The Mountain View
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where
does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven on Earth.
October 2008
Pastor's Ponderings....
A New Dimension in Forgiveness
1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
I hear a lot about asking forgiveness in Christianity. I hear a lot about forgiving others in the church.
Here’s one I don’t hear a lot about: Asking forgiveness of the one who has hurt me.
I NEED TO ASK THAT PERSON TO FORGIVE ME FOR RESENTING HIM OR HER FOR WHAT HAPPENED. That person is a lot more likely to hear that I truly am forgiving him/her if I ASK FORGIVENESS. Forgiveness is about restoring the relationship, not just something that happens in my head. It is only real if there is effort toward reconciliation.
—So forgiveness is never just about me forgiving someone who hurts me.
—Forgiveness is not just about me asking forgiveness of someone I hurt.
—FORGIVENESS IS ALSO ABOUT ASKING FORGIVENESS OF SOMEONE WHO HURT ME. It is about MUTUAL FORGIVENESS, no matter what the circumstance. It is the only way I have of ever building a true, lasting relationship with another person after something hurtful has broken that relationship.
Grace, Peace & Forgiveness,
Pastor Steve
WHO ME??
It seems to me that we often tend to take the Biblical accounts of significant events without considering the human element involved. Can you imagine the incredulous look on the face of Moses when he was commissioned to go back to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of bondage? They had become slaves to the Egyptians over the years. Now Moses was being told to go back and lead them to freedom.
The burning bush, the staff changed to a snake! He had run from the Egyptian authorities because even his own people were threatening to turn him in for trying to protect his tribesmen. The Israelites were no longer a proud and independent people, they had become slaves. They were not used to thinking for themselves. Moses replied, "I can't talk good enough to bring these people together."
The human element--it is still operating today. I believe we can all remember the many excuses we have heard and at times we have used ourselves when trying to avoid responsibility. Can you hear Moses saying? "I've been out here in the desert herding sheep for forty years; I am totally out of touch with the Egyptian society. I have a good life here. You can't be serious! Pick up that snake? I've been out here a lot of years and I have learned you don't mess with snakes!!!"
Yet we can't but stand in awe when we realize what was accomplished when Moses went back to gather the people and, ultimately, lead them out of Egypt. We are not the only generation of people who face fear when asked to step out and take risks. We can find many accounts in the Bible of people who were asked to step out into what seemed like impossible situations but were used by the Lord to accomplish great things for God. Does the Moses of antiquity speak to us in the 21st century? Read Exodus Chaps 3 & 4.
Peace
Duane
Praying for:
Bob Nohavec
The Wilson Family
Barb McClellan
The Coates Family
The Baker Family
Jim Wilder
The Anderson and Reynolds Families
Kelly Fayerweather and Family
The Hayes Family
All our needs.
NOTICES
Dinner for Eight: Fall is here. Time to share dinner and fellowship with others. See the clipboard.
HELP WANTED
Volunteers Needed at Mountain Vista:
Get Involved: Share in the responsibility of maintaining our church. Many opportunities are available. Sign up to be a Sunday school teacher, bring refreshments, altar flowers, mow lawn, clean facilities, serve as ushers, get on a committee, plan events. The list goes on. Join in!
Contact the church office if you can help 280-4148
CHOIR
It is never too late to join the choir. If you like to sing, we would like to have you! We meet Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. and are usually through by 8:30.
GIVE THANKS!
I want to thank my Mountain Vista Family for your prayers, love, cards, and support after my recent surgeries. I especially want to thank those who came out to our home and offered your love with physical labor, nursing skills, meals, shopping and chauffeuring. Thanks for being our family in Christ! You are truly the Body of Christ in so many ways!
Yours in Christ's Love,
Barb McClellan
Change
The only thing constant is change. That's one of those old "truisms" that really is true. As we move into the autumn of 2008, we feel the changing temperature; we see the changing colors; we watch our children change and grow as they embark on a new school year. And as we get closer to November, rest assured, the politicians will be invoking this new buzzword, change, more and more!
Over the summer, we watched our church family change as dear friends moved away and new friends entered our midst. We watched Debi Paulson grow into a new role as Pastor of her own church. And I stepped into a pair of her many shoes!
At Annual Conference in June, Pastor Steve, Pastor Deb, Shane Reinhard and I learned how churches are changing to accommodate the needs of modern-day Christians. And the Conference attendees focused on how the United Methodist Church can and ought to change as a denomination to reach the unchurched and those standing on the periphery waiting and hoping to be welcomed and nourished with truly unconditional Christian love.
In September, Pastor Steve and I attended a life-changing seminar that opened our eyes to how we live our lives and the possibility of a new way of living into a future unburdened by our past. A future built on unconditional love of others and ourselves. (Not an original concept but oh so hard to achieve!) Pastor Steve and I are hoping to build on the things we learned and work together to create new visions and directions for us to pursue together as a church family; and to create new enthusiasm for all the things we’re already doing.
Perhaps the biggest change for us as a congregation is the new addition and all of the possibilities that added space creates for us. As we watch the new building taking shape, we see a dream coming true. We realize that we have the God-given ability to set goals and achieve them. And we recognize with gratitude that God has brought us together to effect positive change, both here in Utah and in the world at large.
Some people fear change. I wonder why? Change may be risky, but perhaps there is greater risk in the status quo. I look forward to the ways that Mountain Vista United Methodist Church will change in the years ahead and to what I am sure will be positive changes for us and for our community.
Blessings,
Steven (Woodward)
October 4, 2008
THE MVUMC FALL PLANNING RETREAT
On Saturday, October 4th, 8:30-4:00, the Administrative Council invites your involvement and input at our fall retreat. The focus for this gathering will be the development of both short-term and long-term plans. With our new building finally into the actual construction phase, there is an expectation that we will be able to begin using the facility during the coming winter. The need for careful planning and policy development is even more important than ever.
Everyone in our congregation is invited to attend! Everyone sitting on a church committee is especially encouraged to attend and participate. This is a great way to get involved in guiding the future of our vibrant and growing church.
This will be a one-day session. It will be held in our current church facility, from 8:30 in the morning until about 4:00 in the afternoon. If you want to join us, just drop an email, phone call, or note to Raedell or Lorraine in the church office: 801-280-4148; Office@MtnVistaUMC.org. We need your RSVP so we can plan for all the necessary arrangements!
That's another Big 10-4!
So, plan on joining us and participating as we begin mapping the future of our church family's adventures.
10-4? See You Then!
October 3 and October 4 from 9-5
Tooele United Methodist Women's Fall Boo-tique
ATTN: CRAFTERS, RUMMAGERS AND BOUTIQUERS!
Tooele United Methodist Women's Fall Boo-tique still has tables available for crafters. Table rental is $15.00. The Boo-tique will be held in conjunction with our Fall Rummage Sale. Friday Oct 3 and Saturday Oct 4th from 9-5. Please contact Norma McFarland (435) 882-6145 to reserve your table. But hurry tables are going fast! All proceeds go to UMW missions.
Pastor Debi Paulsen
Tooele UMC
More for Nothing But Nets
We are planning a Karaoke Night in October with a professional from our church hosting. People will pay to sing. Someone else will have to pay more if they don't want them to sing. Someone else will have to pay more if they still want them to sing, etc., etc., etc. Scott, the Karaoke host, calls this "Scary-oky!" Should be a blast!
Jordan River Crop Walk – October 11, Saturday
Registration begins 8:30 a.m., Walk begins 9:00 a.m. at Jordan River Parkway, Redwood Trailhead park, 2320 South 1100 West.
For a few hours and a few miles, friends and neighbors will be coming together to, in the words of I John 3:18: "...love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action."
The letters CROP mean Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty.
For more information, please contact Rev. Handi Jo Dolloff-Holt, Trinity United Methodist Church 801-968-6891, trinityumcpastor@qwestoffice.net or RevGordonYoung@msn.com or visit www.cropwalk.org.
New Member Class - October 11, 9:30-noon.
If you are interested in becoming a member of Mountain Vista UMC or learning more about membership, please join Pastor Steve for a morning of information. RSVP 280-4148
Crossroads Bazaar - October 11
You are invited to the Crossroads Urban Center annual fund-raising bazaar. This year Wasatch Presbyterian, 1620 South 1700 East, will host the event on Saturday, October 11 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Booths include bake sale, boutique, baby, pet items, and new and used books plus a fantastic silent auction. Lunch will also be available.
Admission is $1 or a can of food.
Operation Christmas Child Kick off October 12. Shoeboxes will be provided.
Lay Speaking Classes Scheduled - October 24 & 25
Lay Speakers are active, supportive members of the United Methodist church who are eager to serve through the church. Local Lay Speakers serve their local churches while Certified Lay Speakers serve in their own churches, in other churches and through district or conference projects and programs. (A Lay Speaker is not required to preach!) Basic and Advanced courses are offered twice a year in Utah. Each course is 10 hours and is held on a Friday and Saturday. There will be two classes offered at Mountain Vista United Methodist Church in West Jordan on October 24 & 25th. (Friday 6:30-10 pm, Saturday 8:30 am – 5 pm) The Basic Course will be taught along with an advanced Course. Local and Certified Lay Speakers are invited to take the advanced course: "Lay Speakers Lead in Evangelism." The cost of the Basic course is $35 (includes the book). The cost of the advanced course is the cost of the books plus $18. Lunch will be provided on Saturday.
Persons wishing to take the advanced course must order the books prior to the class. Please call Cheryl Elliott to reserve a place in either course and to get information on how to order the Evangelism class books. PLEASE NOTE!!! All Lay Speakers must take a lay speaking course at least once every three years in order to maintain their standing as a Lay Speaker. Lay Speakers who have not taken a class since 2005 must take a class this year. Please call Cheryl with any questions about this new requirement or any other questions about becoming a Lay Speaker.
Sunday, October 26 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Join Us for 2008's Trunk or Treat Party!
This year we will be serving desserts and drinks during our costume contest, Trunk or Treating and giving out lots of fun prizes!!
This is a large event and gets larger every year so lots of help will be needed to make this a success!
Sign up sheets for prizes, desserts, decorations donations will be located on a clipboard near the doors of the sanctuary.
Should you have questions about this event or would like to help decorate please contact Lindsey Hardcastle at Lindsey.hardcastle@lmail.org or Kristin Vanstaveren.
October 30 & 31 – Trinity UMC Rummage sale!
INTO THE FUTURE!!
Kanab UMC
Saturday, November 1, 2008 - Consecration service: 10:30 am
You are invited! Celebrate our new sanctuary building
Followed by a buffet luncheon. A second luncheon in honor of the laborers and contributors follows and then a public open house with light refreshments.
It is our way of saying thank you for everyone's contributions.
Hope you can make it to one of the events that day.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Doug Lathrop
RSVP: (435) 644-2466 or 644-5081, please leave a message.
November 4th - Election Day
Mountain Vista will NOT be a polling location.
Friday, November 7, 2008 - Church Women United
A multi faith gathering of Christian Women
Mark your calendar and plan to attend CWU’s
World Community Day Celebration Friday, November 7, 2008
(1st Friday) 9:30 - 1:00, (including lunch) at Mt. Olympus Presbyterian Church,
3280 East 3900 South
(Just west of I-215 on East Side at 3900 Exit)
Theme: "God's Wisdom Sets Us Free"
Cost: Registration: $1 Lunch: $4.00
Community Outreach: Please bring Unexpired Canned Goods for Crossroads Urban
Center Food Pantry
Free-will Offering: Used for CWU National Programs:
Checks need to be made payable to: "Church Women United" Lunch
RSVP: To Barbara Stone at 262-1109 or Sally Hoffelmeyer-Katz at 272-5356 by Monday, November 3rd
November 10, 7-9:00 p.m. - Night of Nativities
Ten Thousand Villages - 1941 S. 1100 E.
Sunday, November 16 - Our new BISHOP is coming!
On Sunday, November 16, Bishop Elaine J. W. Stanovsky will bring the message at the 10:30 service at First UMC in Salt Lake … followed by a pot-luck lunch.
She will go to Christ UMC in Salt Lake for a reception. In the evening she will return to First UMC for a time of sharing. Each Utah church is invited to present … stay tuned for the time and details.
Sunday, Nov. 16 - Pianist John Nilsen (who performed at Jurisdictional Conference) will be performing at Mountain Vista for all 3 morning worship services.
Future Family Promise Dates!
November 16-23 – Mountain Vista UMC at Hilltop
House Help provide food & fellowship for homeless families.
December 7, Sunday, at 12:15 – Mountain Vista Church Charge Conference and Potluck!
EMMAUS
Gathering November 2, 2008 - 3:00 p.m. Park City
Men's Walk Feb 26- March 1, 2009
Women's Walk March 5 – 8, 2009
Gathering March 15, 2009 3:00 p.m.
Emmaus 4th Day Reunion Groups
Monday 7:30 p.m. - Women's Circle of Friends @
Reinhard’s
7:00 p.m. - Women's Reunion @ Mountain Vista
Friday 7:00 a.m. Men's Reunion: @ Jim's Family Restaurant (7609 S. Redwood Rd.)
Saturday 8:30 a.m. - Women's Reunion @ Espresso Connection (4465 S. Redwood Road)
MISSION WORK
You are one of God's children; I see the resemblance!
REACHING OUTSIDE OUR COMMUNITY:
Dear Friends in Mission,
Lots of UM Volunteers in Mission volunteers are needed!
1) TEXAS - Hurricane Ike - Right now, they are requesting self-contained, trained Early Response Teams. Stay tuned.
2) LOUISIANA - Hurricanes Gustav and Ike - They are ready to receive UMVIM teams. Parishes near New Orleans and the Native American community of DuLac on the coast have received extensive flooding. Contact Yvonne Dayries, Volunteer Manager, 225-346-5193, www.la-umc.org
3) MACON, GEORGIA - UMVIM teams are needed to help rebuild homes after severe tornadoes this year. Contact Judy Sexton, Case Management Supervisor, 478-297-5507.
4) IOWA - Teams are still needed for recovery from the massive flooding. Contact Rev. Melisa Bracht-Wager, 319-377-4856, 319-480-4469 or melisa@fumcmarion.org. or Dan and Jean Houston, 515-432-1226, IAUMVIM@gmail.com.
5) CAMBODIA - Medical/dental mission, April 17-May 3, 2009. This is a return trip in mission to Cambodia led by June Essing, RMC Coordinator of Health Care Volunteers. Doctors and nurses are needed. The team will work with Rev. Joseph Chan and the CHAD (Community Health and Agricultural Development) program to reach the villages in the Northeastern part of Cambodia. Contact June Essing, marv4june@aol.com, 719-687-8654.
6) WINDSOR, CO - Volunteers are still needed to help with home assessments. Rebuilding teams will probably start in October. Contact Betsy Keyack, bkeyack@att.net or Julie Deener, juliedeener7@hotmail.com.
7) TEAM LEADER TRAINING - If you would like UMVIM team leader training, contact Marilyn & Hugh Douglas at (801)571-4870 or via email at land2x@msn.com.
8) UMCOR DONATIONS - If you would like to donate to UMCOR for hurricane relief, please write a check to your church with "UMCOR" and the ADVANCE project number on the memo line. The ADVANCE number for domestic hurricane relief is 3019695. UMCOR is also in need of flood buckets, cleaning supplies and health kits; the ADVANCE number for these material resources is 910440. Financial assistance is also requested for disaster response in Haiti; the ADVANCE number is 481325. UMCOR is prohibited by federal law to raise funds for hurricane relief in Cuba. We may be able to send health kits with a mission team to Louisiana.
We wish you many blessings in your mission work!
Betsy Keyack (bkeyack@att.net) and Ann Fort (annfort8269@comcast.net) Co-Coordinators, UM Volunteers in Mission, Rocky Mountain Conference
Collecting:
Eyeglasses in good condition for future Mexico, Central and
South America Mission trips.
Operation Christmas Child - small toys
Soup labels for Red Bird Mission.
Mercyhousecoffee.org: A cup of coffee can change the destiny of a child! Through the sales of Mercy House Coffee, children in Thailand have been rescued from slavery and prostitution, and villages have established a solid financial base. You can help! Learn more about Judah & Katie Becker's ministry by checking their website: www.mercyhousecoffee.org
OUTREACH IN OUR COMMUNITY:
Love Fund – Provides onetime assistance for families and individuals in need. In September we helped a family with a pot, pan, dishes, glasses, food from the pantry and some fresh perishables. The mom wept with joy. Thank you for your help replenishing the fund.
Collecting
We now collecting pink yogurt lids for breast cancer research in addition to box tops, pop tops, aluminum cans, recycled paper and Cream of Weber milk lids.
Our quilting ladies have again provided an armful of beautiful blankets to Project Linus for children in need.
CROSSROADS URBAN CENTER
Thrift Store: 1385 W Indiana Ave (850 S)
Pantry: 347 S 400 E
Foods for the month of October are top ramen noodles, cereal and canned soups. All food items needed!
Thrift store items for October are winter coats and shoes.
Please bring items to the church and they will be delivered to Crossroads.
Sandwich Mission
Sunday, October 19: Make/bring sandwiches to church
Monday, October 20: Bring sandwiches to the church before 3:00. Deliver &
Serve sandwiches, 5:00pm at St Vincent DePaul Center, 500 West 200 South.
For any questions, contact Lesa Stone or Geniel Woodward.
"Oh yeah, these are the GOOD sandwiches! Where are you from? Yeah, the Methodists make good sandwiches."
Acolytes needed for all services! Contact Linda Hartney for information.
Angel Choir (ages 3-8) Angel Choir Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. Contact Robin Smagala.
LIVE B.I.G. Sunday school classes 9:45 Join the fun! (Teachers needed, contact Lindsey Hardcastle)
Trunk or Treat – Helpers needed! Contact Lindsey or Kristin
Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts - Troop 2120, Mondays 7:00pm, Sept.– May
Girls kindergarten through high school
Girl Scouts are back! Cookie sales are "ONLY" 3 months away! So start planning your order today.
Brandee Fox (573-3515)
Cub Scouts
Cub Scouts - Pack 4012, Tuesdays 7:00
p.m. Aug.– May
Boys age 7-11 (1st –5th grade)
Kristin VanStaveren (282-5378)
Pack meeting 7 p.m. @ church.
"NEW BUDDIES" Bring a friend to scouts. Each boy bring a can of fruit for
friendship salad. Arrow of light ceremony for Webelos II. Wolf-prayer and flag.
All popcorn orders to Kristin Oct. 7th or sooner!!
Contact Kristin if joining or want info 282-5378.
Wolves - Mike Vanstaveren - 1st and 2nd Tuesday in
small room
Bears - Chris White - 1st and 2nd Tuesday in Kitchen
Webelos - Jim Goodrich - 1st and 2nd Tuesday in Large room
Pack Meeting whole church last Tuesday of each month.
Boy Scouts:
Boys 10 1/2 – 17, Troop 1012 meets
year-round, Tuesdays at 7:00 P.M.
in the sanctuary. (no meeting the last Tuesday)
Court of Honors 1st Tuesday of the month
every 3 months.
Dec, March & June.
October 3rd to 5th, camping trip scheduled to Goblin Valley. The Troop will be working on the following Merit Badges: Astronomy, Camping, Climbing, and Hiking.
Any boy interested between the ages of 10 to 17 come enjoy an evening with the Troop. Check out the website http://troop1012.scoutdata.com, and if you have any questions you can contact me via email at sganderson3@msn.com.
Please note: Troop Meeting time change: 7:00 p.m.. on Tuesday's. No meeting last Tuesday of the month.
Hello Mountain Vista!
The summer is over and all the youth are back in school. We spent this last summer doing a bunch of fun things. The most recent was a trip to Lagoon. Thankfully we were able to get back just in time for groundbreaking here at Mountain Vista.
This fall will be just as exciting. We will be starting our Wednesday night service again on September 24th. We will have the service at 6:00 p.m. and youth time from 7-7:30 p.m. This is a great time!! We will be diving into a lot of new topics this year. We'll also be discovering ways we can utilize our youth space in the new building. This will involve lock-ins, guitar hero tournaments, and other fun stuff.
Some more great news. Currently Mt Vista has 6 high school kids committed to go to next year's Sweden mission trip!! The trip isn't until August 09 but we are preparing for it right now!! It's amazing to be a part of this great opportunity.
We do have a need for a High School Sunday school teacher. If this is an area that you feel called in any way, please contact myself or Pastor Steve. It's continually a privilege and blessing to work (play) with your kids on a consistent basis. I will keep you all updated.
Jason ><>
PS: if there are any parents or youth that DON'T receive e-mails about youth activities, please send me your e-mail! you can send it to jstevens4584@gmail.com
Jason’s office hours: Mon: 1pm to 6pm, Tues: 1pm to 6pm, Wed: 2pm to 8pm, Thurs: off, Fri: 1pm to 6pm
jstevens4584@gmail.com 598-1151
YOUTH
Sunday:
11:15 am - 12:00 pm - Sr. high Sunday School
11:15 am - 12:30 pm - Jr High Sunday School
2:00-3:00 pm Young Women’s Dance Ministry - Sam
6:30 –7:30 pm – Jr. High Praise Team - Jayme
Wednesday:
5:15 pm –6:00 pm Sr. High Praise Team Practice - Jason
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm - Worship Service (Led by High School Praise Team) -
Temporarily cancelled
7:00 pm - 7:30 pm - Youth Activity Lesson (Jr. and Sr. High) Jason
Nov 14-16 - Rejuvenation 2008 - Grand Junction, CO
Rejuvenation is open to all youth grades 6 – 12. Registration is $80.00, accommodations and meals are not included. Reservations are due by October 13th. For more information on Rejuvenation visit Rejuvenation.RMCUMC.org
Sweden Mission! August 1-14, 2009! Grades 9-12
This is an evangelical and relationship building effort.
The AJ Dummer Story – part 3
At 32 weeks of pregnancy I had my regular check up. I knew the sound on the monitor did not sound right. AJ's heart was beating at 62 beats per minute. This was not what we expected to hear. Scott and I were told to go to the Women's Care Center at our hospital.
On arrival all the nurses were nervous. The doctors advised, almost as if we did not have a choice in the matter, to have an emergency caesarian section (c-section). Scott and I said, "NO, you are not taking him." The attending physician wanted an ultrasound; he was sure AJ was in distress. The picture turned out to be a beautiful baby who stuck his hand in the air and waved to us. Doc shook his head and sent us home.
As we were leaving that night a nurse looked at me very concerned. I told her, "AJ has a very bad heart defect if you take him now there is no hope. Some things are just better left in God's hands." We really didn't have a clue where this faith was coming from but knew that if Scott and I listened to our heart and tried to do what was right for our baby, and not for us we couldn't go wrong.
I knew the chance of AJ not surviving the rest of the pregnancy was high as his heart was only beating 62 beats a minute and a normal fetus heart rate is118. I prayed everyday that I would get to meet AJ and that he would meet his family. I prayed that he knew how much he was loved and that he knew what life was like here on earth. As the doctor ordered, I counted kicks multiple times a day until a scheduled c-section on April 9th.
AJ was born 5 lbs. 13 oz. at 8:05 a.m. He came out beautiful, screaming/ squawking, and looking very normal. Because that 18 p- was so varied, there wasn't anything to prepare for and we really didn't know what to expect. The room was full of specialized neonatal doctors and nurses. Given the circumstances everyone in the room was shocked and very relieved that at first look he was so normal. What was supposed to be a crazy arrival was a little boring.
I, on the other hand, had gotten very sick coming out of recovery. All I remember was trying to pay a nurse for a Popsicle and that a very beautiful nurse wheeled AJ into my room to tell me they had to take AJ to St. Louis Children's Hospital, where they could watch him closer. Later on I was told he was making the nurses nervous because he was doing so well. As for me I was stuck at the first hospital for three days of recovery my platelets and trying to get some sleep.
I finally got to hold AJ on April 13. This is when they told me his official diagnoses hypo-plastic left heart disease, double outlet right ventricle, transposition of the great arteries, with a two-to-one heart block. I thought, "God don't leave me now." I held him a lot that day. We talked and read some books. It was hard to believe he was sick because he was just so perfect looking.
I prayed a lot that he would make it home to see his nursery and know what this world was like. When he was 6 days old the doctors put a pacemaker in him so his heart would beat at a normal pace. 36 hours later he went into shock.
The nurses put Scott and me in a private room down the hall for the night so we could be close. They thought there was a good chance that he wouldn't make it through the night. Scott and I prayed through the night. I prayed so hard that my head hurt. I lay there in that bed waiting for an answer. I saw trees in the fall and felt cool breezes and peace and then an urgent need to see AJ.
As I walked down the hall and into the room the Dr. Grady had just stabilized him after a very long battle. At this time two nurses and two Doctors had been scrambling for about 4 hours to keep him alive. Dr. Grady looked at me and said you have one strong little boy. I sat with AJ while knowing that this was God's answer to my prayers and I would know my son. We waited another two weeks before we were able to hold him again.
In waiting for AJ to rest up for his next surgery the doctors where constantly trying to get his oxygen levels back up to the 80 percent level. The doctors would stand at his bed and say I guess 70 percent will have to do. AJ would smile in his eyes take a deep breath and the oxygen level would shoot up to 85. The Doctors would scratch their heads because AJ hardly ever acted like he was in pain. He always was trying to smile and therefore had made a special place in their hearts for him. I think that was the hardest thing to understand. Here AJ had all these scars from surgeries and still he tried to make the same movements as any other child.
Due Dates
for Sunday Bulletin and Newsletter
For the Sunday Bulletin: Information due Wednesday of each week.
For the Mountain View: Articles due the 20th of every month. Articles on
disk or e-mailed (office@mtnvistaumc.org) preferred.
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