Category Archives: Ministry
Advent Devotions
December snuck up on the Neighbors family. Our November was a total blur. I had back surgery on November 11 and our third son was born on November 17. After an early arrival our son spent the next ten days in the NICU. With all that we’ve been through this month it seem like October was just yesterday. But here we are…it’s December…it’s Advent. If ever there was a year that my family and I need to slow down and remember all that Christ did by putting on flesh and coming to this earth, it’s now. In the midst of back pain, physical therapy, diaper changes, feedings, and sleepless nights I sat down today to focus on the Lord. I picked up a great new little devotional called, Why Christmas? Twenty-Five Meditations. This is a special book written by one of my friends and Morningside Church members, Carol Story. Carol is the mother of singer/songwriter, Laura Story. If you’re looking for a great tool to help you focus your heart on Christ this Advent season, pick up a copy of this little devotional. May this month be an opportunity for us all to focus more of our heart’s attention magnifying Jesus.
The love of Christ in a NICU
This evening begins night six of our journey with Luke through the NICU at Spartanburg Regional Hospital. In yesterday’s blog I mentioned that we received a care package from a local ministry. I want to tell you more about what this ministry is all about. Praise & Pray Ministries was formed by a couple from Jonesville, SC who’s daughter, Alayna, stayed in the NICU for 99 days back in 2009. Unfortunately those were her only days on this earth. Alayna’s parents are using her story and the hope that they have in the Lord to minister to other families who find themselves in the NICU. I’ve copied their mission from their website below:
Our mission at Praise & Pray Ministries is to offer hope to parents of premature babies in the neonatal intensive care unit at Spartanburg Regional Hospital. We provide packages of useful items to these parents such as lotion, bibs, and hand sanitizer. Among other items, each package includes a letter explaining the experiences that led us to begin this ministry. Bibles are also available to these families upon request.
I’ve always know how important the NICU is, but it’s very different being on this side. Praise & Pray is providing a much needed touch to these families. The care package from them includes: a bib, disposable camera, baby lotion, hand sanitizer, hand lotion, a Subway gift card for lunch at the hospital, a Bible (with engraving from Christian Supply), and a wonderful letter from the family. I encourage you to check out their website and consider making a donation. $25 can provide a care package like the one we received yesterday for a family who finds themselves with a baby in the NICU at Spartanburg Regional. Visit their site (at the link above), give, and pray for all those who are there right now…they need it.
Our NICU Journey
When I last posted I was preparing to go into surgery on November 11th for my back. The surgery was a success and I’m home recovering. Six days into my recovery things got really interesting. My wife is pregnant with our third baby boy. We were supposed to have six weeks for me to recover before baby Luke was born, but he and the Lord had another plan. On November 17th baby Luke came into the world. I couldn’t even drive Ashley to the hospital. However, I was able to be there by her side for the delivery (in a chair).
God is so faithful. He knew that Luke would make his debut a bit early so my surgery was perfectly planned a week prior. The doctors say that Luke came just late enough in the pregnancy that he was out of the woods as far as major health issues. He was born at 34 weeks and 5 days (almost 5 weeks early). This birth was unlike our other two. Because he was so small the birthing process was very quick and we didn’t get to spend time with him initially. Within seconds of delivery the nurses whisked him away to the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) and he’s been there ever since. We’re now beginning day 5. Luke is healthy and everything looks good, but he needs to eat more and grow stronger before he can come home. It’s hard leaving him each night at the hospital, but the folks in the NICU are amazing.
I’ve been astounded by the Christian witness in our county hospital. Since arriving in the NICU, Luke has been given a hat made by a local church, a care package from a ministry and today he even got his own little Bible. The love of Christ is being proclaimed to the smallest ones of Spartanburg and to their families. We’re very thankful that baby Luke is doing well and that the Lord has us in this place with great doctors and nurses to help him grow strong and come home soon.
