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Due to a great family connection at the main Post Office in Roanoke, we now have Daniel's new official weight: seven pounds, six ounces! He fit really nicely on the scales.
Labels: family
Our Selfish Pile of Needs
Daniel is the cutest kid in the world, sure, but we've taken to calling him "our selfish little pile of needs" because all he does most of the time is need something and cry about it. I realize that this is a normal part of the human experience. It got me thinking though: aren't there animals out there that start walking a few hours after they are born? or what about those birds that leave their eggs alone and never come back?
my question is: why did God make human babies so helpless and needy?
so far, there are only a couple of reasons I can think of:
1) it forces parents to grow up (a kind of crash-course for developing maturity and parenting skills?)
2) it shows us how we look to God (totally dependent, but often selfish and ungrateful for his care)
what do you think?
Labels: family
A Broken Belt
Jessica was driving to Sam's Club on Saturday when all of a sudden all her car went crazy - the belt broke off, so all the idiot lights went on and it started overheating! She pulled over beside the highway, but it was a hot day to have a baby in the car with the AC off! God is good, though - Jessica's parents were close and Seth had just gotten off work so they were all there within minutes. Jessica and her mom still got to go to Sam's and Seth and Dad Smelser fixed the car. Actually, I can't think of a better time it could have broken!
Labels: family
Seth at your service...
Seth started working as a server at Ruby Tuesday's yesterday (Tuesday... go figure). Not only is serving tables something Seth has always wanted to try, but this job will provide the necissary funds for Jessie to stay home and for us to eat and pay bills after Seth finishes up at Daleville Baptist Church in August. Once we get closer to leaving for the field and have at least 50% of our support, we'll be able to go on stipend with CrossWorld and raise the rest of our support full-time. Until then, Seth is at your service at Ruby Tuesday's in Roanoke!
Labels: family, our support
A Walk to Remember...
Jessie and I went for a short walk the other day, just to get out of the house. We hadn't gone too far, though, when a jogger past us... then came back, looking over his shoulder and saying "I just saw a big black bear crossing the road!"
We turned around.
On our way back, we ran into three of our friends, all named Tom. Then we saw a car pulling into our driveway, and it turned out to be some friends of ours who live a half hour away and were in the area as part of a search team for a missing man from their church (who was later found). It just goes to show that you don't have to go far from home for things to get interesting...
Labels: family
Sunday
Daniel went to his first church service on Sunday, looking sharp (as always) and drawing lots of "oohs" and "ahhs"! He slept through the sermon, but we decided not to wake him. After all, it's hard to take notes when you barely have any muscle control.
Speaking of church, you can pray for ours: we are having a bit of conflict right now over what direction to go with the music ministry. Please pray that God will unify us and focus our hearts on Him!
Labels: family
How to love a user?
Our neighbors (a boyfriend and girlfriend and her sister - all in their teens) car broke down. So I went over to try to help fix it, but that didn't work. Now they keep asking us to borrow our car. Well, we aren't comfortable with that, but I have driven them several places. Still, they keep asking to borrow the car. Finally I told them that I am not going to give them the car but I'd be glad to drive them when I'm available. Now they are really upset with me and we're wondering how in the world we show them God's love when all they want to do is use our car?
Labels: our ministry
Blur
It's hard to remember what day it is or if it's morning, evening or night. We don't know what's going on in the outside world, and we haven't made our own dinner in a long time. Life is so good!
Labels: family
Home Again!
July 9:
We came home yesterday in the morning, and it's been great! Daniel is awake more, cries more, and makes more stinky diapers, but he does a decent job of sleeping, too - even at night sometimes! We are thoroughly enjoying him and mom is recovering quickly (thanks to a lot of help from Grandma and Grandpa Smelser!) We've easily got the cutest baby that ever was!
Labels: family
Good Night, Good Day
Saturday, July 7:
Daniel slept for a long time last night! Granted, we didn't get anything like a full night of sleep, but we got sleep... which is more than we expected! Jessie is up and moving around a lot more, even able to change diapers :)
The doctors have given us good reports all around, and we'll probably be headed home tomorrow morning! When we get home, I'll make sure and upload some more pictures for you!
Labels: family
Daniel, Day 2
July 6th: We are doing great! Daniel still sleeps most of the time, which is nice for mom and dad. Plus he's been passing all his health tests with flying colors!
Jessie is recovering well - she got up and walked today, which is very helpful even though it hurts a lot. She's back on solid food, too, which is nice!
We'll keep you posted as things progress!
Labels: family
He's Here!!
Daniel James Lewis arrived at 6:37am on Thursday, July 5th! We were in regular labor all night but when the morning rolled around we weren't making much progress and Daniel's heart rate was dipping with every contraction. The doctor said the cord was probably wrapped around him somewhere and they went ahead and did a C-Section to get him out. Sure enough, the cord was wrapped around his chest and neck and he was squeezing it with his little fist, too. It wasn't exactly what we planned, but little Daniel is doing great and so is mom! He is 6lbs 5oz, and 18inches!
Labels: family
Memory Verse
The other day we saw the little girl who said that "the Lord is the onlyest true guy" at VBS. She wanted to tell Jessica the verse again. This time, she said: "the Lord is the onlyest Jeremiah with us 10:10". Isn't it great when kids remember their verses?
Labels: our ministry
