Another fantastic week of enjoying Eliot.
We celebrated Eliot's 2 month birthday last Wednesday. Thank you to everyone who took the time to send Eliot a card. He received over 100 birthday cards! We had a small gathering to celebrate, and spent the time together opening up the cards and reading them aloud. Thanks.
Eliot also had his 2 month checkup last Wednesday. He is a whopping 7lbs. 15 ounces, and growing (you can actually see him rounding out in the above pics).
This week was as joyous as ever. The runny nose has cleared up for the most part, and with the bathroom problems seemingly a thing of the past, Eliot has been quite happy. There was the problem of seeing his mom so out of character- completely irate with Bama's lack of a kicking game. Luckily, dad had prepped the little guy earllier in the day on what to expect when Alabama finally played a real team. Eliot has gotten over it, but I am not sure about mom.
We have been attempting to live our lives as close to normal as we are able. I have started working a job that allows for flexibility. I am coping with being away, but don't like it; therefore, my workdays are short and Ginny must give me a complete rundown upon return. Ginny has been working (www.virgininabead.com) a little as well and making trips out with her son. While life with Eliot becomes our new normal we strive to never let any day be routine. With Eliot this comes easily.
Eliot continues to teach in ways this blog cannot contain.
Having a child has done things to me that I could not have imagined. Sure, there's the things such as now smiling at every single child that I come across and finding myself crying at cheesy songs that I don't even like. But there's more. Eliot is the first thing that I have loved as the Father loves me. He is the first recipient of my deepest affection that did not earn it. I have loved my family, my friends, and my wife, but each has won me over. Each has offered me something that I deemed worthy of my affection. Bot not Eliot. I love him. End of story. I just do. I played a part in his creation, and I love him.
Sure, I receive so much from Eliot; but if I did not, my love would continue. Philip Yancey writes that grace is the understanding that there is nothing that you can do to make God love you more, and there is nothing you can do to make God love you less. Now, I get it.
Ephesians says it this way, "I pray that you...may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge".
Matt & Ginny Mooney
Please continue to pray.
As some earlier comments may make life tougher around here, the following picture will more than atone.
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21 comments:
Thanks for the update. It is challenging to hear how y'all are learning about what God's love for us REALLY looks like. And, I loved the slideshow! It was a little Eliot movie! Matt, I was going to send you guys a combined birthday card, but I swore that your birthday was October 7. I guess I was wrong. Yikes! What a good friend I'm not!
"Eliot is the first thing that I have loved as the Father loves me. He is the first recipient of my deepest affection that did not earn it. I have loved my family, my friends, and my wife, but each has won me over. Each has offered me something that I deemed worthy of my affection. Bot not Eliot. I love him. End of story. I just do. I played a part in his creation, and I love him."
Parenthood, at its finest. Thank you for the reminder this morning as I go about my day homeschooling my 10, 8, and 6 year olds. Eliot is an inspiration, and I am thankful for you and Ginny as well.
Good morning, Mooney family! Thanks so much for the slide show. Aunt Renee told me how much she and Uncle Larry enjoyed getting to see you. As a mother with grown children and now a grandmother, I agree that having children is the closest thing in this life to glimpsing His love for us- No matter what, your children have your love. Please know we continue to pray for His strength, peace and love to fill you all. Thank you for sharing-Love and prayers, Mrs.Olivia
Loved the stream of pictures! Falling in love with Eliot for sure... God is so good.
The Arnspergers
Wow, Matt. Thanks for the fantastic reminder of the duality of our relationship as a father to our relationship with our Father. It's so easy to forget in the fog that is getting by day-to-day. Really makes me want to go home and squeeze my little ones till their eyes pop out!
In continued prayer and thanksgiving for Eliot and the example that you and Ginny are to us all.
Uncle Trav
Thank you for what you said. I have been trying to think of a way to describe how the realization of the depth of God's love hits you when you become a parent, and you said it perfectly. You three are an inspiration to our family, and we continue to believe God for Eliot's healing and life. God Bless You!
What a great update. Yall have this thing down! The blogs are getting more and more creative. I love it! Miss you guys and love you and we are praying for you all always.
Karen, Casey and Cate
I've been looking forward to your Wednesday updates for a while now. I loved this one of Eliot's slideshow! Our family continues to pray for your family! Blessings, Sarah
Thanks mooney for sharing your heart..it sure is powerful...
kent
Matt, Ginny & Eliot
Thanks for the beautiful slide show. I am sitting in our hotel in Houston just getting a chance to come downstairs to check the update. Your dad offered his laptop but i didn't know what was going to happen with me so i didn't bring it! Just proves again how awesome our God is and works even in the smallest of ways...provided access for me to see and read my weekly "look forward to". We had pretty good news today at MD Anderson and I know will have even better news on Friday. Your "blog" has helped prepare me for the battle that i am now facing so thanks again for being the instruments that God intended you to be and you all will continue to be in my prayers.
Ms. Dianne
That was beautifully said.
Eliot, love the Bama gear. A kiss for you, handsome.
Just wanted you to know that your words don't just bless the actual visitors to your blog. I wonder how many of us, myself included, find ourselves quoting your "eliot lessons" as God leads us to minister to others. As an example, "Holland" is now a common quote around Lake Providence with a knowing reference. Rainbows will never be looked at or referred to the same again. My favorite response from one of the posters was that they are coming to know "who God is". Not just what he can do or what he has done, but "who" he is. His very character as exemplified by Eliot's life and the love and care you provide for him. Just wanted you to know that "checking the blog" has become a favorite activity in our small town and is the buzz every Wednesday. On Sundays we talk about looking forward to Wednesdays! Can't wait to get back up there to squeeze his little chubby cheeks. Hope to see you soon!
Love,
Aunt Amy
P.S. loved the slide show and I still say Purple and Gold would be a much more flattering color on Eliot than Red.
Well, it is great to hear some good news. We are creatures of habit, and a new normal is never ease. However, once you give it a chance, wonderful things are bound to happen. I can't leave you today without wondering why in the world you would put that innocent child in a BAMA outfit?
Go DAWGS!!!!
"...there is nothing that you can do to make God love you more, and there is nothing you can do to make God love you less." AMEN AMEN! Thank you Lord! I am so glad to hear the wonderful update from the depths of your heart. It is so beautiful. And Eliot, way to go buddy! 8 lbs!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE the Alabama hat and t-shirt. I actually thought of you all on Saturday when the game did not go our way (yes, I am an Alabama grad) - I figured that half of your home was happy, and the other half, not so much.
But so glad to see that Eliot has made the right choice in being a Bama fan - even if we don't have a kicking game.
The 3 of you continue to inspire me. And I wish you all the best for another wonderful week with Eliot. Enjoy every moment.
Sincerely,
Julie Floyd Jones
(Univ of Ala AXO)
Matt, Ginny, and Eliot,
I read the blog every Wednesday - it is part of my morning routine - it is a little extra bit of sunshine in the middle of the week.
Matt - I love what you said about being a parent - it is truly the strongest love and does illustrate grace better than anything I can think of.
We continue to pray for you, ginny, and eliot. Continue to find the joy that it seems being a parent can only bring.
All our love, corey, wyly, wyles, and bruin gilfoil
Matt Ginny and Eliot,
This is Jena Griffin. I went to UCA with Matt. Our friend Alison Hughes has been keeping me up to date on Eliot. I have been and will be praying for all of you. Our God is a GREAT God. Please remember this everyday. I look forward to more good news about Eliot.
With Prayers
Jena Griffin Baker
Just wanted to say "hello" from Birmingham, Alabama, and also to say, "What a small world."
Fred Horn, a fellow Hog fan from Tuscaloosa, sent me a link to your blog. I've enjoyed reading about Eliot and his progress and also found another surprise--posts from Bret, Jayme, and Molly Walker and from Benton, JB, Ben and Whitlee Walker. Benton and Bret are my nephews (their dad is my brother).
Eliot will now be added to my prayer list.
Go Hogs! Beat Auburn!
Good Morning Eliot (and parents):
Thought I would share today's prayer - GOD'S GRACE "I pray that my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18
You are certainly doing that :) Hope this week brings many new victories and lots of special moments in your house!! We are still praying in Arlington, TX
Lisa Hartsfield
I look forward to your Wednesday posts, too! Your story is so encouraging and inspiring to me. Thank you for sharing the lessons from Eliot. He has blessed my soul.
I live in Tuscaloosa and, though it is not a happy town right now, I will still say, "ROLL TIDE!"
I saw you on Oprah and looked up your blog. Thank you for sharing your story. It helps people like me, who have also lost a little girl, to believe that we might not need to know the answers all the time, but trust that God is with us during those times. Thank you for letting the world know how wonderful your son is. I hope you both are doing good and that the pregnancy is doing well. Many blessings in the Lord.
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