Update on Kyle from Aunt Paula

Kyle (Such a mighty young Warrior)

Hello to all you faithful prayer warriors. Kyle has finished # 8 of 12 chemo treatments. He is such a brave fella, and so positive, he knows God has a plan for him as we all do, but you know he is only 11 years old. God has been so good, wonderful, fantastic, giving, guiding, ETC., What a friend WE all have in Jesus. After the 12 treatments Kyle will do radiation for 6 weeks everyday, 5 days a week. Well, Toby's car kind of quit on him, in his carport, what a blessing, not that the car quit but that he had not left with Kyle to go to Eggleston. Joey and I have a gas guzzler we let him borrow for the last trip to Eggleston, and until he got his car fixed they would have a vehicle to travel around town in. Kyle even got to take his CRCt tests, yet another blesssing, at school and he did not even want to take a break during the long tests. He is a fighter. Yesterday I was at work, got a phone call, some certain one or more of you, made something happen for my little brother, that left him speechless. He was so emotional, you know that breaks my heart. He did not know what to say. He picked up his 4 door truck today that Kyle and Toby are so proud and thankful for, and me too. I as Toby was speechless but knew in my heart what a relief for Toby and his children. I have known for a long time now, there are angels amongst us. I don't think you have to reside in Heaven to be an angel. We have them here in little ole LaGrange Ga. I guess you could say this note is an update and a praise. God, family, and friends, MY family has trully been blessed. Storms come and go in all our lives, but HE is always there to help us. AMAZING GOD we have. Thanks to everyone. I am a lot like Toby, what else can I say, OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD HE reigns from Heaven to Earth. I love radio station 93.3,FM, they say some great things and play great musci, only if you hadn't already been listening. Love to All Paula

I took this picture of Kyle, Toby, and Aunt Paula today before they ate at Charlie Joseph's. Kyle looks wonderful and so strong!

Easter Egg Hunt with Sam and Colin

Clearview Chapel church did such an amazing job with their Easter Egg Hunt, games, and crafts! All of the kids had such an great time. The Battle family attends Clearview Chapel and since Colin now goes to school with Sam, they invited the Jackson's to come to the Easter Egg hunt. Leslie and Jeff wanted to meet Sarah and Dale and wanted to boys to hunt eggs together. I was very blessed to be able to be there as well and of course I took some pictures and want to share!

Colin and Sam are two of the most handsome and most precious boys I know. I hope they continue to become great friends!

Abigail's 3rd Birthday Party!

Abigail is now 3 years old!

Abigail's parents did an amazing job with Abigail and Olivia's 3rd and 5th birthday party. It was a circus theme party and Olivia asked me to be the clown. Of course, I couldn't say no...I would do anything for these kids. I wanted to share some pictures with you all. It was such a great day!

We are looking forward to many, many, many, many more birthdays but I think that I am retiring the clown suit!

Cutie Pie Gavin

GAVIN

When our son Gavin was 3 years old he was diagnosed with Autism, a developmental disorder that ,appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills. This was one of the most difficult days of our lives, as any parent who has been given a diagnosis regarding their child knows. It took a while but we eventually realized that we could give Gavin the same opportunities as any child without Autism – if only he is given proper treatment and therapy. Gavin will soon be turing 5 in July and he is still non verbal.

After we realized that opportunities don’t exist in Dodge County for Gavin to receive the treatment and therapy he needs we made the decision to move to Griffin, GA where Stepping Stones Learning Center is located. Stepping Stones is a private school dedicated to providing help to the Autistic, it has been successful in assisting many children with severe Autism go from non-verbal to being able to work in a regular classroom in only two years. We know that this is the best thing for Gavin’s development and believe that he requires it in order to live the best life possible.

There are some drawbacks to having to move, not only do we miss our hometown of Eastman but we also are faced with the full financial strain of a private school because no grants exist in Georgia to help alleviate this strain. The tuion is very costly. We are also in the process of raising money for an Autism service dog and awaiting thearpy for Gavin to be able to commnicate independenlty with his AAC device.



Thank you,

Brooke, Steve, and Gavin Wright

Kortney's Amazing Story

Kortney’s Story


She is a living miracle!

As a mother of 3, I have had to face many challenges and shed many tears through the years. In December of 2007, I was faced with one of the hardest challenges a mother could ever face when my 12 year old daughter was diagnosed with cancer. It was not discovered with signs and symptoms like in most cases, but from a simple complaint of a back ache while walking in the grocery store. I told Kortney to wait in the car and I would be out shortly. Before we could get to the gouse, not even 10 minutes later, Kortney screamed in horror as she complained of having no feeling in either of her legs. She was rushed to the ER where she was sent home with what they thought was a pulled muscle. After still not being able to feel her legs the next day, I felt it was in Kortney’s best interest to get a second opinion. She was taken to Memorial Health in Savannah where she was admitted and after extensive test, we received the news on Christmas Eve, Kortney had a malignant stage 4 primitive neuroectodermal tumor in her spinal cord. That was a hard Christmas for Kortney, myself, and our family, but we spent it together in the hospital and made the best of it. The tumor was removed and treatment was started immediately. I had to quit my job to stay with Kortney in the hospital to fight this battle with her, not only physically but emotionally also. Even though Kortney was sick and in need for her mother’s support, I still had 2 other children at home, Brandon 12 and Austin 10. Which without the help of Richard, my finace at the time but now my husband, would not have been possible. He played the primary role in raising the boys while we were in the hospital since their father lives 300 miles away, though he visited as often as he could. After 3 weeks in Savannah, Kortney was transferred to Scottish Rite in Atlanta. There she received a combination of chemo, radiation, and extensive physical therapy. Kortney had to be transported by ambulance to Emory, Monday- Friday for chemo and radiation. She also spent 8 hours a day 7 days a week doing physical therapy. One of the hardest parts of facing to watch her go through treatment, was watching her lose what a girl loves most, her hair. We spent countless nights in the bed crying together as her hair fell out in clumps. We spent 4 months in Atlanta then were transferred back to Savannah where we finished up treatment after 6 months. In October 2009, we got the news Kortney was CANCER FREE!!!!!!!!! Even though the cancer was gone, it still left her unable to walk or voluntarily use her bladder or bowel. Kortney has to travel to Savannah every 3 months for a MRI. Though these trips and expenses are not covered by insurance, and come at hard times, at the same time a price can not be put on maintaining the health of a child! We are praying every day for a cure for childhood cancer!!!!

Awesome Blog

http://specialneedsmomslikeme.blogspot.com/

Top 20 Reasons Why Moms of Kids With Special Needs ROCK

1) Because we never thought that "doing it all" would mean doing this much. But we do do it all -- and then some.

2) Because we've discovered patience we never knew we had.

3) Because we are willing to do something 10 times, 100 times or 1,000 times if that's what it takes for our kids to learn something new.

4) Because we have heard doctors tell us the worst, and we've refused to believe them. Take THAT naysaying doctors of the world!

5) Because we have bad days and breakdowns and bawl-fests, and then we pick ourselves up and keep right on going.

6) Because we gracefully handle the stares, the comments, the rude remarks. (Well, mostly gracefully.)

7) Because we manage to get ourselves together and get out the door looking pretty damn good. Heck, we even make sweatpants look good!

8) Because we are strong. Man, are we strong. Who knew we could be this strong?

9) Because we aren't just moms, wives, cooks, cleaners, chauffeurs and women who work. We are moms, wives, cooks, cleaners, chauffeurs, women who work, physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, teachers, researchers, nurses, coaches and cheerleaders. Whew!

10) Because we work overtime every single day.

11) Because we also worry overtime, but we work it through. Or we eat chocolate or Pirate's Booty or gourmet cheese (which aren't reimbursable by insurance as mental-health necessities, but should be).

12) Because we are more selfless than other moms. Our kids need us more.

13) Because we give our kids with special needs endless love, and then we still have so much love left for our other kids, our husbands, our families. And our hairstylists, of course.

14) Because we inspire one another in this crazy blogosphere every single day.

15) Because we understand our kids better than anyone else -- even if they can't talk; even if they can't gesture; even if they can't look us in the eye. We know. We just know.

16) Because we never stop pushing for our kids.

17) Because we never stop hoping for them, either.

18) Because just when it seems like things are going OK, they're suddenly not OK, but we deal. Somehow, we always deal -- even when it seems like our heads or hearts might explode.

19) Because when we look at our kids, we just see great kids -- not kids with cerebral palsy/autism/Down syndrome/developmental delays/whatever.

20) Because ... well, you tell me.

True Heroes

In the past few weeks there have been two questions that have come up that I constantly had to answer in high school and college.  I have to write essays, papers, and speeches on both of these questions.  The first question was...If you could pick three things to take with you if you were on an island by yourself, what would it be and why?  The second question was...Who is your hero and why?  These questions were always so hard to me, mainly because I have tons of people I look up too (heroes) and tons of things I would talk to an island.  Everytime I was asked this question, I changed my answers but today I could answer them easily today and never change my answers again.  I am just glad I don't have to write an essay for a grade anymore!

3 things I would take to an island:

I use to answer this question as to take things with me so that I could figure out how to get off the island and back home but now that I am 25...I would take...

1. A rocking chair so that I could sit still and watch the water crash onto the rocks, so that I could meditate on God's beauty, and so that I could slow down time.  Time goes by way to fast because I am always so busy so to sit and be still would be great!

2. A four-wheeler so that I could go exploring the island and check out everything around me and because my family always takes them to the beach and we have so much fun riding in and out of the shallow part of the water.  There is something about the water splashing on your feet on a hot day at the beach that refresheses my soul.

3. I would bring my little cousin Hanna along because that child makes me so proud and I love experiences life through her eyes and by her side. She is awesome and makes me strive to be a better person since the day she was born and I held her in my arms. She is always entertaining, she makes me laugh harder than anyone in this world, and you never know what she is going to say. That would make for an interesting island trip!

As for the second question...easy, easy, easy answer...my heroes are the children of this foundation. The joy they bring is unexplainable and I cherish every single second I spend with them. They have strength beyond our wildest imagination, they are true fighters, and they have more motivation than 100 people put together. The foundation has been helping out the children a lot and I will update you on that soon but here are some pictures of my heroes and my time with some of them that I have put in my treasure box memory chest! Also, I will show you a few pictures of Noah and Jake...the two incredible newest faces of the foundation...they are just precious! I can't wait to share their stories with you.

Sweet Abigail during occupational therapy...so glad her mommy sent me this picture!

I got to visit the Battles for awhile and played basketball (or bakiiitball as Charlie says) with Sam and Charlie.

I get to see Colin twice a week and he is just the sweetest little boy you will ever meet.

Meet handsome Jake!

Meet adorable Noah!

Please keep praying for Kyle with his cancer battle...we believe prayer changes things. Please pray for his dad Toby and his brother's and sister's as well and they help him fight and are by his side every step of the way.


I will sign off from the quote in a song by Brooke Fraser and one by Rascal Flatts that I promise to the children of this foundation:

Brooke Fraser: "Now that I have seen, I am responsible, faith without deeds is dead, now that I have held you in my own arms, I can not let go until you are supported, understood, treated equally, and loved by others as you should be"

Rascal Flatts: "Your not alone...I will stand by you, I will help you through, when you have done all you can do and you can't call, I will dry your eyes, I will fight your fight, I will hold you tight, and I won't let go"

Update on Kyle from Aunt Paula

Hello to all, Toby and Kyle went to Eggleston this week for chemo Thurs., and Fri., got home yesterday afternoon, this completes number 6 of 12.  They are not going to do chemo for the next 2 weeks.  Kyle will be having surgery soon to cut the bone and replace it with plastic and as he grows they will do more surgeries to compensate the growth.  Eggleston did another MRI 2 weeks ago, told Toby they found a new spot below his knee, same leg, said it could be cancer and it could not be, but it was not there on his previous MRI. I suppose during surgery they will biopsy the new place below his knee.  This morning Kyle was running a fever of 102, so they are on  their way back to Eggleston. Please continue to pray for Kyle, little fellow is going thru a heck of a lot.  Just so glad we have a friend in JESUS.  Toby's car tore up Tues., of this week, so he has rented a car to go back and forth to Eggleston till we can get his car back up running.  I will keep updating when I find something more out about surgery in a couple of weeks.  Love to you all, and many thanks to all. TEAM KYLE is not giving up, we will get thru all of this, of course with GOD on our side what do we have to fear.  Paula     

His Kingdom Can NOT be Shaken

Thank God that His Kingdom Never Fails I get e-mails sent to me everyday that contains bible verses and devotions and I believe these verses in the book of Hebrews are absolutely perfect for this week.  I have talked to many people this week about life and for most I have talked with...it has just been hard.  Today is a hard day for me too...a day that reminds me of tragedy and the loss of people in my life but today this verse helped me to focus my eyes on Jesus and to remind myself that nothing can shake me in His unshakable kingdom. Devotion in Bold Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.  Hebrews 12:28,29

We can easily be shaken by our circumstances, but remember that you've received a kingdom that cannot be shaken. You serve a God Who cannot be denied. Take every bit of your confidence (or lack thereof), insecurity and weakness and submit them to these truths. Seek and find hope and peace in knowing that you're loved, chosen and under the shelter of the Almighty. One of my favorite verses says..."Consider the Lillies"...if God takes care of the flowers of the fields and the animals of the earth...then of course he is going to take care of His children. Just want to be an encouraging voice today and remind you that you are heirs to a Kingdom that can not be shaken by anything!  It can not be shaken by a bad day, a tragedy, an unhealthy relationship, death, a doubtful decision, alcohol, drugs, etc... Just stay by the heart of God and in the middle of His kingdom and He will pull you up to your feet and set you on solid ground. Plus...how can you have a bad day when you look at these two precious children... Handsome Colin Beautiful Abigail Go back to children's church and sing the song..."He's got the whole world in His Hand"...and then...believe the words and speak them over your life and the lives of the people around you.

The Song "Flags" by Brooke Fraser...check it

These lyrics are just amazing...read them and then download it on your ipod ASAP!


Flags by Brooke Fraser
Come, tell me your trouble
I'm not your answer
But I'm a listening ear

Reality has left you reeling
All facts and no feeling
No faith and all fear

I don't know why a good man will fall
While a wicked one stands
And our lives blow about
Like flags on the land

Who's at fault is not important
Good intentions lie dormant
And we're all to blame
While apathy acts like an ally
My enemy and I are one and the same

I don't know why the innocents fall
While the monsters still stand
And our lives blow about
Like flags on the land

I don't know why our words are so proud Yet their promise so thin
And our lives blow about
Like flags in the wind 


You who mourn will be comforted
You who hunger will hunger no more
All the last shall be first
Of this I am sure

You who weep now will laugh again
All you lonely be lonely no more
Yes, the last will be first
Of this I'm sure

I don't know why the innocents fall
While the monsters stand
I don't know why the little ones thirst
But I know the last shall be first
I know the last shall be first
I know the last shall be first


My thoughts


One of the greatest ladies in the world...Mrs. Vicki Tipps...shared this song with me this weekend and the words hit me like a ton of bricks...kinda left me holding my breathe until the song was over because the words are so piercing.  She shared this song with me at the perfect time.  


Last night...Gentry shared with me that the surgery didn't help Abigail's right hip.  I can't imagine how Gentry and Matt felt as they got this news...how incredibly frustrating for her to go through the surgery and therapy and it not work the way it was suppose to.  Honestly...I was angry...I watched her go through the pain, I watched Gentry and Matt work together for months upon months to take care of sweet Abigail (while she was in the cast, taking care of her was a two person job while in the cast),  I watched them work together to figure out how to give her a bath with the cast on, I watched them figure out how to get her in and out of the car safely,  I watched them help each other change her diaper so that she would be in the least amount of pain as possible,  I watched them figure out the exact way to make Abigail comfortable in the crib so she would be able to sleep well, etc....  Unless you were in the house, you can't imagine what a trial this was for them all and to hear that her right hip didn't do what it was suppose to do and that she may have to face surgery again made me angry...I mean real angry but then I listened to this song again and held my breathe through the whole song again and this is what I got out of it...

I don't know a lot of things, I don't know many answers, I don't know why some things happen the way they do, I don't understand why Abigail's sweet little right hip has to still be out of place after all she went through but God reminded me that I don't need to know the answers and I need to just call out over Abigail and the rest of these amazing children exactly what I do know and that is...


You who mourn will be comforted
You who hunger will hunger no more
All the last shall be first
Of this I am sure

You who weep now will laugh again
All you lonely be lonely no more
Yes, the last will be first
Of this I'm sure

I don't know why the innocents fall
While the monsters stand
I don't know why the little ones thirst
But I know the last shall be first
I know the last shall be first
I know the last shall be first

And then...I just need to leave the rest up to God.

Updates

First Update-Abigabagoo!


This is from Abigail's Caringbridge site...wanted to share the doctor's report on Abigail's hip surgery so everyone can pray for her!

Abigail is a little gymnast and there is no pizza wedge in the world that is going to stop her from flipping in her bed at night!!!  Nothing stops this cute Little Trooper!!!

Gentry's entry on Abigail's caringbridge


Today I took Abigail to the orthopedic dr for a check up. It has been around five months since her hip surgery last Sept. They took an X-ray of her hips and discovered that her right hip is not forming correctly despite the surgery. The ball is not in the socket and her body has a slight curve because of it. I asked, why and how it could do this with plates in her hips to stop this very thing from happening. The dr said that our brain is very powerful and for some reason her brain is telling her to hold her leg a certain way that makes her hip come out of the socket. So, she prescribed a "wedge" for her to sleep with for three months until our next check up. This wedge is is to go between her legs to keep her hips in the correct position to hold her ball and socket together and hopefully this will correct the problem. So, she will be sleeping with her legs in a open position as if she had a pizza slice between her legs. If this wedge doesn't work then she will have to have a cast. Yuck. If that doesn't work she might have to have surgery again down the road. Double yuck. Her left leg looked great! The dr said to keep on with all of her therapy and using her stander at home as long as it doesn't seem painful. I don't think she is in pain. She might not be able to talk but she can communicate when she doesn't like something.

Please pray that this wedge works and that she will tolerate it while still being able to sleep. 

Thanks,
Gentry

I just have to share this...Gentry called me today and gave Abigail the phone and I was talking to her in our own little language and then Abigail said "Ba Ba" on the phone (which is what she calls me)...usually I have to coach her into saying it but she just said on the phone like there was nothing to it...talk about melting my heart...good thing we were not at Wal-Mart because I would have gotten her any toy she wanted!  I love this girl.

She was also in a really good mood and was laughing so hard that I had to ask Gentry if she was laughing or crying.  The child was hilarious...she kept taking the phone from Gentry and throwing it across the room and busting out laughing...which made me bust out laughing...which made Gentry bust out laughing until Abigail threw the phone a little lower than usual and busted Gentry in the mouth...oops!

Please pray for her as well because she has a little sinus infection...I am sure she is fast asleep right now and may have pulled her wedge off her legs so she probably looks like this...one of my favorite pictures...I wish I could just jump through the computer screen and pick her up so I could cuddle with her!

Second Update


Like I said...100% of the money given to this foundation goes straight to these special people and their families.  The foundation has given money to a church that will be re-doing an entire house for a Lady who is taking care of 2 special needs children and a special needs mother. After the house is completed and made wheel chair and handicap accessible...this sweet lady will be able to take her mother out of the nursing home and bring her home with the rest of her family where she longs to be...AMAZING! I think it is incredible what this church is doing...talk about taking the church out of the four walls and truly helping people.  This house is going to change this families life.  I will update with pictures as soon as I can.


Third Update

As the money flows into the foundation...we continue to keep the flow going straight to the families.  A huge need was brought to my attention about a week ago that I would have never ever thought of and I am not going to share all of the details at this time because I am going to share another blog about it later but a family shared with me that they are saving money to provide a special needs fund for their child.  I had no clue what a special needs fund is but basically the fund is a lot different then for the other children.  In the case that something were to happen to the child's parents...the special needs fund will be set up so that the child will be taken care of medically so that in no case the medical bills or therapies will be a financial burden on the people the parents have chosen to take care of their children.  Most importantly...if a special needs fund is not set up and the chosen guardians can not pay for the medical bills, surgeries, etc... then the state could take the child and place them in an institution...what a complete nightmare that would be for the parents.  So...the foundation has also given money to an amazing family to help with this special needs will.


Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of you that have given money for this foundation to help the most wonderful children in the world.  Here are some pictures of the kids I want to share because they are just so darn precious...

 Austin (I know he is not a kid but he is still so darn precious or rather a complete Stud)

Charlie making Sam laugh...so precious!

Colin has the sweetest smiles!

Beautiful Ava!

Kyle the Rockstar!

Little Musician...Gabby!

And this is Austin as a little Stud...sorry Austin...I had to post the picture...it is so cute!

This is little Charlie (Sam's twin bro)...Charlie says..."Peace out until next time!"

Ava Bullard

Beautiful Ava...






This is one of the most INCREDIBLE families you will ever meet in your entire life.  Noah and Anna are the parents of these three beautiful little girls.  Their middle child (pictured on her mom's lap), Ava...was diagnosed with Autism but because of the programs and therapies her parents got her involved in, she is no longer considered Autistic...AMAZING!  Did you know that no insurance covers children with Autism...NONE!  Anna and I will be talking in the next few weeks and I will be able to give everyone more information on how we can work together to help bring insurance to children with Autism, more on Ava's amazing story, and how this foundation can help set up programs in our community like Ava was blessed to attend. There is so much hope for these children.  Autistic children can lead perfectly normal lives and we just have to make people aware of the programs and therapies these children can be a part of.




Are they not just the most precious and sweetest sisters?!!!!!

Kyle Abernathy

First of all...I want to thank you all for the money that you have so lovingly given to the foundation.  I can not wait to update you all on how the children are progressing and living life to the fullest on a daily basis.

Secondly...I want to introduce you to another precious child of this foundation ten year old Kyle Abernathy.  He has been diagnosed with with Ewing's Sarcoma which is a malignant round-cell tumor. It is a rare disease in which cancer cells are found in the bone or in soft tissue.


He is a precious little boy and he is going through so much...it is so sad to see him go through all of this when he is normally an outgoing little boy who loves to be active and now his life has to slow down. His father's name is Toby Abernathy and he is an amazing father who is there by his son's side every step of the way. Please pray for Kyle and his dad Toby and the rest of his family.  I wish I time to write more right now but I will be back on later to tell you more about him.

This picture was taken 2 years ago on the 4th of July.  He loves the water and I taught him to knee-board that day and he was better at knee-boarding in one day than I am and I have been knee-boarding for years.  He is such a great kid and I know he will beat this cancer and will be back on the water before long!

Austin "The Stud" Belcher

Here is "The Stud"..."The Chick Magnet"..."Cutest Smile Award"...Mr. Austin Belcher!  Austin is a Georgia Fan but I won't hold it against him this year since Auburn is clearly the best!

This story is not about me but like any good story, I have to give some background information before I tell the rest of this life-changing story.  I grew up in the First Baptist Youth group and that is where I met and became friends with Austin.  The first time I met him, he made me laugh so hard that I could hardly breathe.  The dude was hilarious.  Everyone loved Austin....he was one of those people who just carried a good vibe and made everyone feel special.  I am using past tense words right now such...was and loved because what I am telling in the beginning of this post is talking about Austin before his wreck.

Kaleb Moore and I were interns for the First Baptist youth the summer before we headed to college and Austin quickly became our favorite teenager in the group but don't tell anyone that because we probably were not suppose to have favorites but the truth is the truth so I must post it!  We went to Boston that summer on Mission Tour (the youth choir of First Baptist pick a different state every year and sing at all kinds of different places).  We flew to Boston and then drove a charter bus back home.  I don't remember everywhere we sang, I don't remember a lot of the people we met, and I don't remember getting much sleep but I do remember hanging out with Austin and Kaleb the whole time and I do remember that I probably laughed more in that week chillin' with Austin and Kaleb than I did the whole year.  I laugh a lot people but this was gut-wrenching, stomach cramping, gasping for breathe, tears streaming out of my eyes laughter.  We had the best time.  Austin and I also had to do a skit together on tour and I am not sure how we got through the skit without laughing...ok, so sometimes we didn't get through the skit without laughing but all in all the people in the audience got the point out of our skit...well we hope they did...ha!

Austin not only had to sing on tour and do a skit but he also played the bass.  The dude can play the bass!  He was awesome at it and had a glow about him while playing music.  He also played bass every Wednesday night at youth group.  He was devoted to help bring people to the foot of the cross by way of worship and let me tell you...he did an incredible job!

I say all this to say...I got to know Austin well that summer and hands down...he can make me laugh and love life better than anyone else but after summer...I went to college and Austin was still in high school so we didn't do well keeping in touch but everytime I would see him around I would just smile and laugh awhile because he brings so much joy to everyone he was around.  Now that you have the background information...let's move on...

On June 23, 2004...Austin got up out of bed, got ready for work, got in his truck, started the car and headed to work just like any other day but on this particular day...Austin's life would change forever.  On his way to work, Austin had a wreck.  I remember getting a phone call that morning from Kaleb and I remember his exact words..."Brooke, I am on my way to pick you up, Austin had a wreck, a really bad wreck, and we are going to meet up with people to pray for him."

Isn't it weird how you remember exactly where you were and what you were doing when you receive a phone call like this...you know...like, I am sure everyone knows exactly where you were when you heard about the Twin Towers on September 11th.  Well, this was the first time I heard Austin's name and his name not bring a smile to my face...I had that feeling like Chuck Norris had just did a round off side kick right into my stomach.

Kaleb picked me up and we went to pray with what seemed like everyone in Troup County.  Like I said, everyone loves Austin and everyone prayed like I had never seen a group of people pray before.  I kept thinking about Austin, I kept thinking about how his parents must have been feeling, I kept thinking about how his family was getting through this, I kept thinking about how his best friends must be handling this news.  I never got all of the information about the wreck...I just knew it was bad.  We prayed for his sweet parents, family, and best friends, we prayed that God would work a miracle in Austin's life, and we prayed that God's strength would fall upon his family because nothing else could get anyone through a time such as this.

Well...God was on the top of His game working miracles in Austin's life that day and God has continued to work miracles day in and day out through Austin's life ever since.  I am not a parent yet but I already love my adopted child that I don't even know more than anyone and anything else in this world and I could not even begin to imagine my child in pain or having to struggle.  I can't imagine what Austin has gone through during the past 7 years of his life, I can not imagine the pain he has had to endure to get to where he is today, I can not imagine the heartache and pain his parents have gone through watching their son go through so much pain, therapy sessions, surgeries, and helping him get use to the new normal.

Here is Austin and his incredible parents.

Honestly, I am ashamed to say it but I haven't even spent time with Austin since his wreck but that is definitely going to change.  I told him the other day that it is time for us to make more fun memories like we had in Boston and I am most confident he can still make me laugh until I cry.

I do know this about Austin...he is a fighter...he definitely lives up to the verse 2 Timothy 4:7 on a daily basis that says..."I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  His faith is still incredibly strong, everyone still loves him just as they did before, he lets nothing get in his way of continuing to live life to the fullest.  I mean seriously...look at this stud...he always has fun!

I told you he is a stud!

Austin and Mac Powell from Third Day!

When I think of Austin...I also think of the verses that we all should live by and Austin goes above and beyond to live by these verses everyday that are also in 2 Timothy...

^{2 Timothy...."1} You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. ³ Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴ No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. ⁵ Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. ⁶ The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. ⁷ Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

 ⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, ⁹ for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. ¹⁰ Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

We can all learn a lot from Austin...we must be like a good soldier fighting to live life to the fullest and continuing to stand up and protect what we believe in (Austin is still in church every Sunday and Wednesday), we must strive to please God daily, we must be like an athlete in training who works hard to reach the life goals we make for ourselves, and we must be like a hardworking farmer who digs deep into the soil of God's word so that in due time...the fruit of God will grow in your and the life of the people around you so that then everyone can taste and see that the Lord is good just as it says in... 

Psalm 34:8 say...

 ⁸ Taste and see that the LORD is good;
   blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

The way that Austin lives his life...before and after his wreck...should push us all to live life to the fullest no matter what life throws our way.  Through Austin and because he has been and continues to be so diligent in everything he does...we should all be able to see that the Lord is good and that the Lord protects and provides and gives strength to all of His children.

I asked Austin, "What is the biggest life lesson you have learned?" and Austin's response was, "Dont take anything for granted, you never know when it might be taken away. I would give ANYTHING to play my bass now!

One more thing I would like to point out before I end this blog entry...Austin used his talents of playing the bass to glorify God and he would do anything to be able to use his talent again for the glory of God.  Join with me in praying that God will work another miracle and that Austin will be able to play bass again real soon.  My prayer for all reading is today is that we all become more and more life Austin Belcher.

ARE YOU USING YOUR TALENTS FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD OR FOR THE WORLD THAT IS FALLING APART?

To Austin...I want you to know that you are still a worship leader at heart and even though you may not be up on stage playing the bass during worship, you lead a life of worship and you are still a worship leader to us.  Your life screams out to all of us the real meaning of worship and you still bring us to the foot of the cross so that Jesus can take our hands and lift us up so that we can have sweet communion with the Father.  Thank you Austin!