Uh oh. Did she really just say that? I half expected it though. Surrounded by her Frozen dolls, wearing Frozen pjs, and holding a Frozen book she crossed her arms and furrowed her eyebrows at me. She was demanding we read her Frozen book instead of the Bible. We always set aside time before we go to bed to read our Bibles, but tonight she was tired and wanted her way.
Rewind a few months: After we first watched the Frozen movie in April and I saw how much the girls loved the story, I began wondering how they would understand the difference between real and pretend. How are they going to know the Bible is true and Frozen is not especially when every children's Bible we own has very appealing cartoon characters? I am not a children's expert in the area of cognition. After I proclaimed my thoughts to a few others, I wondered maybe I had gone too far and I began second guessing myself. My mind likes to wander. I had not heard anyone else say this out loud. Maybe I was just going overboard? I dismissed the thought and let my child's imagination run free.
Fast forward a few months: Here we are in my daughter's room and she makes her proclamation again, "I love Frozen more than God and Jesus!" I really wanted to pass the conversation over to her daddy, but he wasn't around and this was not a subject that could wait until the morning. She might have recently turned four, but I decided we needed to discuss what is real and not real.
"Katelyn, Elsa and Ana are not real. It is a made up story. Jesus is real. God is real. The stories we read in the Bible are real. The story we read about Elsa and Ana is not real. Jesus really lived on Earth. God is with us right now. God cares for you. God hears you. When we pray to God we are simply talking to Him. You cannot talk to Elisa or Ana because they are not real." I then reminded her the Bible is very important and guides us and helps us daily in our lives.
My daughter understands who God and Jesus are, but comparing them to another object/thing was new to her and me. She needed to hear God triumphs over anything and everything.....kind of like the night she told me she wanted to be the fastest one in the world...."I am going to run faster than God and Jesus!" Wow. That one caught me off guard. I had never imagined Jesus running. We discussed that night as well how she will never be faster than God and Jesus. This was an almost comical conversation, but necessary in the mind of a four year old.
This blog post is coming a month after my initial conversation with Katelyn. I have had time to pray, think and ponder about it before writing and posting. She has had time to think and ponder as well.....
"Mommy, Hans and Kristoff are real, but Elsa and Ana are not. Right, Mommy?" That was a hand to the forehead moment. Let me say this has been well.....a learning process for both of us. Learning how to share about the realness and love of Christ without destroying the imagination of my daughter. Below are a few thoughts and ideas I have about the subject:
Find Verses:
Below are several verses discussing humanity of Christ and God as Creator. Take time to find these verses with your child. There are more verses in the Bible on these subjects than I have time or space to list, but here is a sampling.
Humanity of Christ
Hebrews 2:17-18-- "For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."
John 1:14 -- "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
John 3:17 -- For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Luke 2:52 -- And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
God as Creator
Isaiah 40:28 -- "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
Genesis 1:1 -- In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Find a Map:
I have found Katelyn has a new passion for maps. Show your child a map (maybe in your Bible, on the internet or at church) with the Bible towns listed. Point out the Mediterranean Sea or the Dead Sea. Katelyn wanted to know where Jesus was born so I showed her Bethlehem.
Find Real Pictures (not cartoon images):
Show your child pictures of present day Jerusalem or maybe a picture of olives or a donkey. Figure out ways to help your child learn the Bible is not a cartoon, but there are real cities, food, and animals described in it.
Allow Imagination
I believe children learn best at times through imagination, but as parents we can help guide them through this process (which is the purpose of this blog post). My youngest daughter, two, often puts a blanket over her hair covering the top of her head and she declares to all around she is Mary (the mother of Jesus). Then she will pull the blanket down to her shoulders and run through the house proclaiming she is now Queen Elsa of Arendelle. Yes, this is my home. Full of dreams, acting, drama and imagination.
Imagination. It is good and necessary. It is also good and necessary to help children sort through who God is and how He is real and His Word is real (Hebrews 4:12). As parents, it is important to allow conversation between you and your child concerning this subject. Think about a twenty year old self proclaimed agnostic. Now think about a four or five year old child. Who is easier to talk to? I am enjoying these conversations with my four year old daughter and helping her understand and realize God and Jesus are better than Frozen.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
An American Inconvenience
I had an American inconvenience today. Sometimes I wonder if I am the only one who experiences these things. Like the time, Brandon (my wonderful and handy husband) and I were up until 3 in the morning trying to unclog the sewer line through our guest bathroom. Rather, I should say he was the one trying to unclog it with a snake. I was attempting to be the positive morale supporter. And the prayer warrior. That was a rough night. Or like the time, when our clutch went out on the highway the same time a crazy flooding rain storm hit Amarillo. Seriously, dumpsters were floating down the road. Thankfully, Brandon's granny and papa came to rescue us. I would rather be reading about other's adventures and not writing about my own, but then again it is through even these "hard" American inconveniences that I am drawn closer to my God.
Brandon, our two young daughters, 2 and 4, and I were heading back on a five hour drive from spending a glorious two day vacation with family in New Mexico when our Jeep decides to break down 45 minutes from home. The Jeep is dead. Dead. Not cranking up. Nothing. We have already been sweating because the a/c didn't work great and now, no a/c and we are stuck on the side of the road. This is a true modern day American inconvenience, people. A broken down Jeep and no a/c. I am starting to be in panic mode. Brandon calls our insurance to get help with towing. Somehow the guy on the other end of the phone thinks we are in Sacramento, CA. Ummm, that is two time zones away from us. He puts Brandon on hold for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, I start noticing a few flies. And then they become too numerous to count. I try anyway. (What else I am I going to do?) There were at least 10 on the driver's seat plus 20 more on the dash....I stopped at 100. Later, I realized the dirt covered bra, bottle of scope, child's toy, plus many other things on the ground next to my door was someone's trash. This explained the fly plague we were experiencing and this, my friends, was a true American inconvenience.
It was at this point, I knew we were going to be stuck in the heat covered in flies for a while. And really the flies and heat didn't scare me, it was the semi trucks that were passing so close on this two lane highway (one passed at 75 mph every 45 seconds to 1 minute). I was beginning to freak out a little. It was then that God brought to my mind, Joshua 1:9. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." I began repeating this verse over and over for the girls to hear. I began praying out loud for protection and safety.
I had an American inconvenience today, yet God still heard me from the moments we lost power on our Jeep through the freak out moments on the side of the rode. He calmed our fears of safety and protection. He allowed the Jeep to start up enough to back up into some shade. He helped the girls stay calm and in control (while sitting buckled in carseats/seatbelts for two hours). He protected us from crazy drivers, stinging insects and the hot Texas sun. And finally he whispered in my older daughter's ear and I got to hear her sweet prayers being lifted up to Him.
An American inconvenience today? Most definitely. A God who cares and hears my every prayer? Most definitely.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Snot Spraying Preschoolers and Sunday School Promotion
Tonight, I am giddy with excitement over Promotion Sunday for our children at church. Maybe it is the former children's minister in me or maybe it is because I am a current preschool Sunday school teacher of two year olds. Whatever the reason, I am excited about the wonderful opportunity to teach another class of young preschoolers. It is a privilege watching these young ones grow spiritually, mentally, and physically over the course of a Sunday School year like young Jesus (Luke 2:52).
I might be giddy as a preschool teacher; however, I realize there are many unsure parents and grandparents on the night before Promotion Sunday. They wonder if they should leave a child with separation anxiety or maybe they wonder what will the child gain from being in a Sunday School classroom. Unlike a daycare or elementary school, there is no job/government requiring a parent to leave his/her child. Sunday school is completely optional. For those parents and grandparents who give their children a chance in attending Sunday school.... Thank you!!! It might be hard to hear your young one cry at first or to wake up your kids and get ready for church, but know our teachers are excited and ready to teach your child.
Every year on promotion Sunday, there are preschoolers and young children who have a hard time staying in a new classroom. Last year, I had not one, but two children in my class who were less than thrilled about staying without their grandma. I wrote my thoughts and feelings that evening almost a year ago this week. Below is an excerpt.
"Today, I left exhausted from the two year old Sunday school class I teach on a weekly basis, but it was a good Sunday. We had two crying, sobbing, and slobbering preschoolers, but like I said it was a good Sunday. They finally stopped crying for "Grammy" five minutes after she left them in our care, but about every five minutes something would set off one of the uncertain cousins. Eyes welled up with tears which then caused a chain reaction for the other one to cry. I am so thankful for the grandma bringing her two sweet granddaughters to Sunday school. I am thankful as well for other young moms and dads who are not sure about bringing their young preschooler because of separation anxiety, but they try it anyway.
In Mark 10:14, Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me." Jesus did not say, "Let all the good little children only with huge smiles on their faces come to me." Jesus did not exclude any child. He also did not say, "I do not want the screaming 10 month old" or "please do not bring the two year old throwing a temper tantrum."
Some of the picture Bibles we have can give a false impression our children must be perfect in order to enter the presence of the Holy One. Jesus wants us to bring our children as they are screaming, crying, smiling, obeying, or even disobeying. He desires for them to come worship him and learn more about him and not only when our child is at his or her best. I am thankful for the parents and grandparents who entrust us with their screaming, crying, snot spraying children so we might have a small part in helping a preschooler grow spiritually."
I am happy to report one cousin continued to join us throughout the year (the other cousin and her family live out of town). In the beginning weeks, this little brown eyed cutie only wanted to be held and never wanted to leave the table to play in centers. Last week was her final week in my class before promotion. She was smiling. She was happy. She played in centers. She quietly joined our group for the Bible story time to listen as I shared the lesson for the morning. She is one of the many reasons I find joy in ministering to children. I hope you decide to bring your child to learn about Jesus this Sunday morning.
I might be giddy as a preschool teacher; however, I realize there are many unsure parents and grandparents on the night before Promotion Sunday. They wonder if they should leave a child with separation anxiety or maybe they wonder what will the child gain from being in a Sunday School classroom. Unlike a daycare or elementary school, there is no job/government requiring a parent to leave his/her child. Sunday school is completely optional. For those parents and grandparents who give their children a chance in attending Sunday school.... Thank you!!! It might be hard to hear your young one cry at first or to wake up your kids and get ready for church, but know our teachers are excited and ready to teach your child.
Every year on promotion Sunday, there are preschoolers and young children who have a hard time staying in a new classroom. Last year, I had not one, but two children in my class who were less than thrilled about staying without their grandma. I wrote my thoughts and feelings that evening almost a year ago this week. Below is an excerpt.
"Today, I left exhausted from the two year old Sunday school class I teach on a weekly basis, but it was a good Sunday. We had two crying, sobbing, and slobbering preschoolers, but like I said it was a good Sunday. They finally stopped crying for "Grammy" five minutes after she left them in our care, but about every five minutes something would set off one of the uncertain cousins. Eyes welled up with tears which then caused a chain reaction for the other one to cry. I am so thankful for the grandma bringing her two sweet granddaughters to Sunday school. I am thankful as well for other young moms and dads who are not sure about bringing their young preschooler because of separation anxiety, but they try it anyway.
In Mark 10:14, Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me." Jesus did not say, "Let all the good little children only with huge smiles on their faces come to me." Jesus did not exclude any child. He also did not say, "I do not want the screaming 10 month old" or "please do not bring the two year old throwing a temper tantrum."
Some of the picture Bibles we have can give a false impression our children must be perfect in order to enter the presence of the Holy One. Jesus wants us to bring our children as they are screaming, crying, smiling, obeying, or even disobeying. He desires for them to come worship him and learn more about him and not only when our child is at his or her best. I am thankful for the parents and grandparents who entrust us with their screaming, crying, snot spraying children so we might have a small part in helping a preschooler grow spiritually."
I am happy to report one cousin continued to join us throughout the year (the other cousin and her family live out of town). In the beginning weeks, this little brown eyed cutie only wanted to be held and never wanted to leave the table to play in centers. Last week was her final week in my class before promotion. She was smiling. She was happy. She played in centers. She quietly joined our group for the Bible story time to listen as I shared the lesson for the morning. She is one of the many reasons I find joy in ministering to children. I hope you decide to bring your child to learn about Jesus this Sunday morning.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Sophie and Celiac Disease
Two months ago, my younger brother claimed that I had just fixed him a chicken fried steak that was "better than Babe's." I couldn't believe my ears because I had finally reached the point in my cooking where I could actually whip up something from scratch with flour and one of my family members think it was better than the chicken fried steak he had eaten from a well known and respected family restaurant in located in the DFW area.
I had worked hard at learning to cook especially after the first meal I cooked for myself and Brandon shortly after we got married. After eating the horrible tasting meal I thought to myself, "This is not good. I have GOT to learn to cook otherwise I just might starve." I bought a Rachel Ray cookbook and soon collected several church published cookbooks. I learned to use spices and flour and create some very good dishes. About 4 years into my cooking, I decided it was time to tackle baking and I said goodbye to ready made cookie dough. After that point, the only cookie dough I wanted to eat was made from scratch--flour, sugar, eggs.... which turned into some melt in your mouth goodness!
I could go on about my cooking, but what I am actually trying to share is that Brandon and I received a phone call a few days ago informing us that I will FOREVER need to change the way I cook for my family. Sophie, our youngest daughter, will FOREVER need to change what she eats for the rest of her life. The phone call we received was from a nurse at Scott and White Children's Clinic confirming that our sweet two year old daughter has celiac disease.
(Below is a lengthy and rather detailed account of how we got to this point. I am writing this because I want my friends and family to know our journey as well as to promote celiac awareness especially since 1 in 100 people have this disease. Many times it goes undiagnosed for years and that is why I am being so detailed with my story so that someone else might be helped from reading this blog. I am also writing this so I can remember and so Sophie can know just how sick she got from eating gluten.)
Almost four months ago, I went to Sophie's two year check up. I mentioned to her doctor that she had occasional diarrhea after she ate donuts, pizza, or anything with a lot of grease (at least that is what I thought). My doctor did not really consider it a big deal. So I didn't really think about it again. A month and a half later, Sophie did not eat very good one particular day and we got hit with loose stools again, but this time it lasted for about 4 days. Her body seemed to return normal for about a week and then it hit again, but this time she caught a viral infection as well (ulcers in her throat and a fever). I was having a hard time distinguishing what she had because she had so many different symptoms including throwing up (--with Brandon having pink eye in both eyes at the same time--- our house was a mess) so I took her to the doctor.
My regular doctor was out of the country so I saw a fill in. She noticed the ulcers in her throat and said that it was probably just a virus/stomach bug since she had the other things going on as well. I left feeling content and thinking that this would hopefully be a short-lived stomach bug. Her fever lasted 4 days, but during that time she began losing more weight. I called the doctor's office again and asked if I could have a strep test. I didn't like seeing her feel so bad and just wasn't so sure she had a virus. The test came back negative. I felt embarrassed leaving the doctor's office, but thankful I could rule out one thing. Sophie finally got over her fever and so two days later I took her to church on Wednesday evening. On my way to pick her up, a friend I was passing by in the hallway told me Sophie had just thrown up. I thought to myself, "Are you kidding me?!?! How long is this bug going to last?" But then I began thinking maybe this is an allergy. When I picked her up our friend and childcare worker, Olga, mentioned that she didn't seem sick. This was another clue to maybe our daughter didn't have a stomach bug, but instead something else.
The next morning I called the pediatrician again (the 3rd time in less than a week). I was embarrassed once again, but something wasn't settling right with me on this sickness. I mentioned to the nurse that Sophie threw up again and was just getting so skinny. I asked her what I was supposed to do to which she told me to just give her food if she was hungry. I then replied that this "stomach bug" had lasted long enough and I just didn't think her little frail body could handle it. The nurse told me to expect the stomach bug to last 3-4 weeks. I hung up the phone feeling defeated. Sophie continued for the next three weeks to have off and on loose stools. As Sophie's appetite left so did her fat on her body. I could see her spine, ribs, the top of her sternum, etc. She looked like a little starving child from Africa. What is so sad is that she really was "starving" in some sense because her intestines were not working properly and I had no clue.
By the middle of July, it seemed Sophie was feeling a little better and so we left to spend time with family in Waco. While there though her stomach began hurting again and she didn't seem her happy self. By our second night there, Sophie began throwing up. After getting her cleaned up and putting her back in bed my family (parents, brother, and sister) began discussing Sophie. My siblings started googling illnesses related to what Sophie was going through. And then one popped up that matched all of Sophie's symptoms including her skinny body and huge potbelly. Celiac disease. We still were not certain, but what I did know for sure is that I was going to call a pediatric GI specialist in Temple to see if they had any openings. Kudos to my family for helping me get this process going because if I had waited until I arrived back home in Amarillo, Sophie would have gotten even worse. We prayed that God would allow me to get an appointment if I needed one. The next morning I was dragging my feet still thinking I was probably just overreacting and so about 10:45am I called the children's clinic. Surprisingly, (or rather I should say-- God opened some doors and) I got a 2:30 appointment time that afternoon. I told the GI all of her symptoms and he had me run some blood tests. The tests came back suggesting she had celiac, but we needed a endoscopy to tell for sure. A few days later, my little two year old who was no longer on the growth chart after losing 4lbs was getting anesthesia so she could have a scope and a biopsy performed. By this time, Brandon had joined me (he had been away at children's camp and it was such a blessing to have him with us during the endoscopy). We were not scared, but rather ready to have some answers. After the scope, the doctor told us that he was almost certain it was celiac. We were to start on a gluten free diet immediately.
After two months of Sophie not wanting to eat, weeks of loose bowel movements, constipation, nights of throwing up, long sleepless nights, and lots of tummy aches......It only took 2 days on a gluten free diet and Sophie ran up to me while I was in the kitchen and she told me she wanted to eat an avocado. There had been so many days of Brandon and I pleading with her to eat something (and we had no clue she was in pain) and here two days off of gluten and she was asking me for food!!!!! We are now a week off of gluten and she has not complained of stomach pain in the last several days. (Side note: we are going Lactose free for at least a month so that her intestines can heal.) We have enjoyed pancakes, salmon and rice, fried zucchini breaded with cornmeal, chicken tenders, fried rice and all of these things we were able to cook gluten free AND Sophie enjoyed each of these meals along with other fruits veggies, lactose free milk, and goat cheese! We are so thankful and so excited to see our daughter happy and not curled in a ball telling us her tummy is hurting. We are thankful that her body is healing and we cannot wait to see her gain weight again.
The most important part of this entire blog is we give God all praise and glory! He has helped us all along the way to this point. Sophie got "sick" the one day/night all my family was around her to see and then they proceeded to help me start figuring things out (Brandon was at camp and with very little cell phone service for 1 1/2 weeks while I was visiting my family.). God opened up an appointment at Scott and White Children's Clinic (located 30 minutes from my parents house) and Sophie was able to be seen immediately. God provided a doctor who specializes in celiac disease and he is very personable and was willing to work with us to figure out why Sophie was so sick. We were thankful that we were able to get an endoscopy within a few days and not have to wait two weeks (like if we had gone to Lubbock). And finally we praise God that Sophie is feeling better so soon after going gluten free!
I believe if we had waited another week or two without having been seen by a pediatric GI she just might would have been stuck on an IV in the hospital, but instead she is running around the house happy and not crying out to be held because she is in pain. She is still tiny (22lbs 10 oz is what she weighed in temple), but God has been with us this entire time and we know God will continue to guide and help Brandon and I as we figure out this new gluten free diet (and for a short time lactose free diet). I never knew so many things contain gluten and it has already been a huge task of figuring out what she can eat and what she cannot eat. My first time back in our United grocery store was so overwhelming because the bakery was the first thing to greet us and Sophie can no longer have any of those things made at that particular bakery. Also, we have to learn how to prepare things separately (because we cannot cross-contaminate) and remember things like not to spread Katelyn's piece of toast with peanut butter and then put the knife back into the jar and spread peanut butter on Sophie's toast. And for that matter not putting Sophie's toast even in the same toaster as the one the rest of our family uses. Learning how to cook gluten free will be a challenge, but I do hope one day I can cook these new recipes and be told "this is better than Babe's" without someone even knowing I just used brown rice flour, potato starch, and potato flour instead. :)
Brandon and I have a lot to learn, but we know God will be with us on every step of this journey. I love the chorus from the 10th Avenue North song, "By Your Side," '
Cause I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you.
I had worked hard at learning to cook especially after the first meal I cooked for myself and Brandon shortly after we got married. After eating the horrible tasting meal I thought to myself, "This is not good. I have GOT to learn to cook otherwise I just might starve." I bought a Rachel Ray cookbook and soon collected several church published cookbooks. I learned to use spices and flour and create some very good dishes. About 4 years into my cooking, I decided it was time to tackle baking and I said goodbye to ready made cookie dough. After that point, the only cookie dough I wanted to eat was made from scratch--flour, sugar, eggs.... which turned into some melt in your mouth goodness!
I could go on about my cooking, but what I am actually trying to share is that Brandon and I received a phone call a few days ago informing us that I will FOREVER need to change the way I cook for my family. Sophie, our youngest daughter, will FOREVER need to change what she eats for the rest of her life. The phone call we received was from a nurse at Scott and White Children's Clinic confirming that our sweet two year old daughter has celiac disease.
(Below is a lengthy and rather detailed account of how we got to this point. I am writing this because I want my friends and family to know our journey as well as to promote celiac awareness especially since 1 in 100 people have this disease. Many times it goes undiagnosed for years and that is why I am being so detailed with my story so that someone else might be helped from reading this blog. I am also writing this so I can remember and so Sophie can know just how sick she got from eating gluten.)
Almost four months ago, I went to Sophie's two year check up. I mentioned to her doctor that she had occasional diarrhea after she ate donuts, pizza, or anything with a lot of grease (at least that is what I thought). My doctor did not really consider it a big deal. So I didn't really think about it again. A month and a half later, Sophie did not eat very good one particular day and we got hit with loose stools again, but this time it lasted for about 4 days. Her body seemed to return normal for about a week and then it hit again, but this time she caught a viral infection as well (ulcers in her throat and a fever). I was having a hard time distinguishing what she had because she had so many different symptoms including throwing up (--with Brandon having pink eye in both eyes at the same time--- our house was a mess) so I took her to the doctor.
My regular doctor was out of the country so I saw a fill in. She noticed the ulcers in her throat and said that it was probably just a virus/stomach bug since she had the other things going on as well. I left feeling content and thinking that this would hopefully be a short-lived stomach bug. Her fever lasted 4 days, but during that time she began losing more weight. I called the doctor's office again and asked if I could have a strep test. I didn't like seeing her feel so bad and just wasn't so sure she had a virus. The test came back negative. I felt embarrassed leaving the doctor's office, but thankful I could rule out one thing. Sophie finally got over her fever and so two days later I took her to church on Wednesday evening. On my way to pick her up, a friend I was passing by in the hallway told me Sophie had just thrown up. I thought to myself, "Are you kidding me?!?! How long is this bug going to last?" But then I began thinking maybe this is an allergy. When I picked her up our friend and childcare worker, Olga, mentioned that she didn't seem sick. This was another clue to maybe our daughter didn't have a stomach bug, but instead something else.
The next morning I called the pediatrician again (the 3rd time in less than a week). I was embarrassed once again, but something wasn't settling right with me on this sickness. I mentioned to the nurse that Sophie threw up again and was just getting so skinny. I asked her what I was supposed to do to which she told me to just give her food if she was hungry. I then replied that this "stomach bug" had lasted long enough and I just didn't think her little frail body could handle it. The nurse told me to expect the stomach bug to last 3-4 weeks. I hung up the phone feeling defeated. Sophie continued for the next three weeks to have off and on loose stools. As Sophie's appetite left so did her fat on her body. I could see her spine, ribs, the top of her sternum, etc. She looked like a little starving child from Africa. What is so sad is that she really was "starving" in some sense because her intestines were not working properly and I had no clue.
By the middle of July, it seemed Sophie was feeling a little better and so we left to spend time with family in Waco. While there though her stomach began hurting again and she didn't seem her happy self. By our second night there, Sophie began throwing up. After getting her cleaned up and putting her back in bed my family (parents, brother, and sister) began discussing Sophie. My siblings started googling illnesses related to what Sophie was going through. And then one popped up that matched all of Sophie's symptoms including her skinny body and huge potbelly. Celiac disease. We still were not certain, but what I did know for sure is that I was going to call a pediatric GI specialist in Temple to see if they had any openings. Kudos to my family for helping me get this process going because if I had waited until I arrived back home in Amarillo, Sophie would have gotten even worse. We prayed that God would allow me to get an appointment if I needed one. The next morning I was dragging my feet still thinking I was probably just overreacting and so about 10:45am I called the children's clinic. Surprisingly, (or rather I should say-- God opened some doors and) I got a 2:30 appointment time that afternoon. I told the GI all of her symptoms and he had me run some blood tests. The tests came back suggesting she had celiac, but we needed a endoscopy to tell for sure. A few days later, my little two year old who was no longer on the growth chart after losing 4lbs was getting anesthesia so she could have a scope and a biopsy performed. By this time, Brandon had joined me (he had been away at children's camp and it was such a blessing to have him with us during the endoscopy). We were not scared, but rather ready to have some answers. After the scope, the doctor told us that he was almost certain it was celiac. We were to start on a gluten free diet immediately.
After two months of Sophie not wanting to eat, weeks of loose bowel movements, constipation, nights of throwing up, long sleepless nights, and lots of tummy aches......It only took 2 days on a gluten free diet and Sophie ran up to me while I was in the kitchen and she told me she wanted to eat an avocado. There had been so many days of Brandon and I pleading with her to eat something (and we had no clue she was in pain) and here two days off of gluten and she was asking me for food!!!!! We are now a week off of gluten and she has not complained of stomach pain in the last several days. (Side note: we are going Lactose free for at least a month so that her intestines can heal.) We have enjoyed pancakes, salmon and rice, fried zucchini breaded with cornmeal, chicken tenders, fried rice and all of these things we were able to cook gluten free AND Sophie enjoyed each of these meals along with other fruits veggies, lactose free milk, and goat cheese! We are so thankful and so excited to see our daughter happy and not curled in a ball telling us her tummy is hurting. We are thankful that her body is healing and we cannot wait to see her gain weight again.
The most important part of this entire blog is we give God all praise and glory! He has helped us all along the way to this point. Sophie got "sick" the one day/night all my family was around her to see and then they proceeded to help me start figuring things out (Brandon was at camp and with very little cell phone service for 1 1/2 weeks while I was visiting my family.). God opened up an appointment at Scott and White Children's Clinic (located 30 minutes from my parents house) and Sophie was able to be seen immediately. God provided a doctor who specializes in celiac disease and he is very personable and was willing to work with us to figure out why Sophie was so sick. We were thankful that we were able to get an endoscopy within a few days and not have to wait two weeks (like if we had gone to Lubbock). And finally we praise God that Sophie is feeling better so soon after going gluten free!
I believe if we had waited another week or two without having been seen by a pediatric GI she just might would have been stuck on an IV in the hospital, but instead she is running around the house happy and not crying out to be held because she is in pain. She is still tiny (22lbs 10 oz is what she weighed in temple), but God has been with us this entire time and we know God will continue to guide and help Brandon and I as we figure out this new gluten free diet (and for a short time lactose free diet). I never knew so many things contain gluten and it has already been a huge task of figuring out what she can eat and what she cannot eat. My first time back in our United grocery store was so overwhelming because the bakery was the first thing to greet us and Sophie can no longer have any of those things made at that particular bakery. Also, we have to learn how to prepare things separately (because we cannot cross-contaminate) and remember things like not to spread Katelyn's piece of toast with peanut butter and then put the knife back into the jar and spread peanut butter on Sophie's toast. And for that matter not putting Sophie's toast even in the same toaster as the one the rest of our family uses. Learning how to cook gluten free will be a challenge, but I do hope one day I can cook these new recipes and be told "this is better than Babe's" without someone even knowing I just used brown rice flour, potato starch, and potato flour instead. :)
Brandon and I have a lot to learn, but we know God will be with us on every step of this journey. I love the chorus from the 10th Avenue North song, "By Your Side," '
Cause I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you.
I also have loved reading during this past week passages from the book of Isaiah because the Israelites were distraught and tired just as we are. Our situation is obviously different from the Israelites, but yet we are still the same in that we need God's continued guidance while we are weary so that this disease does not overwhelm us.
"For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."-- Isaiah 41:13
"When you pass through the water, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." --Isaiah 43:2-3.
"For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."-- Isaiah 41:13
"When you pass through the water, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." --Isaiah 43:2-3.
God is holding us. He is holding Sophie. We can feel his presence and we are thankful for all His help and love.
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