Dad is great! He gives us the chocolate cake!

Remember back in the early eighties (1983) when Bill Cosby came out with his comedy video called "Himself"? My husband LOVES to go around the house saying a lot of quotes from this video, but the one I love to hear the most is... "Dad is GREAT! He gives us the chocolate cake!" It was a bit about how Cosby's kids were rejoicing and singing that one morning because he gave them CHOCOLATE CAKE for breakfast! He justified it by saying that it had "nutritious breakfast foods" in it: wheat, eggs, milk. Bill Cosby didn't want to fix breakfast for his kids because it was so early in the morning ... but he did. He gave them chocolate cake and grapefruit juice, and he didn't have to cook! How awesome to wake up to a big slab of chocolate cake! (I personally, would prefer a tall glass of icy milk to go along with it!)

Imagine, if you would, how excited the kids were when dad gave them chocolate cake for breakfast ... they were singing praises to him all morning and probably dancing around the kitchen table in a child-like manner because their father gave them something special ... chocolate cake. Well, that is until their mom came down and saw what they were eating for breakfast

Well, that's exactly how I feel today. I feel like rejoicing, and running around dancing and waving my arms in the air, singing, "Dad is great! He gave us his healing hand!" Dad -- as in, God. He has given us his healing hand, and he has covered us with a peace that is not known here on earth

As some of you know, Hunter had surgery last Thursday. We didn't have a scheduled time until Wednesday night because they save the early morning times for the sicker patients. Well, last Wednesday evening, we had a message waiting on our voice mail telling us to have Hunter at the hospital by noon, because his surgery was scheduled at 2:20 p.m. -- my heart sank, because that meant he would have to fast most of the day -- not an easy thing for anyone, let alone a 2 year old.

But, earlier that day, I had sent out an email to about 20 of my blog friends across the country and into Canada asking them to pray for my child as he went into surgery, along with my family, and our church family who were praying for him too ... and here's how I saw God's hand moving almost immediately. The very next message on our voice mail was the nurse telling us there was a cancellation, and they could take Hunter in at 10:50 am... totally do-able, Praise God! I didn't even have a moment to think, let alone pray before I found out that his surgery was pushed up. My family and friends were already praying that God's hand would be in Hunter's surgery, even when I was unable to, and he heard their cries and answered them

Then, the next day, when we arrived, we checked in and they told us they would call us in 1 hour. Ten minutes later, they called us back and said they would take him right away because they had another cancellation. That, my friends, was another answer to prayer! The surgery that should have lasted 90 minutes was done in 45. The mass was diagnosed as a cystic hygroma, and has been sent to pathology for studies, but the doctor is positive it's nothing to be concerned about -- another answer to prayers!

And as if that wasn't enough, while I was in the waiting room, I was able to briefly minister to a couple who had their son in surgery for heart issues. They had a pager that enabled them to receive regular updates on their son from the surgery room, and they had been told their son had been placed on a bypass machine. As a parent, my heart went out to them. It melted right there on the spot. As a Christian, again, my heart reached out to them, but for a different reason -- to offer my own support in prayer, as I knew many others were doing for our family. I know it brought that family some comfort as it has brought me knowing that we had so many praying for us. That was an answer to my own prayers of being a blessing in any way possible while we waited.

For now, Hunter has some stitches and a drain tube that will be in until Thursday, but other than that, he has bounced back remarkably. Yes ... ANOTHER answer to prayer!!! Sunday and Monday, he went all day without any medication, and was happy, and active -- Praise God! He has even stopped getting freaked out whenever we change his diaper, and wants to actually look at his wound now (out of curiosity).

His spirits are high, and even ministering to us with his tiny hugs, kisses, and gentle hands on our faces. Answers to prayer all around us -- how exciting!

We are so thankful for family and friends who know a powerful God, and will pray at the drop of a hat. My husband and I have been able to spend comfortable, peaceful time with our as he recuperates, and know that he is being surrounded by the prayers of people I hold close to my heart.

Thank you -- from the bottom of our hearts -- for your prayers, love, care and concern. We love you each very much, and pray that God will send a special blessing your way!

Well, that's about all -- Hunter is home with his grandparents for the next few days so that dad and I can go to work. I will try to get around to my blogs again, and hopefully, touch base with everyone! But until then, please excuse me as I enjoy my "chocolate cake" and rejoice in my son's well being!!!