Isn’t it amazing how one day can turn around the bad week you’ve been having? Today was that day for me! Well, let me back up. It actually started last night when my husband and I began reading & responding to the encouraging comments that were left by those who read my first and second blogs… And let me just say, THANK YOU!
As we sobbed our way through each comment, my heart was overwhelmed and overjoyed! We praised God for all the ways he allowed Gideon’s story to touch so many lives in just one day! We were up so late (1:30 am is late when you have kids) & I’m not sure what was so funny but I haven’t laughed with my husband like that in a long time. So let me say it again, THANK YOU & GOD BLESS YOU!!! We were so encouraged.
So today was great because I met some incredible people that I would never have known without Gideon’s diagnosis. First we went to the audiologist to get molds for Gideon’s hearing aides. And let me just tell you, if you ever need an audiologist, Dr. King is THE best! Her heart is bigger than Texas and she’s beautiful enough to be Mrs. Texas! She did Gideon’s molds and he was such a good patient. The coolest part about our visit with her is that she already knew who Gideon was because someone had sent her my blog post on Monday. Small world?? Maybe… God meant for that to happen? I think so.
The other person I spoke with (who also found me through my blog) was the President of the Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders (or GFPD). And here’s crazy part #1- Her son has the same genetic mutation as Gideon! And crazy part #2- Her son is 11 years old! After talking for quite sometime & looking at Gideon’s lab report and photos, she believes that Gideon’s disorder falls closer to the Neonatal ALD rather than Zellwegers. And would you like to hear even more good news?? Gideon qualifies for an experimental study in Omaha!
As I was driving home this evening, I was thinking about how great it was to have all these new people to support us & walk with us in our journey! It started by simply sharing our story, and from there new doors have opened up and new relationships are being built. There’s only one thing that troubles me…
I can’t help but wonder how many opportunities I’ve missed out on in the past, because I haven’t been willing to share my story. How many people did I miss helping because my focus was on myself? How many people needed to hear words of encouragement but I was just too busy? How many people were looking for forgiveness when all along I knew the Savior?
Is there a story you could be sharing? Is there someone you need to reach out to? Do you have some life experience & knowledge that others could benefit from? What’s holding you back? Fear of rejection? A past that haunts you?
Today is a great day to share your story. Today is great day to reach out to someone in need. Today is great day to forgive. Today is a great day to accept Jesus as your Savior.
Today is a great day because we choose to see the good in it.
The power of Prayer works wonders Sammy!!!! I am so happy these amazing people shed some light for you!! God works in mysterious ways …… Love u!!!
Psalm 97:11
God does work in mysterious ways! Love you too my friend!
That is great news Sam. The power of prayer is an amazing thing. God is good and will watch over Gideon!
Thanks Morgan! I agree!
It is true, every day is a joyous blessing!!
Agreed!! 🙂
Such encouraging news!
I know! I’m way excited!
Thank you. My prayers are with your family. You are an encouragement to others!
Thank you Leslie! We appreciate it so much!
Praise God!!! Ahh!! I’m so excited I can hardly contain it 🙂 Lilah just asked me why I was smiling & crying at the same time.
Your story, my sweet friend, has already had an impact on my family & in the way we (as parents & believers) are living out the Truth! Ceaselessly praying for your handsome guy. Love y’all!
Thank you Courtney!! I just love you guys!! You have a beautiful family and we really should get our girls together to play!! 🙂 We’ll tell Megan her and Hudson can come too! 🙂
Praising God with you for a great day! I wanted to let you know to please contact me when you find out your coming to Omaha, we live about 60 miles from there (LIncoln), my brother and some other family live up there. I would love to help in whatever way we can. If you end up bringing your little girl I’d love to help watch her.
Jacey, I too, live in Lincoln and am the mom with the 11 year old son, Sam, with the same disorder/mutations as Gideon. If you would like to learn more about the disorder or our community, please visit our website, http://www.thegfpd.org.
Ironically, it was the health technician at Sam’s old elementary school that shared Samantha’s blog with me. Small world. 🙂
Very small world!
Was it Sarah, cause I put the link on my facebook and said she knew you.
Thank you so much Jacey! I will definitely let you know. We talk with Dr. Rizzo tomorrow about when we’d need to come up! We’re excited about the possibilities!
Thank you for sharing your story, it has touched our lives in so many ways. We may not be experiencing the same tough path, but our paths have crossed to hear your message of faith and family love. I pray your family has peace through your journey and keep the faith. God Bless.
Thank you Rebecca. I know even in the hardest times, He’ll provide peace. I’m very glad our paths have crossed as well. 🙂 God bless you on your journey as well!
I came upon your blog through the GFPD. And I just love it! My son, Jack, just turned 1 years old ( last week), and he also has been diagnosed with PBD-ZW. Jack was diagnosed at 3 months old, and so far he is doing well. We certainly have our challenges, but he is such an amazingly strong little boy. Your faith in God and your attitude toward your son’s diagnosis simply inspires me. I also admire how open you are about your son’s diagnosis. You are one amazing lady 🙂 Your son is so lucky to have you.
If you ever need to talk or have any questions about anything, please feel free to message me and I can send you my number. Jack, although, not enrolled in the trial you mentioned in the blog, has been on the investigational drug that is being tested in PBD-ZW since May. So if you are considering this for your son I can certianly tell you more about our experience.
So happy I found your blog!
-Kelly
Kelly, Thank you so much for messaging me! I’m glad you found me as well!! These past few days of blogging have given me more encouragement and support than I ever could have imagined. Are we friends on Facebook yet?? (I’ve added quite a few people and I haven’t had time to visit profiles yet.) Please find me if not! I’d love to know more about your family and sweet Jack! God bless you guys!!
Samantha, I got chills reading your blog today. I am so happy you are getting help from many different people. God is so good. Thank you for telling your story. You are helping so many people.
Thanks Ellie. I’m extremely excited about all the people my story has reached. It’s opening up so many doors and it’s given me a whole new extended family. 🙂
I’m so touched by your story and so glad that you are sharing it. Your faith and trust in God is so genuine and beautiful. Putting it in God’s hands is truly the only answer. I will be praying for Gideon and your family everyday because I believe that every prayer is answered.
Thank you June!! You’re prayers are appreciated so much!
So very happy to hear that so many wonderful things are falling in to place for your little man! “Rise and shine and give God the glory, glory!” This sing is going over and over in my head as I read about your great news this morning. Thanks for sharing your life with others. This is going to be an incredible journey…
Melissa, I love that song! My mom used to sing it to me every morning!! I’m going to have to start singing that one to my daughter (usually I sing “This is the day that the Lord has made”) I have no doubt that this journey will be incredible. The way God has used this blog to put me in peoples path has been encouraging and healing and good for my soul. It blesses me so to know little Gideon is touching lives. 🙂 Thanks again for taking time to message me!!
My heart just took a big leap when reading your blog. God is awesome and puts every person in our paths for a reason. Great news!!! I will be praying for you and, thinking of your family every step of the way through this journey. You are truly an amazing lady…Sam
Thanks Carolyn!! I just love you!!
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I am praying for you!!
Katy, Thanks for your continued prayers! We so appreciate it!
Praying, Praying, Praying for your family! Our God is an awesome God! Thanks for sharing your story with complete strangers like me. I have already shared it with many of my friends and we are all touched. We are all here for you along this journey!
Thank you so much Kelsey! It means a lot to know so many are praying us through. God bless you!!
This post warms my heart immensely. I am so happy that you have been able to find more strength, relationships, and opportunities for you all and Gideon. Having two children myself, this story makes me love your family as my own because as a parent I get it. My boys have changed my life and how I see things now. If I could help and save every child from harm, pain, or sadness I would do it in a heartbeat. They are innocent beings looking to be loved and taught the ways of life. Thank you Sam for sharing this story. I still don’t know if I could have the strength as you do, but if I ever needed it I know where to go to for encouragement. God Bless.
Autumn, you’re so kind!! I appreciate your encouraging words so much. And you would have the strength to face anything because God provides it only when we need it. 🙂 thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I appreciate it!!
Bryan and I look forward to reading your blog every time you write. First of all, you are an amazing writer!!! You make us smile, laugh, cry and pray! Your posts bless our hearts more than you can even imagine. I said this before, but we are so very proud of you for sharing this beautiful story! God has, is and will continue to bless everyone that reads it, sweetheart. We love you and your beautiful family and go through this with you!…….Hebrews 13:5 – “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Thank you Lisa!! Your kind words means so much!! I didn’t expect many people to even read these. It has blessed my heart and has been an encouragement to my soul. Thanks for walking in this with us. We love you guys!