Prayers for Christine - Days 28 & 29

Day 28...I recently read a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson that says...'It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself'. I think of all of you who have prayed with us that maybe along the way, you too were blessed in some way. From the time Christine was very little, she had a joyful spirit...she loved sharing her joy with others. My prayer today is that she finds that joy again...that she can go about her life sharing her joy with others and not be continuously confined to bed. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 is a favorite...'be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus'. I continue to believe that there IS a stirring...and I can't wait to see what happens in the coming days and weeks...you are a blessing to our families...

Day 29...Psalm 143:11...'Oh Lord hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness, come to my relief'...we wait for His answer and continue to pray...

I had to dig way back, but I couldn't resist these pics. They reminded me yet again of all the play dates the boys have had when Christine was unable to be there because she was sick or hospitalized. This was the day Jack and John decided to start a band called, "The Crocs" (because they both had crocs). John was the drummer and Jack was the guitarist. Completely awesome.

Prayers for Christine - Catching Up

We had a wonderful weekend back with our families for Valentine's so I was away from my computer and have a bit of catching up to do on these updates from Mindy on our prayers for Christine. I have had a sense of urgency over the last few days as these 30 days of prayer come to a close, feeling strongly that I must pray with expectation of something big, something beyond what we are capable of understanding, and something soon. These verses in Psalm 18 seemed to fit beautifully with this cry, with the enemy being Christine's illness. "He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because HE DELIGHTED IN ME…For You will light my lamp, the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall." (I so wish to see Christine with energy and strength to leap over a wall!) "As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him…It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places." Freedom from captivity to this illness for my friend, Lord! Freedom! Please continue to pray!

From Mindy:
Day 20 - Having a chronic illness is not only one of the loneliest things in the world, but also one of the most exhausting. The rest she is getting from this extended stay will hopefully put more distance between the 'spells' and she can enjoy a season of 'good' time. That is my prayer to...day. "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him." Psalm 62:1 Be blessed today.

Day 21 - 'The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.'. Psalm 29:11 Strength and peace...we all need a dose of those right now...God is so good and we know He will provide an extra measure of both strength and peace to Christine, as well as all the family...simply because, in fai...th, we ask; and in faith, we wait. Be blessed today...

Day 22...'Call to me and I will answer you...'. Jeremiah 33:3... So, so, so praying Christine will be home soon. Continuing to believe as the journey continues...

Day 23 - 'It's good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace.' Hebrews 13:9. We continue to be thankful for God's showing of His grace...in Christine's life, but also in the lives of others. We are so glad for the baby steps in Jenny' fight for life...rejoicing as sweet Taylor welcomed her husband, Tyrel, home from... a 7+ month military tour...and today, especially praying for my nephew, Michael, and his 9th grade classmates in Franklin, TN, as they deal with the sudden and tragic deaths of two classmates' fathers. May the grace of God continue to bless Christine, those I've mentioned, and you!

Day 24 - I am amazed at how these days have passed so quickly! And yet, sometimes it seems so long. I was thinking the other day how I long for so many things for Christine...getting to be at home, being with Matt at home and laughing uncontrollably at each others jokes...tucking Sam in and singing his favorite nite ...nite song...sitting with Jack and reading or talking about all the things he is discovering...and someday, getting to hear her lead worship with the praise team. She has always used her gift to worship God...and what a sweet gift He has given her by protecting her voice through so many years of struggle. So my prayer today is one of hope and expectation...'i will sing to the Lord all my life; May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I rejoice in the Lord.' Psalm 104:33-34. Oh God, please continue to give her strength, as we all wait with hope and expectation...

Day 25 - Praying for Christine, Matt, Jack and Sam that they will be so blessed in knowing that God is totally in control...'i know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His...' Psalm 108:3. We are just a week away from the 2-month mark. Praying for God to intervene so this is a date we won't have to commemorate...be blessed...

Day 26 - 'As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved...Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts...' Colossians 3...I love this...dearly loved...today I am praying Christine will feel washed over by His love, and know how much she is loved by everyone...and feel peace...

Prayers for Christine - Day 19

(From Mindy) Prayers for Christine - Day 19...we praise God for Christine's continued improvement. We see progress, for the first time in a long time. God continues to protect her as this illness works her body over...'but You, O Lord, are a shield around me...to the Lord I cry aloud, and He answers." Psalm 3:3-4. God is faithful, and even in her illness, He blesses her over and over again...blessings to you, too!

John and Jack taking in the rodeo. Yeehaw!

Prayers for Christine - Day 18

(From Mindy) Prayers for Christine - Day 18...Psalm 5:3..."in the morning, O Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation"...Christine continues to ask that you pray for Jenny Bazaillion. We continue to praise God for all the baby steps Christine is taking...today, specifically, we ask that you strengthen her muscles, for even though the PT people work with her, she has been in the hospital for almost 2 months. We also continue to pray for relief from the fluid retention...the medication is helping, but it is uncomfortable. Christine also asked me to convey her deepest appreciation for all your prayers...she is so encouraged by them each day...blessings...

Can you say, "Oh my goodness!" Kailey loves her buddy, Jack, too!

Prayers for Christine - Days 16 & 17

(From Mindy) Day 16...her words... 'yesterday was a pretty good day'...praise God! She is thinking that maybe next week, home will be in the plan...we continue to pray for that...and wait for God to give the answer...

Me (thinking this position looked painful): "Jack, do you want to lie down to rest? Doesn't that hurt your neck?" Jack: "No, I'm not tired at all." Love that kid! Busy afternoon on the boat!

(From Mindy) Day 17...Christine has made a special request today...for now, she would like you to all focus on and pray for Jenny Bazaillion. Jenny is the sister to Josh Ross, and Josh and Kayci are good friends of Christine and Matt. You can link to Jenny's care page by scrolling down where I have posted it. We continue to pray for healing...

https://www.carepages.com/carepages/JennyBizaillionUpdates

Tiny Ballerina

"I love Eva, Mommy!"

Practicing their poses

"Cheese!"

If it's possible for ballet to have been more of a success than Kailey expected, it was. She has asked me constantly since then if we could just PLEASE go back to ballet. She told us all about dancing around like a bee, going under a parachute, and that she was a BIG GIRL! Sweet moments for a mommy of a little girl!

Prayers for Christine - Day 15

(From Mindy) Prayers for Christine - Day 15...halfway through this journey of prayer, we are so longing to have her strong enough to go home. There has been blessing in this stay giving her body time to rest and heal. Praying that each day, she will continue to get stronger and stronger...Love this kid - Christine's Sam

Prayers for Christine - Day 14

(From Mindy) Prayers for Christine - Day 14...while talking to Christine Wednesday night, I heard something in her voice I hadn't heard in awhile...hope. They continue to reduce the TPN...good thing...and are trying to get the fluid retention under control, so keep that as a request. But, today I am full of PRAISE...that God is renewing her spirit of... 'hope'...'i praise You because is fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know this full well'. Psalm 139:14

Amazing the things you can take for granted as a mom, like the energy for a zoo trip. May there be many for Christine this spring!

Prayers for Christine - Day 13

(From Mindy) Day 13...specific request from Christine...that her body will stop retaining so much fluid...her weight can fluctuate up to 10 pounds in a day...Psalm 34:4 says...'I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivers me from all my fears'...we continue to faithfully believe He will provide answers...in his time.Another reason Christine has to get well - her friends need her to be crazy.
(Yes, Tara will kill me.)

Ready for Ballet

Kailey starts her first ballet class tomorrow with her buddy, Eva. She pretty much thinks her previous life only led up to this point and time. This whole thing is really fun for me because I have such special memories of my ballet classes, especially my beautiful and wonderful teacher, Miss Angela. I LOVED her. Today the kids and I had a super fun outing getting her "dress code" ballet outfit, Panera for lunch, and finding a new Austin frozen yogurt place called Froyoyo. We had a great time just being out together. We haven't done enough of that since we moved. Here are a few shots of Kailey practicing her ballet moves, "just like Aunt Caitlin."

Prayers for Christine - Day 12

(From Mindy) Day 12...continue to bless her, Lord, with a renewed spirit and the knowledge that You are overseeing and guiding this journey...continuing to be blessed by the prayers of so many.This is one precious mommy who loves her boys!

Prayers for Christine - Day 11

(From Mindy) Prayers for Christine - Day 11...praising God that the doctors plan to reduce the TPN, IV nutrition, by half today, and begin to add food slowly. We know and believe that God's hand is on this and continue to ask Him for healing. Christine has begun to retain fluids and that is part of this decision, so we also ask God to help her body rid itself of these extra fluids so that there will be no longterm kidney or cardiac issues. She is still experiencing occasional vomiting but not continuously...just when she intakes food...so we also ask God to continue to calm the storm in her tummy so that there will be no vomiting. Borrowed from Scotty Smith, an evangelist from Tennessee, "Jesus, help us to trust and rest more in Your grasp of us than in our grasp of You." Be blessed...Once again, this mommy has to get home. There are just boy things to do.

Prayers for Christine - Day 10

(From Mindy) Prayers for Christine - Day 10...thankful for a new medicine that seems to be helping a little. Continuing to pray for renewed strength so that she can get back home...so thankful for all who are praying for Christine.One of the reasons his mommy has to get out of that hospital...it's almost t-ball season and Jack is just so cute with his curls hanging out from under his hat!

Prayers for Christine - Day 9

(From Mindy) Day 9...today's prayer is for Jack Franklin and Samuel Ray...two little boys who miss their mommy so much...both born too early but have grown into incredible boys, with an early understanding of faith...named for their grandfathers, Christine fought so hard to carry them...and I truly believe they were God's special rewards to Matt and Christine for faith that does not falter..."Sons are a heritage from the Lord...like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth...blessed are you whose quiver is full of them." Psalm 127...Christine wants to be home with them and they want and need her there...so Lord, please hear my prayer today,as I know you always do. There's nothing sweeter than listening to them pray each night for their mommy...thank You, Father, for letting them know how much You love them...and hear their prayers...

Jack and Sam in the plaid shirts. These boys are very precious to my heart and love their mommy so much!

Prayers for Christine - Day 8

(From Mindy) Prayers for Christine Day 8...comfort her today...3 months ago today, she lost her daddy...such a daddy's girl...and missing him..."I will not leave you fatherless...I will come to you." John 14:18....what a precious promise from God...Christine's fun family including her amazing dad who went to be the Lord 3 months ago.

Prayers for Christine - Day 7

(From Mindy) Prayers for Christine - Day 7...little did we know , Lord,that when I came to work at FWC, that the student body president, who remembered Christine daily in the opening prayer at chapel,would someday be my son-in-law. Thanking you today for a marriage that is built on You, Lord...that even when it gets almost unbearable to watch someone ...suffer, Matt never falters in his love, devotion, commitment...working hard every day, taking their boys up every night so they can have family time, and always, always striving to do Your will...what a blessing they are to each other...and what a beautiful example they are of what it truly means to love someone...thank you for guiding them on this rocky path and filling them with faith and strength...and for letting me be a part of this amazing couple's life...

Kailey's Favorite Thing

The incredibly well cared-for doll known as, "Baby."

Kailey with her current most beloved of babies, her cousin, Karsen.

Anyone who knows Kailey well, knows that she LOVES babies. This is not an "Oh, babies are cute." This is, "Mommy, I just saw a baby, now my day can be complete." She points every, single baby she sees out and says that she loves it, especially if it's a girl. While at the hospital the other day to see new baby Liza, Kailey professed her love for five babies and proceeded to talk about Liza non-stop for hours. Every night she puts her baby doll in a nightgown, feeds it, puts it to bed, tucks it in, gives it a bear, turns on it's mobile...an entire bedtime routine. In the morning she then dresses the baby and gets it ready for the day. Without fail, this happens every day, and she's only three! Talk about a good babysitter someday!

So, you can only imagine with what joy and excitement she has been announcing to the world (including perfect strangers) that she is getting a new baby at her house! This time not a pretend one, but a real, live baby to cuddle and love. That's right, Baby Critz #4 is due to make his or her appearance around September 1st! We are blessed, grateful and so appreciative of all those who have been praying for us during the ride we've had this fall. God is good all the time, and those moments when His goodness carries us through the rough places fill us with a deeper appreciation for these times when His goodness overflows into abundant blessings we wholeheartedly desire! So we celebrate with Kailey as she receives the "yes" answer to her many, many prayers. And John V is relieved because he feels a little closer to the "lots of kids" he keeps insisting we need around here. Apparently four is more like "lots" than three. :)
Thanks for being the kinds of friends we know will share our joy! Love to you all!

Prayers for Christine - Day 6

(From Mindy) Day 6...Father, remind her every minute of every day that You are already there..."The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you, He will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid...do not be discouraged." Deut. 31:8. And thank you for our sweet time together yesterday...even in her rough time...she reached out and comforted her mama.Christine's precious Jack (on the left) who is waiting for his mommy to come home.

Prayers for Christine - Day 5

(From Mindy) Day 5...the sunshine is so beautiful today...Lord, please let these rays of sunshine pour through her window and into her heart...and bless her with Your love...

I've decided to pull a bit at your heartstrings and help you to hold this family even closer to your hearts by posting some pics with these posts. I know it helps me to know who I am praying for. As you see Matt, Christine, Jack and Sam, may these pictures come to mind throughout the day and provide visual prayer reminders!

Gingerbread Houses

I know this will come as a shock to everyone, but I am in the blogging mood this week. So, I will just start throwing some things in here that I've missed over the last months. This one seemed like an easy place to start. Our holidays were a new experience for us this year. It was our first time to experience them staying with our families. I have to say that while I am missing them tremendously, it is immensely fun to go and stay at our parents' and let the kids spend that kind of quality time with them and our siblings. We loved it. One of the fun things we did while "home for the holidays" was to go to the Gaylord with Brittany and her crew, my mom, and my sisters. Great fun to have everything handed to us and to walk out while someone else cleaned up the mess! :) The kids had a great time and were very serious about their house. We did have to feel a bit of pity for the poor boys next to us who left with a stunning gingerbread house after their mom kept telling them "not to touch that" while she ended up doing quite a bit of the work. A bit sad. All in all, another fun memory made with our Scroggins crew!