Saturday, October 28, 2006

July 20, 2006-October 27, 2006

Our fighter of a son has gone to be with Jesus. We celebrate his life and revel in the fact that he is finally well. We are sad. We miss our son. But do not mourn for us. Celebrate with us. Eliot's life points us all to worship. Join us.

More posts and details will come.

II Timothy 4:7,8
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."

Revelation 21:3-5
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!' "

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Birthday Bash

Three Months


A Quarter of A Year

Dad……….10,630 days
Mom…….....9,860 days
Eliot……………96 days!!!

A quarter of a year. That is how one friend described it, and we liked it. Eliot’s three month party was Friday, and what a party it was. Friends, pizza, kids everywhere…can you beat it? Ginny and I attempted to address the group, but we each welled up with tears about a sentence into it. However, I hope the message was clear. Thank you, friends, for making this journey less lonely.

Eliot got his first ever cordless pictures (no feeding tube, oxygen, or stickers). This was no small accomplishment. We had scheduled everything out to have them taken, but Eliot’s feeding tube split the day of the scheduled change. We had to call our great nurse to change the tube immediately. The tube is changed every three weeks, so we tried to be all right with the fact that the pictures were not going to happen. But we had been excited about them. Just as she was about to change the tube, our friend, Brooke, came in with camera in hand. As you can see the lil’ man is quite photogenic. Thanks Brooke. (brookerobinson.com)

We continue to fight fear. We continue to hope. We continue to laugh and experience joy. We continue to savor each moment with our son.
___________________________

Ginny’s 27th birthday is Friday. Her first as a mom. Thus, already the best one yet. Although the subject matter is different, I continue to recite the lessons drawn from a special boy.

I always thought that Ginny would be a great mother. The kind who wore a smile through the chaos that is raising children and, unintentionally, made other moms feel inadequate. Like seeing one reach their destiny. I always thought that she was strong, courageous, and able to weather whatever this world brought. That she would sharpen me and prop me up when I could not stand on my own. All the while, acting as if she was doing nothing special. I always thought that she was the clearest picture of Christ that God had given me this side of heaven. Needless to say, I thought a lot of her- and now I know. Thanks Eliot.

"Two are better than one... If one falls down, his friend can help him up." (Ecclesiastes 4:9&10)

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Oh Yeah.

I forgot to note that Eliot's adorable, cowboy outfit was made by his mother. If she decides to forego jewelry, I think you'll agree that she could make it as a costume designer. What a woman.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

G&E

Out on the Town

One tough Cowboy (NICU roundup)

Almost Three Months!

This week brought more wonderful memories with Eliot. He rooted on the Hogs at the homecoming parade, and went shopping with mom on Dickson Street. Best of all, we all got to go to a NICU reunion.

I have never seen my wife more happy. I cannot portray the joy that I received from seeing her glow as she showed off her son. She wrote about it for something else, but I think her words paint the perfect picture. So, possibly against her wishes, I am stealing them to share with you...
____________________________________
"Stickhorses and Surprises"

Saturday was one of the greatest days I have ever experienced. Eliot was 86 days old & Matt and I took him to the NICU reunion. It was a "roundup", so we got to see the ever-so-serious neonatologists and sweet nurses from our 12 days in the hospital riding stickhorses. Not only did we get to see them riding stickhorses and dressed in their cowboy attire...we got to see the look on their faces when they saw that Eliot was there. I'll never forget those looks as long as I live. They were so surprised.

The logic of medicine says he should not still be alive, but he is. He's strong and sweet and such a fighter and I felt that day the way I would assume a mother would feel if her son became president or won the heisman or developed a cure for cancer. If you would have asked me in those days in the NICU if we would be coming to the reunion on day 86, I would not have had an answer. All I had and all I have still is a mustard seed. My faith is not big, it is small ...sometimes it feels smaller than a mustard seed even. But I am generally sure of what I hope for and sort of certain of what I do not see. God has taken that tiny glimpse of faith and done in Eliot what, really, He does in us all: moved the mountain of death and given life.
____________________________________

We hope to celebrate October 20th, Eliot's 3 month birthday, with a party in the park. As with all facets of life these days, the occasion is dependent on how Eliot's day is going. We have been requested to provide specific prayer requests. This, we are more than happy to do. Thanks for all the prayers and please continue to bring us all before the Father.

***Please continue to pray for life and healing for Eliot. We believe this prayer has already been answered many times, and ask for more of the same.
***Please pray for Ginny and I. It is tough to specify what exactly to pray for. We reside, right now, in such a strange land. Each time Eliot struggles or experiences an episode, we prepare to say goodbye and wonder if this is it. We are happy to live in this land, because here is where our son is, but it is unusual territory. Pray that we would have peace, trust, rest, courage. Pray that the Lord would continue to be close to us. Pray that we would be able to live our lives without fear. Pray that we could sleep when we lay down. Pray that we would be faithful to tell Eliot's story because it is a story of life and hope, and one many need to hear. Pray that joy would continue to overwhelm us at moments we did not see coming. The Word tells us that when words fail us in prayer, the spirit communicates those prayers for us...these are the prayers we, all three, need.

Thanks once again to all who have prayed. We still love posts and draw much encouragement from them.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Eliot

Look Claire...Blue & Orange

Over 8 lbs. & 80 days.

Another week of Eliot! He jumped up on the scales and proved what the pictures have been revealing all along. He tipped the scales at 8 lbs. 14.oz. This weight gain is quite an accomplishment.

Seven more birthday parties. Seven more baths. Seven more days with our son.

Arkansas whipped Auburn this week. Therefore, Eliot's friend Claire reluctantly donned her razorback gear in order to keep up her part of a bet. If you have not made it to Claire's site, I encourage you to read about her life and lay your eyes on one upset lady. In order to appease a woman's scorn- and much to his mother's dismay- Eliot opted to put on his blue and orange.

Eliot has had quite a few new readers. Here's some pointers for the new folks:
- New posts typically on Wednesday.
- Check the archives in order to learn of Eliot's condition.
- Feel free to comment. We have been encouraged.
________________________________________________________________________

Eliot's life is always teaching. Ever instructing. Gently nudging observers to truth.

Our world is one in which we all strive for control. Everyone possesses a plan. Sure, some hang on more tightly than others, but, to some extent, we all desire to influence our circumstances. When something is wrong, we act. We do something to fix the problem. This all comes very naturally- if hungry then eat, if tired then sleep. You get the idea. Early on, one learns that his actions can determine the outcome.

This system works quite nicely, and I like the sound of it. It's so American. The "pull yourself up by the bootstraps", self-made man mentality that our grandfather's tried to pass on to us.

Everyone is afraid to admit that they do not have a plan. I love asking college freshman what their plans are. They've got it all mapped out. We crave control; and at the least we desire the appearance of being in control.

Eliot has managed to shatter our illusion of control. We can do nothing. Our utter dependence on the Lord is glaring. He's sick...so we take him to the doctor. They can do nothing. It's a helpless, powerless place that we are in. But, truth be known, this reality is where we have always dwelled. Eliot just helped us realize.

I am thankful that we know the one that controls. This is not always comforting. For His ways are not my ways, and I want my way. All I can do is trust Him. And with Eliot I've begun to see that His ways are better and He is worthy of trust.

"Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?
Tell me, if you understand." Job 38:4
________________________________________________________________

This week ushered in both the lowest and highest points of our son's journey as of yet. We, honestly, are not prepared to reveal specifics, but suffice it to say that describing Eliot's life as a miracle just may be an understatement. Eliot is with us, and we are overjoyed.

Matt & Ginny Mooney

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Subscribe

You can subscribe to this blog through the box at the left. This will e-mail you when there is a new post. Although we typically post on Wednesday, we might slip one in every once in a while.

Chillin'

We never thought we could love a mullett

Seventy Five Days!!!

Birthdays, Bikes, and Baby Mullets

Fayetteville was taken over this week by Bikes, Blues, and Bar-B-Que. The annual motorcycle rally brought in around three hundred thousand folks to the area (you read that right). Needless to say, we are not missing the rattling windows and deep hum that pervaded our neighborhood.

Not to say that BB&B was not appreciated by the Mooney family. Eliot was spotted twice at the rally- even getting his picture made with his stroller parked up beside a row of Harleys. His parents could be seen making sure no one lit a cigarette near his oxygen. Needless to say, his baby mullet allowed him to fit right in with the crowd. We have ranked this event as the number one people-watching venue we have ever experienced.

Besides getting many "what the..." glances at the bike rally, Eliot continues to amaze. Birthday celebrations continue each and every day. We take a picture daily with the number of days present in the photo so we can keep track. Lately, we have been attempting to spice up the pics with creativity as you can see above.

Eliot continues to gain weight; this would most likely go unnoticed but for the numerous pictures we have of him in his thinner days. He will be weighed again this week, and we look forward to celebrating the verdict. His nose has been congested again. Changing his tube aggravates the situation, and we would ask you to pray, once again, for his nose to be cleared up.

Thanks again to all who have posted and prayed. We continue to be humbled by the support of others. I guess it goes without saying, but we continue to seek prayers.

Eliot has a potential girlfriend named Claire. I would ask you to say a prayer for this family as well. We have communicated with them, and celebrate the arrival of their daughter. There story is available at Claire's blog.
_______________________

I wish to convey a little more of the landscape of life with Eliot. In the sake of full-disclosure and honesty, I must confess that there are many times that my prayers are that the Lord would help me believe the words I write and say. The last few months have ushered in moments of pain and joy intermingled. Ginny and I have made every effort to focus on the joy, but the hurt and bewilderment have taken up residence as well.

We have heard repeatedly how strong we are, and we can only grin sheepishly and cut eyes at each other. We know we are not strong. We each know the tears and hurt of the other.

I fully expected at the outset of all of this to be mad at God...to have it out with Him. I've read enough of the Bible to know that He frustrates His followers and allows them to air their anger. But I am not mad. I am weary. Too dizzy to fight. I'm the boxer that does not know which corner is his own.

I doubt. I struggle. I waiver. And that's the truth.

So, if Eliot's story has power, please know it is not us. I am thankful to follow a God who does not discard the traitors.

Matt & Ginny Mooney