It's one o'clock in the morning, 3 days after my video has gone viral. I am overwhelmed with trying to chat with everyone and respond to messages and read comments and absorb all the love I am receiving. In the last 3 days, over 6 million people have watched me pour my heart out telling my family's story. I didn't know that it would receive such a response, but I do know that God is all over this!
When I was sitting at Vanderbilt Children's 14 months ago, I thought my life was over. Little did I know that it was only just the beginning. I was so wrapped up in my own problems that I couldn't see what God was unfolding. Now that it is unfolding, I am just sitting back and being in awe of everything. I don't think I've done anything special, and I am definitely not special. It is Christ in me that is so special. He is the one who gives me my joy, my happiness, my love, my peace. Without Christ, I'm positive that I would not have been able to handle everything I've been through this past year. I give all the credit and honor to God! He has sustained me for the last 2 years through the prgnancy, birth, and raising of Christian. How awesome is that God we serve that He has not only seen me through this, He has made us victoious!!
The video going viral has brought so much into my life! I doubt I can mention everything!
I have received messages from people telling me that if they are ever faced with the same decision as I was, they will choose life!!!!! God is using Christian to save people!
I have had people tell me that they felt sorry for themselves until they saw the video, and now they are thankful that their life was brought into prospective. God is using Christian to bring true joy to people and show them to throw off self pity!
I have had people tell me that Christian is beautiful. Last month I was worried about putting him a baby show. You better believe now that I will walk Christian out on that stage with the biggest smile on my face and be the proudest mama you've ever seen. God is using Christian to show what true beauty is!
I have met people like Christian! Who are amazing, and kind, and happy people! They give me hope that Christian will be just fine! God is using Christian to show people what perserverance looks like!
I have had national news media contact me for interviews, one station planning to follow me around next week to film a day in the life of me and Christian, we are on multiple online news outlets, and our video has been watched over 6 million times. God has shown me that if I will listen to Him, He will do exceedingly more than I could imagine! God is using Christian to spread His message across the entire world!
I could go on and on and on about all of the amazing things that have come out of this. But it's nearing 2am so I am going to make this one short. I just want everyone reading this to know, that I am so thankful for you all. "Thanks" just doesn't do justice to way I feel. Thanks is an inadequate word to describe my graditude. In fact, there really arn't any words that would be adequate.
So I guess I will just have to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart! And when Christian is older, and he hears about all the amazing people who have come into his life, I know he will be thankful too!
When I was sitting at Vanderbilt Children's 14 months ago, I thought my life was over. Little did I know that it was only just the beginning. I was so wrapped up in my own problems that I couldn't see what God was unfolding. Now that it is unfolding, I am just sitting back and being in awe of everything. I don't think I've done anything special, and I am definitely not special. It is Christ in me that is so special. He is the one who gives me my joy, my happiness, my love, my peace. Without Christ, I'm positive that I would not have been able to handle everything I've been through this past year. I give all the credit and honor to God! He has sustained me for the last 2 years through the prgnancy, birth, and raising of Christian. How awesome is that God we serve that He has not only seen me through this, He has made us victoious!!
The video going viral has brought so much into my life! I doubt I can mention everything!
I have received messages from people telling me that if they are ever faced with the same decision as I was, they will choose life!!!!! God is using Christian to save people!
I have had people tell me that they felt sorry for themselves until they saw the video, and now they are thankful that their life was brought into prospective. God is using Christian to bring true joy to people and show them to throw off self pity!
I have had people tell me that Christian is beautiful. Last month I was worried about putting him a baby show. You better believe now that I will walk Christian out on that stage with the biggest smile on my face and be the proudest mama you've ever seen. God is using Christian to show what true beauty is!
I have met people like Christian! Who are amazing, and kind, and happy people! They give me hope that Christian will be just fine! God is using Christian to show people what perserverance looks like!
I have had national news media contact me for interviews, one station planning to follow me around next week to film a day in the life of me and Christian, we are on multiple online news outlets, and our video has been watched over 6 million times. God has shown me that if I will listen to Him, He will do exceedingly more than I could imagine! God is using Christian to spread His message across the entire world!
I could go on and on and on about all of the amazing things that have come out of this. But it's nearing 2am so I am going to make this one short. I just want everyone reading this to know, that I am so thankful for you all. "Thanks" just doesn't do justice to way I feel. Thanks is an inadequate word to describe my graditude. In fact, there really arn't any words that would be adequate.
So I guess I will just have to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart! And when Christian is older, and he hears about all the amazing people who have come into his life, I know he will be thankful too!
Thank you for putting your story out there. It is crazy how, at times when we feel so alone, God shows himself in ways we least expect it. God bless you and your family!
ReplyDeleteIts funny looking back on your week how it turned out! You were having such a bad week and god turned it around big time Lacey. Your an amazing lady, that's why god chose to give Christian to you. Sleep well! Rachel x
ReplyDeleteGod works in mysterious ways! Your son Christian is as a torch in this dark world. I am feeling blessed and honored having met Christian in your video. To me it is an eye-opener seeing that God is in control. May God bless your family twice as much as He is blessing mine.
ReplyDeleteI have just watched your video and deeply touched. We don't know why God does certain things, but looking back it all makes sense - He has his plans and they are always perfect. He also knows your sons future, like he knows ours and I am sure it will be a beautiful future with God right beside him.
ReplyDeleteThankyou for being inspiring to others and bravely sharing your story.
In Gods Grace
The Lord sees our hearts and that is where He decides if we are beautiful or not, His standards are higher then the standards of the world and yet the world thinks they know best . It is great to see how you have put your faith in our savior. And if you have a bad day , just remember that God make Christian , he had him planned well before time began He knows every cell in his body and knows the number of hairs on his head and He looked at His creation of Christian and saw it was good.
ReplyDeleteI haven't met you but I know you and your husband are very strong people because the Lord NEVER puts more on our plate then what we can cope with.
Also you shouldn't be so surprised about the love you are receiving after all , we are your family in Christ.
God bless Sister of mine.
THANKS OF YOU..... YOU ARE THE BEST MOM..... THAT YOU KNOW..... I WISH THE BEST FOR YOUR FAMILY.... I VERY GLAD FOR YOU...... YOU ARE A STRONG AND EXEMPLARY MOMMY.... MANY KISSES OF LOVE FOR CHRISTIAN..... MUAAAAAAAACKKKKKKKKKIIIIIIIISSSSS CUTE BB....
ReplyDeleteWe should all be thanking you for letting us into you and your families lives!I can't imagine how hard it may be day to day, but hope you feel the love and know that you have MILLIONS of people who are here for you and your family!! You guys are changing the world and the way people think!! I know that we will be seeing SO MUCH more of Team Christian and excited to see that little man grow!!! :)
ReplyDeleteJeremiah 1:5 English Standard Version (ESV)
ReplyDelete5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
God has always had a plan for you Lacey!
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Thank you for putting your life out here like this. My kids have seen me looking at your pics and those of others that have tagged you in them, and I can not believe the loving responses that have come out of them. We have been able to use this as a learning tool, so that I can educate them. You are a true inspiration and I can't believe how my perspective on my family has changed. Given I am a true follower of God and know that I just have to put my faith in him and he knows the path for me, but these last few days have just brought me even closer to our lord! Thank you again and I can't wait to see all of what God has in store for you, your husband, and Christian!
ReplyDeleteI love that your giving Jesus all the praise, honor, and glory.. God is so amazing. My favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, Plans to give you a hope and a future.. If your having a bad day remember this verse.. It always helps me.. Your in my prayers.. Love you. Jennifer Carlton
ReplyDeleteGod chose you for Christians mama, because he saw the amazingly strong and patient person you could become. I believe that he only gives us as much as we can handle and no more. He knows our true strength, and it's up to us to find it within ourselves. Thank you for sharing you story, it has changed me and helped me strive to be a better person and a more patient mama for my 3 little angels.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAs you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Ecclesiastes 11:5
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story. Like yours, our lives were forever changed at Vanderbilt (9 months earlier). Christian is a gift from God...a child of God. He was created specially for your family. He is "Heaven's Very Special Child".
A meeting was held quite far from earth. It was time again for another birth. Said the angels to the Lord above--"This special child will need much love. His progress may be very slow, accomplishment he may not show. And he'll require extra care, from the folks he meets down there. He may not run or laugh or play, his thoughts may seem far away. So many times he will be labeled: 'Different, Helpless, and Disabled'. So, let's be careful where he's sent, we want his life to be content. Please, Lord, find the parents and siblings who, will do a special job for you. They will not realize right away, the leading role they are asked to play. But with this child sent from above, comes stronger faith and richer love. And soon they'll know the privilege given, in caring for their gift from heaven. Their precious charge, so meek and mild, is heaven's very special child."
author unknown
We've all seen for ourselves that Christian laughs and smiles. Look at all he's accomplished so far through God. He melts my heart.
You are a wonderful champion for your son and an inspiration to us all!!!!
ReplyDeleteWe'll be sharing your video tomorrow during our Mother's Day service at our Japanese church in Tokyo. What an inspiring story! My husband is translating the text into Japanese, so let us know if you need it. We'd love to send it to you!
ReplyDeleteYou and your beautiful baby boy are such an inspiration. Thank you so much for sharing your blog. You are amazing!!
ReplyDeleteYou don't need to say thank you! We should tell YOU thank you for sharing your blessing with us. I have thought about you all ever since I saw that video the other day. I am sure God has great plans for you all.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your perfect son...because he is wonderfully made!
Sarah
thislittlemiggy.com does special needs spotlights on fridays on her blog. so inspired by your youtube video and christian. i think you should email her about being featured. thank you for sharing your life with us.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to say, "Happy Mother's Day" to Super Mom of Super Christian! Your testimony will stay with me the rest of my days. God is truly doing a work through adorable Christian! He has already blessed so many through your son. Thank you so much for sharing your marvelous testimony with us! I, also, wanted you to know, that you, Christian, & your family are on my prayer list. Jesus has really put you all on my heart! Lord Willing, I plan to be praying for you all the rest of my days. May God bless you & Christian & hope you have the best Mother's Day ever!!! (Rooting for Christian in spirit for the baby show! Wish we all could be there!! :) In Christ's Love, Kristin ~Acts 2:38~
ReplyDeleteYou are like Ruth! A lady put here for such a time as this. At a time when life has become disposable, God through Christian shows us how precious it is. I haven't even met him, but he makes me laugh and smile too.
ReplyDeleteAll this publicity is its own kind of challenge. I pray He gives you an extra measure of His grace.
Your baby boy is beautiful, and I wish your family nothing but love and happiness in your lives.
ReplyDeleteYou truly are an inspiration.thank you for sharing your story and your sweet little boy with all of us!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! Beautiful! Inspirational!! The video you made touched my heart. I especially enjoyed seeing YOUR reactions to each card held up, as if you were reliving each moment again. Thank you for sharing your story. Christian is so very blessed to have come to your home, and you are so very blessed to have him, as well! Happy Mother's Day--from one mother to another.
ReplyDeleteYou are beautiful people! Happy Mother's Day! My youngest is Christian too, and I will remember your adorable boy every time I see mine. May God continue to bless you and give you peace and strength.
ReplyDeletePlease be careful. The media will lift up and tear down just as well. I will be praying for your family. God sped.
ReplyDeleteHappy mother's day. I just watched your video and am beyond touched. I have a son just a few months younger than Christian so I know your joys as a mother and can imagine the heartache. I wish the best for you and your son. Thank you for sharing your story and your son's smile with us. He is a beautiful little boy.
ReplyDeleteHappy mother's day to you Lacey - I really loved the video. I especially loved watching your face as you showed your emotions so clearly: joy, sadness, anger, delight and devotion. You have a mother's heart and may you be especially blessed this mother's day. Thank you for sharing your story and message. May we all learn to love more.
ReplyDeleteHi lacey. My name is Joanna. I'm 23 years old. We have a 5 month old son. He was born with a unilateral cleft lip and palate. Your story has touched my heart. He's also our first baby. We were concerned when we received the call back after our 6 month ultrasound. We knew going to see the doctor regardless of the news our son deserved a life and we wouldn't take that from him. After finding out I remember crying and saying how are people going to treat him. I knew though I had my husband and together we would get through it. We named him Luis after my husband. He was born on the 8th of December. He had to be recesitated due to miconium inhalation. He was sent to children's hospital and I only saw him a few minutes. Two days later I was discharged and we went and saw him. It was the best day of my life! He stayed in the nicu for a week. We needed to learn to feed him and finally he came home! He had his lip and nose repair last month. He's such a happy baby and full of life! He's our life. I wanted to share my story with you and thank you, Christian, and your husband for being an inspiration. Your truly an amazing family! I saw all the different emotions in your eyes and I couldn't help but to cry with you and smile with you. Your everything a mother should be! I truly believe god chooses for good reason and we are truly blessed. Id go through it a million times over to have the son I have today! Happy mothers day!
ReplyDeleteHi Lacy, What a great youtube video. I was very impressed. I thought it was nice to see how lovingly you spoke / wrote about Christian. It brought tears to my eyes. Happy Mother's Day. Greetings and love from Marjan, The Netherlands
ReplyDeleteLacey, Christian and family,
ReplyDeleteMy family and I watched your video last night. My five year old son asked me later, "Dad, why did God make a little boy with no eyes?". I took that time to explain to him that God makes everyone for a reason. Your family and Christian gives everyone the courage and bravery to those who have ever had to endure tough times and struggle through hard lessons in life. Your son is and will forever be a true inspiration for others. God looks down on you and your family each day with a big smile for the decision you made to keep Christian and let his light shine to help and inspire others. God bless you and yours and thank you to little Christian.
Oh yeah...I forgot to mention, Happy Mother's Day Lacey!
ReplyDeleteHappy Mother's Day! What an amazing gift you have given us all with this video. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThankyou for sharing your story. As a Mom of three healthy kids its hard for me to put myself in my place, but I remember when I was pregnant with my daughter going in for a pregnancy test and being asked REPEATEDLY to abort my daughter. I was also lectured for refusing Amnio because "if it came out positive they would recommend aborting the fetus, and thats the best. you are harming your child if you don't test."
ReplyDeleteHad the same routine with my twin boys.
You are AMAZING and I pray you are blessed for keeping your amazing son alive! HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!
Dear Lacey,
ReplyDeleteI was deeply touched by your courage and faith. If ever there comes a time when a grown-up Christian becomes aware or starts to question the unfairness of being born without the ability to see, I hope you remember this passage:
And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: BUT THAT THE WORKS OF GOD SHOULD BE MADE MANIFEST IN HIM. -- Jn. 9:1-3, KJV
Christian is living proof that there is a God. As much as parents wanted their children to be born with qualities they deem "perfect", it is entirely up to Him to decide what to gift you with.
Through your son, you and your family were able to see, feel and receive the love of those around, most of them complete strangers. I pray that you and your family may be able to overcome the difficulties that will, sooner or later, come your way.
God bless!
Hi, Lacey. Happy Mother's Day! I just discovered your blog. Christian is a lovely boy!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your willingness to share your story. You mentioned that Christian's condition makes him perhaps 1 in 50. My wife and I can intimately relate.
Our oldest son Gray is one of the other 49 in the world. He has a bilateral facial cleft a bit more severe, with vision and hearing problems, cerebral palsy, club feet and mental retardation. He was born ten years earlier than your Christian. We understand the feelings you describe living through those first months.
Jesus sustained us through every one of those moments, and he continues to do so today. Despite the tremendous challenges, let me encourage you: Gray will soon turn 11 (hard to imagine!); he is a child of the covenant, and God will never let him go. So it is with Christian. Before you realize it, he'll be 10 too, and you'll look back and see the sustaining grace of Christ every step of the way in his life.
The day Gray was born, I spoke with one of the nurses about the love that God was showing our family in Christ through the birth of our son. Puzzled, the nurse asked me how I knew God loved Gray. I answered, "Look at my son. He is marred and disfigured. How do I know God loves him? Because *his* Son was marred and disfigured in *my* son's place on the cross." God is *for* Gray, as he is for Christian. The cross is eternal proof of that.
I watch my son Gray as he bows his head and prays. Nothing is more encouraging than hearing his faith in Christ expressed in his own words. What more can a father want for his child? Whatever else happens in his life, good or bad, a day is coming when our Lord will make all things new, and that means that all of Gray's problems will vanish in a blink of an eye. By God's grace, Gray's heart already belongs to Christ; one day his body will be restored again in the new heavens and new earth. One day, in family devotions, I read about the return of Christ. I asked Gray, who was 6 years old then, if he understood what it meant. "Yes, Daddy," he replied, "It means no more eyepatch, no more braces" [which he wears on his legs and arms].
That is our hope, Lacey, and I'm so glad that you and your husband share it too. Until then, just know from our nearly 11 years experience in the same boat that our Lord will sustain you and your husband, and especially Christian.
If you ever want to talk, please don't hesitate to contact me or my wife at: pastor_canales@yahoo.com We'd love to hear from you!
Lacey and Chris,
ReplyDeleteChristian is beautiful! His smile would inspire even the grumpiest of people. Thank you for sharing your story. You're right...it definitely puts things in perspective and makes me appreciate everything I have that much more. Being a mother is difficult at times but you're doing a wonderful job of it, no doubt with Christian's help! What a cutie!
PS Happy Mother's Day!!
ReplyDeleteLacey, first of all Happy Mother's Day, you are incredible. When I saw your video online I was overwhelmed by how much we have in common, I really felt like God purposely wanted me to see your video. My son, his name is Christian as well, also was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, he is also blind in one eye, his eye did not form correctly ( he now has a prosthetic eye) My husband's name is also Chris. We have gone through so many of the same scenarios and challenges as we also found out during pregnancy that our christian was going to have significant health issues and were told the same terrible things. Today he is a growing happy 19 month old and has overcome so much, he has definitely beat the odds just like your precious miracle has. I hope that sometime in the future we can email to talk about the boys more, we wish you all the best and praying for your sweet Christian!
ReplyDeletePraying for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteWow, you are so amazing
ReplyDeletei saw you video and wanna read more about you
and now i can
keep the good work
god bless you
Ohh mama. You are AMAZING. Love seeing Christ shine through you. I watched this video with my four year old - lets just say we got to have a heartfelt conversation (with tears pouring down my cheeks) about what true beauty looks like. You have (another) fan. Can't wait to read all about your journey.
ReplyDeleteYou are such a wonderful mother and Christian is an absolute miracle and beautiful baby boy!
ReplyDeleteI went to Vandy and student taught at the Tennessee School for the Blind and Harris Hillman and was then a special needs teacher for many years working with children like Christian. I believe each and everyone of them deserves life and am so thankful that God chose parents like you who are willing to give them that gift and to share them with the world. Thank you for sharing your story so that Christian's life will continue to inspire others!
Definitely going to keep reading your blog and sharing :)
~Rachel
God bless you and your family. Thank YOU for sharing your beautiful baby boy with us! Christian is a blessing.
ReplyDeleteDana
I would like to friend you on facebook can you give me a link
ReplyDeleteToday I found Jesus Christ in you, as I believe you are loving the Jesus in Christian. Jesus may seem to the world an ugly sign, but looking at you, I must thank you for your very beautiful sign of love.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
When I watched your video, these are the things I knew to be true:
ReplyDelete1. To say God is good is an understatement
2. God's plan is bigger than our understanding
3. Life isn't about ourselves. It is about Jesus and being like Him.
4. God placed Christian with your family, because he is the blessing all of you need and all of you are the blessing he needs.
5. Being Christ-like is beautiful to a fallen world.
My prayers are lifted to our Father for Christian, your family, and the other families around the world who made the correct choice in loving their children, just as Jesus loves us! I pray that God blesses all of you more than anyone could ever fathom.
Stumbled on your video today and man, it made my heart smile. You mom are amazing and Christian is awesome! God is SO good and I have been so blessed to 'meet' your little man.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story, S
It's exciting to see how this is changing the world! Praying the change continues to mushroom.
ReplyDeleteWow Lacey! You and your gorgeous baby boy, Christian, are truly inspirational. I discovered your video last night through a friend of a friend on Facebook and I've watched it over and over, crying each time.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing like learning about the hardship of others to give us a wake up call to put our own "perceived" problems in perspective. You have such a positive outlook though that leaves us thinking you have been blessed, rather than burdened, even though I know it still must be incredibly difficult for you at times.
God bless you.
I feel so blessed to have found your blog and FB page.I will be honored to be able to share in your journey, and watch the amazing things God is going to do through Christian's life and your testimony.
ReplyDeleteNow to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!Amen.Ephesians 3:20-21
Loving you and praying for you, my sister. God Bless, Cyndi