Reminders

Good news to all my faithful blog readers!

1. We bought a new camera....no longer will I have to rely on other people's pictures!
2. My computer has been fixed!....I couldn't upload pictures or blogs becasue my laptop was in a rebellious state, but now it has been beaten back into submission thanks to PDK!!
3. I have numberous blogs to write and a little time to write them.....for the moment!

On to my post....

As you may or may not be aware, we are in Hong Kong enjoying a little family time/vacation! We are eating at all the places we enjoy, with names like TGI Fridays, Fat Angelos, Outback, California Pizza Kitchen, Subway and on and on! We have seen some friends, spent an evening swimming, playing dominoes and uno. We are now staying in our friends' home enjoying reading books and resting! Our friends are traveling for the week and are graciously allowing us stay in their home while they are gone. We feel so blessed to have this time to relax and spend time together.

One of the other important aspects of our Hong Kong visits are medical appointments. We firmly believe in the bi-yearly teeth cleaning and Hudson visits his Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor every 6 months. So, this week has also involved appointments.

For Hudson, these medical appointments aren't his favorite! He has had bad experiences at the dentist the last 3 years, and he has had continuous ear problems his entire life. He usually experiences a little apprehension before the appointment. On Monday we went to the dentist. As Hudson sat in the chair, waiting for the dentist to arrive, he looked at me and said, "Mom, can we pray together for a minute before she comes in, I want to ask God to help me not have any cavities so I can get out of this chair quick!" Being Mom, I said yes, and prayed for Hudson to have peace in his heart as the dentist worked on him and that she would find no cavities. He too prayed a similar prayer. He sat calmly in the chair for his 15 minutes of cleaning and checking, then the dentist smiled and said, "You are done! Go get a toy! No cavities!" Hudson beamed from ear to ear, relief flooded him and he ran out the door.

The next day, we went to see the ENT. Honestly we didnt' know what to expect at this appointment. Rob and I had some questions about whether his tubes where still in his ears and would his eardrums be retracted again, attached to the bone, etc... The doctor looked in his ears and said, "the tubes are out, let's go in the next room so I can take them out of the canal." The doctor removed the one from Hudson's left ear and it was a little uncomfortable to him. The doctor looked and said the left ear looked healthy and good. YEA!!! He then asked Hudson to turn over and let him remove the right tube. Hudson began crying. He refused to let the doctor take it out because it hurt too bad. After a few minutes of talking the doctor excused himself and said we could talk with him a moment, maybe even bribe him. We tried to explain using the picture on the wall of the HUGE ear that it wouldn't hurt and only take 2 seconds. Finally Hudson said, "will you pray for me?" Honestly we thought he said, "Will you pay me?" And I immediately said, "yes" Rob said, "no, we don't need to pay you." Hudson laughed and said, "no, pray with me!?" "Of course!" , we both said. After we prayed together, Hudson said, "OK. Now I am ready." We called the doctor back in, and Hudson laid as still as he could and allowed the doctor to remove the tube, completely different than the prior 10 minutes.

I was reminded again today as I reflected, how many times we rely on rationale and common sense to get us through difficult moments. As we sit in the dentist' s chair we rely on our good hygiene and regular brushing and flossing, or as we lay on a table somewhere waiting for a small procedure we take comfort in the fact that it will be over quickly and pain will be minimal. Hudson lived out for me the beauty of prayer. I would much rather rely on God that my own abilities to "get through" the situation. Things don't always go the way we hope or desire, but the peace He gives passes ALL understanding. If you don't believe me, ask Hudson. I saw the visible peace come over him twice this week as he cast his cares upon the One who takes them! I can really tell Hudson is growing up and this week was more confirmation of that. I hope I learn the lessons the Father is teaching me through my son's example!