For the Love of Ice Cream

One of the perks of living on a college campus is our all-access pass to the cafeteria. Jeremey and I are delighted to have a personal chef who makes all of our meals saving us both from cooking and from buying groceries. Gabriel however, could care less about the food as his ritual is to head straight for the ice cream machine. We have had to reign him back from this simple pleasure but quite honestly on the occasions when he does have his way...it is one of the sweetest sights.

Two weeks ago, just before my mom arrived (which PS was fabulous) I brought Neriyah in for a check-up. As a nursing mommy, I keep pretty close tabs on the liquids and solids that are emitted from my babe's bottom so you can imagine my shock when she was registering the exact weight that she was 3 weeks previous. Dr. Willis was a bit perplexed and decided to give her a very thorough examination. He discovered that her tongue was tied down which was preventing her from moving it properly during nursing and requiring more of her energy to eat (essentially she was taking in milk but the expenditure of calories equated to the same number coming in...hence lack of weight gain).

Two days later, we went to see Dr. Chacone, another pediatrician in the office to have Neriyah's tongue cut. Although I was offered a front-row seat, I opted out...(I love that the Dr. tried to get me to stay by saying that most mom's want to be there...really?? I was certain that someone with many more years of medicine under their belt would be a better stand-in and so a nurse took my place).

There are numerous benefits to having the tongue clipped...including allowing for a better latch while feeding, alleviating speech issues down the road, and opening up our daughter's food repertoire to ice cream cones (apparently licking a cone is not an easy feat with a tied tongue).

Already in just a short-time, Neriyah has made progress in her feedings and weight gain. We will continue to take her to the doctor twice a week until she is demonstrating consistent gains. Would love your prayers that this is soon as there are many other activities more appealing with a 2-year-old and a newborn than seeing the inside of a pediatricians waiting room. As of her last appointment on Friday she was 6lbs 3 oz. We'll be heading in for another weigh-in tomorrow morning.

On two other notes...having my mom out here for nearly a week was such fun. It was her first time holding Neriyah! My sweet mom had to leave before we were able to have visitors hold her in the NICU so she had all of the work of taking care of me and none of the perks. During this trip, I was able to be active and we took full-advantage...shopping and eating out plus trips to the park and zoo.

The second note is about our "what's next in ministry." Since Jeremey graduated in July we have been exploring a variety of possibilities. To catch you up...we left our church, HOPE, at the end of January. It was definitely the right time but oh so bittersweet...it had been my worshipping home since I arrived in Cali six-years ago and had served as a great training center for Jeremey as he continued to grow into his role as pastor.

Although we have had a mix of options to explore, there were two that stood forward from the rest. One was to plant a mission congregation in Southern California (this was based on dreams that J and I had on the same night) and the other was to take on a church just outside San Antonio, TX.

Planting a church was certainly not on our radar before this dream...and really only had legs because we were "following the process through" by talking to friends, other pastors, and writing a business plan (I think to prove it was NOT possible...smile). Simultaneously, we remained in conversation with TX...and actually traveled there at the beginning of February. We had asked in our prayers for clarity and to some degree this is what we got. While we were there we both said, "hmm, I guess we COULD do this...hmm" Not exactly the enthusiasm that drives a couple to move across the country.

Crazy enough during the final two weeks at HOPE (end of January) a group of people showed up to worship (mind you they have never met or heard of my husband). These folks had left their church over theological differences and felt called to start a mission congregation. When they heard that Jeremey was leaving they inquired with him and found out that he too was thinking of starting a church. After a few more conversations, we agreed to come to their first home-church gathering. I felt energized by the movement of the spirit and Jeremey agreed.

All of our reasons for NOT moving forward with a mission plant were seemingly refuted with the connection that was made to these people (we had wondered where we would get enough money...people, etc. Apparently, God likes to show off his ability to provide...). This group that began with fifty has now grown in four-weeks to eighty and is ready to officially launch a church including calling a pastor. This week they voted unanimously to move forward with calling Jeremey. It is not finalized yet...but it looks like we are quite potentially staying in California to raise up a new congregation. I'll keep you posted as we learn more.

Thank you for your continued pursuit of prayer for our family.

Much love,

Michelle