Matters of the HEART

If the above slideshow does not appear, click on this link that will take you to the photos.

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I think we are finally completely acclimated back to New Jersey life after a full week back at work. It was a rough start at first with major sleep deprivation. Last weekend, Gideon wanted to shave off all his hair. I don't know if it was because he saw his Grandma Judy over spring break and it inspired him once more or that he just likes that haircut now. :)

Maia has had a pretty good week. She seems bigger and bigger everyday. I don't know if she is having an allergic reaction to one of the foods we have introduced lately, but I think I am going to get rid of the banana-oranges gerber mix and see if that is the culprit. She has a rash under he chin and she seems very itchy all over. Benydryl has been helping and so has the cortizone cream, but she is still very frustrated by it all.
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We were a bit taken aback on Thursday when we learned that the cardiologist appointment we have been anticipating for the past two months, but especially this last week, was to be postponed. We are having insurance issues once more, but it appears this is more of a problem with the physician's office and their policies than it is with our insurance. Please be in prayer that we can solve this issue quickly. Maia needs to be monitored and if we had known there was going to be issues earlier on, we would have tried to find a new pediatric cardiologist. It was very disheartening to learn this news the DAY BEFORE the appointment, to say the least.

Again, it is time to trust in the LORD in all circumstances. As Proverbs 3:5 and 6 states.

"Trust in the Lord with all your HEART

and lean NOT on your own understanding,

In all of your ways, acknowledge HIM

and HE will direct your paths."

We want his perfect wisdom in this situation. We don't want to be rash and try to figure this out in our own imperfect minds and emotions, especially emotions right now. May the right doors open and the wrong doors close.

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Oh, Kenny is in Sandy Cove, MD, for a men's retreat this weekend. Ah! He has a balcony overlooking the Chesapeake Bay and he gets to spend time in prayer and devotion on the bay on one of the most beautiful warm weekends we have had all of 2009. It can't get any better than that! Have fun sweet husband and daddy!

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We are also so very proud of Kenny's brother, Joseph, who graduated at the top of his medics class in the Navy this weekend! Way to go, Joseph! If you would like to see some pics of the family celebrating his accomplishment in Chicago you can go to my sis-n-law, Meaghan's website, Into the Blue. Just click on her blog title and you'll go right there.

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Also in Sutherland News, Brooks, Meaghan and Joseph's youngest son, has been suffering terribly from allergies. He had been officially diagnosed with a few,allergies but needed to go to the allergist for further testing of other possible reactions last week. Meaghan has been praying for Brooks' healing and right before his examination, he appeared to be feeling much better than usual. When the allergist tested Brooks this time, he was completely allergy free! Completely! Not one allergy showed up! What an answer to prayer! Thank you for showing YOUR healing power in our little nephew's life Oh, Lord! What an amazing testimony!

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On the Gerdis side, Grandma Judy is getting her taste back! Guess the latest mix of chemo cocktail has one nice benefit. Otherwise she is very, very weak, tired, and achey. Please continue to lift her up in prayer as she faces the last chemo treatment this coming Friday. Thank goodness, the chemo portion will be done!

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I am totally in awe of my mother as she has faced this cancer treatment head-on! She has only shown trust in the Lord, glorifying Him, each and every step. I know she would probably say that she hasn't, but we know differently, don't we.

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I also want to thank all the friends and family that have rallied around my mother this year. It has been such a comfort to know that my mom is being taken care so wonderfully and with tender-loving care. It is so hard to be here in New Jersey during this time, and it was even harder to leave her after our visit during Spring Break. Really hard! I just wanted to stay and be with her so badly!

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Well, it was a beautiful day and Gideon, Maia, and I did some beach clean-up volunteering this fine beautiful morning. It was great fun and hopefully I can post some of those pics in an upcoming post. Have a great rest of the weekend!