I Took the Plunge...

Tonight I made chocolate fudge using my mom's homemade recipe. If anyone is not familiar with my mom's fudge, she makes the best fudge in the world! Okay, so maybe I'm a little bias, but seriously, her fudge is absolutely wonderful!! I have never actually used her recipe before. I have helped her with it in the past, but today was the first time that I tried it on my own. I wasn't quite sure what to expect. You know how it is...two people can utilize the same exact recipe but somehow, one of the two people comes out with a better tasting dish. Steve and I just sampled a piece and surprisingly, it was actually really good (if I do say so myself)! After it's completely refrigerated, we'll see how it really is!

Well, the Vote is in...

Tonight after our church service, there was a special business meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to vote on whether or not Steve should become the church's new full time Associate Pastor of Youth and Families. He was ordained just last week (see the post below).
At the close of the evening service, Steve and I were escorted outside to wait while the members voted. After some time had passed we were called back in to stand before the congregation. The Pastor announced that Steve had been 'overwhelmingly voted in'. We were so excited and felt so blessed! So, as of January 1, 2007, Steve will officially be the full time Associate Pastor of Youth and Families at our church.

Steve is Officially a 'Reverend'

His ordination went really well! Steve had to show up at 4 p.m. on Sunday to meet with the ordination council. They asked him his testimony and a series of doctrinal questions to make sure that his beliefs were in line with the church's. The council dismissed him after the questioning was complete, met and prayed together, then called Steve back in to tell him that he passed with flying colors!
The service was very nice. Our pastor and the director of SBC churches for our county both gave really wonderful sermons that were directed right at Steve. At the end of the service, Steve and I were presented before the church and Steve was given his license and certificate of ordination. The church also gave Steve a brand new Bible with his name inscribed on it, 'Rev. Steven Hurst'.
After the service, a special fellowship was given in Steve's honor. It was all so wonderful! Our Pastor from our church in Michigan and his wife, along with my parents were all here to witness the event. It was truly a special night for Steve and me both!

Update on Cael's Dr. Appointment

Well, it was very aggravating. We drove all the way to Orlando for Cael's appointment, very early in the morning, only to find out that after December 31st, this particular doctor will probably not be accepting our insurance. We decided to see the doctor for a consultation anyway, seeing as how our insurance would pay for it that day and since we had driven almost an hour to get there. Also, we were hoping that maybe the dr. might be able to get Cael in before the end of the year.
The doctor said that Cael's hypospadias is not the most mild case that he's ever seen but that it certainly was not the most severe. That was a big relief! He explained how they do the surgery and answered all of our questions. However, the doctor also told us that he can't get to the surgery for at least two months. After doing some of our own research, we found out that this doctor (and his partners) are the only doctors in our area that specialize in the type of pediatric surgery that Cael needs.
Thankfully, that doctor was nice enough to call us the next day and give us two names of pediatric urologist surgeons in FL, however, both are quite a distance from us. We have to call those doctors and find out if they accept our insurance. Please pray that at least one of them does, otherwise, I'm not quite sure what we will do.

Happy Birthday to Cael!

Well, one year and a couple of hours ago today, Cael popped his head out into this world for the very first time. It's so hard to believe that he is one already! Well, the day was not a very eventful one. Wednesday's are always such crazy days for us, getting everything all ready and together for youth group and all. Tomorrow we are celebrating by going to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas at Disney World. We have never been to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas, but have heard that it is really spectacular. I'm excited to see it!
Tomorrow morning though, very early, Cael has a doctor appointment. He was born with hypospadias (http://www.duj.com/hypospadias.html)
and has to have surgery. Tomorrow we just meet with the doctor, we will schedule his surgery from there. Please be in prayer for Cael and for us, as I'm a little nervous about him 'going under the knife'.