Nicholas James (1:17): Gone Shoppin'

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Gone Shoppin'

Going shoppin...that's what Georgette, the night unit secretary, calls getting discharged. Well, we're shoppin...Praise the Lord.

Prior to leaving the hospital, we went to the PICU to say goodbye to our hero's. Thanks to all who were involved in our journey this week. We love you all.

4 comments:

Unknown said...: yah!!!!! I am so happy for you!! Praise God that precious Nicholas gets to be home on Easter morning!:) :) :); April 11, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Helen said...: Great, Great news!! The nurses look so sweet. They seem to love on Nicholas like he's their child. I am sure a special bond develops between the nurses and these precious children. I'm so happy for you!; April 11, 2009 at 8:20 PM
Jill said...: Praise the Lord! He is so faithful in His timing! We will keep praying that you make it Busch Gardens for the other kids to enjoy!!!!; April 11, 2009 at 8:27 PM
The Moodies said...: That's awesome and we praise God with you! Nicholas seemed to enjoy all that lovin' from those nurses! Happy Easter!; April 11, 2009 at 9:28 PM

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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