Onward...and Look Upward

My husband's schedule change to afternoon shift was a blessing in disguise! The week he was moved to afternoons, Aunt Chrissy and cousin Domonick came down with a terrible case of strep throat AND the flu! This was the same week that Christina's doctor found that she has a pinched nerve in her back and should not be lifting more than 5 lbs until she goes to physical therapy to improve it. Pray that the Wedebaugh family gets better! We love you all very much! Isaac misses you! We are so thankful of Aunt Chrissy's help when Isaac came along - we couldn't have done it without her help!

With the circumstances, we had to find an alternative method of babysitting. For the first week, we stumbled around and took it day by day. I left work early, one of the officers (Eric) watched Isaac, and my husband even took him to the station for a short time one day. The next week, Grandma came to stay for Sunday night until Wednesday morning - we love you Grandma! I started calling all of the options. All of the daycares are on a long waiting list for infants. Plus, they only have a full-time rate equalling almost $600.00 per month - gasp! We didn't want to rely on any of our back-ups full time because they are either college students (with lives, and college schedules and jobs) or my husband's co-workers (who could get stuck at work without notice and become unavailable on a moment notice). I called a few pastors and asked them to mention it in their congregations. No leads. I just started praying.

Finally, I went to my home visit for Ski Hi (which I love) and the parent offered her services since we needed a babysitter for only a couple hours everyday. She told me that when her 3 year-old was a baby they had the same situation. I gratefully accepted and she has been wonderful. She is a Chirstian and a wonderful mother and friend. He has NEVER cried when he's with her! Everyday, I pick him up and ask how he was for her and she always says - he is an angel child! I never have to worry and she is accepting our humble pay - thank God! I wish we could give more, but with doctor's bills (and we are still catching up from when my husband was gone) we are where we are. Isaac has another ear infection - sigh! It's so nice to know that when Daddy and I can't be there, Tammy is watching him. Thank you God for answered prayers!

My husband told me that there is a chance that he may be moved back to dayshift next month - please pray that God will help us out with a babysitter and the financial means for the services if that happens. I have to remind myself of something I felt God tell me as I was praying one night. He said, "Rebecca, remember that I chose you to raise Isaac, but above all, Isaac is my child and I will always take care of him. When you don't have the answers, pray and have the faith that I do." How amazing is that? So, I am praying and I know that God will always be true to his word - he will take care of ALL of his children. So, onward - and look upward!

Dedicating Isaac to God (UPDATED 2.11.08!)

On March 1 at 6:30 pm, my husband and I will dedicate Isaac to God. Our group of friends recently planted a church called 'renovate' in Fairmont and Isaac is the first baby dedication the church will have. Genesis United Methodist Church is allowing us to use their sanctuary for the service - thank you Pastor Brad!

Directions: To get to Genesis, take I-79 to the South Fairmont Exit and go toward Wal-Mart. At the light in front of the Middletown Mall, take a right and look to your right on a building for the Genesis sign. The sign is not lit, so if it is dark you'll have to look hard. Genesis is not in a 'church,' but in a building that looks like a business. The building is immediately after a sign that says 'America's Best'. If you get to the Days Inn, you have gone too far. After the service, we will have some simple refreshments, so come and enjoy!

Why a dedication and not a baptism? As a church, we have decided that when a baby is born it is the parents' responsibility to guide the child in a way that leads them to Christ. When the child is older and makes the decision to follow Christ, he/she can decide to be baptized. The reason that this dedication is public is because we also believe that the community (friends and family) who will be a part of Isaac's life also has a responsibility to guide his life toward Christ. So, this dedication is about Brian and I making a covenant to raise Isaac with Godly values and the special people in Isaac's life (that's you!) to make a covenant to help us and support us in this journey. If you would like to read a scripture that we have used to find this belief that is best for us as a community, please read Luke 2:22-40. In these verses, Mary and Joseph present Jesus to God and he was prophesized over. We will not, however, be sacrificing doves or pigeons! :) I hope to see all of you there! Call if you need further information!