilled?
Am I too hard on myself? You betcha! The stakes are higher than high. I only have so long to do the best I can with these precious gifts that God has given me. None of us know how long we truly have with them.
I write all of this without pointing a finger in any other direction except back at myself. Am I saying that watching TV is a sin? Certainly not…but when God is speaking to ME about something…am I listening? Obeying?
It is obviously an issue at my house…or God wouldn’t be dealing with me about it. I only pass it along because I believe that is what I’m supposed to do. Hopefully will encourage someone.
We are hopefully meeting with the city on Tuesday and checking to see that we are headed in the right direction. Need to check with them that we will be able to get a building permit for what we plan to do. We have to build a driveway and a culvert to drive across the ravine. Didn’t plan on that financially…but here we go.
Once we get the OK…then our engineer Gary Emerson will spell out a building site that we will carry over to Owner Builder Network to get started with the construction loan process. CD sales money has gotten us to this point…lots of hoops to jump through that takes a lot of time.
We hope to start digging soon…best by Sept. 1st…pray for us! Thank You All!
Oh Yeah, I have started recording another project that I hope will become a much higher profile…I believe it will be…because some of the most successful artists in the Christian Country genre have agreed to sing on the project with me. All of your favorite Christian Country artists in one place. ( and I get to sing on it too) And then there are The Oak Ridge Boys! One of the most successful groups in Country music of all time. It is a miracle, but they have also agreed to sing on this project with me.
If you are reading this, please E-mail me and let me know if you are interested in owning a copy of this next project. I am furiously working on it, I have some very dear people helping me. I am hoping that it will sell a lot of copies in a short period of time in order to get this house done. Then to help launch this all into the non-profit organization that we hope to start in order to help the other special needs families that we meet at the hospital and through this web site.
I didn’t mean to rattle on, but there is a lot going on…too many balls in the air. Only God can get it all done. Amazing that He has chosen us to participate.
We hope to stay out of the hospital for a while now, but we know of one more visit that we’ll have to make. Just makes all of this more urgent than ever. The responsibility is overwhelming at times…I pray that I am doing the right thing with every step I take. Will you please pray with me in that? God Bless you all!
gregmcdougal@ahouseformykids.com
615 668-3908