buckle up

Trenton is a child down the hall who is 8yrs old. We have come to know him as he and Jada will cart their I.V. units behind them down the halls gaining strength (not so much speed) each day. Trenton has a failing liver and just two days ago was rushed into emergency surgery for an exploded gal bladder. Each night his mother and father take shifts staying in the hospital as they have two other children, one of them is Trenton's twin. They are going on 4 weeks and little improvement has happened.

Here is what Jess and I know as are result of what we have experienced so far: unexpected tragedy is unrelenting and exhausting...just ask Trenton. We are only one week and a day into our experience of it and I can say with utter certainty that 18-20 hours of sleep over 8 days is not sufficient for anyone.

But clearly God has used this to show us something and have the building of our faith bless others - but before that happens He must still teach us some very important lessons. The lesson that Jess and I have learned (as if there were only one) so far is this: we are not the only ones going through something difficult, it just feels like it.

Trenton was walking to the end of the hall to meet me, he introduced himself and talked of his pain as though it was commonplace. Immediately my elder sister (Sheri Nafziger) taught me a wonderful lesson... "Its not about you Doug." For when Trenton walked up to me I was still wiping tears from my eyes and thinking of how I needed sleep to cope. My sister, standing next to me immediately put her hand on his head asked him his name and a few details. He obliged and instantly Sheri put her arm around him and said, "do you mind if I pray for you?" "Sure...GO ahead." was the response and she did. In those brief seconds I realized, others have it far worse, and beyond that some folks don't even have the hope of Jesus Christ living in them.

Trial without Christ can equate to a number of different adjectives. Among them are: bitterness, frustration, faithlessness, anger, fear, anxiety, loss of control, etc. Imagine facing a great trial without Christian community to support you and really point your often self-centered mind to Christ. It would be devastating! Jess and my hope is in Christ, not in medicine, or St. Jude's (while we are unbelievably thankful for any and all help we have received). Ultimately it is Jesus who heals and even percentages or statistics bow to that authority.

Oh, by the way, the Lord has seen fit to restore enough health to Jada that she will be sleeping in her own bed on Saturday January the 8th...that is tomorrow! Less than a week after MAJOR surgery she is literally a walking testimony of the grace and mercy of our loving Father.

While we still do not have pathology (the test results which will tells us the next step), the Dr. feels confident that Jada's recovery from surgery can and should happen at home. We are scheduled to return to St. Jude Clinic on Monday to meet with the Dr. and possibly get the pathology. Continue to pray...

New Jammies and a Power Walk

Days are long and painful, but good. Jessica and I are continually searching for things to be thankful for in the midst of this ordeal. They are not hard to find.

Here's one: slowly the staff are getting Jada to be sitting up. That was yesterday. Then this morning at 4:45 they began the task of prepping her for her epidural to be taken out (thus getting rid of numbness and severe pain control). They extracted the epidural and the catheter at the same time. Jada immediately said she had to go to the restroom.

The nurses came, put a bedpan at the end of the bed and scooted Jada to the edge - pointing to the bedpan, they said, "ready to go potty?" Jada took one look at it and said, "I'm not going in that! I want the big potty!" AMAZING - and really how Good has God been during this time?

That said, Jada finished her trip by returning to her bed, walking gingerly and complaining of stomach pain. The nurse told her we were going to continue walking out of the room to the nurse's station. Jada flatly refused, even with tears, and stated emphatically, "my outfit is ugly" (she was in yellow hospital scrubs). The nurse asked if she had new Jammies if she'd take a walk. Jada agreed.

Two hours later, Jammies arrived (thank you Rachel Rumbold and Sonya Hillrich). Jada promptly emptied her bladder and walked to the nurse's station (pictured above). So, moral? Buy Jada Jammies and she'll walk with you. Or maybe its something a little deeper...

Psalm 34:4 says, "I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears."
Jada literally grabbed my hand and said, "Daddy, I am scared, my belly hurts and I cannot walk." I whispered in her ear, "Jada, Jesus is your strength (the constant refrain from all who whisper in to her sweet ear)." SHE WALKED! What faithfulness our creator has in his heart for those who seek him.

What's worth imitating?

Just a night or two ago I had asked my daughter (Jada - 5yrs) to prepare for bedtime. I was beginning to get a little frustrated with her for not being instantaneously obedient (as nearly every 5yr old is, right?) and when I rounded the corner to show my urgency to her, this is what awaited me. It evoked a thought in me which shall take a moment to unravel, but bear with me as there is a great lesson in it for all us.

First, an explanation of the picture - these are polly pockets, a miniature doll which one can dress up and play with for hours: currently this would be my daughter's vice. What, you may ask do these toys have to do with anything? I am glad you asked, they have everything to do with anything.

Paul, an apostle of the Lord Jesus, writes to a church who is struggling to know their identity or who to follow. He encourages them in this way: "...but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate" (2 Thess. 3:9). So, shortly and simply put - discipleship must be imitation. Paul tells the church, "hey look, I have not got it perfect, but imitate me and that will lead you to Jesus."

These polly pockets are imitating something. Jessica (my wife) often works out and Jada imitates her, putting on work out clothes and doing push ups etc. The other night she placed these dolls on the floor, in formation so that they could do push ups with mom.
I encourage you, if you are a parent, lean in to those moments where your child is imitating you. It may just lead them to Jesus.

I invite your comments, share a story or let everyone know what God has been teaching you on this idea of disciplemaking in the home.

Rumbold Wrap-Up

Celebrating the birth of Jesus is the beginning point to really appreciate His eventual sacrifice made for all. So, it is with a grateful heart that we offer you some of the joy God has blessed us with this year by giving you a snapshot of all the craziness that is "Rumbold" for the year 2008.

January began Jess and my fourth year of marriage. Since we promised to have four to five years of childless bliss maritally one need not study the picture above too hard to know that my Rumbold DNA betrayed our confession. Be that as it may, Jess and I are extremely happy to report that while we made our plans God determined our steps.

As Spring came and went Jess grew more round and uncomfortable every day forcing sleepless nights and much anticipation. Strangely, Jess still remained committed to her third love (God first, me second) Body Pump. This is Jessica's workout class at the gym where she continues to gain new friendships and impact those outside our family with the love of Jesus. July 9th arrived and with it so did our not-so-little bundle of joy Oliver Benjamin Rumbold: 9lbs 8oz. He arrived at a full 2lbs heavier than his sister - who could not have been more delighted...and remains so till this day. As the pictures CLEARLY indicate Ollie is not missing any feedings and with two mommies, he is quite well cared for. He already enjoys saying, "mum...mum..." and smiling incessantly whenever Jess is in eye shot - total Momma's boy.

Jada is growing, sometimes a little too fast for my comfort. She is completely immersed in dress-ups, being a surrogate mommy to anything or anyone who will have her, talking, make-up, nails, talking, signing her songs about God, talking, and pretty much talking. Her passion for communicating the love of God is amazing. Jess and I are stunned daily at her comprehension. A story will suffice here: As we ate lunch the other day she asks me if she can use her toy cell phone to call God and pray for our meal. I told her to go ahead. She presses two digits and I say, "honey, I think you need to dial a few more numbers." She responds, "silly dad, God is on speed dial." "Really?" I said. When finished I asked if she told Him goodbye. She quips, "dad, it is SOOOO silly for us to say goodbye to God, He is always here." We are in love with how God is shaping her.

In September we went on vacation to Oklahoma where Jada and Ollie got to experience the Zoo and other wonders of ranch life as we visited some friends. In October I (Doug) was able to go to Seattle for 8 days for an intense church planting seminar/training called Soma School. I learned a great deal about God's word that impacts me even now and will likely be a huge blessing to my ministry at Northfield Christian Fellowship (where I pastor). The picture here is Todd Morr and myself.


Jess and I continue to dream up ways of loving each other and growing in our appreciation for the gift of marriage. She really is a dynamic and amazing woman who runs the ins and outs of our home with incredible excellence. Our prayer is to grow together as a couple on mission for Jesus Christ.

One final note: I arrived home from church tonight and Jess recounted to me how she was explaining the plan of Salvation to Jada and the relationship God wants to have with us through Jesus. Jada asked Jess to say it slowly so she could pray each phrase and invite the Lord into her heart personally. Jess told me that as she finished praying Jada squealed with excitement...what a Christmas present - a daughter reconciled to the Lord because of Jesus. AMAZING!!!

Ready, Get Set, ... REST

To be sure there are many things my daughter has taught me over her short life of nearly two years. However, the most recent one continues to plague my spiritual mind, in a good way.

She had just risen from a nap when I went to her room to get her. As I picked her up out of the crib- she rested her head on my shoulder and wrapped her arms around my neck. Slightly moved and wanting to drink in the moment, I cradled her close. She kept pointing toward the light switch on the wall. I carried her over to it and she promptly shut it off. Then she asked, "down peeease" (translation: down please). I put her down, she closed the door, picked up her blanket, grabbed my hand and had us lie down on the floor. Anyone who knows my daughter knows that what happened next is a MONUMENTAL task for her: she laid down next to me (for about 10 minutes)- her face literally inches from mine. With one thumb in her mouth and the free hand rubbing the side of my face she kept chanting this phrase, "...daddy pretty, daddy pretty."


Sure, as a dad it is easy to just slow things down for a moment like that with your daughter - for they are few. The reason I continue to catch myself smiling is simply the lesson she taught me in 10 minutes which I have spent my life to this point trying to explain: Jesus just wants us to rest.

I get so burdened with all that needs doing. I am weary and heavy of heart. For that moment, however, Jada (my daughter) just wanted to rest in my arms. She wanted to know that nothing else could crowd her out of her daddy's embrace. How I long for that with my Savior...

Would that all could experience a moment of Jada crawling up into their arms to demonstrate their need for the same with Christ Jesus.