Just a few pictures November 17, 2009

Brandon’s mom took some sweet pictures of Carter Brown, and I wanted to share them on here! Brandon is in the deer stand right now and has only seen girl deer. I told him he needed to tell them to send their husbands by his stand!

 

I am amazed by the way the Lord prompts hearts to pray and how the Lord reveals Himself through working in the lives of His people. Very excited for the work He is doing in our hearts as a family and in our friends’ hearts in Virginia! Just as Hebrews 13:8 rings true “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” So, too, is He the same in every vicinity of the globe… Eastern Europe, India, Nigeria, Virginia, and Memphis. All across the world Christ is revealing Himself to His people daily – what a truly undeserving gift we receive daily.

 

Here are those pictures:

 

We had to put him inside the first row of cotton to get that picture!

 

Maybe a future cotton picker or seed salesman?

 

I bet he’s checking that for “boll rot.”

 

It really does look like snow from the road!

 

Just the family of four… Caroline is a little hidden in the picture!

 

Carter getting into Pappa B’s creation!

 

Just relaxing, waiting on Daddy to ask for his help.

 

The two boys working hard!

 

Pointing at everything, really!

 

I think there were birds in the sky at that moment.

 

 

“Normal” still an unknown word! November 16, 2009

Other than Brandon’s counts, many things in our lives are still un-normal! Well, just our daily schedule, that is. Last week, Carter B and I went to see my mom in Arkansas and came back Saturday. Sunday we kept Carter B out of church because he hasn’t been acting very normal (eating habits/coughing/etc), and today, after his 15-month check-up, we found out he has only had a cold and is free to go hunting with his dad! So, Brandon and Carter B are on their way to northeast AR to see Brandon’s grandparents and maybe even kill a deer… Brandon’s got a “hankering” to get a buck! haha

 

Brandon and his mom went  Friday to Nashville and received great news. His red blood cell count, platelets, and white blood cell count are holding on at normal ranges! They are wanting platelets and red blood cell counts to rise still, but they have continued on an upward climb since we’ve been back from Nashville, by the Lord’s KIND grace. Brandon’s hair is growing back in patches, and he and I seem to agree that it will probably be much darker than before – can you believe that?? I just laugh about the joke we’ve been tossing around that Brandon is an Englishman on the inside, and now maybe on his little head, too!

 

God is SO incredibly, undeservingly (to us) kind, gracious, faithful, powerful, and worthy to be praised. He listens to the cries and prayers of His children, and He provides what He requires… faith in Himself, trust in Himself, worship of Himself. I have been thinking on this verse over the past few days: Psalm 119:18 “Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things out of Your law.” After many sermons that have bolstered my faith in the power of the Holy Spirit, I am convinced that it is HE who causes us to see Christ in the Scriptures; it is HE who causes us to see our abominable sin against a Holy and Righteous God; it is HE who reveals God to us!!! Do I even understand what grace is in the revealing of God to me?  I am so thankful!

 

Brandon went to Louisiana last week for his first work trip since June. He was giddy to leave and glad to return. He has been so blessed to love his job, and he has loved being back in the groove of things as well. Pray for our dear friends, the Bensons, as they are half-way finished with their training. Pray the LORD would be near their hearts moment by moment and that their souls would rest in Christ and long for His life-giving Word!

 

I need to make a goal of posting often… I’m going to try to get more in the habit of it! In the mean time, hope in Jesus Christ, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross! What a sweet and mighty Savior He is.

Day 95: Good news continues October 30, 2009

Our gracious God has given us much kindness this week! Brandon’s platelets were 166,000 on Tuesday and his white blood cell count and red blood cell count are nearing normal as well. Our sweet friends kept Carter B while we went to Nashville to pack up some more things from the apartment, and it was so good to come home and see that little boy! Our friends have 4 children and Carter B (or Tadda B as their 2.5 year old called him) loved every minute of his time with them.

 

With Day 100 nearing, the doctor and nurse practioner said that Brandon is free to be released from their clinic and will be transferred to the “Long-Term Clinic” for the rest of his life! He will go back next Wednesday for a few appointments and then again in about two weeks. After that, Lord willing, he will go to Nashville only once a month until July and then once a year for the rest of his days on earth!

 

Brandon’s hair is growing!!! His beard is finally fully growing. We have yet to know what color his hair and beard will be… but it ought to be interesting to find out! He’s feeling pretty good and eating good, too. He’s REALLY ready to get his Pick-Line taken out of his arm NEXT WEEK Giving Carter Brown baths and lifting weights will be normal again and he’s ready.

 

God is faithfully working in our physical lives as well as revealing Himself through His powerful and living Word. We are so thankful!!! We are praying that we will continue seeking Him and that we will continue to be given a yearning desire for His Word!

Day 85: Moving on up October 21, 2009

Today, Brandon and our Pastor Jordan traveled the trek to Nashville and received sweet news! Brandon’s platelets are rising at 156,000; his white blood cell count is 7.2; and his red blood cell count has risen to 27. He didn’t have to get anything today IV-wise, so that was a kindness of the Lord! The Lord’s work in Brandon’s body is undeniable and praiseworthy.

 

The nurse practioner is looking to steady him off of his steroids, which is a great thing! Also, next Tuesday they will do the final bone marrow biopsy to confirm officially if PNH is gone for good. On that day they will possibly also take out his Pic Line catheter. He has been saying how badly he’d like to get that thing out! He can’t wait to give Carter B baths and not have to “Press and Seal” his arm every time he needs a shower.

 

Tomorrow morning, Carter B will have his tear duct surgery. We have to be there at 8 a.m. The Lord has been kind to have loving friends remind me to trust in His sovereign hand as Carter B undergoes anthesea again. God orchestrates our lives as He sees best! How kind He is to work in and through other people in our lives to offer kind and wise counsel to focus our mind right back on Himself.

 

Sweet times with Carter Brown have been had by the Sheridan household. He can do some hand motions to “Our God is so Big” and I am amazed at how the Lord created such a tiny, funny, fiesty, rough boy and how He makes Carter so able to learn and retain and grow! It’s really a miracle. Being parents really is a joy and something I never knew I’d enjoy THIS much!!

Day 84: It’s been a long time October 20, 2009

Well, the Lord has been kind yet again! We are doing well, trucking along, and I forgot to blog even once. Brandon’s counts are remarkable; platelets are within single digits of normal, white blood cell counts are normal, and his red blood cell count is still working on recovering. The doctors said that it could take a little long for his red blood cells to come up because Brandon’s body is working to make a whole new blood cell type – from O negative to A positive! What a jump!! On a funny note, his hair is growing back and his facial hair is too; we can’t decide what color his beard might be… black, blond, multi-colored? We laugh often that he will look like an Englishman before it is all over – dark-haired and complected.

 

We have been given the go-ahead to move our things home and only come in for clinic visits! Sounds like a small thing, but it was been a huge difference in our lives. The first night we were here we truly felt like we were living in a mansion compared to our little apartment. Carter Brown has much enjoyed being here and sleeping in his own bed (though he was a trooper sleeping in that pack-n-play for 2 months)! He’s walking and talking (jibber jabber for the most part), throwing balls and opening many cabinets. Everything is his exploring venue and he loves it!

 

Our sweet family, Kirk and Amy, are in Virginia. They arrived last Monday and are doing well. The transition for the children was a little tough, getting into a new routine with new nap times was difficult, but Boaz had a great day yesterday, and the Lord has given the children much grace to cope and adjust. The gospel is going forth to Serbia, Lord willing, on December 28, through Kirk and Amy! They long to be there – their new home.

 

Pray for continued alertness to cleanliness and washing hands and taking precautions, please! Little Caroline, in the womb,  (yes it is a girl!) is moving and kicking and doing well, I believe. We saw that she was a girl a few weeks ago and were excited and amazed all at once. We’ve been moving furniture (not me!) and rearranging Carter’s room and it’s been fun to prepare the home for another sweet baby! I haven’t figured out a posting schedule… but I will figure one out soon.

Day 61: Adventure Science Center September 26, 2009

We drove to the Nashville Adventure Science Center yesterday, anticipating an empty parking lot on that raining Friday, but we saw about five school buses and tons of children jumping off the bus and running inside the Science Center! We laughed and drove right on by – Brandon being immune-compromised will definitely help us make more wise decisions, Lord willing, about what would be the most health-conscious for our family! All we could do was laugh yesterday, and we drove on to Bass Pro Shops to look at some hunting things for Brandon. I told Brandon that we frequent that store as often as the grocery store! haha Just a joke, but it has been a great place to go and walk around during a really sunny day or a really rainy day.

 

Brandon went to the clinic on Thursday and found out that his counts are still holding – blood volume is 30, platelets are 38, and white blood cell counts are 2.3. He feels great, looks great, and is such a sweet servant husband. The Lord has been UTMOSTLY kind in meeting with us daily this week, bringing us together as a family in the Word, and showing me how to lovinginly train and instruct our little boy. God has given us grace to REALLY enjoy our Carter Brown – to laugh at his sweet new words (“dink,” for drink, with a high pitched “nk” at the end; “ah du” for all done; and “haa” with a sweet growling noise for hot), to enjoy watching him learn how to figure things out, and to watch him walking, walking, walking.

 

The Bensons leave in 13 days for training for their work for Christ in Serbia! I know they can’t believe it, and the time has passed by so swiftly. The Lord was kind to bring Kirk to Serbia and back last week with confirmation of His sovereign will for his family. He sees how his family is made to live in that country – what a joy! Pray for their next 13 days that they will be filled with quick packing, soul preparation, and sweet time with their parents and friends.

 

It’s raining here, and it sounds SO good! I can’t wait for the trees to turn; my favorite tree in the fall is the Ginko Biloba and there are tons around campus. It looks like it is on fire when the leaves change… I can’t wait to see it soon! Have a great weekend; look to Christ through whom alone we have salvation.

Day 51: Celebration September 17, 2009

Well, Wednesday was Day 50 for Brandon which means in 50 more days, Lord willing, we’ll be home! Also, yesterday Carter B had his surgery to get his tubes placed; and he did pretty well with that. Waking up after the anethesia was hard on him, but after that, a drink of water and a bite of biscuit and a nap, he was a new little boy. His sweet Aunt Amy said he needed a sweet treat for his big day, and we thought we all might need to celebrate the 50 day milestone! Here’s the picture of Carter B’s celebratory cupcake from this sweet place.

 

 

He had the yummie Kiddie Kake with THE best blue icing we have ever tasted! He was a bit tired yet, but enjoyed getting his hands DIRTY and licking them.

 

Today went well at the clinic. Brandon only had to receive magnesium! His counts are stable, though his platelets have dipped a little. The doctor said that with a bone marrow transplant, the counts will rise and fall for a little while before stabilizing. The LORD is in control and He is our portion. He knows our lot (Psalm 16); He alone is good!

 

Brandon’s dad is coming tomorrow for the weekend! I know that Carter B will have a ball with him; Brandon is thinking about giving his dad the name “Papa T.” We’ll see how he likes it! Nothing much going on except enjoying being a family and a whole lot of walking. Our dear friend is overseas seeing his family’s new home, having the will of our great God confirmed, and eating some amazing food. Pray for Kirk’s travel all this weekend as he goes by train, I assume, to meet more people on his team. He will be flying probably Monday in the middle of the night back to the states – pray for his traveling safety!

Day 48: On its way out September 14, 2009

That ole’ B.K. virus is on its way out of Brandon’s system… thanks be to God! Today, he did have to receive a blood transfusion, the first since coming home from the hospital 31 days ago – THIRTY ONE DAYS. Now putting that in writing blows my mind…. What grace is in our Lord’s sovereignty to do for His people what is best for them – affliction and joy. They are also putting him back on his liver medicine to regulate his liver function and a magnesium pill to bring up that level.

 

Wednesday morning, our little boy is having tubes put in his ears. After three consecutive ear infections in July and August, three rounds of antibiotics, our pediatrician suggested that we get tubes put in to eliminate multiple visits to the pediatrician this fall. She said it would be best for Brandon that we not be there every other week since it is flu season. So, we’ll have the procedure done at 8:15 a.m. on Wednesday. My mom and Brandon’s mom are both coming to be there with me at the hospital – we’re leaving Brandon at home for his sake! No extra cooties for him, please.

 

Pray for pride to be demolished in my heart!!! May I serve my husband with joy and submission and love my baby boy with Christ.

Day 42: Continuing on September 8, 2009

Today went well at the clinic for the ole’ hubbin! His blood counts are holding and looking good to the doctor and nurse practionier. They are beginning a different anti-fungal medicine that he will get through an IV at HOME! Someone is coming tomorrow to show us how to work that thing It will be fun and adventurous…. My first attempt at being a nurse!

 

We are living in the real world now, and that reality has hit home for me tonight. Our hearts need to be united in the Word daily, and Christ must be spoken to our child every hour. As Brandon has been feeling better and better, we have been living more and more of a regular, normal life together. I must not let my guard down to the WORLD! I just read Psalm 1:1-3 tonight, and I see the beautiful gifts of a blessed man in Christ.

 

“Blessed is the man

who walks not in the counsel

of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

but his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in its season,

and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers.”

 

A dear friend who is amongst harsh affliction physically reminded me of the delight I need to have in the law of the LORD. Amist her grave affliction, she clings to Christ, runs to the Word, longs for communion with our great God! While facing tough physical pain, her heart mimicks Psalm 112:6-7 “For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.”

 

I am, every single day, encouraged by one of God’s children. For His sake we were redeemed (Isaiah 43:25), and often for our sake (His glory) we watch those we love be tested through the fiery trials of affliction or sin or both and are bolstered ever more by their faith, their experience in the presence of the Almighty God. What an intimate, infinite God we serve. By GRACE, for His sake, we are His. And by grace, our good, we are His.

 

Day 38: Getting better September 4, 2009

The BK virus seems to be getting better, especially since Brandon doesn’t have to go back to the clinic until TUESDAY – hooray He’s feeling better, eating well, enjoying his baby boy, and serving his wife out of his love for Christ. His becoming more Christlike is such a treasure to watch.

 

Our dear friends are finishing up our bonus room at our home. Their unselfish service is blowing our minds. We are so thankful for their tireless and sacrificial efforts in loving us. We see more and more of Christ as we hear of the work they’re doing physically for our family… it is depicting the love of the brethren that each faithful believer has which is only given because Christ first loved us.

 

Pray for them as they spend one more week together before a trip Kirk will make overseas to Eastern Europe!!!! He’s basically backpacking and navigating a city he’s never seen, yet has an undeniable heart for. Pray that the Gospel would go forth UNVEILED to those whom Christ died for.