Way to go, Pete.

Yes, Pete has done it again.  He has raised the bar and left other husbands around him cursing his name.  He took me on a SURPRISE trip for my birthday to NEW YORK CITY! The day of my birthday (July 15) Pete arranged for family members to watch our kids for the long weekend & we packed bags and drove to the airport.  I had no idea where we were going until we got our tickets!  Needless to say, it was the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER.  Pete spent months planning for this and many gave to make it happen. Of course, you know we could never afford a trip like this but thanks to frequent flyer miles and the amazing generosity of my wonderful mother in law (& her friend, Allie, & her apartment!!), we were able to go. We ate great food, saw great shows (Wicked & Jersey Boys), and walked and walked and walked. It was a wonderful time to just be together without the children/responsibility. :-) I am so blessed and so thankful.  Here are a few pictures from our trip.

 

FAO Schwartz. :-)

Isaiah 43:2-3

For some random reason I decided to be someone else and just click on our blog as if I had never seen it before. Thinking, as I browsed through, "it's really hard to pretend not to be yourself you silly girl." But, I clicked on the "how it all began" link.  I don't think I ever have.  I read the post.  I don't think I've read since the day I wrote it.  And, I cried. I cried for that poor boy, those parents, that family.  I cried for me.
Believe me, I've done a lot of crying over the last year or so but this was different. I'm removed from it now. I can stand outside of it now and look in on those people. With my heart aching I think, "oh my gosh, how do you survive something like that?"
With Jesus, one day at a time.
We're standing outside of it now but sometimes I feel like we're still in the middle of it. God has done so much in our lives. I am so grateful for the healing in Forester's body, the peace that passes all understanding, and God's presence that has been so near.  But I'm realizing that though he's brought us through the fire, I still grieve that we, rather my child, had to walk through the fire in the first place.  It's like a tender bruise that won't heal.  Does that make sense?
Sometimes I'm just sad about it all. Not any less grateful, just sad. Today seems to be one of those days.

Ryan Olivia Swaney

I have a new niece! My sister, Katie, gave birth to a precious 7lb.15oz. baby girl on the morning of July 11th. She is so beautiful! Though Katie was past her due date, once labor began she went pretty quickly so unfortunately I didn't arrive in Atlanta in time for the birth.  But, Slade and I did get to see her when she was only a few hours old and got to stay over a couple of nights.  I got in some good Aunt Whitney snuggle time.  So far, Katie is feeling great and Ryan is doing wonderfully! Her older brother, Jack, who is not quite 2 doesn't seem to notice her much and seems to be adjusting to her quite well.  That may have something to do with Muzzy being there - who has been there since July5th! We are blessed with a great mommy who always helps so much when new grandbabies are born.  I'm sure she hates every moment. :-) Pop has put in a lot of help time too!
Thank you, Lord for sweet Ryan. Our family is blessed beyond measure!

Hi!

I know a new post is long overdue!! Why is it that it takes me 2 hours to do a blog post? Needless to say it makes it tough to carve out the time.  We have had a fabulous last couple of weeks and I just need to unload my pictures to the computer so I can POST them!  Coming soon!...

Video of Forester's Baptism! :-)

 

 

Click here to see Forester's Baptism!

Question: What is Baptism?

Answer: A general definition for the word baptism is “a rite of washing with water as a sign of religious purification and consecration.” This rite was practiced frequently in the Old Testament. It signified purity or cleansing from sin and devotion to God. Since baptism was first instituted in the Old Testament many have practiced it as a tradition yet have not fully understood its significance and meaning. In the New Testament, the significance of baptism is seen more clearly. John the Baptist was sent by God to spread the news of the coming Messiah—Jesus Christ. John was directed by God (John 1:33) to baptize those who accepted his message. John’s baptizing is called “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Mark 1:4 (NIV). Those baptized by John acknowledged their sins and professed their faith that through the coming Messiah they would be forgiven. Baptism then is significant in that it represents the forgiveness and cleansing from sin that comes through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Purpose of Baptism:

• Water Baptism identifies the believer with the Godhead – Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
  “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 (NIV)
• Water Baptism identifies the believer with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. “When you came to Christ, you were "circumcised," but not by a physical procedure. It was a spiritual procedure--the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to a new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.” Colossians 2:11-12 (NLT)
  “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:4 (NIV)
• Water Baptism is an act of obedience for the believer. It should be preceded by repentance, which simply means “change.” It is turning from our sin and selfishness to serve the Lord. It means placing our pride, our past and all of our possessions before the Lord. It is giving the control of our lives over to Him. "Peter replied, 'Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.' Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church--about three thousand in all.” Acts 2:38, 41 (NLT)
• Water Baptism is a public testimony - the outward confession of an inward experience. In baptism, we stand before witnesses confessing our identification with the Lord.
• Water Baptism is a picture representing profound spiritual truth:
  
  Death - “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (NIV) Resurrection - “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection.” Romans 6:4-5 (NIV)
  “He died once to defeat sin, and now he lives for the glory of God. So you should consider yourselves dead to sin and able to live for the glory of God through Christ Jesus. Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to its lustful desires. Do not let any part of your body become a tool of wickedness, to be used for sinning. Instead, give yourselves completely to God since you have been given new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God." Romans 6:10-13 (NLT)
  Cleansing - “And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” I Peter 3:21 (NIV)
  “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” I Corinthians 6:11 (NIV)
  

Baptism!

Forester is being baptized today at 2pm! Our church goes out to the beach for a great celebration. Please pray for Forester,that he will have God's peace as he wades out into water with our pastors & that he truly understands what baptism means. Thank you!! It's a great day of celebration!

Hearing Test - Proof!

For those who are interested in seeing the "proof" that Forester has regained hearing in what was described as permanent loss, here are the actual results.

The shaded area represents normal, day-to-day hearing frequencies (e.g.,conversation, music, TV, etc).  The hand-written line that trends downward is marked by the audiologist and represents the beginning of hearing loss. You'll notice on the "After" graph that the hand-written line is further to the right now and passes through less of the shaded area than it did 6 months ago.

Though Forester still has some hearing loss in the high frequencies we are continuing to pray that God restores his hearing completely.  Not, just because we want Forester to be whole, of course we do.  But, because we truly believe that that is the kind of stuff God can and will do! We want YOU to see the good God we know and be encouraged!! I mean, He rocks. He totally ROCKS!

*if you're reading this via email, go to the blog to see a couple of updated pictures. The kids are growing up!  http://thebradburns.blogspot.com

Before (12/09)

After (6/10)

Video -Updated/Revised

I made some volume & info revisions per the request of others who would like to share this video. Please feel free to share it!!
Thanks,
Whitney
What a difference a year makes (REVISED)