New Room... No Attachments!

Big Ryder has moved on from 4a to 3b. You should be confused by this. What it means is that he has moved from the most intensive room to a room that is one level less of intensity. From here there are two rooms to go; room 2 and then to room 1. Not only has he graduated to the next room, he also travels with less baggage. As you know Ryder has a feeding tube to provide him milk. Up until this point he has also had IV's that delivered fats and calories from separate tubes. This means he had two additional lines running into one IV. Not any more! As anxious as he was to leave the womb he has been anxious to free himself from the bonds of latex. He now receives all of his nourishment through his feeding tube. We are so excited to see our Big Man progress. The remaining tube may seem sad, but its only because he is still supposed to be getting his food through an umbilical cord (The little guy doesn't know how to swallow yet!). So, he'll have to wait to shuck that last tube (A mans gotta have goals.)
All of these are very big steps in growth. Ryder is learning to sustain himself. Little does he know though, his very body is being held together by our great and wonderful Lord, Jesus Christ. Colossians 1: 17 says, "in Him all things hold together." Since we know that it is Jesus carrying him through this stage of life, we give Him all praise and honor. Because of this Beth Anne and I have committed ourselves to making sure that we spend our lives helping Ryder to know this same truth. Please pray that we continue to rest in the sweetness of Colossians 1:17. Also, pray that our dear Lord be glorified in Ryder's growth, his health, his life, and someday his knowledge of Him. We love you all and are so grateful for your prayers.