From Death to Life

It has been exactly one year from when I had surgery to remove the tumors that had regrown on my spine. Many things could have happened from that time, the most serious of which would have been death. Now one year later, Meredith and I have a new life in our family. At 3:10 AM on Tuesday morning, November 6th, Mattox Aaron McCaleb was born into the world, weighing 9 lbs 8 ounces and measuring twenty-two inches long. God has truly shown us that nothing is impossible, even when you are told that you probably will not be able to have children. Now we have a precious little boy who is a true testimony of God’s grace, strength, and touch. Words cannot express how Meredith and I feel right now, to know that the Author of Life has woven together this little boy, as a blessing to our family, and as a light for this world.

Regarding my wife Meredith, she is completely unbelievable! I had the utmost respect for her prior to this, but she completely surpassed any strength I have seen so far in my life. Her labor lasted around thirty-six hours, and she was pushing for nearly 3. Because she had a mild case of gestational diabetes, she had to be induced (gestational diabetes is probably why this boy was so big!). She is awesome and is such a great mother! The Lord truly is her strength!

Now for our boy, well we love him so much. He is truly precious, and has such a wonderful demeanor. Just looking at him makes us see how God truly has designed each one of us, to even the most minute detail. How wonderful it is to know that when a baby is born, he or she has everything already made even right down to their tiny fingernails and eyelashes. I know I am going to have to sleep more, but I love holding him.

God has turned what some see as a tragedy and has blessed us with this most precious gift of life. How similar this is to all our lives. As owners of sin (we are all born with it), we deserve death, both physically (which we all achieve someday) and spiritually. But God so loved us that he sent his one and only Son, that whosoever believes on Him, should not perish (spiritually) but have eternal life. If you seek Him, you will find Him. May you seek Him first.

Meeting Mom and Dad

Enjoying the Ride

Relaxing with Dad

It's About Time

This is simply amazing that I haven't given an update in almost a lifetime, so here goes. Right now I am 6 months out of radiation treatment. What am I on the all-too-familiar one-to-ten pain scale? Well, I ride pretty consistently around a 3 or 4. I am not in favor of taking pain meds because I have taken them for a while. However, the pain that I feel, seems to be strictly some nerve damage, probably some due to both surgeries, and the rest to radiation. The best part is that I believe the pain is slowly dissipating. I have been working out a lot and doing large amounts of physical therapy; and for the first time in a year I have been running. Last Friday I actually ran a mile! Praise God!

As for the Navy, I am currently in a somewhat medical limbo period before I can be cleared to return to submarines. All of this PT is aiding in improving my physical strength and reducing the nerve pain, both of which I would like to have occur prior to returning to duty. Both my neurosurgeon and oncologist today have recommended that I be allowed to return to full duty, so that is a huge step in obtaining a medical waiver from the Navy. I recently missed what would have been my last patrol (deployment), so if I were to obtain a waiver, I would have a strong chance of rolling into shore duty (don't go to sea for 2 years). Still, everything is up in the air, I could be disqualified for submarine duty, whereas we would probably transfer to another community in the Navy, or I could resume my professional soccer career at the ripe age of almost 27, with two spinal laminectimies and one ACL replacement under my belt. It could happen. Or maybe go back to school or do something else.

I believe that God does things for very specific reasons and at even more specific times. Of course, this is not a new idea because it is painted all throughout the Bible, and probably visible in your own life, but this whole bout with cancer and having to receive radiation treatment, which originally could have made me sterile, inspired my wife Meredith and I to face some tough issues--primarily trying to have children (we have always wanted them, but of course, not right now). Well let me tell you, it must have been time. Because come November, we will be having a little boy around! We are so excited for this awesome gift! It is even more exciting to think that what could have done serious damage to me and my family, God used to build our family. Why should we ever doubt? He knows the plans He has for us, to prosper and not to harm us, and to give us a hope and a future...and we will seek Him and find Him when we seek Him with all of our hearts. And we will find Him. Jeremiah 29:11-14.

I hope that you can see His timing. It's totally perfect, it's when we truly need it. Take hold. Genesis 45