Welcome! Nuestra Casa Es Su Casa ...Our house is your house

A glimpse into the life of Daniel and Jaynee Lockwood and their 12 precious blessings. Thank you for visiting; we pray that what we share here may always bring glory to our wonderful God and Saviour. May you praise the Lord with us for the great things He has done and continues to do as we serve Him sharing the gospel here in the little town of Cuidad Insurgentes, BCS Mexico. He alone is good and faithful!

Friday, June 26, 2009

Update on Little Samuel...and new family picture :)



Little Samuel is still in the hospital, but has slowly been improving. Yesterday, Daniel called and said Samuel was being fussy but wasn't hungry and didn't seem to be in pain; it suddenly occurred to Daniel that maybe he was bored (he had felt so sick the past several days that all he wanted to do was lay down and sleep). So Daniel sat him up in his Bumbo seat and he stopped fussing, gave 3 big smiles (awwwww....I'm so sad I missed them :) ), and then sat there and looked around for over an hour. His lungs are sounding better and his appetite is gradually improving as well.
We still don't know when he'll be able to come home, but it just makes us so happy to see him doing better. Thank you so much for praying and for the comments and verses you shared with us. What a blessing you have been to us during this time!

When Samuel went into the hospital for 8 days at the beginning of this month, Daniel and I went back and forth taking turns caring for him. Daniel would stay with him overnight until around lunch time and then I would stay with him from then until late at night when Daniel would come back. I would get home around 10 or 11 pm and then begin on the housework and laundry. In the morning, I'd make breakfast, get the children up and ready, do a little bit of school with them and try to prepare something for lunch and/or supper for the family before I'd head back.

This time, after much thought and prayer, Daniel thought it would be best if he stayed at the hospital with Samuel most of the time and I stayed at home with the rest of the children. At first, I did not like that idea at all, but Daniel often has this annoying habit of being right :), and he asked me to just try it and that of course, I could come into town anytime if I really wanted to.
So that's what we did this week. And while I did miss my baby terribly, the Lord gave us all a good week. Samuel was so sick for most of the week that he just slept. Daniel brought his typewriter, Bible, books and paper and studied and worked on his sermons for this week. I was able to homeschool, care for and play with the other children and take care of the home. Everyone got some much needed rest too.
Wednesday afternoon, I got to stay with Samuel (yea! :) )for several hours while Daniel and the other children prepared for and held Wednesday night service at church. He gave me a big smile, let me feed him, and then slept in my arms until the nurses made me put him back under his oxygen hood. I brought him his favorite stuffed animals, extra blankets, books, toys, and Bible lullaby music. The nurses all said how cute his room looked and how good it was that I was making him feel like he was at home. I told them that I wonder if maybe Samuel thinks the hospital is his home as he's spent the majority of his life there. :)
I'll get to stay with him most of the weekend too. Saturday Daniel has soul-winning, teaches guitar class, has a meeting with the youth, as well as all the preparation for Sunday services; and then on Sunday he'll have services all day.
A pastor once told us that the magnitude of a trial is proportionate to the blessing that is to follow. We are so thankful that the Lord never gives us more than we can bear and is so good to freely give us the grace and strength we need as we go to Him. How we desire Him to be able to use us more fully!
Daniel has his cell phone and calls me throughout the day to give me updates on Samuel or just to chat (how I miss my hubby too! I love it when he calls!). How blessed I have been to hear over and over again the opportunities he has had to share the gospel with the nurses and other patients/their family members there.
Wednesday was my 36th birthday. Daniel said we'd celebrate as soon as Samuel gets to come home, and while I know he and the children want to give me a gift and have a cake, I told him that I just feel so very blessed already and had a truly good day.
Timothy and Benjamin made breakfast, the children were so sweet and gave me little treats from the store and made me many pictures and notes; my morning was filled with laughing and singing with my 11 here at home and then I got to cuddle with Samuel all afternoon. And in the evening, the nurse said she would watch Samuel for a bit so Daniel could take the children and I for supper...a really special treat...Chinese food! :)
Do you like the new family picture and blog header? We had that taken right before we headed back to Mexico. I look at the line up of precious little (and not so little anymore) ones and I either smile or cry...happy tears of course...tears that come from a heart that says "Why me?". Not a "why me" of regret but one of feeling so very undeservedly blessed!
Oh the Lord is so good! How loving, forgiving, and faithful He is! What a wonderful God!

42 comments:

  1. Jaynee,
    Good to hear that little Samuel is improving. You are a very blessed family. The new photographs are just beautiful.
    Glad you had a good birthday.
    Love,
    Janice Gordon
    Wilton, NH

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  2. I absolutely LOVE the new picture. It is just beautiful. I pray for Samuel all throughout the day and for each of you as you balance your tremendous workload.
    Many more prayers coming your way and many many more blessings to be sure.

    Portia

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  3. I love your new picture...and am thrilled to hear of Samuel's improvements. I am still praying...

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  4. Jaynee, thank you so much for taking time out of your very busy schedule to post an update! I'm so thankful and pleased that Samuel is doing better, and will continue to pray for him. What a beautiful family picture! Thanks for sharing it.

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  5. So glad to here an update. I am happy that things are improving. Happy belated birthday. The header is wonderful. I love it.
    You are all in our prayers.
    Blessings,
    Dawn

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  6. so glad he seems to be on the road to recovery. I am sure like you and Daniel the other children will be so happy to have their brother back home with them.

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  7. Absolutely beautiful family picture!!!I love the hillside there, reminds of the hillsides that Jesus likely taught from. So thankful Samuel is improving and on the up swing!! He does give grace for each situation and trial and I know as you and I both look back sometimes in the midst it might not feel like it but it is flowing from His throne. What a blessing your family is Jaynee. You and i are both blessed with husbands that love us like Christ loves the church, sacrificially!

    Cindy

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  8. Thanks for the update. Praying he comes home soon.
    I love the pictures..they came out so nice. Love the header one..really cool.
    Happy belated birthday!

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  9. OH Jaynee!

    How wonderful it is to hear a good report! I have been praying for you and Samuel often.

    You certainly are a blessed woman and those pictures... oh, my goodness! If women in this world had half a brain they'd all be envious of you! How good God is to you! Even in the trials how tenderly he cares for you and then turns around and blesses you amazingly again!

    I love you so much! Thanks for updating!

    Kim

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  10. What GREAT pictures!! Nehemiah (is that him holding your hand?) especially made me smile, looking at the picture in your header. He seems like such a happy little boy!!

    I am so glad to hear that Samuel is showing improvement, and equally glad to hear that you sound so much more rested now.

    Thank you for taking the time to let us all know how everyone is doing! Happy HAPPY belated birthday!!

    Grace,
    The Wilsons in VA

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  11. Dear Jaynee,

    I wanted to let you know that we have been praying for little Samuel and your family. I'm so glad to hear that he is improving.

    I love your new family picture! It brought tears to my eyes. :-)

    May the Lord richly bless you and bring you through this time of trial.

    Love in Christ,
    Jennifer
    (Mother to 1/2 dozen so far :-))

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  12. Oh I'm so glad to hear the great news that Samuel is getting better and the rest of you are fine. The pictures were a nice bonus too!!! I love the header and it brought tears to my eyes!

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  13. I LOVE the new blog header! That is my favorite of the 3 new pics.

    I'm so glad you are getting some rest, Jaynee. I have been praying specifically for that, and of course, for baby Samuel, too.

    Much love,
    Connie

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  14. Dear Lockwoods,
    Praise the Lord! My heart is overflowing with joy for you all. Both because Samuel is doing better and for your hope and joy in the Lord. He speaks volumes through your lives. Thank you for sharing with us so humbly and always giving the glory to our Savior.
    Love the pics of your family! Your faces radiate the fruits of the Spirit. Such great smiles.
    Jaynee, you so frequently encourage me to love my family and the Lord more - thank you. Even though I'm older by more than a decade, I still want to be like you when I "grow up!"
    Blessings to you all,
    Susan in Ohio

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  15. I've read your blog for a LONG time, but I don't believe I have ever posted.

    Your family is so inspirational! Thank you for continuing to share your story with all of us.

    I'll continue to keep you in my prayers ... especially these days when I'm on school vacation and my boyfriend is deployed! Not much else to do except pray! :)

    Hope everyone ends up healthy and at home very soon!

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  16. I love the family pics. They look wonderfeul. So glad to hear that Samuel is improving. What a trial you all have had in the past several months. How great God is! We continue to pray - and love the updates.

    Blessings,
    ~Martie

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  17. ...one more comment....

    :)you've got to update your profile in the sidebar!:):)

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  18. WOW Jaynee! The blog looks GREAT! (: I was so surprised when I pulled it up. Profile updated and everything! The pictures are beautiful... the header makes me *smile.* (:

    I hope you're getting some more sleep these days. It sounds like Mr. Samuel T. is improving. YAY!!!!

    Miss you all a ton!

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  19. Happy Birthday Jaynee! I am glad to hear that Samuel is doing better and will pray for his continued healing.

    I just LOVE your new photos, and I would love to know where you had them taken, who took them, and how you managed such wonderful matching outfits!

    Love from Canada (but born in Mexico in a missionary family)

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  20. Natalia,
    We had the pictures taken in Redding, CA (our "hometown" where we went for Samuel's birth). They were taken by a very talented and sweet Christian lady named Betsy Walton.
    Since there are so many of us :), I always try to find coordinating colors for everyone to wear when we are going to have a family picture taken. That way the faces stand out more than the clothing.
    We just mixed and matched what we had with some things that had been given to us. A family friend of ours made the girls dresses. :)

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  21. So happy things are looking up:) GREAT pictures of you and your family. I pray someday I will be blessed with more and more children...... He is so good.
    Jessica

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  22. Thanks for the update - we were wondering how little Samuel was getting on! So glad to hear some good news - hope he continues to recover, and you can all be back home together very soon. Love the new pictures, by the way! With love X

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  23. Thank you for the update. I've thought and prayed for all of you often.
    I love the new photos! So cute.

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  24. OH yah! I"ve been checking everyday to see how Samuel was doing!! So glad to hear that he is improving! Praise God!!
    I LOVE the new family pictures~ you are so blessed!
    May you have another blessed week from the Lord!

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  25. The pictures are gorgeous!! Kids grow so fast - I know you'll enjoy looking at these in the years to come. I'm very impressed how ALL are looking in the same direction AND smiling!!! Quite the accomplishment. What obedient, happy children you have.

    Bendiciones desde Bolivia,
    Jennifer

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  26. I love the new header,it is so beautiul to see the whole family!!

    It is wonderful to hear Samuel is doing better. God is so good and he has been hearing all our prayers.

    Psalms 3:3
    But, Lord you are my shield,
    my wonderful God who gives me courage

    NCV

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  27. I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.

    ~ Psalm 40:1, NLT

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  28. Good news all around! And I love the pictures. Thank you for reminding me to count my blessings.

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  29. Jaynee,

    The pictures look awesome. I'm so glad you've been able to update the blog a little. I am definitely keeping Samuel in my prayers. Have a wonderful day. (1-2-3 Olivia.) Childhood memories. :)

    Love, Julee

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  30. The pictures are beautiful!! Glad Samuel is improving, we will continue to pray.
    The Brown Family

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  31. I'm so happy to hear he is doing better!

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  32. I love the new header picture - it's wonderful!

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  33. Love love love the pic. The faces of your children always bless my heart. They always look so happy, peaceful, and blessed. I am always amazed when parents of 'larger' families can not only have everyone wearing matching clothes in a family pic but also get almost all of them to cooperate. Not an easy feat! Beautiful pics of a beautiful family. So glad little Samuel is doing better. What a gentle and loving spirit you are. An excellent example of our risen savior. Thanks for sharin your life with the blog world.
    Malissa

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  34. BEAUTIFUL photo and family! You are such a sweet family and an inspiration. So glad Samuel is better.

    Jamie R.

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  35. Jaynee,
    So glad to know that Samuel is doing better. Thank you for posting an update. And the pictures are fabulous! What a beautiful family.

    We'll keep praying!

    Jennifer in TX

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  36. Good morning from Wisconsin!
    We have read your blog for a while (just not commented)...we are praying for Samuel, Daddy & Momma & the rest of your sweet gifts! I am commentimg today to let you know that we are blessed by your family & that we are grateful that your spirit is a thankful one in the midst of whatever God sends...not many can have this testimony! We are sure there are times...that are very hard...please may it encourage you to know that ya'll ARE an encouragement to others!
    We have more girls than boys and of all things my hubby said "oh what sweet dresses those are" I see where you answered they were a gift made!Smile! We pray that you are all back home soon!
    Blessings,
    Momma of 8

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  37. I, too, very much enjoyed looking at your new pictures. They are beautiful! What happy, sweet little faces. What a beautiful testimony for the Lord! It struck me funny that you look like you have a big job with all those little ones, and I don't think of my family as being like that. I realize my oldest has a few years on yours, but still. Aren't you glad they come one at a time and we have time to adjust to each one in between? It all works out fine.

    So glad to hear Samuel is improving and I pray he continues to do so. I have been praying for your family around the clock as I wake in the night with the baby and all throughout the day.

    By the way, I, too, am the wife of a wise man with the annoying habit of always being right. ;) In spite of the temporary annoyance, it gives me security and peace, and I love that. Praise God for good husbands!

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  38. Yay! Thank the Lord for the good news! He is good!
    Teresa

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  39. I love the new family photo!! Your children are adorable. Praise God that He is helping Samuel to get well, and for giving Daniel wisdom to sort out your family's schedule. Summer

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  40. Love the new header and the family pixs (i know from reading hte rest of hte blog that little samuel came home) what a blessing .. enjoy!!!

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  41. So glad that Samuel is home! And your pictures are wonderful - it's another miracle that all of the children are smiling and looking at the camera (I find the second part much harder than the first with my four).

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