And be sure of this:

"...I am with you always..." [Jesus' words - Matthew 28:20]

Jesus knows how you feel. You are so precious to Him. So precious that He became like you so that you would come to Him...
When you struggle - He listens!
When you yearn - He responds!
When you question - He hears!
Jesus understands, He cares, and He will be with you! He will not only make a difference, He will be the difference! [Max Lucado]

Talk about encouragement! These words, written by one of my favorite authors - Max Lucado, were on the cover of a beautiful card that Kel and I received early this morning from a friend/co-worker of my mom's - Karen. This relationship/connection is amazing and completely God! Check this out...
When I was in Mr. Rogers' sixth grade class at Farmdale Elementary School, we had kindergarten buddies, and Karen's son - Kyle - was my buddy! When my mom was sharing our story/blog with Karen at work two weeks ago, she went home and shared it with Kyle - and that is when Kyle made the connection that the two of us were paired up over 15 years ago! And inside her card - was a scanned picture of Kyle's kindergarten class, and my sixth grade class from an old year book! The tears are still flowing as I write this...How awesome is our God!
I hope that you can see Christ in this - because He just demonstrated His Love and Promise of "and be sure of this: I am with you always!" He is so macro - yet so micro and it’s the little things, the smallest of details and the incredible connections like this relationship that allows His Majesty and Omnipresence to be revealed! And the amazing ways that He continues to demonstrate His Love for us through you...is just incredible! Your cards, notes, messages, meals, hand knitted blankets for Jackson, gift bags full of toys for Carter and Jordyn - complete with "Monkeys in a Jar", a jump rope to replace the one Carter had lost in the move and a baby doll - financial gifts, text message prayers, facebook notes and all the other ways you - The Church - have stood in the gap with us...is overwhelming! And I pray that we have the opportunity to wrap our arms around you and thank you for all the ways you have demonstrated His Love, Wisdom, Guidance, Provision, Strength and Peace in our journey!

Kelly Update: She is feeling better this weekend - still in some pain, but slowly weaning off the heavy pain meds - which is helping her nausea tremendously! She had a doctor's appointment yesterday with Dr. Mallinger - her OB/GYN who delivered both Carter and Jordyn - and we will continue our monthly appointments with him to make sure that Kel is doing alright and getting the care/support she needs with her "high risk" pregnancy! Dr. Mallinger was on vacation over the last week - and was so excited to see us and hear the great news of Jackson/Kelly's procedure!

Jackson Update: He continues to flip/somersault in Kelly's belly - you can visibly see him moving at times, and yesterday his heart beat was strong - between 145-150 beats per minute! We will have another echo/ultrasound this coming Thursday - and will actually have weekly Thursday ultrasound/echos the rest of the way until delivery in December! All the doctor's we have spoke with in the last week - have just been so encouraged, excited and intrigued by Jackson and Kelly's surgery and recovery - and we continue to give all Praise, Honor and Glory to God alone! There is no doubt that these men and women that make up our team of doctors are incredibly gifted with intelligence and talent - but, we know their Creator! And Jackson is His creation - and man we are blessed!

Move Update: After a week in Dayton - and what an up and down week it has been emotionally and physically - we are ready to get back into the "home shopping" scene/process/network! We have great peace, and will stand firm in His strength that He is in control of this process - and that includes His Timing and Provision! Please pray for clarity, provision, and wisdom as we lean into what He has in store for us, as we will continue to be "anxious in nothing, but in everything - through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving - present our requests to God!" [Philippians 4:6] We are open to whatever He is/has prepared for us - whether it is a renting, lease to purchase, mortgage, new construction situation, etc - we are just seeking His Will in this search!

Thank you again...for your continued reinforcement, encouragement and love in and through your faithful prayers! Have an awesome weekend...we love you so much and can't wait to see what the Lord has in store next!

All Eyes on Jesus!