Caysen's Dedication Letter

Dear Caysen,

Tonight we are dedicating you at church. A night we weren't sure we would ever have the honor to experience. 

Honestly, your Dad and I debated about whether this timing was wise or not. You are in a very fragile state - not tolerating your feeds well, and with your heart in a "band - aided" state that if you were to get sick, we would likely be back in the hospital after just discharging 16 days earlier. Those germs, those people with all their new germs, make everything so risky. But? We don't know what the future holds or where you will be during the next dedication. 

We decided this was far too important to us. We want to make this statement before our friends and family, we want to commit to raise you in a Godly home, teaching you about Christ and His love for YOU, and most importantly giving you back to Him.

And you sir, he loves you so very much! He has proven His love for you time and time again in your short five months. From assisting the doctors to save you on your third day of life, to countless surgeries, hospital visits, procedures and interventions. You have been through more than most children this age, and you are still here today by His grace.

Caysen, your Dad and I had such big plans for you. We had mapped out the way we were going to do things. But God had different plans. Bigger plans. He has great things in store for you. I have learned not to plan ahead much further than tomorrow, as God always has a different plan. But, it's a BETTER plan. These days I don't want much for you, besides for you to remain with us. I don't care what you do in your future, or what you are or are not capable of. Honestly, I want the best but when it comes down to it, I don't care if you grow up to be a successful businessman or a cook flipping burgers at McDonalds. I want you to have joy and to know Him, and all that He is. As long as you have that, I know you will be wealthy in more ways that you ever could need.

I want you to know on this night that we are dedicating you, how much we have learned from you. (And not just in medical terminology and diagnoses!) You have taught us more in your short time here with us than we have learned in our entire lifetimes. We have grown closer together, we have learned to seek and ask for help, and most importantly how to walk the closest we have ever been with the Lord. We can't thank you enough for strengthening our bond, our committment towards our family and most importantly our faith. We have learned that there are so many highs and lows, that sometimes it's a sickening roller coaster. But you would never appreciate the highs, if it weren't for those stomach dropping lows. Besides, it can be lonely at the top. But when you are low and leaning on Him, you find much more comfort than you realize.

I was thinking about your name the other day. We really didn't decide until the week before you were born if you were going to be a Corbin or a Caysen. When I go back and look up the meaning of your name, I find a variety of answers. "A variation of Casey", "pure" and "vigilant one". The last two particulary stick out in my mind. You are so young, so pure, so innocent and have been through so much. We have spent countless hours in the hospital, awake at night, praying and keeping vigil over you. The more I look back on it now, your name is just perfect and completely fitting for you.

I'll close with your life verse. It was hard to choose, as you have SO MANY verses that I use to think of you. The entire passage from Jesus Calling on your day of birth is one of my FAVORITE ever, one of the best reads that I go back and look on every time something comes up and I need encouragement. But I didn't choose those verses as your life verse. I chose the verse given to me by my friend Malissa, one that is fitting as it is the Psalm of your birth DAY and birth YEAR. I have included the verse after - because fittingly verse 14 discusses the heart. 2014 Is going to be a great year!

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:13, 14 NIV)

We love you so much Caysen. We are beyond thankful for you and have been so blessed by you in countless ways. You by far are the most difficult, challenging and yet rewarding thing we have ever been given the task of caring for. We love you more than we could ever put into words.

Love you to the moon and back!

Mommy and Daddy

Dedication Letter

Dear Camden,

 

Today was your dedication. You may wonder what that means. To your Daddy and I it means that we are dedicating ourselves as parents to raise you to be the best we know how. And by doing that we are most importantly proclaiming to teach you to love the Lord with all your heart, soul and might.

 

Camden, you are one year and eight months old. You are a bundle of energy. You are growing, learning and exploring daily. You are a challenge to your Daddy and I. You are just learning to communicate your desires and your wants and it's hard for you when you can't adequately express yourself. Learning rules and limits takes patience and repetition, and you are learning slowly but surely.

 

I'm reminded of the analogy of a marble. It represents you, the child. It sits on a table and as parents we want to apply just enough pressure to appropriately guide you. If we apply too little pressure, nothing happens. If we apply too much, you shoot out from under our grip to never return. As parents we hope to be able to gently guide you to the stunning young man we know God has you destined to be.

 

You are very strong willed. Most people would look at this as a weakness. We choose to view it as a strength. It may be hard for us now to parent you properly, but once we get through to you and teach you how to channel it, I think it will be one of your biggest assets. I pray that God will use this quality to give you drive and determination to reach all the goals He has in mind for you. 

 

Being your parent has taught me so much, and I can't thank God enough for this opportunity. I have learned to see the world from a different viewpoint. To view things simply. To find joy in the small things, like blowing bubbles or seeing a dog, or holding your Mickey Mouse stuffed animal. I smile to myself every time I hear you tell nigh-nigh to everything in your room before falling asleep, and snuggling with your arms under your little body with your rump in the air. I cherish these simple moments more than I thought possible.

 

Your Daddy and I have really found a home at church, and we pray that you feel the same as you continue to grow. We want you to be involved in the kids programs, to make friends and to enjoy going to church and serving at church as much as we do. We pray that God will give us the tools and wisdom to guide you. We are so fortunate that God has chosen us to parent together, and that He entrusted your little soul into our care.

 

Your special verse for this day is Zephaniah 3:17.

 

"The Lord your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.”

 

I had a tough time picking a verse. But this one kept sticking out at me. The part about God being mighty to save is something I hope you never forget. I want you to know that no matter what you go through or difficulties in your faith, God is always there, delighting in you. It also says that the Lord will rejoice over you with singing. I felt the same way as God did the moment you were born. I was delighted. I was overcome with quiet love, admiration and oh so proud of you. And as your CiCi says, what a glorious picture, imaging the Lord rejoicing singing over us.

 

Camden, your Daddy and I love you so. We are so blessed to call you our son, to be on this parenting journey together, and with such an amazing little boy. We love you!

Mommy

 

*****

 And Happy Mother's Day to all the Mommies out there, and especially my mother, and my mother in law. Hope everyone had a fantastic day!