Update 2 - January 16, 2008

First of all, thank you so much for your prayers on behalf of our family. It has been a great encouragement during this last week, Amanda, myself and soon to be born Ava are grateful for your love and support. The messages both from calling and emailing have been a great source of strength, it is amazing how God shows His faithfulness ands grace through His children. Here is an update since our last email. Last Tuesday they did a test to look at Ava's chromosomes (Amniocentesis) and today we received the results. The test showed that her chromosomes looked normal, which was the best possible news we could receive from those tests. The doctor still believes that something is wrong with her brain, but today's results show that there is nothing genetically wrong with her.
Something else could be causing what the doctor sees, but todays results were the best possible answer we could receive from the tests.
Please continue to pray for Amanda and the baby in the coming weeks. The pregnancy has been tough on Amanda, and we are still concerned about Ava as she grows. They moved Amanda's due date to April 16 and also moved her to Duke Medical Center for her delivery. It is about 30 minutes away from our home, but it is one of the best. As of now we don't know anything more than this, so you can imagine how the next two months are going to feel. Ava and Amanda are in God's hands as He teaches us to completely put our trust in Him.

Thank you again for your concern and prayer. Nothing surprises God, He continues to show that His timing and plan is best.

Because of HIS Grace

Craig

Update 1 - January 9, 2008

For those who perhaps do not know, let me give you an update on what has been happening. Amanda went into the doctor on Monday and found out there are some complications with the baby. The doctor is concerned about her (the baby) heart and the development of her brain. On Tuesday they did tests to look at the baby's brain, on today (Wed) we went to a heart specialist. The doctor believes that there is something wrong with the baby's brain, we however do not get results from those test until next week. The heart specialist today did tests and said that the heart looked perfectly normal which was a wonderful praise! He said that there did not appear to be anything life threatening in reference to the heart and that it looked like it was doing great. We have scheduled a appointment for a month to check up. As far as the other test are concerned, we just have to wait for the results. We know that whatever happens, God has been faithful and will continue to be. His perfect plan is in progress! We are praying for a miracle though and asking the Lord to touch Ava's little body as it develops.

For those who have sent email or called, we are very thankful for your prayers on our behalf. You will never know how much they have meant to Amanda and I, your faithful friendship is something we cherish deeply. Please continue to lift Amanda and Ava up in prayer as we wait the results of these other test. Today's result were a miracle, but the other test are still of serious concern. Please pray that God will give Amanda grace and strength through the next few months and that He will touch the baby's little body as she develops. We do know that God's timing has always been perfect, and He is in control and knows what is best. Thank you again for your prayers on our behalf.

Because of HIS Grace,

Craig

It's a...

What a way to spend Amanda's 30th birthday! At 8 am this morning we made our way to the doctors office to finally have a ultrasound and determine if we needed to focus on pink things and bows or blue things and tonka trucks. Well, the results are in and it is (drum roll please...No seriously, make a drum roll sound before you read this) A GIRL!!! We are very excited indeed, and appreciate everyones prayers. Please continue to pray for Amanda and the baby, we will try to get a picture of the ultrasound up very soon...Check back frequently!

Craig

Still Waiting...

Amanda went to the doctor today with the anticipation that we would find out if it is a boy or girl...Unfortunetly the technition that was supposed to do the ultrasound called in sick today, so we were unable to find out. Everything is going good with the baby, please continue to pray for him/her and Amanda. Tomorrow we start our trip back to Raleigh with a stop in Kentucky.

Craig

Busy fall & big news!

Our biggest stretch of conferences is slowly coming to a close as we are looking forward to getting home for the first time since July 9th. The last several weeks have went by very fast as we have had conferences in SC, MO, FL, VA, MI, IL, OH, and will finish in IA before going through Kentucky on the way home. It was really a great time and we have met several new friends throughout these churches. We were also able to be in several conference with Eric & Amanda which is always nice when we can spend time with them and the kids. Our final conference of October was with Eric & Amanda at Meadowview Baptist Church where we served on staff with the Shadles' when we lived in Springfield.
As most of you know, we are expecting our first child in April. We are very excited about this, and would appreciate your prayers during the pregnancy. We will keep this blog updated weekly as we continue to travel and also prepare for the new bundle of joy! Next week Amanda goes to the doctor to find out if it is a boy or girl.

Craig

On the Road...

It's been a while since our last post...life on the road is crazy! We have been from Virginia to Illinois to Georgia to North Carolina to Kentucky to South Carolina!

We've been in negative degree weather one week and then on to beautiful sunny skies the next! The deputation trail is anything but boring! We are having a blast and are so amazed at God's goodness. We have had the privilege of meeting such wonderful people and have been able to form some life-long friendships!

A New Journey

I enjoy writing, I always have. I don't think I could have been a professional writer because I tend to be a perfectionist, and I would have driven myself crazy. For example, as I am writing this I continue going back and cor...Correcting mista....mistakes I make. Plus, English was never one of my best subjects (Teachers, always, said I used too many, commas). That being said, I enjoy writing! As I write this it is around 11 pm here in good old Raleigh, North Carolina. Amanda and I are preparing to leave on Wednesday (September 20) for our very first missions' conference in Virginia.
Also as I write I have been thinking back on the last nine years that the Lord's grace has given me. Lets see...In the last nine years I went to Bible College, met my wonderful wife, graduated twice, have been involved in two wonderful churches, met numerous people that have become my closest friends, have two wonderful dogs, and have worked at McDonald's. Wait, Mc'D's was actually one of the most miserable time frames of my life (Unless you like working drive-thru at two am with co-workers that feel rap is God's gift to music).
Even with Mc'D's, God has given me so much! I don't deserve it and I pray that God will never let me get to a point where I do feel like I deserve it. None of us deserve the grace of God, that's why His grace should be so precious to us. Never should a day go pass where we take for granted what He has do through His son. Titus teaches us that His grace should motivate us daily! I must admit that there are many days when I forget about this precious grace, but God quickly gets my attention. How soon we forget!
Anyway, I want to take this space to publicly thank the Lord for the many people that he has placed in our lives. Our families, our friends and the guy at Mc'D's who never seems to smile because his drive thru window is facing the direction that the rain is falling...I just want to say thank you. I wish I could list out every person's name but I know I would leave someone out and I don't want to do that. So please know that everyday you cross my mind as I think about the goodness of my Lord. Amanda and I know that God has placed you in our lives for a purpose. We love you all.
As I stared this post I said I like to write. Well, I am sure you have figured that out now. As Amanda and I hit the road I will try to post updates. Thank for your prayers. Let the next journey begin...

Because of HIS Grace

Craig Dyson

Hey! We are Craig and Amanda Dyson. We are going to Ethiopia as BBFI missionaries.

We are in the final months of our internship at Mid-Way Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC. We have had an awesome internship and have learned SO MUCH under Pastor Upchurch's leadership! We thank God for Mid-Way and it's staff!