Baby Pictures

There has been some debate as to who Phoebe Elizabeth resembles. Any ideas?

Hannah Grace

From TruThseeker

Benjamin Martin

From TruThseeker

Phoebe Elizabeth

From Phoebe Elizabeth

Well, one thing is for certain, there is some resemblance between these two:

From TruThseeker

Both have cool glasses! Phoebe reminds me of the fly. She would definitely be my daughter; but that is another story.

De Ja Vu

We recently had a new birth in our family. Phoebe Elizabeth was born on February 13, 2009. Being 20 days early, we were concerned about a variety of complications. Monday's doctor's appointment seemed promising. Her weight was down but she was figuring out how to nurse. Wednesday's appointment resulted in a a slightly different ending. Phoebe's jaundice level was at 24. The high range is between 20 and 30. In extreme cases, high jaundice levels can lead to brain damage, but Phoebe's condition was caught in plenty of time. However, she was dehydrated so the nurses had problems inserting the IV. Consequently, they had to insert the IV in her scalp. It kind of looks like a tierra from this angle. She is quite the trooper! Normally, when bilirubin levels are as high as Phoebe's, lethargy is prominent. However, my daughter was quite vocal when poked and prodded. In fact, when I first came into her room, one woman was holding down one hand while another man was holding her legs! I was excited to see such spirit in my young one! Of course, that could mean that she is going to be a very spirited and angry young lady. However, I would rather try to steer a running horse than try to motivate a dead one.
While the IV in the scalp looks horrible, it really is not that bad. The nurse simply added a lot of tape to ensure my little fighter would not pull it out. Phoebe barely made a peep when the nurse stuck her.

Our family is no stranger to the NICU. Benjamin's first two weeks of life were spent with wires and tubes and fluorescent lights. You can relive his progress on one of my first blogs. It was actually encouraging to reread that blog, thinking of all of the work the Lord has done in our family. Ben was fighting for his life that first weekend. Christ Jesus was gracious to give him more than simply those first two weeks. I still remember the first time Bek was able to hold and feed him. Now my little sword-fighting, car-loving man is three and a half! What a gift from God! Hannah had a much easier beginning and is just as much of a blessing! I have enjoyed rehashing some of the memories via the plethora of pictures we have stored.

Finally Finished!

While I was at the 09SR, my wife called to tell me something important. She said that something had arrived in the mail. To my excitement it was the fruition of close to sixteen years of work. Now you might be thinking that sixteen years of study would produce a doctorate. However, such is not the case! While I had originally planned to finish my civil engineering degree in about five years, The Lord had other plans! After driving me to my knees with a mist of undisciplined poverty, He demonstrated my total lack of understanding. Education, ironically, played an instrumental role helping me recognize my need for Jesus Christ! To make a long story short, one enlistment, a family, and two children later, The Lord God has blessed me with a Bachelor's of Science in Business with an emphasis in Management and Leadership! As you can see, this is no normal B.S. My B.S. has emphasis! After finishing the sixteen year plan, it should emphasize something. As I take dominion over the specific area of responsibility The Lord has given, it is comforting to know He will use this B.S. for His glory!

Regardless of the degree, we are all just beggars seeking grace. My personal trek through academia has served to explicitly illustrate this truth. All of the supposed wisdom of man can do nothing to change the heart. God alone can make the spiritually dead alive! He does so for the glory of His Name! May His Name be praised forever!

New Birth

I realize it has been a while since I have blogged. During the end of December, I was preoccupied with a snow storm that hit Western Washington. January = Snow Retreat, so my focus was on the Lord's work at the 09SR. While the first part of February was supposed to have me focusing my attention on a wedding, the Lord had other plans! Namely, God decided that it was time for Phoebe Elizabeth Wentling to bless our family (and hopefully others) with presence!

Here is Phoebe and daddy in x-ray vision:



Here is a pencil sketched version of Phoebe and dad:

I think you can really see the resemblance here!

Finally, in case you have not seen my wife's facebook page, here is Phoebe and daddy in their first photobooth picture together:


We cannot thank The King enough for graciously giving us another beautiful girl! May His Name be praised for His glorious gift!