Practicing and Praying

Our six-month follow-up with Dr. Stefanelli is this Friday, the 11th. Beyond the typical worries about Luke's heart health comes an additional worry this time: Will Luke cooperate during this long appointment? His doctor anxiety has sky-rocketed the past couple of months due to, I'm sure, three flu shots in two months. At his dietitian's appointment last month, you would have thought he was getting a tooth pulled — without Novocaine! — rather than getting weighed and measured.

In anticipation of Luke's anxiety during the appointment, Rog and I rigged up some supplies to play "EKG" and "Echo" with his stuffed friends. As you can see, Luke loves to put stickers (post-it notes) and EKG wire clips (clothes pins) on all his friends to check their heart rhythm.

"Hold still, Elmo," Luke instructs.


We also have an empty roll-on deodorant bottle that we use to perform echocardiograms on Luke's friends. We are hoping and praying that this doctor play will help him feel more comfortable when it's his turn!

We are also praying for another good report from Dr. S., that Luke's heart will be strong and healthy. Will you pray the same with us? Thank you!

I love that praying for Luke's physical heart so naturally leads to praying for his spiritual heart. Last night in the car, Luke and I were listening to the Selah Christmas CD. Song number six is titled "Joy" and it is by far Luke's favorite. In what I thought was a tender moment, I told Luke how I pray that he has the joy of the Lord in his heart his entire life; that he is constantly overwhelmed with how much God loves him. I think I said a few other things and when I was done I hear this from the backseat: "Mama? Where's Costco?"

My devout boy. I think he totally got my message.