constant crescendo

I have a little bible analogy for you today. Don't roll your eyes ;-)

No pride. No pretension. No presumption. Just thoughts.

Paul (in the bible) suffered from a thorn in his flesh. It's disputed what the thorn actually referred to... Some of the more popular theories of the thorn’s interpretation include temptation, a chronic eye problem, malaria, migraines, epilepsy, and a speech disability. Some even say that the thorn refers to a person. Regardless of what the thorn may have been, the point of Pauls suffering served as a means
“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations.” 2 Corinthians 12:7 
In other words, it kept him humble. 

Paul asked of God to remove the thorn from his flesh three times, each time the Lord told him “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” 12:9   

"Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,

My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

Well, now I’ve done it! I’ve made a complete fool of myself by going on like this." 
The Message version, 2 Corinthians 12:7-13

Noah having Angelman Syndrome is a thorn in my flesh. I say that in the most loving manner. It has FORCED me into the hands of my Heavenly Father. 

Tethered, oh to Thee. 

I can't say that I have asked God to remove it per se... I also can't deny the anguish Matt and I both have suffered due to it's reality either. 

The Briana that I used to know, would have been crushed under the pressure. Flat on my face. The Briana that I used to be would have found a way around it. I would have lied to myself... the way I suffered from an eating disorder for nearly a decade. Case and point. (Another possible thorn in my flesh...)

The amazing thing though, is that Noah has brought us more joy, more smiles, and more life AND he has AS. Noah has given me an opportunity to truly experience God's goodness. He has also brought to my attention the constant need for renewal, finding my strength and self-value from a sacred wellspring that ONLY God provides. 

I love the last line of the passage I posted "Well, now I've done it! I've made a complete fool of myself by going on like this". Ya, at times, I feel like a fool talking about all the good that God has done in our lives, how big of a blessing Noah is, how God is using him to teach me (and those around him) deep lessons. 

Happy people can be annoying. But why?! 

I won't apologize for telling of God's goodness and mercy. He is a freeing, healing, loving God. I would be denying you of the truth that we have experienced. And what in the world are we experiencing this for if not to share of these truths. 

Our lives are a constant crescendo when God is by our side.

It's the truth. No discussion.

~~~~~~~

Noah has made some serious strides with his new Communication Device. The AT specialist (assistive tech) was thrilled that he has picked up on it so quickly! He is also making lots of new sounds, as well. He is combining vowels and consonants (similar to babbling). This is a big step in word formation. We have caught a few really great snips on camera that I can't help but watch daily!

He has another new skill: Bouncing! He will walk around, find a spot, and start bouncing on demand. It's pretty stinking adorable the way his little booty moves :) I'm working on getting a video... it's hard, because he is too interested in the camera while I try to film.  

Matt has undertaken a second job... taping books back together after Noah tears them apart. The little guy constantly has a book in his hands. He will bring them into the kitchen (sometimes they end up in the sink while I'm washing dishes :/ he takes them to bed, he is constantly handing us them to look at with him. It's really wonderful (truly wonderful) to see him grow and understand and communicate. I wish I could put into words the beauty that we get to see in him everyday. 

My heart just might burst.

As most of you are aware, Noah hates his glasses... hates his patch... hates hats.... anything on his face or head for that matter. His eye doctor suggested soft arm restraints in order to get him to keep him glasses and patch on.
*they are working* ((whisper, so he can't hear me say that))

He is complying for about 3 hours a day (2 for the patch, 1 for glasses). 

Look at that happy grin!

:)

Hiking at Cobbs Hill :) Our spot!

Happy snack monster :)

Hey, ma. I'm a big kid now.

His squats are coming along so very nicely! The PT is really paying off!! He proceeded to hand me handfuls of wood chips after this picture was snapped!

Book babe

Busy playing hard!

Today is a good day.

Enjoy your lives.

Breathe deeply.

B