Nicholas James (1:17): March 2011

Friday, March 25, 2011

Isn't it Glorious?

Peach Banana Oatmeal baby food face...

Isn't it a glorious site?!?!? Although more is on his face than he is allowed to have right now, it is still a miracle we never thought to experience. Praise God!

Monday, March 21, 2011

My sweet boy decided he was not going to sleep last night and, of course, I had to get up at 5 am to go to work. While I really wanted to sleep I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him laugh and try to talk. From 10:30 until 1 am he layed in bed making all sorts of happy sounds.

At midnight I gave up on the sleep and tried to tape him. Everytime we try to catch him, he stops...just like any child. So, I grab my phone (because I am way too tired to go downstairs for the camera) and slowly make my way to the laughing Nicholas. I felt like a tiger stalking his prey!

Below is what I got.....

It was hilarious! As soon as he saw me taping he stopped and stared at the camera. For a boy who supposedly can't see he sure did see me trying to tape him.

Precious moments of the Lord's miracles...can't get enough!

The Broken Gift

In August of 2008, I felt led to begin writing a book about our journey with Nicholas. The purpose of the book was to be twofold: First, I felt a strong sense to intimately share with others our journey of faith. It was my desire that people who were facing tremendous “life storms” as I call them, to see that God is faithful in all circumstances. Secondly, and much more selfishly, I wanted to present Lisa with the ultimate gift, a book about her son.

I began praying that God would open the doors if that were to be His will. I shared this with only one person, Chris Lewis, and asked him to be in prayer with me. Before I gave God the chance to answer me, I had already begun writing. Five months later, I had written six full chapters. During the process, I would occasionally email Chris a copy for his input. Unfortunately, he was a bit too encouraging, and the process continued.

Chapters six and seven began to slow me down. I was beginning to feel that my writing had become more about me than anything else. Additionally, I was becoming concerned that the book was taking on the form of a journal. I knew from research that journal style books were not welcome in the tough world of book publishing.

Chris had a friend in publishing who agreed to read my manuscript and give me advice. His advice stopped me cold in my tracks. It was just as I had suspected, the manuscript was too much of a journal. Strangely though, I was relieved. I had become increasingly frustrated during my writing sessions and now I could just stop. No more writing.

A short time later, I decided that I would share with Lisa the fruits of my secret, double life as an author. I printed the manuscript off in its entirety and gave it to her to read. I had dreamed of presenting her with a paperback book with a picture of her son on it, but this would have to do.

Fast forward to today. The original intent of the book has not changed. I want people to see Jesus when they see our family. I want people to know there is hope. I want people to understand that God is bigger than our circumstances and brings us through them for a reason.

With that in mind, I decided that Nicholas’ blogsite is a great way to still get my “journal” out there, into the hands of people who may be touched by our story. Each week I will add a new chapter.

To read The Broken Gift, click on the chapters below.

Chapter 1 Code Blue
Chapter 2 Back to the Beginning
Chapter 3 New Relationships
Chapter 4 The Arrival
Chapter 5 Life Goes On
Chapter 6 Surgery

Friday, March 25, 2011

Isn't it Glorious?

Monday, March 21, 2011

Nicholas at his best...