Unbroken Circle ~ An Update

Our family circle is once again unbroken ~
Austin is home!

After six days in the hospital, he is home. 

And, we are thankful.

Each day is a gift.

Once off the antibiotics and settled into a new
heart medicine regime,
Austin progressively began recovering.
Thank you so much for praying!  
He is much better now than he was prior to his hospital stay.

He, however, is lighter...
not really what we wanted, but it is what it is! 
Time, and the Lord's healing Hand upon him
should take care of that.  
Perhaps a little home cooking will help too?  :)

Surgery is still slated for the 4th.

We wait.  And, we pray.

The pacemaker is not where our hope lies.

Our hope lies in our Great God.

And, we know that He does all things well.

Even when those things are not our first pick.

Or, even our second or third pick!

Whatever the Lord gives, 
He gives out of a heart of love.
Perfect love.

We rest in the knowledge 
that our times are in His hands.
And, He orders our steps.
And, His ways are much higher than ours.

How blessed we are!

Trials of life draw us closer to Him.
They reveal more of His Wonderful Nature to us.
We are sustained by the will of His Power.
That actually is the case always.
It just seems to become all the more
precious at times like these.

Thank you for praying!
We are thankful for each one of you.

May the LORD bless you all!
In HIS Love,
Camille

Roller Coaster ~ An Update

It feels a little like we've been riding a Roller Coaster.

Up and down, and whipped back up again,

only to come crashing back down!

It's certainly been an interesting journey,

and we do not have all the answers.  The specialists don't either.

It's a little confusing and difficult to untangle.

Austin was admitted for heart failure 

management and to prep his body for surgery.

While in ICU Austin's temp was up a little.

(It was HOT in there).

Due to Austin's physical condition, 

it was decided to give a potent IV antibiotic.

An infection could be fatal to Austin at this time.

It was a reasonable thing to do.

However, the culture that they took

at the time the antibiotics were started came back negative.

The IV antibiotics were stopped as soon as that news was received.

But, they had already rendered their nasty side effects.

Crohn's is now in a full-on flare.

He seemed to be well managed on that front on admission.

Austin is now more sick than he was last week.

Two sets of specialists are continually assessing Austin ~

Cardiologists and Gastroenterologists.

Please pray that they both would have insight and wisdom

to know what to do for Austin.

Please pray that we would have wisdom to

pursue the right course of treatment for our precious son.

Please pray that God would continue to have HIS

way in this whirlwind.  HE is Good.  Always.

Thank you so much!

We appreciate each and every one of you!

With Love, Camille

God Orders Our Steps ~ An Update

We make our plans,

but, God orders our steps.

The other day we were at the adult cardiologist's office

for a pre-op visit and check up.
We were meeting with this specialist for the first time.

The plan is for Austin to be attended by three specialists.

How blessed we are!

This morning I received a call from

the cardiologist at Children's.

Apparently, he was contacted by the cardiologist

we met with at the beginning of the week.

He felt it best to have Austin assessed and admitted

to adjust medications.

He's at Children's Hospital right now.

My plans did not include this.

But, I am thankful that God's plans do.

It seems to be the wisest course of action.

The hope is to stabilize him with

the introduction of an IV heart failure drug

and then swap it out for an oral one.

Then he can come home.

Perhaps this will just take a few days.
Or, maybe it will not be that simple.

My plans were to continue with *normal* posts

until the surgery date, 

at which time I planned to update once more.

Those plans have changed.

For the time being, my focus must be on Austin

and the rest of the children, (and Howie too!) as I 

divide my time between here and there.

Thank you for your prayers and for understanding

my lack of blog variety.  :)

May the LORD continue to have HIS way.

Where He leads we will follow.

Many Blessings!

Camille

Moving Forward ~ An Update

We cannot look back too much.
Hindsight is often 20/20.
But sometimes, it isn't.  

For me, it's not been too productive
to think about past events
and the what-if's and maybe's of
the would've, could've, should've things
surrounding Austin's illness.

We're moving forward.

Living this day.
Trying not to take on the worries of tomorrow.
And, in light of that,
my posts will resume *normal* topics
while we wait for Austin's surgery date.

He is scheduled for December 4th.
If you think of us in this regard,
we would be so grateful of your prayers.
There are things that could go wrong.
But, there are also many things that could go right.

Austin is in a very weakened state physically.
We need wisdom to discern when, and if,
we should take him to hospital ahead of his surgery date.
Please pray that he would not deteriorate any further,
and that he even might regain some of his strength.

As for the procedure itself ~

The leads are tricky to insert.
Please pray that all would go smoothly and 
that the leads would be attached in the most effective locations.
Please also pray that the defibrillator placed
would not malfunction and shock Austin at the wrong time!
And, please pray that Austin would be in
the category (two thirds) of people
who are helped by implantation of this heart device.

God's ways are best.

I must continually remind myself
that nothing happens by chance.
And that, indeed, the LORD does all things well!
All things work together for good for His people.
I really do believe this.

At the very core of my being.

God is Good.  All the time.
May HE be glorified in and through us.

With Love,
Camille

It's Time ~ An Update

It's time.

Austin is booked for the placement of an ICD Pacemaker.

The date we've been given is December 4th.

We know that God is Good.  Always.

His ways are perfect.  Always.  We rest in HIS plan.

Perhaps this pacemaker will help Austin's heart to heal.

The LORD often uses means to accomplish His purposes.

Perhaps this pacemaker will be the best thing that has happened

to Austin's entire system in a long time.  Perhaps.

Whatever the outcome is, the ICD Pacemaker is not our Saviour.

No.  The LORD is!  We rest in HIM!

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee:

because he trusteth in Thee.  Trust ye in the LORD for ever:

for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength."  Isaiah 26:3-4 

Thank you so much for lifting our family, and especially Austin,

up to our Great God in prayer!  He hears and answers.

He truly does all things well.

Many Blessings, Camille

Living Life

We are all here.  This day we have life and breath.

This day we have the strength and grace we need.

We are living life.

Blessings upon blessings!

None of us knows what a day will bring forth.

None of us knows what will happen next.

We make our plans.  But, God orders our steps.

It's easy to assume that the details of life
will go on as they do now.

But, we do not know if we will be given our next breath.

We are not in control of our destiny.

We do not have ultimate control of anything, actually.

So, we live life.  And, enjoy the moments.

They truly are gifts.

Gifts directly from the Hand of God.

This post is a mix of all the run-of-the-mill blessings of the every day.
They are random and run together one after
the next ~ just like the moments of our lives.

I captured Emma one morning reading in bed ~
It's her new favourite.  :)

"Please Mummy, may I make waffles for lunch?"  Of course!

Doin' school in the living room...

...and in the school room...

...and in the office/school...
all while furniture is being constructed ~ Yippee for Ikea!

The Learner got his *N*!

Me...with paintbrush in hand, 
and painting clothes on ~ getting more things done!

Yippee for tape that works ~ nearly perfectly!

Emma's books at the front door ~ just in from music lessons.

Fraser and Emma reading History together ~ Emma was taking notes.  :)

A family games night ~ complete with Twizzlers.  

My fire builder...

...and one of his fires.  :)

My leaf raker...

...and the leaves before they were all gone.

What a blessing it is to know that our times
are in the LORD's Hands.  His ways are perfect.

We have nothing to fear.  Everything to hope.
Every reason to rejoice!
May HE give you His peace and presence
each step of the journey!

With Love, Camille

Ten Days ~ An Update

First things first ~ I would like to express our

grateful thanks to each one of you who have

sent emails, phoned, prayed, and just generally cared for and loved us.

It has been (and is) a great blessing!

 Ten days ago Austin met with his cardiologist at Children's.

Just a few days after that meeting, he seemed to hit rock bottom.

He was nearly where he was at when released

from the hospital over seven months ago.  Almost.  

Then, on Tuesday of last week he seemed to turn a corner.

Each day he reported feeling a little better.  Just a little.

But, *just a little* added up makes a difference.

The LORD has been so gracious to us!

The next couple of weeks we wait and continue on with the meds prescribed.

We trust that the LORD will sustain our son.

And, we pray that HIS will for Austin would be accomplished.

The pacemaker and defibrillator, as we understand it, will be required.

Unless God heals him ~ which is possible.

Whatever is best in God's plan is what we desire.

By God's grace.

Thank you so much for praying 

and for your continued friendship!!

With Love, Camille

In the Time of Trouble ~ An Update

Howie and Austin are on their way home from Children's Hospital.

They met with two specialists this morning ~

Our cardiologist and another cardiologist who is also an electrophysiologist.

She has further training beyond cardiology.

She carefully reviewed Austin's case, and spent about an hour
with Austin and Howie explaining everything thoroughly to them.

What a blessing!

As I understand it, the way forward is as follows.

Austin is to continue to take the heart medication recently re-introduced.

He is to carefully listen to his heart and to go to the ER if anything 

*out of the ordinary* should happen.

Another Holter Monitor has been ordered for one month from now.

Austin's Tachycardia was detected on his most recent Holter ~ 
which was just read this week. Hence, the urgent appointments today at Children's.

It's a very serious turn of events.

Unless the LORD heals our son, a pacemaker will be required.

Timing is yet to be determined.

They like to put it off until absolutely necessary ~ It's a last resort.

The goal now is to get him stabilised.

We, of course, continue to pray for healing.

But, we know the LORD's ways often are not ours.

They are better.

The following are precious verses that the LORD used

to encourage my heart this morning as

we processed the news of Austin's need for a pacemaker.

How Great and Wonderful our Heavenly Father is!!

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

"For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion:

in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me;

He shall set me up upon a rock."

"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage,

and He shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the LORD."

~ Psalm 27 verses 1, 5 and 14 ~

May the LORD encourage you this day!

With Love, Camille

Bend in the Road ~ An Update

Another bend in the road.  Austin's heart needs help.

Apparently, he's been having episodes of Tachycardia ~ 
a very serious situation for someone with a heart like his.

Howie will take Austin to Children's in the

morning for further testing and assessment.

There's no question.  He needs a pacemaker.

It's felt that he needs it now.  We just got the news tonight.

Thank you to all of you who have lifted our family up in prayer 
these last number of months ~ it is so greatly appreciated.

The LORD is Faithful.  He goes before us.

We are in His hands.  He truly does all things well.

As I know more, I will post updates.

"...the LORD hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm,

and the clouds are the dust of His feet."  Nahum 1:3b

Much Love, Camille

Janine's Autumn Chowder

Our niece *loves* this chowder!

Even on a hot day she has been known to request it!

And, once I tried it, I understood.

Really, I did! :)

I still prefer it in the Fall/Winter.

Something about it says that to me.

Maybe it's in its name? ;-)

It's what I served for supper one night last week.

(Actually two nights, since I made double).

One recipe serves 4 to 5 generously.

Another great thing about this chowder

is that it can be whipped up at nearly a moment's notice.

Thought to pot to table in under an hour.

How's that for a home-cooked meal?

Biscuits on the side would be nice,

but, this chowder delivers nicely

in the fill-you-up department.

Bonus!

Since I gleaned this recipe from my sister,

I've named it after her.

I don't know where it originally came from ~

If you do, please do tell so I can give

credit where credit is due.

And, it is due, believe me!  

~ Janine's Autumn Chowder ~

1 cup onion, diced

Olive oil for frying

3 cups new potatoes with skins on, diced

1 1/2 cup carrots, sliced

2 cups chicken stock ~
homemade, of course!  :)

3 cups frozen corn

1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

1 1/2 tsp sea salt (omit if using stock from a cube)

3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

3 cups milk

1/4 cup flour

8 slices of bacon, fried crisply for a topping.

Fry onion in oil in soup pot.

Add stock, potatoes and carrots.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer

about 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.

Stir in milk, corn, pepper and salt.

Heat to simmer.  Do not boil.

Mix cheese and flour together in a bowl until cheese is coated.

Add to pot, stirring constantly.  

Stir until cheese is melted and soup is thickened.

Serve with crumbled bacon.  Y.U.M!

Enjoy!

With Love,

Camille

Something I've Been Learning

Life is fragile. 

We are not guaranteed tomorrow. 

None of us are. 

Something I've been learning ~

Due to the fact that one of our children

is living with a life-threatening condition.

It has brought to light what really matters.

In a fresh way.

To cherish this day. 

To enjoy each moment. 

To live life to the fullest. 

Walking this path with the LORD.

Moment by moment.  Day by day. 

He gives the strength and grace. 

He gives all we need. 

May we use this life He gives for His glory. 

Every moment.  Every day. 

That's all that matters. 

All that counts.

I have been struck with the fact that Crohn's Disease 

and DCM are not what define Austin. 

Neither are they what define us as a family. 

No.

We are the LORD's. 

We belong to Him. 

That's what ought to define us. 

That's what others ought to see.

The only difference between our family and

yours may be the fact that we have a 
name for one of our beasts. 

But, we all face them. 

Beasts.

They come in various forms with a variety of names. 

Selfishness.  Besetting sin.  Disease.  Poverty.  Even wealth. 

Whatever those beasts are, however,

we do not have to face them alone.

The LORD will bear them with us.
He will set us free from our sin.

If we belong to Him, 

we are promised He will never

leave us nor forsake us.

Whatever the LORD gives is what is best.

For this day.  In this life.  By His grace.

If we are followers of Him, we have nothing to fear.

We have every reason to take courage.  

Every reason to hope. 

We can face whatever comes because of HIM.

And this life is not all there is.  Not at all! 

It's only a shadow.  Only a beginning.  Eternity awaits. 

And the LORD will be with us there.  Forever. 

Rejoice!  He is Good.  
Always. 

Many Blessings, 
Camille

Old Habits Die Hard!

Old habits die hard.

And here we are again! :)
(Click on the link above to see what this is all about).

Have a happy day! 

With Love, 

Camille

Please Pray ~ An Update

Austin has been losing weight and strength 

over the last couple of months. 

It's a balancing act as we seek to manage meds and lifestyle. 

He trusts in the LORD.  We do too. 

What a blessing it is to know that He does all things well. 

Eternal perspective is imperative always, but, 

especially in times like these. 

Our Great God is Faithful. 

He is able to do amazing things.

He already has. 

Throughout this trial we pray that the 

LORD would be exalted. 

That He would be magnified. 

That He would be praised.

It's the reason we exist. 

Whatever He deems best is what we want. 

For Austin.  For our family.  By His grace.

How precious each day is! 

Austin was taken off one of his heart medications

due to the fact that it seemed to be aggravating his Crohn's Disease.

However, it is apparent that this medicine is

necessary for Austin's heart function.

If he cannot tolerate it (or its cousin) 

he will require the placement of a pacemaker. 

We pray that all will go well with this drug. 

But, if the LORD can use Austin more 

effectively with a pacemaker, that is what we want.  

His will, not ours, be done.

Our times are in His hands. 

Our children belong to Him. 

Please pray for Austin's body to accept this medicine. 

Please pray that the Crohn's would not flare 

due to the re-introduction of it. 

And, of course, please pray for complete healing. 

Our God is able.  But, His ways are not ours ~

They are higher. 

HIS will be done. 

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! 

With Love, 

Camille

On Being Real

On being real.

Being real with our children.  Facing up to our sin.

Owning it.  Confessing it.  

Praying with them and asking them to pray for us.  They will.

It's a beautiful thing to walk this path with them.

Share our faith in the trenches with them.

Look to the LORD with them through 
all the joys and sorrows of this life.

God is Faithful.  All the time.

He will never forsake us.

He will give the grace and strength needed.

He will forgive us when we fail.

Day by day.  Moment by moment.

Over and over and over again.

How precious HE is!

If you wonder where to begin.

How to begin?  Begin first with HIM!

Seek the LORD in prayer.

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;
and it shall be given him."

~ James 1:5 ~

Read His Word.

(Proverbs is a great book of wisdom).

Pray His Word.  Memorize His Word.

(I speak to myself here the most).

We must ask Him to forgive and mold and shape us.  
He will.  By His Grace.  For His Glory.

Looking to Him each step of the journey
together with you!
He alone is worthy of all our praise.

With Love, Camille

It's a Battle

It's a battle. 

The battle for contentment.

Just when I think I have this one figured out, 

something comes along to rock my boat.

Paul said ~ "I have learned, 

in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

~ Philippians 4:11 ~

It is something that has to be worked at.

It has to be learned.

In fact, contentment cannot be 
achieved in our own strength.

It's impossible.

Two verses later Paul states ~

"I can do all things through 

Christ which strengthens me." 

 ~ Philippians 4:13 ~

It doesn't come naturally. 

Discontentment does.

But, the LORD promises to give grace.
HE promises to give strength.
We can do all HE calls us to in HIM!
What a blessing!

 

"Discontentment comes from elevating 

the things of this world above the things of eternity."

~ Pastor Cam ~

If only we could (go, do, get, be)...fill in the blank ~ 

A holiday. A spouse. A new something or other. 

Discontentment will not be remedied 

by stuff or circumstances. 

On vacation or in a new home,

our hearts go with us. 

Nothing will bring lasting contentment. 

Nothing, that is, except the LORD Jesus Christ. 

If we have HIM, we have EVERYTHING.

How liberating and wonderful this truth is! 

By God's Grace, if we are in Christ,

nothing will be able to shake our foundation. 

Absolutely nothing! 

HE is ALL!

With Love,

Camille

**Photo in this post courtesy of our Calvin ~

Thank you my love!  XO

More Progress

The last few days I've been doing a little of this.

Making a little more progress.
One step at a time.

The prep is as important as the painting. 

Maybe more important ~
My humbly submitted opinion, of course.  

I believe in taping and using drop sheets. 

Plastic is always a good thing too. :)

Austin's room is one of the areas in our home 

involved in the latest of our renovation endeavours.

It will double as the guest room ~ What a blessing!

Oh, and did I mention that I believe in taping? 

Here's my new favourite tape. 

Is it ever worth the money!!

There are two types ~ one is for use on delicate areas such as wallpaper, 

and the other is for *regular* use.  I bought both. 

Thank you Dad for the recommendation!

See how great it works?? 

I'm sure I could sell this stuff!!

Really..I *love* it!!  :)

To quote my friend Jennifer ~
who also happens to be painting... 

"Happy Weekend Y'all!" 

 Many Blessings, Camille