Today Tess & I had Sebastian, Jasper, Sela & Carys Dedicated at Union Church. In preparation for this event many people asked, “What’s a Dedication?” Here’s one answer: Baptism, in the purest sense of the definition, should be an individual's choice. But not everyone agrees with this definition. For several hundred years, various mainstream variations of The Church have been conflicted over Baptism. Therefore, a "Dedication" is giving thanks to God for the children, the parents promising to raise the children according to Christian principles and beliefs, and asking God to cover the children in His grace, love and protection until such time that the children are able to chose Christianity on their own and then at that time be Baptized.
Dedication: Christian warranty obtained in lieu of Baptism for infants and young children. Good for approximately fifteen years. Regular servicing recommended otherwise warranty may be void by God.
We held the Dedication at the 11 AM service, and it truly was a very, very special time. Here are some of the highlights:
We invited many friends from Hong Kong. As a result, fifty-six people attended from outside the Union Church family. The sanctuary was packed and ushers were laying down extra chairs.
Yours truly started with a twelve minute Testimony (Testimony can be found below). Pastor David Marriott introduced me in the context of the triplets being born premature, and how the Union Church family prayed for the triplets.
I gave the Testimony at the 9:30 service, too. At 9:25 roughly thirty guests arrived from all over the world. Apparently a former Union Church pastor was leading a Christian tour group into China, and had Union Church as one of the stops on the itinerary.
Despite being an accomplished public speaker who has spoken to a total of 30,000 people in my career, I have never been as nervous as I was prior to the first Testimony. I was absolutely twisted inside out and had to go to Pastor May Tsui for prayer to calm myself down minutes prior to walking up the aisle. Many thanks also to Dale for praying with me before each service.
At the 11 AM service I was not nervous. I was in awe. The sanctuary was completely full and busting at the seams. I sat at the back of the sanctuary with Jesus in my mind's eye. Instead I had a strange feeling akin to, “This is it, the aisle is like a runway and I am about to take-off in a jet.”
“Yes, it is,” God replied, “Or to change your life metaphor from military analogies to other more peaceful analogies, you’re about to set sail on a brand new course. Walking down the aisle will be a fresh breeze in your sails, my friend. But either analogy will do. The important thing is – you’re walking down that aisle.”
“I’m going public now,” I thought.
“Yes, you are… and it is good,” God replied.
As you will read below, I spoke about Sebastian towards the end of the Testimony. When Sebastian heard me talking about him, he turned to Tess and said, “Mummy, yes, I do that!” Tess asked if Sebastian wanted to be with me at the front of the Church. He replied with a yes and ran up the aisle for the last minute of my talk.
Upon my finishing the Testimony, Pastor Marriott invited the family to the front of the Church. The triplets ran towards me and the congregation broke into applause.
During the Dedication the kids stared back at the congregation, recognizing many faces. Throughout the ceremony, Jasper, Sela and Carys called out various kids’ and people’s names… “Margot… Mila… Lita… Annie… Max…!” It was very sweet.
We arranged for Starbucks coffee and tons of munchies for the social hour afterwards. The service ended at 12:05 and we finally left the Church around 1:15.
Tess & I had a wonderful time and reportedly everyone else did, too… I have invited them to leave comments below so hopefully you can read for yourselves! To those that attended, thank you for making this a very special day. Thank you also to those who were unable to be there but were praying in their absence.
~
The Testimony
Testimony given by Charles Caldwell at Union Church on Sunday, June 11, 2006 in honour of the Dedication of children Sebastian, Jasper, Sela & Carys.
Good morning. I’d like to start what I have to say today with a piece of scripture and a prayer for you. The scripture is from 2 Corinthians 5:17 and reads as follows: “If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” And now, a prayer for you…
“Heavenly Father, I hold up the congregation today, covering them in prayer. Some visit here every week, some occasionally, and some are here for the dedication of our children. Lord, Tess & I thank you and them for their friendship and support. I pray that their minds, ears and hearts will listen anew to the messages in today’s service… that your Holy Spirit will gently come upon each person, that none will be afraid of your light touch – whether affirming or wooing. I ask that after leaving here today, old things will have passed away, and new things will come to be for each individual. I ask this in Your Name. Amen.”
If I were to describe my walk with Christ, I would use the analogy of breakfast. Imagine in your mind’s eye the aroma of brewed coffee, squeezed orange juice and a Hong Kong favourite, Eggs Benedict, made with fresh farm eggs and Canadian back bacon. Pretend for a moment that the breakfast represents a relationship with Christ and let’s look at the parties involved with such a breakfast… the hen and the pig. The hen, contributing the eggs, is what we call “involved.” But the pig… the pig is committed. The point is, for most of my life, I’ve only been contributing eggs to Christ’s breakfast.
Meanwhile, I have a lifelong secret that I’ve kept closely guarded from the world. For most of my life, I’ve sensed a strong calling from God. The earliest, most distinct recollection of that calling came while at university in 1982. During a confusing and troubling period at school, I was hit with a powerful, supernatural experience that could only have been God. (And by the way, it wasn't Pub Night!) In the days and months that followed that moment, I rationalized and reduced the event into an inconsequential incident. God’s supernatural touch went silent in my life.
I have often heard that “Jesus comes to us in ways we can receive and experience him.” What does that mean? It means that God woos us in ways that we can hear, see and anticipate Him. But we also need to remove our filters and be willing to look. Stop for a moment and ask yourself, “Is God wooing me?” Is He wooing you through gorgeous sunsets, small miracles such as surprise parking spaces, the unexpected kindness of a best friend when you need it the most… or maybe even in the most unusual of places… the music of a rock star like Bono – a publicly declared Christian and the lead singer for U2.
Looking back, I have so many examples of God’s extraordinary, twenty year courtship it would take hours to describe. But I fought and ignored Him in every possible way. I used to arrogantly say, “Someday, Lord, I might answer your call but right now, the jury’s out.” Then in June 2002 while Tess & Sebastian were in Canada, I came to Union Church on my own volition, as opposed to coming because I wanted to be the good husband who accompanied Tess. Standing in the back of this very church, while singing “Breathe on Me Breath of God,” the Holy Spirit came upon Charles to lightly test the waters. This time instead of fighting or resisting His presence, I chose to let Him in and bask in His grace.
A month late, my mother suddenly became very ill. As the illness progressed I prayed, “If it is not your will, Lord, to take my mother then I ask that you heal her immediately and quickly. If it is your will to take my mother, I accept that, but I ask that you take her quickly so that she suffers little.” Jesus wooed me by answering my prayer and my mother passed away within days. There was probably little suffering. Obviously my personal preference was for my Mother to live, but I should add that my loving memories of being with my family in the week after my Mother’s passing are very, very special indeed. Despite such a clear and distinct communication from God, I continued to be a hen. I was still only involved.
Jesus not only puts miracles and grace in front of us, He also puts hurdles and lessons in our paths. We can either gracefully jump over the hurdles or be thrown over. Visualize that for a moment… getting thrown over a hurdle hurts. The point is that somewhere along the way, God said, “I think I need to give Charles a hurdle.”
That hurdle arrived on February 23, 2004, when our triplets were born 14 weeks premature. I don’t know how much you know about premature babies, but 26 weeks is just past what doctors call the “Border of Viability.” Each baby had a 60% chance of survival. Statistically one of them would die. Anecdotally, all of them could live. Born by emergency c-section, I was not allowed to be with Tess along with the other sixteen doctors and nurses in the OR.
Instead I stood in the hallway of QMH as I watched a team of four people hurriedly rush each baby to the NICU. The scene was dreamlike… with each baby weighing in around 1 KG or less, the doctors used their thumbs to perform CPR on the babies tiny little bodies while other nurses manually resuscitated with The Bag. For the next hour and forty five minutes I knew nothing. My mind went to work on all the terrible fantasies possible of whether they were alive or dead.
Tess’ mother, Maureen, shared in my terror, calling my mobile from Canada every ten minutes. Finally Maureen asked in frustration, “Charles is there anything new you can tell me?”
“No,” I replied in exasperation, “I don’t even know if they are alive.”
The next few minutes, after that phone call, were probably the lowest of my life. My being felt sucked dry and listless. I felt completely and totally alone. If one or more of the babies died I had no idea how Tess & I would cope. I was distraught. Eventually, best friends Dale & Steph arrived. I buried my head in Dale’s shoulder and wept.
In situations like this people often ask, “Where’s God? Lord, how could You let this happen? I am angry at you.” I never asked this question for two reasons. First, it's no secret that the triplets are IVF babies. We went into that IVF cycle praying for one baby, but if it was God’s will, we’d take three. People often joke, “Be careful what you pray for!” So true in our case and I could therefore never turn against God’s will, knowing we’d told Him we’d take three. (Plus, a side note, it’s biblically not prudent to knowingly turn against God’s will!)
The second reason, though, was probably the more important one for me. Instead of asking “Lord, how could You let this happen?” I asked, “Lord, what are you trying to teach me?” There was no immediate answer. But in the next few days as Tess and I created a web site for people to follow the triplets’ progress, the most remarkable miracles came to be. Out of what seemed like a tragedy and potential disaster, people all around the world were brought closer to Christ.
For example, in Bangalore, India a Hindi colleague of mine wrote me an e-mail describing how he visited the Infant Jesus Shrine to light a prayer candle for each one of the triplets, Tess, Sebastian and myself. While not a follower of Christ he prayed as if he were. I was so touched I wrote about him on our web site. Remarkably, another Bangalore colleague of mine – and a member of the oldest Christian Church in India – read the web site, was even more beset by the Hindi’s prayers and wrote me the following. “Every day I pass by this Infant Jesus Church on my way back and forth from home to office and haven’t stopped for once for the sake of the babies and this friend of yours, being a Hindi, has visited and prayed for your sake. I’ll pray God to forgive my sins today at that Church and light a Candle not just for the babies but for myself, too.”
Hardly three days old and the triplets were already an extraordinary witness to Christ.
Hebrews 12:1 reads, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
The intermingling of these gestures deeply swayed me. It became apparent to me… the emotional and psychological stress overflowing onto me, the threat of the triplets dying, was the disciplining hand of Christ that quickly turned to grace. When I asked “Lord, what are you trying to teach me?” He spiritually answered inside my heart, “You’re barely involved with Me, Charles, and certainly not committed. How do you plan to leap over this hurdle?” In scripture God answered with 1 Corinthians, Chapter 4:2 which reads, “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” I remember being alone at home that first night the triplets were born and begging Jesus, “Please don't let these babies die.” While I didn't know it at the time, God’s answer came in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in weakness.”
The three month and ten day NICU experience was beyond surreal… full of stress, terror and the unknown, God’s grace and sense of humour assured us that The Terrific Trio would survive. For example, one day Jasper, only six weeks old and still less than gestational age, jettisoned his soother out of his incubator like a baseball pro. The Lord said, “this is just the beginning… wait until he has the car keys.”
Around the same time Sela, had a rather explosive incident in the middle of a nappy change, decorating an extensive portion of her incubator’s interior. The nurses had to change her incubator. In the middle of the giggles I could not help but sense God saying, “My grace is sufficient for you.”
Then there was Carys… the tiniest and youngest of the three but don’t be fooled. Carys is full of will. At three weeks old Carys was infected with an illness called aspergillosis. This disease comes with a shocking mortality rate of 60 to 90% in premature infants. It’s usually diagnosed post mortem. Carys went on a short and lethal drug cocktail. If aspergillosis didn't kill her, the drugs might. Carys was so close to death, the doctors walked through the process of “pulling the plug” if that final moment came upon us. In those few days I cannot tell you how many people around the world prayed for Carys… hundreds… maybe thousands. During the NICU ordeal the web site had over 100,000 hits.
A few days later I walked into the NICU for my daily visit when a doctor reported, “Carys is improving.” The doctor and I discussed at length what medical treatment or medical circumstance brought about Carys sudden turn. As a doctor’s son my natural curiousity needed to be satisfied and I was sure my Dad would want to know, too. No sufficient answer could be provided. Finally the doctor looked at me and said, “To be honest, I’m not really able to clinically explain why Carys is getting better.” Once again I heard God say, “My power is made perfect in weakness.”
So far I have spoken about three children… there is a fourth, Sebastian… Saint Sebastian is the Patron Saint of Soldiers and since Seb is huge Buzz Lightyear fan we are reminded of that fact every single day! I recently wrote on my blog, “Who do our children see when they look at us? Do they see a cynical, busy person rushing around answering e-mails on the Blackberry? OR, do they see a calm, patient teacher... leader... or even Jesus? Similarly, who do we see when we look at our children? Do we see a naughty, cranky kid... OR do we see God's grace... innocence, love... or even Jesus?”
When I look at Sebastian I see a Child in the Light. During the NICU ordeal Sebastian waited with patient exhilaration. When the first baby came home Sebastian was so excited he could barely contain himself. When the second baby came home he was very, very happy. When the third baby came home he fell to the floor crying. “What? Another one?” To be honest, though, he missed his nap that day.
In reality Sebastian welcomed the Terrific Trio into his life with open arms. For example, while the babies napped, Sebastian, only 2.5 years old, would place small toys at the triplets feet for them to play with when they woke-up. Yes, there are many moments when Sebastian teaches me how to have a heart lead by God.
Today marks two years and a few days since the Terrific Trio came home from the hospital and since Sebastian’s divine juxtapositioning of toys. As a family we’ve covered much ground in that time. Looking back I can see how God held our hands as we leapt over the prematurity hurdle. Praise be to God, there are no known major health or developmental issues at present or on the horizon for Sebastian or the Terrific Trio. Today’s Dedication is symbolic of Tess & me thanking God for our four children and our desire that they lead a life graced by Jesus Christ’s love, peace and joy.
Normally, parents would have their children Dedicated at a much younger age. But quite frankly, the events of the last several years have been a little tiring. While we’re only getting to this now, we know Jesus forgives us.
As for me and my walk with God, Jesus continues to woo me as old things have passed away. I’m no longer fighting God. I have surrendered to His will and from here on in have chosen to be an obedient servant. I’m not perfect by any means but I can convey that if you were to venture near Christ’s table for Eggs Benedict… you won’t find me clucking nearby; no you’ll find me fully committed. God is now wooing me with new paths that I suspect will require considerable preparation. As the new things come, I hold out my hand to grasp His and say, “Okay, let’s go, Lord… how high this time?”
Thank you.
Alright you lurkers… if this blog entry touched you, please let me know in the comments and then pass it on! Thanks!
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Beautiful. Incredible. Just incredible. Thank you for sharing your testimony.
Posted by: Carip | June 16, 2006 at 12:48 AM
Thank you for this post. Your testimony is beautiful and is making me do some serious reflecting of my own relationship with God.
I've never commented before, but I wanted to say thank you - thank you for writing such a beautiful testimonial and thank you for sharing it with us.
Posted by: Christy | June 16, 2006 at 02:32 AM
I am once again in awe of what God has done in and through you and your family, Charles. Thank you for reminding us of all that took place and thank you so much for sharing your testimony. God bless you, Tess, Sebastian, Jasper, Sela and Carys.
Love, M xox
Posted by: Maureen aka Mo aka Grandmother aka Mozilla | June 16, 2006 at 02:40 AM
Beautiful blog Charles! It's hard to write when your eyes are brimming with tears.
Love Auntie Pammie xo
Posted by: Auntie Pammie | June 16, 2006 at 07:39 AM
wow!!! I so wish that we could have been there to clap and celebrate..if not for the
starbucks alone..... You don't know this, but one of the first times I met Tess we were chatting about life,love, God and the like..and she shared a little of your "egg" days..and how you weren't fully committed... and I committed right then and there to pray for YOU every day..to pray that God would show you his power, grace and love...that he would draw you closer to himself... God answered that prayer in the triplets birth..and inside I was thanking God for giving you such a powerful demonstration... God has taken you so far and all I can say is HOLD ON TIGHT...b/c the ride gets only better from here on out.. You and your family hold a very dear place in my heart... I count it an honour to call you friend..but most importantly I count a blessing and priviledge to call you brother!!! xo lyns
Posted by: lyns | June 16, 2006 at 08:04 AM
What a beautiful story. I came you to Tess's blog long after the Terrific Trio were out of the danger stage, so it really is amazing to see how terrifying it must have been for you all then and how happy and healthy they all are now.
Posted by: Leggy | June 16, 2006 at 10:55 AM
Charles, your words stun and awe me. I am amazed at the depth you have in your heart for a life with God. I have spent my time as a 'chicken' at the breakfast table but not even leaving eggs, I might leave a fether from time to time from an occassional ruffling. I'm not sure I can even say I have been involved. Never thought I'd say this...'wish I was a pig' ;)
I am happy for Tess to have a man in her life to share a faith walk with and envelope those children in the same walk. I congratulate you and Tess on your honesty and frankness with your blog. I hope that someday my husband and I will be able to share a similar path together, maybe if I chose to leave more eggs and meat products, he'll see a better example of what is in my own heart. Thankyou Charles for posting your testimony. What a very personal and private thing you have given those of us who stop in from time to time. I also congratulate you and Tess on the dedication on your children. A blessing to be sure of.
from Fiji, vinaka vakalevu. Kara
Posted by: Kara | June 16, 2006 at 12:03 PM
What a beautiful Testimony, I got goosebumps several times while reading. Definitely makes one think about their relationship with the Lord. I will definitely pass this on for others to read. (I am a lurker of your blog, and a friend of the wonderful Tess!)
Take Care
Posted by: Tonya | June 16, 2006 at 12:47 PM
Alistair and I thought the dedication was really wonderful, lovely, and as I was on ushering duties at the 9.30am service, I heard your testimony at both services (teared up the first time), and it was equally powerful both times. Although I thought you seemed more relaxed (!?) the second time. Sorry not to have been able to stay after the service - the kids were getting cranky.
Posted by: Sue-Ling | June 16, 2006 at 12:58 PM
Thank you for sharing this special day. The testimonies of both you and Tess continue to encourage me way across the world in Seattle. God is so good and I thank you for reminding me of that today. I will definitely be noodling over the "committed pig" analogy. Blessings to you and your family.
Posted by: Joyce | June 16, 2006 at 12:59 PM
I'm praying for blessings for all your children, and for you and Tess. (I was one of the many following the babies' story in 2004, and sending prayers for them and for you.) Sounds like it was a beautiful service, and inspirational in several ways. Thanks for sharing the story, the photos and your personal testimony.
May God guide you and support you as you respond to his call.
Posted by: SheilaC | June 16, 2006 at 02:23 PM
Wow! What a great time! It is one of the sad times that one can't be there to see and experience it first hand, but what a gift for you to share so clearly and eloquently.
Take good care of that brood and say hi to Tess.
I will charish our time together and look forward to hearing more of your story as God continues to lead you. I have been praying for the Hong Kong Emmaus community since my return and especially for your discernment of God's call on your life.
Posted by: Richard Whetsell | June 16, 2006 at 02:40 PM
You ROCK!! That was beautiful, Thanks for sharing with all of us.
Posted by: Laura | June 16, 2006 at 03:10 PM
Beautiful. Wish I could have been there.
xxxx
Posted by: tertia | June 16, 2006 at 07:10 PM
What a great testimony. we serve a powerful God, and I am so happy and blessed to be a part if His family. What a tremendous example of God's power & love!
Posted by: Amber | June 16, 2006 at 09:01 PM
Beautiful testimony. I have tears running down my face. And I love the picture of all of you. Reminds me of the song Blessed by Martina McBride. You are all truly blessed.
Posted by: Alison | June 16, 2006 at 10:50 PM
This touched me in ways I can't describe. How truly blessed you are, you all are and how blessed I am to know you. What an insightful journey - thank you for opening and sharing!!!
Posted by: Robyn Chew-Gibbs | June 17, 2006 at 12:31 AM
Got goosepimples just reading it. I love your passage about God wooing us in the voice we hear. I have felt that many times. The whisper on the back of my neck, the thought I can't let go. God working in our own ways.
T
Posted by: Tina | June 17, 2006 at 02:19 AM
Charles & Tess
The triplets are living proof of a miracle and it is wonderful that you are sharing the impact it had in your life with so many of us... and Sebastian wanting to share the moment with Charles was probably very reassuring for Charles and a beautiful image for us who were there.
Thank you for a beautiful ceremony and a great time
Odila & Joel
Posted by: Odila & Joel | June 17, 2006 at 09:22 AM
Charles - no surprise to me that your faith is expressed in this powerful way - it was clear that you were on your path years ago watching you lead seminars. Blessings to you and Tess and your wonderful, amazing, beautiful children. xoxox Carol
Posted by: Carol | June 17, 2006 at 10:35 AM
pleased to make your acquaintance. god's hand is certainly evident in all of your lives. he doesn't loosen his grip does he? i give thanks for the miraculous way in which he protected the lives of the children and has worked in each of you to draw him close as he glorifies himself.
Posted by: michelle | June 17, 2006 at 10:41 PM
Amazing. I've lurked upon you and Tess since the birth of the triplets, finding you threw Tertia.
Everytime I see pictures I'm in awe of how blessed you and Tess are. May GOd continue to look over and bless your precious trio and Sebastian too!
Posted by: Nicole | June 18, 2006 at 07:36 AM
Dear Charles,
Your testimony is amazing, so touching and so very real. Thank you so much for sharing. As a mother of 27weeker twins, I totally understand and comprehend the emotions around the Trio's birth and how the Grace of God was present during each step of the long NICU journey and beyond. Much blessings to you and congratulations on y the Dedication.
Love to you, Tess and the kids flying over from Argentina.
Sol
Posted by: Sol | June 18, 2006 at 10:01 AM
Charles,
That was amazing. Thank you for sharing! What a mighty God He is-- what miracles your children are, work of His hands.
Thanks again. I've been waiting to read this until I had the 'right' time, and tonight was so. Blessings!
Posted by: Katrina | June 19, 2006 at 07:59 AM
MC- What a beautiful testimony. I read with much interest (and a kindred spirit as a Christiam mom of preemie triplets). To God be the glory for the beautiful family you have!
Posted by: Jennifer | June 19, 2006 at 09:39 AM
Thank you for sharing Charles (and Tess!). God bless you all.
Posted by: AngelaM | June 19, 2006 at 09:46 AM
Charles,
Thanks for making your testimony public. I have forwarded it to several friends, and I believe it will move them in ways you did not even contemplate. May the Lord continue to use you, Tess and your children to glorify his name.
Love,
Amy
Posted by: Amy | June 19, 2006 at 10:00 AM
Thank you, Charles. I have followed your testimony since the trips were born, and I can hardly believe it has been two years. As a fellow believer, I encourage you to keep at it!!!
Blessings,
Molly
Posted by: mollyv | June 19, 2006 at 12:10 PM
That was absolutely beautiful. I've followed your family's story since right after the triplets got home, and I am awed by the miracle of their survival. God's grace is truly present in your life! Your testimony and account of their Dedication brought back all the emotions and hopes that I had at the baptisms of my own 3. Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Terri | June 20, 2006 at 08:12 PM
Hey! LMAO... hi hi hi hi!
Posted by: Susie | June 21, 2006 at 04:08 AM
I skimmed through this post the other day, but after your email to me, I went back and re-read the entire post. Wow, your testimonial was awesome. Maybe the calls have been here all along and I haven't been able to listen?
Posted by: Maggs | June 21, 2006 at 09:14 AM
Beautiful....simply beautiful :)
Posted by: Chelle | June 21, 2006 at 10:12 AM
Charles, powerful story! Thanks for sharing it with us...it's awesome the way God works with us.
Posted by: brian | June 21, 2006 at 10:13 AM
Charles, what an amazing, beautiful story.
Thank you for sharing it.
Posted by: sandi | June 21, 2006 at 10:36 AM
I was just reading your post again and looking through the lovely comments. I am shocked that I did not comment already!??! I have read this particular post three or four times already. Tess and you are both so gifted in your writing. I think I could be better at getting my point across if I had more time to devote to it. And an editor! I do ramble on!
You recently posted a comment on my blog and that made me wonder if I had recently made a comment on your's, which in turn caused you to read mine to remind yourself of who on earth I am! LOL You have so many readers and I don't think you have time to be a regular reader of mine.
Long story LONG, I wanted to know what I had said on your blog. Lo and behold, I did not say anything. At least not any time recently. Unless I am blind and missing a comment from me. I was so touched by the dedication post, I was sure I had said something. One of the kids must have distracted me or something.
LOVED IT! We got our two oldest dedicated at the same time. Then the two youngest at the same time. Very meaningful. We even had family travel pretty far to come and be part of it.
I can understand why your kids were older when you did it. How truly special. All six of you are stunningly gorgeous (not that looks matter, especially to God) and you all look so happy. I prayed and prayed two years ago. I checked the site many times a day and even cried a lot. I just pleaded with God to save those precious little babies and look how He has answered all of our prayers!!! And look what He did in your heart. How awesome and incredible is He?? Praise GOD!
Posted by: laura | June 21, 2006 at 12:55 PM
That is interesting, in light of my most recent post... Good to find you! Congratulations on the munchkins being dedicated. I do think that it is fantastic.
Posted by: JD's Rose | June 22, 2006 at 09:51 AM
And for the record, all the children are beautiful, but I think I just developed a soft spot for Carys.
Posted by: JD's Rose | June 22, 2006 at 10:11 AM
Thank you Charles. I lurk on your (& Tess') blog every now and then. You both give the world of blogging a breath of fresh air. Your words and tone convey the love you have for your children and for Christ.
Many thanks,
Melody in Texas, USA
Posted by: Melody | June 22, 2006 at 11:42 AM
An astounding testimony to your walk in faith, the power of God to work miracles, the will of even the tiniest infants to live, and the courage of both you and Tess. It means more to a stranger on the other side of the world than you can ever know.
Posted by: Polly | June 22, 2006 at 12:56 PM
Good to have you back, Charles. Thanks for visiting my site again. I remember you from many months ago and glad to read the updates on my new friend in Hong Kong. Your testimony was powerful, vulnerable, and a beautiful testimony.
My greatest fear is wasting my life on ideas and pursuits that don't matter.
My greatest dream is to reveal the kingdom of God more than I obstruct it.
Posted by: Melissa | June 23, 2006 at 10:59 AM
Beautiful photographs and amazing story!
Posted by: Kestrel | June 24, 2006 at 08:08 AM
Well written & amazing story! Your wife and children are beautiful. This is the first time I've heard of a "dedication."
Hello from Michele's! (I meant to come earlier, but I had to eat supper).
Posted by: bobealia | June 24, 2006 at 08:32 AM
Good stuff on the blog Rocket man!
Posted by: Nick | June 25, 2006 at 08:12 AM
Thank you for your good sharing. We can see prevenience grace in your family. God is so good and so good and so good. Words cannot expressed such blessings. May these blessings flow throw your lives to your
children. It surely also the blessing for me.
Posted by: Moses Leung | June 25, 2006 at 06:11 PM
amazing
im speechless
a lurker from ky
Posted by: dawn in ky | June 26, 2006 at 09:01 AM
Charles - I find it amazing in this world how two parents can look so calm and so beautiful as the two of you do in the pictures in the church! You both look so happy with what you have together!!!
Your testimony is inspiring and made me teary!!! Your children are beautiful!!!! Enjoy the incredible life you have!!!
Posted by: Susan | June 27, 2006 at 09:09 AM
You know, I am having the worst day but reading this reminds me of the absolute glory of God. Thank you!
Posted by: Jen | June 29, 2006 at 12:39 AM
whoever said that Gods miracles are not present today, has never been a parent.
What a beautiful reminder of what a gift life is and how God is in control. No matter what.
I too have had a preemie (my first) and a sick child (my third) who I almost lost so..
this post touched me.
What a beautiful celebration their dedications must have been.
~blessings!~
Melissa
Posted by: miss_lissa | July 03, 2006 at 01:41 PM
I popped over here for the first time today from Tertia's blog. Wanted to say that your testimony was wonderful - so heartfelt and honest. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Andrea | July 08, 2006 at 05:35 AM
Charles:
I am touched, and weepy at work. You've given me a nudge. I have not been involved at all - and I am definitely not who I want to be, the person I want my children to see. Thank you.
Posted by: Tracy | July 13, 2006 at 11:00 PM
absolutely beautiful, charles! God radiates throughout this post...and your family!
Posted by: mandie | August 22, 2006 at 08:12 AM
looking back through the comments, i see that last june i posted. i still haven't heard the calling and i wish i would becuase i could really use some guidance. i wish i knew what i'm supposed to do.
Posted by: Maggs | April 05, 2007 at 11:07 AM
I like the way you think. I also love the way that you included the way that God spoke to you: Although an intensely private thing, everyone needs to know that Jesus is alive, and that we can all be in relationship with Him. Awesome, to use an unfortunately hackneyed word.
Posted by: Scott | June 05, 2008 at 03:32 AM
Do you desire a house but you lack enough cash to acquire it?
Posted by: RamonGustav | September 02, 2010 at 06:53 PM
You write well will be waiting for your new publications.
Posted by: JOBS_frend | December 27, 2010 at 10:46 PM