Everyone enjoyed the 5K that was run/walked on Saturday to raise monies for sweet Carolena. 317 people participated and the goal was exceeded. I don't have a final total, but it was a hefty amount that will help offset many medical expenses. We are humbled by the concern that was exhibited for our family, not only by friends and family members, but by total strangers whose heartstrings were tugged by Carolena on the news, in the newspaper, or word of mouth. Ashley, Kevin, and family were overwhelmed by the response and the unadulterated outpouring of love, concern, and generosity of others.
This all came with a price. Todd and Kyle were sick with Strep and fever over the weekend and Carolena is now in the hospital fighting an infection. Most kids stay home and recover, but a baby with literally half a heart is at high risk and must be in close proximity of medical staff. The good news is the tests for Rotovirus, Influenza, and RSV have returned negative.
We are praying this baby will be able to fight off the infection and that her immune system will be just a wee bit stronger for the worry of it all.
Please pray with us.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Baby C | With Expectancy
I added photos to a blogpost by a pastor who wrote about our Carolena and the Race for Baby C that happens this weekend. May God bless Pastor Corey and all who help with the events this weekend! Go Team Long!
Race For Baby C!
Carolena on her rocking horse
Sleeps as if she is praying
Carolena playing in her box
The Long Family
Baby C | With ExpectancyA few weeks ago, I was informed about a little girl named Carolena that lives in Southwest Florida that was born with Heterotaxy Syndrome. If you are like me, the name of this disorder itself is not familiar. That is because it is extremely rare. Heterotaxy Syndrome is a disease that affects multiple organs, the most important one being the heart. In laymans terms, only one of her ventricles works. I don’t have to be a heart surgeon to know this is not good.
As you can imagine, Carolena has incurred a substantial medical bill that now leaves her parents in a difficult situation. Not only do they have their precious baby girl on the front of their mind. They have to figure out a way to pay for her medical care. Because of this situation, family and friends of Baby C (Carolena) have organized a 5k run walk that will take place this Saturday at Centennial Park in Fort Myers. The cost is $25 for adults and $15 for children under 18. All proceeds for this event go to help the medical costs incurred both past and future. The race starts at 8:00 am and no, you do not need to run the whole thing. If you are anything like me, running to the mailbox and back is about all that I can handle.
To be completely honest with you, I have never met little Carolena. I don’t know her parents. Carolena has lived and fought for her life for 2 years and I didn’t even know it. I don’t know what it is like to only have 1 ventricle working on my heart. I don’t know what it is like to be a parent of a child who has had 2 open heart surgery’s thus far with more on the horizon. My youngest daughter Sadie was hospitalized for about a week when she was born with a breathing issue. No parent should have to watch their kid hooked up to that many machines. I remember feeling overwhelmed and helpless as it seemed that my child’s future was in the hands of physicians and it seemed like there was nothing I could do. This family has gone through significantly more than anything I have ever experienced.
As a pastor, there are some things I don’t understand or have answers to. I can’t give an answer as to why Carolena was born this way. I don’t know why a God that has the ability to heal has not yet done so for this precious little life. I don’t know why health care coverage is so expensive or why sometimes, life is given and taken away so tragically. Those are just a few of the questions I can’t wait to ask God someday. Yet in spite of my questions, I still choose to trust God. Why? Because He is God and I am not.
I was reading a verse in Psalms earlier today that really struck a cord with this situation with baby Carolena and her heart. This is what Psalm 147:3 says:
“God heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.”
Sometimes I hear of stories like Baby C and think to myself, “what good could I possibly do?” I’m just one guy. I don’t have the ability to fix the heart of a baby girl. I don’t have the resources to pay for the incredible cost. I don’t have the words to reassure the family and answer the questions as to why this happened. But instead of focusing on what I don’t have, it’s time to start focusing on what I do have. I have legs. I have a voice. I have resources that God has blessed me with. I have a soul. Sometimes the way God heals the broken hearts of people and bandages their wounds is by using his followers to do it.
As his followers, it is time that we follow the example of our creator. He is the heart mender and the burden bearer. He wants to use us as his church to be the light of the world. I believe with all of my heart that if Jesus was here on this Earth, He would be at the race for Baby C on Saturday. Why? Because He is a God of compassion. He doesn’t wait for us to get our lives straight before He comes and rescues us, He always makes the first move. The good news is that Jesus will be at this race on Saturday. Why? Because He lives in the hearts of those who strive to roll up their sleeves and shine some light in a world full of darkness. If you would like more information on how you can get involved, please contact the church office at 239.458.0813.
I’m racing for Baby C on Saturday. I hope to see you there.
With Expectancy!
Corey
corey@firstassemblywest.com
Race For Baby C!
Carolena on her rocking horse
Sleeps as if she is praying
Carolena playing in her box
The Long Family
Baby C | With ExpectancyA few weeks ago, I was informed about a little girl named Carolena that lives in Southwest Florida that was born with Heterotaxy Syndrome. If you are like me, the name of this disorder itself is not familiar. That is because it is extremely rare. Heterotaxy Syndrome is a disease that affects multiple organs, the most important one being the heart. In laymans terms, only one of her ventricles works. I don’t have to be a heart surgeon to know this is not good.
As you can imagine, Carolena has incurred a substantial medical bill that now leaves her parents in a difficult situation. Not only do they have their precious baby girl on the front of their mind. They have to figure out a way to pay for her medical care. Because of this situation, family and friends of Baby C (Carolena) have organized a 5k run walk that will take place this Saturday at Centennial Park in Fort Myers. The cost is $25 for adults and $15 for children under 18. All proceeds for this event go to help the medical costs incurred both past and future. The race starts at 8:00 am and no, you do not need to run the whole thing. If you are anything like me, running to the mailbox and back is about all that I can handle.
To be completely honest with you, I have never met little Carolena. I don’t know her parents. Carolena has lived and fought for her life for 2 years and I didn’t even know it. I don’t know what it is like to only have 1 ventricle working on my heart. I don’t know what it is like to be a parent of a child who has had 2 open heart surgery’s thus far with more on the horizon. My youngest daughter Sadie was hospitalized for about a week when she was born with a breathing issue. No parent should have to watch their kid hooked up to that many machines. I remember feeling overwhelmed and helpless as it seemed that my child’s future was in the hands of physicians and it seemed like there was nothing I could do. This family has gone through significantly more than anything I have ever experienced.
As a pastor, there are some things I don’t understand or have answers to. I can’t give an answer as to why Carolena was born this way. I don’t know why a God that has the ability to heal has not yet done so for this precious little life. I don’t know why health care coverage is so expensive or why sometimes, life is given and taken away so tragically. Those are just a few of the questions I can’t wait to ask God someday. Yet in spite of my questions, I still choose to trust God. Why? Because He is God and I am not.
I was reading a verse in Psalms earlier today that really struck a cord with this situation with baby Carolena and her heart. This is what Psalm 147:3 says:
“God heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.”
Sometimes I hear of stories like Baby C and think to myself, “what good could I possibly do?” I’m just one guy. I don’t have the ability to fix the heart of a baby girl. I don’t have the resources to pay for the incredible cost. I don’t have the words to reassure the family and answer the questions as to why this happened. But instead of focusing on what I don’t have, it’s time to start focusing on what I do have. I have legs. I have a voice. I have resources that God has blessed me with. I have a soul. Sometimes the way God heals the broken hearts of people and bandages their wounds is by using his followers to do it.
As his followers, it is time that we follow the example of our creator. He is the heart mender and the burden bearer. He wants to use us as his church to be the light of the world. I believe with all of my heart that if Jesus was here on this Earth, He would be at the race for Baby C on Saturday. Why? Because He is a God of compassion. He doesn’t wait for us to get our lives straight before He comes and rescues us, He always makes the first move. The good news is that Jesus will be at this race on Saturday. Why? Because He lives in the hearts of those who strive to roll up their sleeves and shine some light in a world full of darkness. If you would like more information on how you can get involved, please contact the church office at 239.458.0813.
I’m racing for Baby C on Saturday. I hope to see you there.
With Expectancy!
Corey
corey@firstassemblywest.com
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Constraints
Much of my life and events surrounding my life are full of things that I either am not at liberty to discuss or topics I just really don't want to talk about. I am so uneasy about voicing many of my issues. I am not comfortable with exposing them yet.
Things seem to be taking a turn for the better, but I am so leery of letting my guard down. I am so uncertain of anything. My world has been shaken over and over, to its core and I am not allowing myself the luxury of becoming vulnerable...again. I don't know if I can take one.more.letdown. It just might put me over the edge.
I will grudgingly say that life looks as if it is beginning, only beginning to pick up a little.
There is much to think about and nothing to worry about. Perhaps if I chant that mantra enough it will become real to me.
Things seem to be taking a turn for the better, but I am so leery of letting my guard down. I am so uncertain of anything. My world has been shaken over and over, to its core and I am not allowing myself the luxury of becoming vulnerable...again. I don't know if I can take one.more.letdown. It just might put me over the edge.
I will grudgingly say that life looks as if it is beginning, only beginning to pick up a little.
There is much to think about and nothing to worry about. Perhaps if I chant that mantra enough it will become real to me.
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