Hello, HOPE-lovers. I’m going to keep this brief, but I felt the Lord compelling me to share a little something regarding Elias’s surgery and our family’s current status. If you’re familiar at all with HOPE4Hipsters, especially for the past 7 months, the Arnold’s have been on an atypical “faith adventure.” Back in March, I willingly quit my job. No more: …
THANKFUL THURSDAY: My Son Elias
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest …
A Walk To Remember
…for we walk by faith, not by sight. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:7 I take the blessing of mobility for granted. I’ve never known otherwise. Being around infants, however, reminds me daily of the painful, prolonged process required to develop this skill. My wife and I have been blessed with three children, and our youngest, Elias, recently started showing interest and capability for mobility. …
A Shunt To Save
Elias’s life with a brain shunt begins. Well, the last 28 hours have been quite full for us!! We arrived at the hospital yesterday at 10 AM for admitting and prep. At 11 AM, we got Elias into his hospital gown and got ready to say our temporary goodbye (this was mommy’s hardest part). At 12 PM he started anesthesia, and …
Sons For Rams: Under The Second Knife
This is a big week. Tomorrow is the day we’ve been nervously anticipating for the last year. Tomorrow, October 18th, 2016, our son Elias is scheduled to have surgery. He will be getting VP brain shunts. It’s hard to believe. It’s real. We would not have chosen this road, but it is a part of his story. Just a little …
Elias at 6 Months!
Basic Health Update: Elias has Spina Bifida. He’s made it 6 months since he was born with only the initial medical intervention. From his birth story to present, his life reflects God’s miraculous healing hand in so many ways. Twenty-four hours after birth, Elias had surgery to close his NTD (neural tube defect), myelomeningocele. (an open wound exposing his lower …
To Us A Son Is Born (To Die) – Death: It’s What’s For Dinner (part 2)
Recall: Last time (see “Death: It’s What’s On The Menu”), as we dove into the topic of Easter, we looked at Job 40:15-24 and I asked you if anyone has ever told you that you look like you eat well. Or perhaps, “You have a big mouth.” Random, for sure. But it was different, and when it comes to celebrating …
Elias 3-4-5
Elias is 5 months! Somehow the last 3 months flew by!! Unfortunately, my good intentions didn’t lead to good results, so I’m playing catch up on the monthly updates for Elias. Here is a simple update of what those months looked like for us 🙂 Elias – 3 months: Weight: 16lbs. @ 3 months Elias LOVES to be held, loves …
2 Days After Thanksgiving With Our 2 Month Butterball
So Thankful… Our little Elias is, well, not so little anymore! 🙂 He is two months and somewhere over 14lbs. We affectionately call him our little “Butterball” – it just seems fitting this week 🙂 Oh, we love him so!! At two months, he: basically looks like our mini football player in comparison to other babies his age! is SO …