Updates

Hi Friends!

Lots of things have been happening here and I wanted to give you the low down and ask for your prayers.

Here's some big and exciting things.... In just a few weeks Braeton is going to begin kindergarden!!! And to boot I'm homeschooling him! Talk about exciting and a lil scary. Most of you may not know this but I have wanted to home school my children since I was about 13! And I know it is not for everyone but I'm am so excited about this opportunity! For me this is a dream come true. We have joined Covenant Life School’s home school program called FSP . They will provide oversight and the Adventure Academy where Braet will be able to take classes one afternoon a week with other students. He is signed up for a special art class and we are working on Soccer with some friends for the fall. I am excited about spending our mornings together learning to read, count, doing art projects, learning God's word and just being together, getting to know Braet better! But as for all home school moms I'm sure there will be new temptations as well, like more patience for the teacher, covering the material, neatness in hand writing, scheduling and paying attention for both of us =) So I would love you prayers as we venture into this journey of home education, that as the year goes by we will be closer as a fam, Braet would be understand his books well and our faith would be built together.

Other Big & Exciting news...We are looking to move!!! We have pretty much out grown our town home and are now looking to try and sell and move into something bigger. Specific prayer for this would be:-that we would be content and joyful for no matter how long we live in the town home - for God to provide a bigger home that we can afford - for us to be able to sell this home in a timely manner-for us to trust the Lord, I would love a home (I think) on a few acres or even to build our own but in this area that almost seems out of the question. We desire to hold these things loosely and trust the Lord's perfect timing, for the right new home for us.
Update on Mom & Dad Dad has been cleared to drive again. Some of you may remember he had a seizure on April 28th and couldn't drive for the past 3 months. He has been through several tests and all came back clear for seizure activity. His most recent MRI is also clear for any evidence of further tumor regrowth. He will continue on anti-seizure medicine as statistics show that if you have had previous "brain trauma" (the tumor) and experience a seizure, there is an 80% likelihood of a seizure occurring again. Not that we are moved by "statistics" but using wisdom and following the care God has provided through the doctors. Dad will also be looking for a new job. He was going to go to a class to pursue becoming a MD certified home inspector when his seizure occurred. The next class will not take place until the Fall. So, our prayer would be that Dad would know what direction to go and be able to find a good job in this next season. Mom has returned to work full time and continues to recover from her kidney removal in July. The tumor was cancerous but the pathology report shows it was confined to the kidney. For some unknown reason to us at this time, they have graded the tumor higher then the original report. This means mom will be seeing an oncologist in a couple weeks and they will follow her closely every 3 months for the next year. Please pray for her continued trust in the Lord's plan and to take captive the anxious thoughts when they come.

Cameron & Brandon
Cam is starting his 3rd year of college (can you believe it) in Mechanical Engineering. He has been able to work at NRL this summer for an internship. He has really enjoyed it and gotten to apply alot of his text book learning. He hopes to transfer to Maryland soon.
Brandon has been working at the church some on the facilities team as well as working on his Nova. Long story short my poor brother got taken on a eBay "deal" so since his car got totalled a few months ago they are seeking to restore this classic Nova and then sell to recoup losses. I think this one is going to be hard to part with once its done! He is also entering his 2nd year of college in Criminal Justice. How they have grown up so quickly. It is hard to believe they are in college. They have helped us so much in this season. Thanks guys for stepping us and continue to seek to care for us!

1 Month

Saturday the 25th marked 1 month. We have our "M&M’s" (Micah Moments) every now and again.There is not a day that passes that he isn't thought of with fondness. Our Micah Moments come suddenly and at unexpected times. Every once in awhile it hits so very hard as our memory recalls him so vividly. All of a sudden I become filled with a sadness and a peace at the same time. The gas station where Luke would stop and let the boys get "Bug Juice" each trip to Maw & Paws, a meeting at the church building, a park where he played, the toy isle where he'd say, "Look at dat Momma, Look at dat!" His lil fingerprints are everywhere we travel. His cheerful checks and joyful lil heart we miss so. But what a blessing to have so many memories. Our memories are so grand and how wonderful that in the not too distant future our memories of our little man will be reality once again. How our thankfulness continues to grow for our Savior! We love how CC does so many things like Micah, even wanting to wear her crocs to bed! It is so fun for Luke & I to watch, she even sleeps like him on her belly with her arms tucked by her side!

On Saturday we were in DE at Maw & Paws for the weekend visiting and just enjoying being together. It was a wonderful day playing with the kiddos, eating yummy food and hanging out. Braet, Luke & I were in the pool off and on all day. What a joy to play with Braeton and him watch swim, what a lil fish! As I was laying down in a lawn chair thinking about the wonderful day we were enjoying, my thoughts went to Micah. I wonder what my lil man is doing right now? Is he cuddled up in the arms of Jesus, maybe chasing a rainbow to the very end, or having a jam session- he loved to play and sing songs to Jesus, maybe he's singing praises right now. Whatever it is I am sure it is grand. As wonderful as our best days are, his are hundreds of times better because peace, rest, joy, hope, and love are his in perfection as the presence of the Savior is forever his home.

For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. Ps 84:10

Thanks for continuing the journey with us. So many have become dear. We have met many new friends and treasured old ones all the more. So grateful for each of you!

FYI
Next week we hope to try and pick out Micah's headstone. Pray for our hearts, our desire is to purchase something special to pay a small tribute to our little man.

pics from Aug 2006-

A few Pics

Care Group Picnic

Trying to get organized for a picture- Mark got the good shot!

1,2,3 Jump!

Dadda & CC at the playground!

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A recent Family Night! Chocolate Covered Strawberries and Go Fish!

Uncle Cameron has something Good!

Yummy!

No need for a napkin, Mom!

Mom & C!

Crocs at Childrens

Lots of Crocs!!

The Davis Fam with "Aunt" Katie! Katie works at Children's as the Volunteer Coordinator and we love her so!! A Huge Thanks to All of Volunteer Services and your wonderful team. You Guys are wonderful!!!
The Davis Fam with Micah's doctor, Brian Rood. We have so appreciated this man and his team!


All tuckered out!

Yesterday we had the privilege to go to Children’s Hospital and give them the Crocs! Thanks so much for donating those. We tallied that there was over $800.00 in Crocs given! How meaningful it was for Luke & I to give something away that Micah loved so much. For those of you who don't know, our baby even slept in his crocs on occasion and wouldn't wear any other shoes, rain or shine. Fall, winter, spring & summer, those were his shoes! He loved his orange crocs! Thanks so much for your generosity once again and for blessing us in such a way, it was a special time!

the Fair

Fun Pics from the fair!! Sat. we were able to enjoy a beautiful day at the fair with friends!! What a fun! Braet loved the rides, lemonade, corn dogs and hanging out with friends. He wants to know when we are going back!CC, well she just loves being outside. I think I could pitch a tent on the deck for her and she'd be happy as pie! It sure was a beautiful day and much fun with the fam & friends.

~~We have had quite a few inquiries about Micah's Eddie, so I've ordered a few for those who might one (to cut out shipping). For those of you who do you can contact me and they are $6. Also you can order from the following website:

Ellie Mini Flopsies by Aurora®
Plush Elephant. Fits inside fancy pals pet carriers & can wear Fancy Pals clothing. 8" ITEM# AUR16609 $5.95
http://www.checkerberries.com/html/plush_aurora5.html

Micah's Memorial Slideshow

Each day that passes brings us closer to Heaven, closer to the face of our Savior. Never have we longed for Heaven and home as we do now. What plans has our Lord for each of us as we live our days for Him in light of eternity?!

Thank you for your continued care for us. Luke, the kids & I have been doing well. We miss our Micah so much, he was such a joy bug, but his joy lives because joy is from the Lord. Nights can be hardest for me. Luke continues to lead us well having moments to remember, cry and pray together. To think about life and while we are here seeking to live lives that glorify our Saviour.

Luke & I wanted to share the slide show from Micah's Memorial Service with you. A huge thanks to our pastor and his wife, Joe & Esther Lee for all your many hours and late nights putting this together for us. This is truly a special gift to us!!

Hap Hap Happy Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

My Love hit the big 29 today!!

Would you believe it!?
He still has such a baby face!

Some of you may or may not know that Luke helps me with almost every post that goes on our blog (he even writes a few here there) be it editing, clarifying, adding to ~ whatever. But today this one is going in without review or it wouldn't make it in! =) It's a chance I have to honor my Baby in a small way...and I love to share about him for over the last 7 years I have only grown to love him more!

The Lord's Gospel and grace is seen clearly evident in his life. His love and care for us is just wonderful!

Baby, I'm so thankful for you. Couldn't do this without ya. Your love, prayers, encouragement, help, laughter, joy, tears, have been precious times of building together and gifts to me. The way you have served us... helping out in the middle of the night now matter what your schedule held, always making time to chat or pray with me when I'm struggling, planning fun things to do and creating so many fantastic memories for us ~the list could go on... but what a treasure you are to us. You continually point us back to the Lord, reminding me of his strength, faithfulness and goodness to us.

Your fighting the good fight and your running well, my Love. May this this coming year be a blessing to you of the Lord's nearness, continued grace & faithfulness and many more memories of living life together!
Your Fam Love You Bunches!!!!

M & M's

Our baby has been in Heaven for 2 weeks now~ is there even time there?! I can't even imagine his joy! We remember him each day..with joy and sadness (just because we miss him so). We love eating M & M's, we call them Micah Moments here at the Davis'~ he loved them and so do we!! We eat them and share stories about our Mikes!
Thanks for your prayers for us. Many of you have asked about Braet and we want you to know he is doing well. We see God's grace all over his lil life, so thankful for him! He is appropriately sad and appropriately glad. Heaven has become grand in his sight and longs all the more to live for the Lord and one day be reunited with his belly buddy!

The cards, oh the cards.... they have been wonderful, pouring in each day, wonderfully uplifting! Thank You. The meals, ladies are fabulous, so very helpful! Covenant Life, you are the real deal! Thank you for your tireless service to us. People are amazed at the way you serve. What a testimony of the gospel!! Love you guys!
For those of you who weren't able to be with us Sat or had wanted to hear what my baby shared again. Here is Luke's tribute to Mikes from the memorial service.
Enjoy some M & M's this week! =)

OUR MICAH MAN
On behalf of Kriscinda & I we would like to thank you so much for coming, for sharing in our lives, for journeying with us. Your prayers, emails, cards, phone calls, meals, and the list could go on…have meant so much. You have comforted, encouraged and touched our lives more than you will ever know.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction."

What comfort, hope and promise we have that our Micah Man is with our Lord where he is experiencing fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore. Though we have loved and cherished him beyond words – our love cannot compare with the one who made him fearfully and wonderfully, the one who willingly laid down his life to make a way for Micah and all of us to be in our true home – living life as He intended it to be.

We have been blessed to have known Micah these three years and have truly come to know that each day is a gift from above. How can we describe or express the amount of joy Micah has brought us? We have been recalling special memories we have of our little one – he would wake up each morning full of joy greeting us with such enthusiasm "Good morning Momma! - Good morning Dadda!" Even when he was truly not feeling well he would do his best to put on his "Cheerful Cheeks". He would point to his cute little cheeks and give his best smile. Many times we would walk into his room late at night just to check on him and when he heard the door open he would pop up in his crib to greet us, smiling and giggling to our delight.We'd hug him and kiss him then lay him back down and he would fall pleasantly back to sleep.

Micah has made a huge impact on our lives, changing them forever. Micah's name means "Who is like God?" Little did we know that when we chose this name for our son, that he would soon be teaching us that there is no one like our God. His ways are so much higher than our ways, his purposes so much greater.

Everywhere we look, we see the marks of his little fingerprints. The effects are far reaching, from the moment he entered this world to this very day and for the rest of our lives. He's taught us how precious life is. He's taught us how fragile and weak we really are – and how strong and mighty our God is. Through him, God has strengthened our faith by taking away everything we would lean on – so that we would lean on him. We've had to trust in God, to press down and find that God is really there, that his promises are true. Promises like: "I will never leave you nor forsake you" "Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am you God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

It's been said of a grieving parent that one foot is here on earth and the other in heaven. We have never longed for heaven more – never longed for the presence of our Father more – never rejoiced so much over our forgiven sins – never worshiped our God with a greater passion.

Micah, we have a greater picture of heaven and a greater love for God because of you buddy.

Though we don't understand all of the why's of what has happened, we are assured that God is faithful and all things work together for our good. Though we grieve because the deep love we have for Micah – we cannot be sad for him for we know he is truly happy.

One of the last things he said to us in his sweet little voice was "I wuv you momma – I wuv you dadda" We love you too sweet Micah. Although you will not return to us, we will soon go to you. We long for the day when we can once again shower you with our love.

Lemonade Stand

Since we were so blessed recently by the EauClaire girls & the McSheas daughter who put on a lemonade stand for Micah we wanted to pass on an invite to a friends Lemonade Stand... So if you are in the area please stop by and support these two kiddos by buying a glass or pitcher of Lemonade! What a wonderful idea Sam & Emily! Braet will see you on Wed!
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Hi Friends,

Did you know that this coming Wednesday, Aug 8th, the temperature is supposed to be close to 100 degrees!?
Well, it seemed like the perfect day to let Samuel Purswell and Emily Berry operate their lemonade stand (which they have been planning to do ALL summer long). They are trying to raise their money for the Go Forward Fund.
One challenge: not many cars or people come down our street on any given day.SOOOO, we are inviting all of YOU (and any folks you might pass this news along to) to drop by at some point in your day in order to be REFRESHED and ENCOURAGED by two young blossoming mission-minded entrepreneurs.

AND IT WILL ONLY COST YOU $.25 A CUP!!!
What a great deal and cause! The sale will officially start at 10:00 a.m but if you need to come by earlier, we promise you won't leave thirsty.(And, our little stand will be here ALL day long.)
We hope to see you here!

19910 Silverfield Drive, Montgomery Village, MD 20086

Grateful for your support,Sam Purswell's Mom

More from the Garden

The pics I promised from the garden. Enjoy!

Micah's Garden

In DE this weekend visiting with Maw & Paw, Grandma and the fam~ celebrating B-day's , swimming in the pool and enjoying seeing Micah's Garden for the first time. Isn't it beautiful?! Just realized I didn't take a pic of the garden from afar, I'll have to do that and post it!

We hope to have a post for you later this week on us, until then thanks so much for the way you have continued to support us with cards, emails, meals and your prayers. We are ever so grateful!

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Hanging Out