Canvas

Heather and I recently watched a message in which Louie Giglio states that, “God paints on a canvas that is larger than what we can see. Through a key hole the cross looks like a horrible mistake. Like God has lost control. But in stepping back and looking at the larger picture it is the most beautiful part of the story!”

This is such a beautiful and powerful visual picture. Although it sometimes feels like that door is locked and we are only left with the “keyhole” view, it is our prayer that the door would continue to be pushed open at least a crack. One way that we continue to gain a glimpse of the larger story is through the thoughtful words and support that we continue to receive from friends, family and even strangers. Thanks to so many of you for your willingness to enter into the messiness of life with us!

A quick prayer request. Bailey will have an upper GI tomorrow morning at 9:45 in which they place a scope through her esophagus, stomach and the opening to her small intestine to check for structural abnormalities that may be contributing to her pain with tube feedings. In preparation she will not be able to eat after going to bed tonight. Those of you with young children know how challenging a hungry infant can be so please remember her (and us). Also that we may know better how to make her comfortable during feedings.

if you would like to help...

there are 3 areas that we are going to concentrate on:

1. matt and heather's 9th anniversary is this tuesday!

* a phone call *a card *dropping off some flowers

*i can find out what restaurant they will be at-maybe we could pick

up their tab?

2. the kids

kimberly krampe had a great idea: to put "activity packs" together for them. heather plans out their activities for the morning and the afternoon...the kids would be so excited to open a new packet of activities-and/or snacks! if something like this is on your heart...please contact kimberly...kkrampe@live.com. she is happy to help with ideas too!

3. monday meals

there are some wonderful friends and family from up north that have been providing frozen meals...these have been so greatly appreciated by matt, heather and family.

i asked heather if there was a day that is harder to get a meal together and she mentioned that mondays are really difficult. soOoo...that's where this next idea came about...getting a fresh meal to them on mondays would be a huge help! if you are able to do this, please contact me, jaren....at greenappledesign@comcast.net . i will place you on the list to the side of this blog so that if you forget the date...you can check the blog!

thank-you so much for your concern and your prayers for the mekkes family!
this last stretch of time has been increasingly more painful for everyone...
your faithful prayers and love mean so much to them!

a quick update on bailey:

matt and heather have decided to put feeding therapy on hold for the time being. this has been a difficult decision...but, a necessary one. bailey does not have a lot of energy to even work towards her oral therapy...another piece of grief that matt and heather experience.

secondly, they met with bailey's pediatric neurologist...this doctor is encouraging matt and heather to use some meds that would act as a sedative for bailey so that she would not be aware of the pain that she is experiencing. as difficult as this decision is...it is one that will allow bailey to have better, less painful days. it will also allow her to sleep-which, she hasn't been able to do. she is up all day...maybe sleeping 30 minutes...and the nights are just as difficult.

lastly, matt and heather want me to express their gratitude for you, your love & your prayers. each day they rely on the portion that God gives them...
they are such amazing people...a m a z i n g .

when words aren't enough...

i'm on my knees this morning asking you

...our Creator...

to AMAZE us.  

because you are amazing and can do amazing things.

let the earth quake Father and AMAZE

us as you move in bailey's life.  i am holding

on to hope for my dear friends and their

beautiful bailey...that you will move.

You are the Great Physician...

You deserve our highest praise

and i continue to have faith

and believe that you will AMAZE us.

**please continue to pray for matt and heather...this past week-end was extremely difficult...  several of you have asked what you can do for the mekkes family right now...we are working on some ideas-if you would like to take part...please drop me an email and i will be in touch with you.