Milestones

Sunday, July 19 was Maxim's seventh birthday, his first as a United States citizen. It was so much fun anticipating it with him, although I'm sure everything will make much more sense next year.

He often told people he was meeting for the first time "Maxim seven soon". For weeks, he was looking forward to the "rainbow cake" Brina said she would make for him. He knew there would be gifts and the happy birthday song he had heard sung to other children from time to time.

The big day arrived. Brina got up extra early, a really big deal for her, especially on a weekend, and started making the cake. She used a basic white cake recipe but divided the batter and tinted each portion a different color. Then she put them back together, barely blending them at all, and baked two layers. Next came the frosting, just cream cheese frosting tinted yellow. I had completely forgotten about candles but Brina spied some in the kitchen cupboard.

While the finishing touches of multi-colored sprinkles were put on the cake and plates and forks set out, Maxim stayed with Daniel at the computer watching games.

Finally everything was set and we brought Maxim to the table to see his cake, with the candles lit. He blew every one out after about five tries and we all enjoyed Brina's handiwork together. She really does make delicious desserts.

Afterward, Maxim enjoyed opening his gifts. All of the teens had picked out different things for him. Brina found a starfish made out of something that expands when set in water, so Maxim will enjoy watching that grow. Cyan found him a set of beach toys that are all Thomas the Tank Engine themed. Joel purchased a Mr. Potato Head set that is Bumble Spud, inspired by the Transformers. G'mo and Bubeleh (my parents) sent a Harry the Dirty Dog book, several classic stories on DVD, and a generous monetary gift. Grandpa and Grandma bought Maxim a little yellow toy Porsche ( he loves any yellow car), a yellow truck, a really nice toy boat, and also gave a generous gift for his bank account. Thanks to each of you for your thoughtfulness. It really was a nice day for Maxim. He especially enjoyed playing with his boat in the tub and watching the stories on DVD while sitting in his Elmo armchair which shakes and giggles.

An interesting twist to the day was that it also included a memorial service for a man named Roy Avery. There were such wonderful testimonies from various family and friends of what a truly unique loving and loved man he was. Hard-working, steadfast in faith, compassionate, unswerving, helpful, faithful. Qualities I hope to see in both Joel and Maxim as they become men.

God spoke to me during that service. During the instrumental music presentations, He spoke to me over and over, "she is healed" and I knew He was referring to my daughter Cyan, who has cerebral palsy. Then during the next set of music, I was prompted not to doubt, not to wonder what someone would say if I told them out loud Cyan is healed. Just say thank you to the Father and I will see the fruits of His promise. Say thank you for what He has already told me is true and then I will see the evidence. And have the courage to not only believe what He told me but proclaim it to others and ask them to thank God for healing Cyan.

During the remainder of the service I heard some speak of how Roy Avery was not the kind of person to back down on what he knew to be true. The thought that others might think him crazy for what he believed and proclaimed did not stop him from walking out what he believed and wearing his faith big and bold on his shirt-sleeve. It all came together as a witness to me to not shy away from saying out loud what God just shared with me. So after we got home, I asked Daniel if we could have a family meeting and I told them what happened.


I believe Cyan is healed and I will thank the Father for it. I hope others will too. Sometimes, we have to just take Him at His word, believe it and the evidence comes later. I'm hanging on to that. This is not a cop-out but I just want to say that I accept what I heard from God yesterday, without doubt. Promises have been proclaimed to His people many times that they had to wait to witness fully. Christ was proclaimed King and fit everything that had been prophesied about Him, yet He didn't fit the "mold" that others had in mind for the Messiah. Many things had to materialize for people to believe and many still don't.

Like one of those inexpensive little children's drawing sets where you tell the child to color everything in but the marker does not appear to be accomplishing anything. As a parent you insist that the child trust and keep coloring every space. Then you set it out in the sun, and only later after that exposure to the sun do all the colors appear. The picture really is complete. God walks with us as we keep coloring and from time to time He says okay now stand back and watch this. That's where I feel we're at with Cyan. We have been coloring and coloring and now, exposed to the Son, we're going to see the picture. The catch is we have to thank Him constantly before we even see the picture, not just when it's actually unveiled. I know this is very wordy and maybe sounds like complete gobbledy gook to some. That's okay. Just thank God for what He has already done. Thank Him for what He is doing right now. Thank Him for what He will do. Know that healing is available through Christ (Yeshua). He is able. For Cyan. For Maxim. For all who are in need of healing. For you.

Happy Birthday to You, Maxim. You are blessed and a blessing.