Full Disclosure

This blog is generally a fun, upbeat one. And generally that is our life. I am brutally honest, possibly to a fault, on here. This post is not easy for me to write. I actually thought about not putting this on here, but because it is part of our family and something we are going through right now, here it is:

A couple months ago, Spence noticed a lump on Benjamin's back. He told me about it a month ago. He showed me the lump and I felt it. It was on his left lower back about the size of my palm. It felt hard, wasn't tender to touch, and no discolorations. Because I am "not a worrier" to the nth degree, I put him off. We had a shots visit 4 weeks away and thought I would talk to the nurse then. The nurse said that a doctor had to check him out, so we made an appointment for the following day. After two PA's and a doctor checked him out, they decided we needed an ultrasound. We went for an ultrasound the following day, and everything came back clear. We thought everything was great and were glad we didn't really tell anyone what was going on so that we didn't create worry. The doctors office decided we should get an xray "just to cover all our bases". We had that done Friday morning. Friday night we got a call from our pediatrician's office.


Benjamin has two vertabrae that are fused together in his lower back. His spine is also curving. We have an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon on December 7 at 1:00. We have an appointment with a pediatric surgeon on December 3 at 10:30. (no, this does not necessarily mean surgery) We will also be getting an appointment with a geneticist. The lump isn't a result of an injury, so we have to rule out anything else genetic. He will need an ECHO to be sure there isn't anything going on with his heart, an xray of his upper respiratory to check on his lungs, and blood work. Depending on what those results show, Zeke, Spence and I may have to be tested as well.
Please be praying for us. We are not worried or scared because we know we have a big God. We are praying for Benjamin to be healed, but if he is not, then we pray that God recieves glory no matter what. We are praying Philippians 4:6-7 "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus", Lamentations 3:21-22 "But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;" and Exodus 14:14 "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."

I heard this song today while driving my boys to a park to play with dear friends. We live in a fallen, sinful world, but it is still His. It reminded me of that.

This is my father’s world
The birds their carols raise
The morning light, the lily white
Declare their maker’s praise
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas
His hand the wonders wrought

This is my father’s world
Oh, let me never forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong
God is the ruler yet

This is my father’s world
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is king, let the heavens ring
God reigns, let the earth be glad

This is my father’s world
He shines all that’s fair
In the rustling grass, I hear him pass
He speaks to me everywhere

This is my father’s world
I rest me in the thought