A New Normal

It is Thanksgiving week and we Zilkies are gearing up for our annual feast.  I provide a juicy and delicious turkey and Julie takes care of the rest.  As Thanksgiving approaches this Thursday, I have been stopping to give thanks for all of the blessings that God has granted to us, most importantly salvation from our sins through His Son Jesus and then our wonderful family and all our children.

An update on Elijah:  Elijah is now 3 1/2 months old since his birth at 32 1/2 weeks on August 2nd and he is doing well.  He has been sick with congestion the past week and we are praying for his healing and recovery from that.  His little lungs struggle to overcome the congestion.  He is still on the small side, but considering the journey he has traveled, there is good reason for this.

Julie has the other children back in their studies here at home and is doing a great job.  One of my favorite parts of the day is asking the children what they have learned from the day.  Caroline, to her credit, is almost halfway through learning how to read.  She is the third Zilkie child to go through the book "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons:



There is more good news which I will report later this week.  In the meantime, may you take some time today even and give thanks to our Father and Creator God who has blessed us all with so much in this life.

Homecoming

Good news!  On Thursday evening, August 30th at around 9pm, Julie brought Elijah home from the hospital.  He had been there exactly four weeks since his birth, and Julie had been in and out of there since June 3rd when she was first admitted with premature labor symptoms.  Whew!  What a ride this summer has been.

We are so thankful to have the little guy home and to finally be a family, united and living as one.  The children just LOVE their little brother.  It is such a blessing to see the joy and affection they have for him.  Every one of them, even Selah our baby for 3.5 years, is so excited to have Elijah home and healthy.

Thank you to Mercy Hospital for taking such good care of Julie and Elijah these past 3 months.  They were wonderful this whole journey.

Elijah sleeping in my arms as I carry him around the house last night.

23 Days Old

Good news today.  Elijah finally reached 5 lbs and has achieved all of his benchmarks except for eating enough full feedings from a bottle.  Overall, he has made great progress the past 10 days.  They are talking like he may be able to come home by next weekend.  Come on Buddy!  You can do it!!!

19 Days Old (with more pictures)

Well Elijah has begun gaining a little bit of weight, which we are so very thankful for.  After getting stuck just below his birth weight ( 4 lbs. 3 oz.) for almost two weeks, he has gained 7 ounces over the past 4-5 days.  He is 4 lbs. 10 oz. and hopefully not too far from the big 5 pounds!!!

Also, he had his air tube removed several days ago which was necessary because like many premature babies, he would forget to breathe every now and then.  According to the doctors, there are 300 muscles in the windpipe that need to work and can collapse so a slight push of air into the lungs would help minimize this occurrence. Not necessary anymore however, as he is breathing on his own just fine.

Then last night they removed the incubator and he is now sleeping in a crib.  This is good because it means he is able to regulate his body temperature which is another requirement for him to come home. 

So currently we are just waiting on steady weight gain and his ability to eat from a bottle and/or through nursing.  He still has the feeding tube because he only takes partial bottles and then only part of the time.  He has to learn to drink the whole thing consistently before they will release him.  Moreover, we ask for your prayers as we want and need him to transition from a bottle to nursing which can be difficult for a smaller and weaker baby.  Remember, last Sunday was only 35 weeks were he still in the womb.  We are asking a lot of this little guy (breathing, eating, maintaining temperature, etc.) which he wouldn't normally have to do for three to four more weeks.  

Alright, alright, here is what you have been waiting for...

13 Days Old

Well Elijah continues to live in the NICU at Mercy Hospital.  His growth is slow, but he is no longer connected to an IV.  They removed his oxygen tube for a day but he didn't fare well so they replaced it.  We were able to get a couple pictures without it though which was a blessing.  Please continue to pray for him, his growth, and for the reuniting of our family here as soon as possible.  Also, pray for Julie as she continues shuttling back and forth from the hospital every day and having to leave our boy there in the evening as she comes home.  Not a fun thing to do.

Elijah Pictures - 5 Days Old

Elijah Update - 3 Days Old

Here are some pictures of Elijah and Julie in the hospital.  She was able to hold him for the first time on Friday and I was able to hold him for the first time yesterday.  He is (as you can see) still hooked up to many monitors and currently has the breathing tube (in the nose), an IV (in his hand), and a feeding tube has been inserted through his nasal cavity in order to feed him Mama's milk.  We both witnessed his first feeding Saturday afternoon while Mama held him to her chest.  A newborn baby eating is not as romantic when it is the pushing of a syringe through a tube directly into the stomach...but we will take it. :-)

The Latest Update on Elijah

Well, we can finally close the "Julie's is pregnant and in and out of the hospital with pre-term labor" chapter of this journey and begin the "How long before Elijah can come home?" chapter.  We sure are familiar with Mercy Hospital.  I know those color zones like the back of my hand.

Here is the latest on Elijah:

These Are the Days of Elijah

World, Elijah...Elijah, World

Born at 2:36 a.m. on Thursday, August 2nd, 2012.  4lb. 4oz.

Day 33 - This Is the Day!

Update - 1:30 a.m.: I just got back from touring the NICU and the baby is not responding as well to the contractions as the doctors had hoped.  We just confirmed with our primary doctor and they are going to proceed with a c-section here shortly.

Day 32 - This Could Be It...

Update - 10:30 p.m.:  Well it has been decided that we will proceed with induction and see how Julie and the baby respond.  This will be our first vaginal delivery with an epidural and pitocin.  They will be monitoring Julie and the baby very closely to ensure there are no problems or distress, and if the is they should be able to act quickly.  Julie was at 1.5cm the last time they checked so we don't know if this will be a short or long process.

Some of Julie's Attending Doctors at Mercy Hospital

One of the things Julie has enjoyed most is getting to know her attending doctors and understanding their medical philosophies which incorporate their faith in Jesus Christ.  This is a significant difference from many doctors who are more humanist in their beliefs and practice of medicine.  Well the following video stars several of Julie's doctors speaking on an issue that Julie and I are very passionate about as well, so I will let the professionals share with you:  

Day 31 - A Whole Month

Today is Julie's 31st straight day in the hospital and 40th day overall.  It is hard to believe that my wife left our home early in the morning on Sunday, July 1st and has not been home since.  On the other hand, that is good news since her and the baby are still hanging in there.  Today we are 32 weeks and 4 days along in the pregnancy and Julie is doing very well.  She has had little to no bleeding recently and her leaking is minimal as well.  Her fluid level is steady and everything continues to look good.

Day 22 - A Change For The Better

Today is the 22nd day that Julie has been at Mercy Hospital this second time around.  It is hard to believe that we are beginning our fourth week having her there.  She is doing well and symptoms of bleeding and leaking have minimized these past couple days and for this we are thankful and excited.  Also, the doctors have adjusted her expected delivery date.  Instead of today, Sunday completing her 31st week, they have adjusted that day to have been Friday.  Today is 31 weeks and 2 days which is great.  We get two days for free and we will take them.  These are two positive changes in our overall journey to bring this baby into the world and into our home.  He or she is already in our hearts. :-)

Day 19 - The Grind

I wanted to give an update since it has been four days since the last one.  I am at home alone with the family this week, since my sister Katie returned to Michigan, so things have been a bit busier.  The children are all doing well and thanks to the generosity of many people, are getting chances to see and spend time with Julie at the hospital.  Thank you to those of you who continue visiting Julie and encouraging her during your visits.  It is difficult to just sit in a hospital bed while your family and life moves along for the most part without you.  Please pray for Julie as we wait, which seems to be one of biggest challenges we are facing in all of this.

A development over the past several days is that Julie's bleeding has increased but then not decreased as we had hoped.  The doctors have begun discussions about what to do if it continues over the next week or so.  Things are so fluid...one day this then another day that.  All we have is today and all God will ever give to us is today.  We may presume upon tomorrow or next Friday or whenever, but we do so without any assurances from the Lord.  He will give us our "daily bread" and care of our needs today and today alone.  When doctors begin thinking about the future, we need to listen and value their insights and wisdom, but we also need to remember that we ultimately rest in God's hands.  Our lives are first and foremost spiritual in nature, but this is especially hard to see in such a physically, clinically, and academically dominated world like a hospital.  So, please pray that Julie's bleeding will stop and that the concerns therein will diminish.  But more than that, pray that she and we will trust fully in the Lord, regardless of what symptoms or circumstances come along.

Day 15 - 30 Weeks

Since we have officially reached 30 weeks in Julie's pregnancy, which is a vastly better place to be than 24 to 28 weeks, I want to take a moment and once again give thanks.  These past couple of days have been a little erratic but things have once again settled down and Julie has been downgraded to periodic monitoring once again as well.  

Day 14 - Anxious Evening

Last night Julie and I made our most serious preparations for an emergency delivery of the baby.  The increase in difficulties from yesterday increased our concerns that they would make it through the night with the baby intact in the womb.  Yet, once again it is morning and Mama and Baby are still hanging in there.  The bleeding continues and is quite disconcerting.  Our primary prayer is that the bleeding would cease or diminish significantly.

Today marks two weeks Julie has been admitted into the hospital this go-around.  She also spent nine days in the hospital back in June.  And then tomorrow is a sort of milestone for us as she will reach 30 Weeks in her pregnancy.  The days move slowly, but we are thankful and keep taking them one at a time.

Day 13 - Possible Setback This Morning

This morning (Friday) Julie had her first setback since being admitted to the hospital.  She had been doing fine and progressing along nicely and then a little while ago she began bleeding much more heavily.  They are moving her from antepartum, probably back to labor and delivery.  The bleeding will move her risk level up as they continue monitoring her throughout the day.

As expected we all are concerned with this new development and Julie especially.  Please pray for her and for the baby.  They have done so well since this all began and we are going to be at 30 weeks on Sunday and that is a praise.  As we have stated, one day at a time is all we can ask for and live in.  So we pray for her and for what will transpire today.  Thanks for your support!

Day 11 - On the Move

Last night while I was visiting Julie they notified her that they felt her condition had improved and stabilized enough to move her out of labor and delivery and up to antepartum.  This is where Julie spent days 4-9 her first visit in the hospital before being released back in June.  We are not expecting her to be released this time because she still has lingering some fluid loss and bleeding but this is a good sign nonetheless.  She is sad to leave all of her friends who work in labor and delivery, there is much less interaction with the medical and nursing staff up in antepartum.  For those of you interested, her room number is now 558 at Mercy/St. Johns Hospital and her phone number is 314-567-2558.  The best way to contact her is still through her email - zilkie4@yahoo.com.

Day 10 - 29 Weeks and 2 Days

Good news, Julie is stable and faring well at Mercy Hospital on this her 10th day there.  There continues to be a little bleeding but the baby's monitoring has gone quite well so she is no longer on 24 hour monitoring, but has been moved to periodic monitoring throughout the day.  Because Julie's condition was downgraded from serious when she checked in, she lost the big room they initially gave her.  Most importantly, she is stable and the baby is stable as well.  

Things at home are good.  Aunt Katie and Uncle Kent came last Tuesday and spent their vacation here with us in 105 degree temperatures all week.  Kent returned to Michigan while Katie and the girls are going to stay this week to help out...and a wonderful help she has been.  

Thanks again to all of you who are praying for us and checking in on the Zilkies.  We GREATLY appreciate it!!!

Steady As She Goes & Julie Speaks - Day 5 (Round 2)

I apologize for the sparse updates since Julie checked into the hospital again on Sunday.  The good news is that there is no bad news to report.    We Zilkies fervently believe that all healing comes from the Lord as the Bible calls God the great healer.  At the same time, God is sovereign above all things and should somebody not receive the healing they are praying for, we can have great confidence that God has a greater purpose in mind. He is not some distant and maniacal deity smiting some and blessing others.  Rather, He is the eternal God who sees the end from the beginning.  He is outside time and our temporal life on this earth is but a vapor to Him...here one moment and gone the next.  It is in this God whom we entrust ourselves, both for the vapor-life we live on earth and for the eternal life awaiting us thereafter.

Back In The Hospital - Day 1 (Round 2)

After 3 weeks of things going very well, the past couple of days Julie has had a number of smaller negative issues.  She has had some inexplicable bleeding, leaking of fluid has returned in small amounts, she felt her abdomen contracting more then before, and this morning she experienced serious pain in her lower abdomen.  All of those combined led us to take the precautionary step of readmitting her into the hospital today.  This was a good choice.

Not So Fast...

So after posting my previous post last last night, stating that all was well and looking good for Julie and the baby, I spoke too soon.   The previous issues with her water breaking are still fine and have not returned.  However, early this morning Julie awoke to substantial bleeding, so a new problem has developed.
She went into the doctor and they are not sure what is causing it.  The doctor said if he could trust her to go home and really stay off her feet, then he wouldn't admit her back to the hospital, otherwise she would need to be there to assure she was resting.  So we are back to where we were with her activity needing to be very restricted for the near future.

Sunday will be 28 weeks and we continue to take each day as they come, one at a time.  We will update with any new developments.  Thank you again for all of your prayers and support.

Good News and Bad News

Today Julie had another doctor appointment and once again, everything is great...very normal.  This of course is good news, on top of previous good news over the past several weeks.

As a result of the stable 3 weeks that Julie has has and solid 2 1/2 weeks since coming home, the doctor has upped Julie's activity level from "bed rest" to "take it easy".  The doctor and Julie both believe that whatever issue was there is no longer there.  Of course they don't want to be reckless, so Julie can resume semi-normal activity.  This includes attending church, being more active around the home, as well as getting out of the house.  We have not given her "full shopping" rites, and she must engage in limited meal preparation as well.  Beyond that, she is content hanging out, reading to the children, preparing this coming years home-school curriculum, and staying inside out of the heat.

Raising Global Christians - Parenting Video #4

This spring our church Rooftop Community Church did a series on parenting.  Following that series, Julie and I led two different workshops on "Christian Parenting".  We have separated them into their different topics and you can view them now online.  Here is video #4:






The resources we mention are listed under "Previous Blog Posts" on the right hand side of the blog.  More videos are forthcoming...

The Importance of Godly Wisdom - Parenting Video #3

This spring our church Rooftop Community Church did a series on parenting.  Following that series, Julie and I led two different workshops on "Christian Parenting".  We have separated them into their different topics and you can view them now online.  Here is video #3:



The resources we mention are listed under "Previous Blog Posts" on the right hand side of the blog.  More videos are forthcoming...

The "Big Picture" of Faith - Parenting Video #2

This spring our church Rooftop Community Church did a series on parenting.  Following that series, Julie and I led two different workshops on "Christian Parenting".  We have separated them into their different topics and you can view them now online.  Here is video #2:



The resources we mention are listed under "Previous Blog Posts" on the right hand side of the blog.  More videos are forthcoming...

The Importance of a Christian Worldview - Parenting Video #1

This spring our church Rooftop Community Church did a series on parenting.  Following that series, Julie and I led two different workshops on "Christian Parenting".  We have separated them into their different topics and you can view them now online:



The resources we mention are listed under "Previous Blog Posts" on the right hand side of the blog.  More videos are forthcoming...

A Bizarre Morning

The strangest thing happened this morning and I feel compelled to share.  After going to bed at a normal time last night, around eleven.  Both Julie and I woke up this morning at 8am!!!  We NEVER sleep until 8am.  On top of that, the house was strangely, even eerily quiet...not a sound.  I got up, looked around, and it was empty, not one child could be found anywhere, just Julie and I...

Steady As She Goes

This morning we had our doctor's appointment and Julie continues to do just fine.  Her three days home have not been a problem.  Her fluid levels are up slightly which is very good and the baby's heart is pumping along as it should be doing.  We are 25 weeks and 4 days today, and for now everything looks good.  The children are getting a special overnight tomorrow at a friends house  and Grandma is coming on Monday for the week so the cavalry continues to help us out through these days and weeks.

Adjusting Back Home

Since Julie is no longer at the hospital, my day to day count is no longer necessary.  However, as I stated yesterday this transition is going to be difficult, and in some ways harder since it is much easier to be docile in a hospital than in your home.  Nevertheless, Julie's return home last night brought great joy to the family, if not some increased emotion and moodiness as we tried to settle the children down for bed.

Day 9 - Breaking News...

We interrupt your regularly scheduled program with the following...

I just received a phone call from Julie saying that based on her stability and health, they are releasing her from the hospital to "home bed rest" as long as her situations stays stable and signs of leaking or stress to the baby are not present.  Julie will have to make three hospital visits each week to continue monitoring her and the baby, but she will be able to be at home for now, as long as her condition does not get worse.

"Love In An Elevator"

From the title, any of you who are Aerosmith fans are thinking, "Uh oh" where is Jeremy going with this post???  Well let me put your anxieties to rest.  Today our family went up to visit Julie at the hospital in the afternoon.  After leaving Julie we were on the 5th floor waiting for the down elevator.  When the door opened, for us, there was an African American woman and her darling daughter who was probably 2 or 3 years old standing there.  The little girl was dressed beautifully in a blue and white dress.  As soon as we began to walk in, Selah noticing this little girl walked right up to her and gave her the sweetest hug and kiss and then smiled at her.  I was a little taken back by the public display of affection, but this is not abnormal behavior for our children.  Those of you who know them, know that the Zilkie children don't know too many strangers.  I said "Hello" to the mother, we asked the girls name (it was Chloe) and then I said to Selah, "Selah, did you find a new friend?"  Selah shook her head up and down and kept looking at and smiling at Chloe as the elevator proceeded down to the lobby.

Day 8 - 25 Weeks and Counting

We are currently hosting Doug, a dear friend of the family, at the house this weekend.  Although Julie's normally stellar hospitality is not in action, I am doing my part to fill in the gaps.  Doug and I did have a chance to spend three hours with Julie yesterday which was wonderful.

Day 7 - The Long Slow Days

We have no new news concerning Julie which is good news on all accounts.  Currently she is stable and showing no ongoing problems whatsoever.  Subsequently, her time in the hospital continues to be free of drama and anxiety.  However, along with stability comes the mundane of waiting for each and every day to come and go while being stuck in a hospital room.  Julie's spirits are up but once the evening comes and her last guest leaves, whether child or friend, there is a sadness that sets over her as she thinks of the lonely evening ahead.

Day 5 - A Quiet Day and Zeka Time

It has been a fairly quiet day today which is great news for the Zilkies.  Julie got her best night of sleep yet and said she felt good this morning when we talked.  Several Rooftoppers stopped in today and she has enjoyed the fellowship time immensely.

Befuddled

Well Julie's situation is looking better and better with each day.  As we wrap up Day 4, her fluid levels were up a centimeter, from 12 to 13.  The doctors have even begun slightly to question again if her water really broke...

New Room

Julie's condition has stabilized enough that they have moved her to a new room (568) where she will have less monitoring and is designed more for comfort and waiting.  I have not yet seen it, but am excited to here soon.  If you want to communicate with Julie, emailing her at zilkie4@yahoo.com is your best way to contact her.

Day 4 - A Blessed Night & Better Morning

Well yesterday Julie turned 38 years old and officially became a year older than me...again.  This happens every year on the 5th of June until November 13th when I have my birthday.  I once again am now married to an "older woman"...which I think is really cool actually.  She really cherishes these 6 months every year and any references I make to them. :-)

Day 3 - Birthday & Back Pain

It has been over 48 hours since Julie's water broke and she has not gone into labor, that is a very good benchmark.  Most women go into labor within 48 hours after breaking their water so we have moved into the next percentage of women and the likelihood has increased for the baby hanging on.

This morning is Julie's 38th birthday.  Evidently , our usual night out to at Trattoria Marcella is not happening this year.  Our waiter is going to wonder where we are. :-)  We have another visit with the kids planned today and I am going to try to bring in some nicer food for a pseudo-birthday dinner, not sure if TM  cooks to go or not.

Our First Hospital Visit: Morning of Day 2

This morning after preparing breakfast, getting the house cleaned up, getting children dressed, helping them do their chores, and trying to take care of my own stuff...we finally got out of the house for a hospital visit around 10am.  It was great to see Julie but as I expected, 5 young children pouring into a small hospital room with a Mother who can't move was not as "romantic" or "nostalgic" as either Julie or I were thinking.  Nothing like a dose of child reality to help keep ones feet planted on the ground.  We had a good visit as I took a couple kids at a time down the hall for a walk so Julie could try to get some better 1 on 2 time with each of them.  Julie made the brilliant observation that we would try to talk later on the phone.

End Of Day Update - Day 1

Whew!!!  What a day.  I can say that neither Julie nor I went to bed last night with any idea of what today would bring.  We had 3 miscarriages the past 3 years, but this pregnancy had been going so smoothly up to this point.  We got through our first trimester just fine, reached the 20 week point and had our ultrasound...everything looked great and this child had a nice healthy big head like its Papa.  We were gearing up for the uncomfortable 3rd trimester in the Missouri summer heat, but felt as if we were in the clear regarding the health of Julie and the baby.

Settle In For The Night - 2PM

Well it looks like we will be here for a while.  Julie is leaking amniotic fluid from somewhere but nobody can find out where.  She has not yet begun laboring and we don't want to since the baby is only 24 weeks along.  There is still a lot of fluid in the womb, so they think that the leak may be higher in the womb and not at the bottom where it would all leak out.  Anyway, this is their initial best estimate of what is going on.  There are a number of steps and procedures that the hospital will begin as a result of their findings.  So now we wait and pray and take one blessed day in the womb at a time.  Please pray that the baby grows strong and that Julie does not go into labor.

A Turn In The Road - 11AM

It is Sunday morning, June 3rd, and we are currently sitting in St. John's Mercy Hospital here in St. Louis.  Last night Caroline had been up sick at around 2:30 and then again at 4:30am.  At that time Julie felt some fluid flow while lying in bed.  Concerned, but not wanting to overreact, she laid back down and ten minutes later it happened again.  This second occurrence led us to call our doctor.  He recommended us coming into the hospital as our doctor was in house for the evening.  When we got there, our doctor came in, ran an ultrasound, ran a standard test, and from everything he saw did not think the fluid was her bag of waters, which was the concern.  There were many pockets of fluid in the womb which could be seen on the ultrasound and the baby's was doing fine, so we agreed things looked good.

Parenting DOJO (Workshop) Resources - Part 2

Below are the "Parenting DOJO" resources for the 2nd workshop we gave in May.  The various topics are listed in bold and the resources pertaining to each topic are underneath.  Please comment with any questions you might have.  We would love to assist and help in whatever way possible.

(If you purchase these items through Amazon and do so through our links below, we would be very grateful.  There is no extra cost to you and we receive a referral credit from them.)

Scripture Memory:




A Scripture Memory System we recommend


(more below the fold)

Parenting DOJO Resources (from our workshop)

Below are the "Parenting DOJO" resources for the workshop we gave on Monday and are giving again this Tuesday, March 6th at 7pm at Rooftop Community Church.  We invite and encourage you to come to find out more about the resources, why we recommend them, and how we implement them into our day to day family environment.  There are many of them, but each of them serve a different purpose and role in our family and in the raising of our children:


(If you purchase these items through Amazon and do so through our links below, we would be very grateful.  There is no extra cost to you and we receive a referral credit from them.)

Christian Worldview:



(more below the fold)

The Parenting DOJO

Julie and I are in the middle of a Parenting Workshop called the "Parenting DOJO".  Last year while teaching through the book of Titus in the New Testament, we as Christ Followers were challenged to train ourselves so that we would live out our faith more clearly so that the world would rightly see Jesus in us.  This is a creative word for discipleship, which is the responsibility of all who proclaim to believe in and follow Jesus Christ.

Julie and I hosted our first Parenting DOJO last Monday and will be hosting the same training again this Tuesday.  Our objective is to briefly teach on some important principles for Christian Parents and give MANY practical methods we have found effective in raising our own children.  They may not all work for everyone, but we hope some of them will be pertinent and useful for each family that attends.  We are not experts in this area, but are avid and passionate students.  We want to continue learning and growing in how to love and lead our own children toward (1) whole-hearted faith in Jesus Christ and (2) a keen knowledge of God and how their faith in Jesus should impact every area of their developing lives.

As you remember, please pray for our time on Tuesday evening.  Also, you will be seeing more posts with info and resources on this topic.

Zimbabwe Update - Pedzy

Most of you know that I went to Zimbabwe, Africa last August on a mission trip.  During our time we focused on discipleship training for the young adult believers in country.  We also spent time discipling and serving the pastoral leadership there as well.  One of the young ministry leaders I met on my first trip in 2007, saw again in 2011, and continue to correspond with is Pedzy.  Pedzy is great and is on fire for the Lord.  He recently graduated Bible College and is pursuing a ministry calling.  For those of you who want to see the people we are serving and ministering to in our Zimbabwe ministry, here is a video of Pedzy talking about a conference he attended in December led by a fellow pastor, Bill Layle, from our previous church in Grand Rapids...

Nathan Young (who went on the trip with us in August) and I just talked this morning about how we are still in touch with Pedzy...so the ministry relationship continues across the Atlantic Ocean. Thanks again to all who supported and prayed for our trip and for our Zimbabwean brothers and sisters in Christ!

"Bloodlines"

In light of our message yesterday on adoption and for a personal testimony on racism, here is John Piper's recent documentary...


Bloodlines Documentary with John Piper from Crossway on Vimeo.

How and Why Do We Discipline?

This past Sunday I was back up in the weekly rotation at Rooftop and shared a message on disciplining children as God disciplines us.  This is part of our "All God's Children" series:

Green Acres

When I met Julie in the late 90s, she was a top level saleswoman for IKON office solutions.  She lived in Oakland County in suburban Detroit which was the third wealthiest county in the country at that time.  Many of our friends in Detroit remember that Julie...

Well time can change a woman and this fall I witnessed something I never thought I would see.  This same Julie was also petrified of a couple dead mice in our home and a fake centipede behind the toilet. (A little joke somebody played on her a couple years ago.)  But no more!!!  Witness the following...

My wife has crossed over and it reminds me of a woman many decades ago who made a similar journey...

Jonathan's Birthday & Little Round Top

Today was Jonathan's birthday, he turned 8.  For breakfast we got some donuts for him and the family, for dinner he asked for meatloaf and Mama's special salad.  Before dinner we opened gifts and yet when asked what he was most excited about today, it was watching the next part of the movie Gettysburg (Widescreen Edition).

We watched the first hour a couple days ago and the most exciting part, General Bufords holding the "high ground" against the early confederate attack.  Today we watched the next part, the 20th Maine defend "Little Round Top".  They do so valiantly and when out of ammo, rather than risk collapse against the next confederate attack wave, they do the following...



While the battle and bayonet charge take place, neither David or Jonathan could sit down because they were so excited.  Well, the union forces led by the 20th Maine and Colonel Chamberlain won the battle and the day.  So much for a peaceful and early bedtime.

New Picture - Olamana's 3 Peaks

You all will notice the new picture for the "Narrow Path".  Although this is not my picture, this is a narrow path that I have climbed.  It is the Olomana Trail on the windward side of Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands.  This was a great hike, but then again, it was also 15 years ago.  I wonder how I would fare today?  Nonetheless, we hiked all three peaks which is pretty challenging.  Most people stop at the first peak...but not a bunch of Marines!

Super Sunday (for Caroline)

But not for the reasons you might think...

Today in church I looked and saw our daughter Caroline raising her hands during the singing portion of worship.  Now this shouldn't be a surprise since both Julie and I will raise our hands in praise of our God when we are worshiping, both at church and at home.  But Caroline, who is 5, is not yet a "believer" in Jesus, in that she has not yet understood enough to profess for herself what salvation in Jesus Christ means.

For the past year now both Julie and I have been reading bible stories to her, talking about faith in Jesus, answering questions she might have, and asking her questions to see if the Truth is sinking in and sticking.  Caroline has done a great job listening and learning the different stories.  Also, she is connecting the different Old Testament stories of Jonah and Abraham to Jesus and what His call to "Follow Me" means to us today in 2012.

Well, today after church I asked Caroline why she was raising her hands and she said

A Personal Story About Gordie Howe

Tonight I found out that the famous Detroit Red Wing, 83 year old Gordie Howe, is suffering from Dementia.  This same disease took the life of his wife back in 2009.  Gordie Howe is one of the greatest hockey players of all time.  In fact, before Wayne Gretzky he was the greatest to ever play the game of hockey and and many still consider him the greatest.  However, my sadness and appreciation for Gordie Howe has little to do with what he did on a hockey rink.

My father passed away on December 1st, 1993 when I was 19 years old.  I was in the Marines and flew home from Pensacola where I was stationed at the time.  It was hard losing my dad, and after the funeral and all the family events, it was time for me to return to Florida.  It was a Monday morning and I had been dropped off at Detroit Metro airport and began making my way to my terminal.  I remember walking through the concourse and there in front of me was this older gentlemen walking towards me.  He was wearing a suit that was somewhat disheveled and looking very tired.

Some People Are Crazy!!!

I saw this video a couple weeks ago and I still can't get over it.  I thought I would share it with you as it is not too long.  I am not afraid of heights, but this would paralyze me...

Providing for Children as God Provides for Us - 1/28/12

Last Sunday I shared a message at Rooftop that is the 3rd installment in our parenting series.  This week was seeing God as our Provider and how then should we provide for our children.  For those who may want to watch... (There is also an audio file on the Rooftop website www.rooftop.org.)

NFL Championship Sunday

My favorite spectator sport, and the only one I really watch anymore (apart from Detroit Red Wing playoff games I can find) is Football.  I will watch some college, but mostly I watch the NFL.  David and Jonathan have taken a HUGE liking to football as well.  They play a ton of it in our back yard and they love to watch it whenever they get a chance.

Well today two of our favorite teams, the Patriots and the 49ers played for the chance to go to the Super Bowl in two weeks.  The Patriots won, but the 49ers lost...to the NY football Giants.  Actually the Niners had the game won, but gave it away twice on mistakes returning punts.  It reminded of another game 21 years go when I was 16 and a HUGE Niners' fan and the Niners gave that game away on a costly fumble...to the Giants.

Coffee With A Friend

This morning as our family finished up breakfast (I made Papa's special Saturday Morning Hash) and we were beginning to clean up, I got a phone call from a friend of mine, an older gentleman named Bill.  Bill and I met when I first arrived in St. Louis and get together periodically to talk about God, life, and everything else.  Sometimes matching schedules is difficult, but this morning Bill had some time and we got together on short notice at Panera, or St. Louis Bread Company, "Bread Co" as the locals call it.  It is a gift to have a chance to sit down with an older and wiser man who loves the Lord and Bill is exactly that.  As a pastor who loves to listen, serve and minister to people, having somebody listen to and serve me, as happened today, is a real blessing.  Thank you Lord for our time today, and thank you for Bill.

Psalm 33

Tuesday morning as I began to journal and pray I felt like God wasn't all that big and I was much more important than I should be.  (My importance in this world always leaves me feeling uncertain and out of control.)  This is a good indicator in my life that things are upside down and I need a reorientation.  I opened up to Psalm 33 and here are some truths that the Holy Spirit impressed upon my heart and used to renew my mind for the day:

v.5 - He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord
v.6 - the word of the Lord made the heavens and all their host
v.8 - let all the earth fear the Lord, let all the inhabitants stand in awe of Him
v.9 - He spoke and it came to be, He commanded and it stood firm
v.12 - Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...
v.15 - He who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds
v.16 - the king is not saved by his great army...
v.17 - the war horse (or Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles - ICBMs) is a false hope for salvation
v.18 - the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His steadfast love
v.20 - our soul waits for the Lord, He is our help and our shield
v.21 - our heart is glad in Him, because we trust in His holy name
v.22 - let Your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in You.

It is always encouraging and liberating to be resized by the word of God His eternal truths.

Hello 2012

Normally I am not a resolutions guy, but I do like to set goals periodically, and specifically to help me accomplish various tasks and personal objectives that are laid on my heart.  I have resisted it for 37 years but this year I felt like I needed to take a more serious approach to my health.  Now I am not going vegan or anything, but I may need to cut out the 10:30 p.m. spoonfuls of  peanut butter that I have always enjoyed.  (Undigested peanut butter in your stomach while you sleep just doesn't settle as well as it used to.)

Also, thanks to Julie's accomplished goals from last year regarding her prayer, bible reading, and journaling time, I am inspired to set some goals and establish more accountability for myself in this area as well.  So far so good...17 days in. I am excited to see what God wants to do with this year.  I am asking Him regularly to open up "the gates" and do something new and significant both in my life and in the Zilkie family.

I think these two pieces are important: (1) to ask God for more of Himself and for greater Kingdom impact (2) to discipline ourselves for godliness. (1 Tim 4:8)  The first is a prayer that God wants to answer and the second involves surrendering ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit and hopefully allowing God to trust us with more of Himself and Kingdom responsibility.  As Jesus said in Luke 16, "Those who are faithful with little will be faithful with much."

I myself am not deserving or faithful, but by the grace of God and through the power of the Holy Spirit, may I be faithful with what God would want to give me.