Asher Alan

This little guy.  This bundle of energy.  This crazy, wild, entertaining and full of zest little man.  This kid.  Gave us the scare of our lives this afternoon.  And if I don't write about it I'll forget the details.

I had just gotten done with my run about 3:00...Asher had woken up while I was running so when I came home he was sitting in the chair reading books with Michael.  I knew I had to run and get Jackson so I considered checking his forehead before I left but thought better of it because I figured if I interrupted their peaceful reading he might not let me leave.  So I walked out the door and headed to pick up J.  I pulled in the parking lot and was trying to download an app as I waited for Jackson...so I walked across the street to use Denning WiFi...meanwhile as I'm trying to download my phone rings and it's Michael, he says, "Where are you?"  I'm getting Jackson from school...I knew something wasn't right..."Asher is having a seizure"

What?  

Are you kidding me?  

"What should I do?"

Take him to the ER, I said.  Thats all I could think.  Meanwhile Michael was experiencing his own nightmare.  Asher began shaking shortly after I left...and when Michael looked down he realized what was going on.  He ran from one room to the next looking for me, thinking perhaps I hadn't left yet and then he called.  He loaded Asher and Addie into the car and drove, while holding Asher in his lap in the front seat (all the while he is seizing) to the ER.  I showed up at the ER right as he was carrying him in.  Michael didn't have much patience for the ER attendant who didn't sense the urgency which made me proud...and we got him back to the room and they calmed us down telling us it was most likely a febrile seizure.  I know these things happen, they are more common than you think.  But it doesn't erase the fear of what might be, or the unknowing of what was going on, or the reality of how much you love your child when you see them in pain or unresponsive.

I had the gumption to call my friend Erin on the way to the ER who had recently experienced a similar episode with her daughter.  It was a total Holy Spirit thing.  It calmed me and kept me from thinking worst case scenario.  I was prepared for what I was walking in to.  It was still scary though.  Seeing your little man hooked up and not responsive is something no parent should deal with-not my little man...

Needless to say he was back to himself this evening...he's doing fine. But wow are we counting our blessings.  I haven't blogged for so long.  And that is because life is moving pretty quickly.  But I'm okay with that.  It means we are taking more moments together-and we have been.  There are so many nights spent in the Havercamp home just playing, being, resting and enjoying this stage of life. There are plenty of chaotic moments too...but our hearts are at peace and I think it's because we are focusing on the right things.  Relationships, real presence and Jesus.  Only that could have gotten us through today-the prayers of so many around us and each other.

Whatever the case.  Each moment is a gift.  It isn't ours to begin with.  God has given every single second as a second to be enjoyed.  Are we wasting it?  (I know for me I waste it by scrolling aimlessly through social media-trying to change that :) ) or are we embracing it.  Today was a good  day to remind me to embrace it.  I gave a lot more hugs, I read a lot more books, I looked a lot more intently at these precious gifts.

A friend sent us this passage in an Advent letter.  I love it.  And I love this little child, Asher Alan  because he so lives into the meaning of his name (happy/blessed) and gives our lives such richness.  

1 Corinthians 13

A Christmas Version

Sharon JaynesCelebrating a Christ Centered Christmas
used with permission of 
Moody Publishers 

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, 

strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, 

but do not show love to my family,

 I’m just another decorator. 

If I slave away in the kitchen, 

baking dozens of Christmas cookies, 

preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, 

but do not show love to my family, 

I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, 

carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, 

but do not show love to my family, 

it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, 

attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata 

but do not focus on Christ, 

I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. 

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. 

Love is kind, 

though harried and tired.

 Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, 

but is thankful they are there to be in the way. 

Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return

 but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, 

believes all things, 

hopes all things, 

endures all things. 

Love never fails. 

Video games will break, 

pearl necklaces will be lost, 

golf clubs will rust, 

but giving the gift of love will endure.