Nicholas James (1:17): Off to camp we go........

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Off to camp we go........

On Monday the 3rd though 5th grades kids went to Camp KidJam at Wake Forest University. Steve went as a leader and little Stephen went as a camper. This is only the second time I have ever been away from little Stephen. I miss my first born baby!! Today is Wednesday and I am SO ready for the Stephen's to come home!!!

Hmm...what is wrong with that picture??? Oh, yeah that would be Claudia not me!!! Oh well, she is a second mom to the kids anyway..

Last minute instructions from Christy. Is that a grin or grimace Stephen??

Saying goodbye to little brother with a threat to keep their room clean while he is gone.

Saying goodbye to other little brother. (Yes, I am crying!!)

Time to load up......

Pastor Don greeting all of the kids.

Pastor Don getting ready to pray for the campers.

Christy laughing at me for snapping so many pictures.

Hmm...would you trust your kids with that bunch???

Seriously though, that is one group of special people. People that love the Lord and want to show children all about that love. We are so blessed to have such an amazing group of volunteers that serve with our children. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do!!!

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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