The Sparkes family: May 2013

The Men's Convention on 4th May (International Stars Wars Day: "May the fourth be with you") was an excellent event with great teaching and a really good opportunity to see other men from around the area.

May 5th was the beginning of Cri du Chat (CdC) Awareness week.

The more we learn about Poppy and other children with CdC the more we discover that each child is unique and is affected in a variety of ways. We appreciate the support that we have been given from other families that we have met via the CDCSUK Facebook group.

A very relieved Daddy!

At about 2am on Monday 6th May Amy was woken by Poppy (who is now sleeping in her own room). Poppy was struggling to breathe, was pale, unresponsive and quite floppy. We decided to call an Ambulance.

Amy collected the pre packed hospital bags while I tried to stimulate Poppy back to her normal self.

The Ambulance arrived earlier than usual so I ran down the stairs to let the Paramedics in. To my surprise, the Paramedic at the door was our friend Mark from Church.

My first comment was: "If I'd known it was you I wouldn't have bothered getting changed!"

It was such a relief to see, not only the Ambulance arrive, but to see a friend.

Sound asleep after a busy night!

Amy tells me that Mark was very diligent in ensuring they arrived at Alder Hey promptly!!!

The Doctor that saw Poppy was also a friend of ours - Darren, who just happened to be a locum in A&E that night.

Amy and Poppy were sent to ward C2 (our usual ward!!!) and were warmly welcomed by all the staff.

Darren even popped in to see Poppy at the end of his shift... he told Amy how his consultant had commented about how impressed she was with the way that Amy was coping and the example that she was in dealing with a child like Poppy.

Poppy at Keziah's party.

We continue to pray that Poppy would bring us, and others, more and more opportunities to demonstrate how God helps us in our daily life (Matthew 5:14-16).

Our busiest week this month had 5 medical appointments two birthday celebrations as well as our regular commitments!

Poppy is holding her head up well.

We had our first CAF (Common Assessment Framework) meeting. This is a meeting with all of the medical professionals/agencies that are involved in Poppy's care. When asked, at this meeting, if we had any questions, our response was simple. "THANK YOU". We continue to be amazed at the support and provision that Poppy is given by the NHS. We also thank God for situating us in Liverpool, near to Alder Hey, in Halewood, with our Church family and in the North West close to Amy's family.

One of the Sunny days this month!

We had a post-op appointment with Poppy's ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) consultant, our next appointment is in 6 months!

Poppy had her first Physiotherapy session. Poppy impressed her Physio with her ability to hold her head up generally be cute!! Poppy's target for her next session is to be able to roll over!

Poppy has also been assigned a 'Play Specialist' who helps her to reach the next milestone (probably identified by the Physio) by showing us activities or toys to use to encourage her development.

A family lunch in Grandma and Grandad's garden.

I celebrated my 34th Birthday on the 9th May (I finally caught up with Amy!). The morning was spent in College and we shared a meal with a few friends in the evening followed by a meal out for the 4 of us on the Saturday.

Harry's school celebrated the 50th anniversary of it's 'new' building. Each class came in fancy dress depending upon the decade they had been allocated. It was amazing to see how, in my life time, trends have come, gone and come back again! Harry dressed up as Tygra from Thunder Cats (80's costume)! There is a new series from Thunder Cats currently on TV!

Sydney, Jodi and myself have been reading the book of 1 Thessalonians every day of this month.

As we have read through various books in the New Testament (mostly written by Paul) I have noticed that several of the books (Or 'letters' from Paul to a Church that he has been a part of) has a list somewhere in it.

The list in 1 Thessalonians is from Chapter 5:14-22:

"And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,

encourage the faint-hearted,

help the weak,

be patient with them all.

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil,

but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

 Rejoice always,

pray without ceasing,

give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Do not quench the Spirit.

Do not despise prophecies,

but test everything;

hold fast what is good.

Abstain from every form of evil.

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

Brothers, pray for us.

Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."

My favourite two verses are 17 and 24.

5:17 Pray without ceasing

5:24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

What does June have in store?

On the 1st June we celebrate with Family and Friends as both of my parents turn Sixty. Dad was 60 on the 21st May and Mum will be 60 on 5th June.

Amy returns to work on Tuesday 4th June.

We will be attending the Cri du Chat Support group family weekend in Chester on the 21st June. We look forward to meeting and chatting to other parents who have children with CdC syndrome.

Harry returns to school on the 10th June.

I have to make my module choices for next year's Oak Hill foundation degree course by the 10th June.

30th June my Uncle is doing a Cycle ride to raise money for the Cri du Chat Syndrome support group. Take a look at his JUST GIVING page for more details. 

Prayer Requests

Friends: Please pray for baby Hunter (a new born baby to our friends James and Beccy and their 2 year old daughter Willow). He has been in hospital with suspected Meningitis.

Please also pray for Susan, our friend, who has recently been diagnosed with Breast Cancer and will begin Chemotherapy in June.

Pray also for Carl, Chrissie, Sam and Joe. Carl and Chrissie begin a new ministry and vision in Eastbourne. Read about it here: Sovereign Missional Movement.

Amy: All the physical, emotional and mental preparation for returning to work and leaving Poppy for the first time.
Thank God that Amy has been and continues to be an amazing wife and mother. Pray that she will be able to manage the addition of returning to work and that I will be able to relieve the pressure as best I can.

Harry: Coping with Amy returning to work. Grandma coming to look after him and Poppy (the first time he will have to share Grandma with Poppy in this context!)
Returning to school on the 10th after a two week break (With the additional pressure of Amy needing to be out of the house to get to work each Tue, Wed and Thurs!)
Thank God for his development, for the way his is growing into being a good big brother, for his awareness of the Bible and spiritual things and for his safety.

Poppy: Thank God for her growth and lack of emergency trips to the hospital (Since the last trip!).
Pray for our management of her MANY appointments throughout the week (at hospitals, medical centres and at home). We will now have 3 days to fit in all the appointments that we used to fit into 5!

Jamie: Spiritual strength to be a godly husband and Dad. Discipline to read and pray each morning (for my own relationship with Jesus rather than just for Uni or Church studying).
Wisdom to choose the right modules for next year. (See next point!)
Wisdom to make a decision regarding the training/studying that I will do next year. (Continue with Oak Hill or start something else?)

[This decision is based upon a shift in my thinking and understanding about myself, my spiritual gifts and the direction that God may want me to go. It also takes into account our life circumstances and the level of commitment that my current degree course demands.]

Self discipline to complete the 6 assignments and 1 exam between 4th June and 27th June.

Please pray for the whole family as we go through another change in circumstances and adapt/adjust to Amy returning to work. Especially in the light of this month being my busiest and most demanding time at Uni.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 & 24 Pray without ceasing. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.