Gavin writing. I would appreciate prayers specifically for my patience level. As I'm sure is common with many people, when I am extra tired, my patience is pretty thin. Lately, even when I'm not so tired, I've been frustrated with my lack of patience. Usually it is in regards to the babies or to Isaac when they are not doing something logical or what I think they should be doing. Well, babies aren't logical and they don't know what they should be doing. Knowing that and putting the understanding into practice is tough for me. I love my little babies like crazy, but at the same time am not a natural "baby person." Not doing my normal flying job or being "home" of course adds to the frustration. I know God has us here and now in this specific situation for a wonderful purpose and for our good, but at times I really don't feel that and even have a hard time understanding it. If you think of it, prayers for these areas would be highly appreciated.
I know I am not the only one out there going through challenging times, so I don't want to be asking for a pity party. At the same time so many people have asked us specifically how we are doing and how they can pray. There you have it!
Thank you so much,
Gavin
This is the blog for Gavin and Carrie Jones and family. We live in Papua New Guinea and are working to see lives transformed by the living Word of God through Bible translation. Gavin is a helicopter pilot. Carrie, who has her degree in Public Health, works in the lab at our busy rural clinic. Our son, Isaac, was born in 2004 and our quintuplets, Will, David, Marcie, Seth, and Grace, were born in 2012.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. The you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. -Proverbs 3:3-6
Monday, November 19, 2012
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Gavin, Carrie, Isaac, Will, David, Marcie, Seth, & Grace Jones
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Thank you! I think this is one of the most precious posts...praying God will hold you up and lead you on in this challenging journey - that patience will come as needed. God has blessed so many through your family. Being away from "home" and your regular job is stressful in itself - let alone having five precious, new blessings to go with Isaac. We will be like those who held up the arms of Moses, not physically, of course, but in holding you and Carrie up in prayer.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Lori S. (Demorest, GA)
It is amazing what God can do through you! I remember back to the time my husband and I adopted 4 children (ages 5, 9, 11 and 13) who didn't speak a word of English. We were only in our early thirties at the time and we had a 2 year old and 13 year old (that we had adopted)already. We knew it was God's plan for our family and he confirmed it many times. Many times people would ask us How we did it? We didn't. God did! Also a phrase my wonderful mother-in-law often quoted to me was "This too will pass" and things did become easier.
DeleteWe will keep praying up here in Illinois for you!
Nancy
Hi, my names Amanda Havens and I have a son with ABCA3 who is 14 months and would love to get in contact with you(I know you are probably busy with you bringing his siblings home but feel free to email me at Manda0826@yahoo.com to chat or ask questions about the disease), I belong to a website with about 10 other mothers who's children have this also...Its a great place for support for everything your are facing...I haven't had the chance to read all the way back through your blog but do they have Seth on any kind of treatment for this disease? And to give you some more hope about what his future may hold Dr. Bush in the UK who studies this recently said that this disease is no longer categorized as being fatal it stabilizes as the lungs grow and they live with a chronic disease instead of a fatal one. Prayers for all your lil ones :)!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the personal update. What a thrill and what a challenge!
ReplyDeleteFather, today we specifically lift up Gavin, praying for peace through the process and understanding of this 'new normal'. Life changes are difficult enough, but when so many others depend on you, it can be overwhelming. But, the comforting knowledge is that we must only depend on You, and not ourselves and believe that You know the plan and will place all the pieces together in the best possible way. So, please hold Gavin and Carrie close, provide the rest and support they need and the patience to take it one moment at a time. Thank You for all these blessings. All glory and honor to You, Lord. Amen. NKL
ReplyDeleteJust want to add too - and you probably already know this, but just another reason to encourage calmness - babies are very attuned to our moods, and if we are anxious so are they. Calmness is your friend, and theirs. I will continue to lift you before the Father and asked that He give you peace and calmness, sifted and packed down in a more than full measure. NKL
DeleteAs a mom of twins I struggle in this exact same way. You expressed what I haven't been able to put into words. Thanks so much for the encouragement through your honesty.
ReplyDeletePrayer for Patience …
ReplyDeleteLord, teach me to be patient – with life, with people,and with myself. I sometimes try to hurry things along too much, and I push for answers before the time is right. "Teach me to trust Your sense of timing rather than my ownand to surrender my will to Your greater and wiser plan. Help me let life unfold slowly, like the small rosebud whose petals unravel bit by bit, and remind me that in hurrying the bloom along, I destroy the bud and much of the beauty therein.
Instead, let me wait for all to unfold in its own time. Each moment and state of growth contains a loveliness. Teach me to slow down enough to appreciate life and all it holds." Amen.
Lifting you to our Father Gavin, that He might hold you close to His heart so you can hear the slow, steady beat of love and of life. Try and close your eyes and hear that beat....His heartbeat is with you always, patience will help you hear it beating...when your upset or stressed your own heart beats faster and louder drowning out His own....close your eyes, breath deep, slow your own heartbeat....then you'll hear His. Praying for you...
I don't know how or when I started following this blog...probably right when the babies were born, but now I'm constantly praying for your family and this new journey you are on now. You wrote something in this post that really speaks to me in a profound way....
ReplyDelete"God has us here and now in this specific situation for a wonderful purpose". This is true for all of God's children and I hope to remind myself of that often.
I'm praying for God to grant you patience and understanding - not only for partience with the babies, Carrie and Isaac, but also for yourself. Self-awareness is a tough personal trait (and humbling too).
Many blessings,
Kristen Wright (Allen, TX)
Gavin, thanks for sharing this. I have so often said that I am amazed at how God is getting y'all through this, and I am still. It is a privilege to lift up this specific request to the Father. Praying that He gives you and Carrie extra measures of grace to deal with each individual issue. God wants us to ask, wants us to be dependent on Him. Wow, He's put you all in that place and He will supply your every need....patience, diapers, volunteers.
ReplyDeleteI have been sick and missed "Oooo, Oooo, Miss Grace" (wish my keyboard had musical notes to go around that) and Will and Marcie. I hate that I've missed their discharges and when I return after Thanksgiving, there will be no Jones Quints in our NICU. So sad for me to not see Carrie each work day. I look forward to being able to visit and volunteer sometime for you guys, wish I could sign up for a regular day, but with home schooling and work I just can't.
Don't know how you are fitting in time to read all these, just know that I'm praying for you all!
Love your sweet family,
Frances
Thank you for your honesty in this situation. <3 I am praying!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your transparency. Praying for patience!!
ReplyDeletesharon bowers
Yaayy Praise God another precious sweet baby home. Wonderful.. Along time ago I read in a womans christian mag to never pray for Patience or God will test with that quite often.. ;) praying for you all.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you family and have a wonderful Thanksgiving
Erika
Gavin, you have entered a new phase of your life. Nothing will ever be like it was and the days you are about to enter will never repeat themselves. God has a plan for you-no it may not be flying a plane, it is taking care of his children. Take a deep breath and as others have said this day shall pass.
ReplyDeleteHi there, I'm just a random Wycliffe staff person in Orlando and have been following your journey. I know your not alone and so thankful that you trust in God's plan for your life and your family in the midst of your whole world turning upside down.
ReplyDeleteBtw, something that sometimes helped me was finding a good site or book that talks about what's normal for babies and kids and even parents in different stages and situations.
Also, I keep thinking of this article every time the situation w David is described and that it might have some helpful tips (obviously some things might not be possible to do):
http://kellymom.com/parenting/parenting-faq/fussy-evening/
I wonder if the possibility of a dairy and/or soy protein intolerance been explored with him. I know that's usually a hidden cause of reflux and colic and if his brother has that problem, it's possible that he does too even if it's not as severe. Just some thoughts.
Praying in Iowa!!
ReplyDeletePraying in Florida-you are blessed beyond belief.
ReplyDeletePatience are in my prayers for Gavin. Debbie M
ReplyDeletePraying for you Gavin! Thanks for sharing from your heart and please don't stop. It's easy to think that others are hurting, going through things they never imagined - but this is YOUR reality, and we will pray and love you through it.
ReplyDeleteGavin... poor dad... not a baby person and God drops you five at once. Sorry, but got to see some humor in that!
ReplyDeleteI echo what the other person said - babies pick up tenseness and calmness. So practice as you hold them even when they cry. Lean back, blow out two deep breaths, relax your muscles, think of something funny or enjoyable, and tell yourself that their crying is perfectly fine and not your problem. When I try to put a baby to sleep, I even imagine myself going to sleep (while I rock of course). All muscles slack, breathing calm and slow. They pick it up and follow your bodies cues (well, at least half the time!)
And we'll be praying for you. And pretty soon they'll be 12... and taking apart the family DVD player... or trying to burn ants to death in the driveway with a magnifying glass. It'll be a whole different ball game then, and maybe you'll be a natural preteen dad! This, this insanity is only temporary. Hang in there.
And get some time away from them, too.
I feel like this is something my hubby would write. So from a wife's perspective ...
ReplyDeleteLord, give Gavin the strength and patience that he needs for this moment. Help him to be able to lay aside logic and reason and take things for what they are. Father, give him special insight to each one of his children and Carrie. Thank you to entrusting this man with such an amazing and challenging task. Even more, thank you for already equipping him with what he needs to do the job.
Abby