Silas The Great

Before I begin to tell you all about Silas. I feel it is only fitting to start from the very beginning. I haven’t really talked about Silas’ arrival into the world openly but finally feel that I can share it. I know that it truly shows what a wonderful miracle God so preciously placed into my life!

Silas has been a strong little guy from the beginning…

In June 2010, after going back and forth to the doctor for not having a cycle since February we found out that I was pregnant! Not pregnant since February but only 4 weeks pregnant! It didn’t really make sense but I was super excited…and nervous…and scared. I remember thinking that because it didn’t seem “normal” that maybe my pregnancy wouldn’t stick. So we kept it a secret for quite some time…

We went to the doctor again at the end of July and after we found the healthy heartbeat and a little baby bean that bounced happily about; we decided it was time to let the world know! Everything was beginning to feel real and not so scary! Anthony and I would stay up talking late into the night about how our life was going to change, and baby names, and how Anthony just knew it was a boy and how I just wasn’t so sure.

It was so wonderful to finally have that fear lifted by that tiny flickering heartbeat; but the smooth sailing didn’t last long. Only 2 weeks later Anthony and I spent the night in the emergency room because as the doctor worded it, “my body threatened abortion”. I can’t begin to let you know how many times I had to push that night out of my memory. Those words “that my body threatened abortion” haunted me the next nine months. I remember being scared and wondering if it could happen again…when it would happen again…and then the feeling of peace at each ultrasound where I saw a little tiny sprout of a baby bouncing all over the place. I really felt Silas was only inside of me because God put him there. That was the only thing that made sense. Silas was a miracle from the beginning and that was the hope that I clinged to.

For Anthony, Osito, and I, the fact that our little family was growing became increasingly real as my belly got bigger and bigger! My pregnancy went really well and honestly, seemed to go by fast (until 37 weeks) because we were so busy with everything happening at The Way Church and KTLO.

(around 22 weeks)

Finally D day came….without the baby! My due date, February 21st, was also my last doctor appointment so at 8am, I waddled in bigger than ever, praying the baby would come soon! We found out that my “normal” swelling that everyone would smile and say happens to everyone- was actually pretty bad! In one week, I had developed all the signs of pre-eclampsia and to my foolish excitement this sent me straight to the hospital!

I really didn’t understand that again I was in a serious situation. In fact I was frequently scolded for walking around or sitting up. I mean, come on, I was excited, I WAS HAVING A BABY! The induction wouldn’t start until the morning so Anthony and I snuggled in to the tiny bed, listened to the soundtrack of Silas’ heart on the monitor, and anticipated our baby's arrival!

Around 10pm or so i started getting contractions! He was ready to come!

The next day, after trying to do everything to get him out naturally; we discovered the only was this baby was coming out was with a c-section. I was just too small, my blood pressure too high, and Silas was beginning to get distressed. I reallllly didn't want a c-section but I was ready for it to be over and I really just wanted my baby to be safe!

We went to the c-section room and it all happened so fast- it felt like 15 minutes! The curtain they had up only increased the element of surprise, as I had to rely on my other senses and Anthony to figure out what was going on. I heard them talking and saying it would have taken me two days to push this baby out and then I heard them say “okay now get the shoulders” and then felt a lightening as they pulled Silas out. I heard him sneeze a couple of times and then let out a little cry- the most beautiful little cry I have ever heard.

Anthony was telling me everything I couldn’t see and my eyes were welling up with tears at the surreal-ness of this moment. I heard Anthony say, “look he is over there” and turned my head to see a nurse who rolled Silas on a cart by me and said, “here is your baby”, but because of the height of the cart he was on I couldn't see him!

I said between my happy tears “I can't see him”, and then another nurse came and abruptly and said “sorry, we have to go” and that was the first moment when I suddenly knew something wasn't right. That was also when I realized I could FEEL what was happening on the other side of the curtain! They gave me more drugs and I passed out.

The next thing I remember I was in another room...Anthony and my mom were talking to me and he was telling me Silas' breathing wasn't strong and that he swallowed fluid when he was being delivered and that was why. He showed me a picture of him on his cell phone cause I hadn't seen my baby yet and Silas had little tubes and cords on him. I could barely grasp what was happening because of all the medicine I was on because of my blood pressure and I don’t remembering being able to talk.

I woke up the next morning, Wednesday, at 5am and was desperately asking to see Silas but they said I couldn't go to nicu until I was off the iv and I had to wait until my doctor cleared me. The doctor didn’t arrive until 8 and I BEGGED him to take me off the iv and said I felt so good (lies) and he complied.

 (the first time I ever saw Silas)

I wasn’t allowed to go down to see him until 10:30 am. I finally got to see my beautiful boy but wasn’t allowed to hold him because the fluid had caused a tiny tear in his lungs that had let air into his chest cavity. I was explained that it would either repair itself or they would have to put in a chest tube. We were really praying now. We wouldn't know if the tear had repaired itself until the next x-ray- the next morning. I spent a lot of that day starring at my baby and recovering in bed.

Thursday came and the tear was still there although smaller, so the chest tube was still a possibility but they were going to hold out until Friday. I still couldn't hold him or feed him but I was able to bring him breast milk and he was given it through a tube in his mouth. This was the only thing that let me feel that I was still connected to him. I really was struggling and felt like he was the hospital’s possession and barely mine anymore.

Friday came, and now he was doing so much better! They took off all the tubes and now, FINALLY, Anthony and I got to hold our precious boy! We nervously dress him in his first clothes, an outfit we had meticulously picked out weeks in advance. I felt like we were passing a test and had so much to prove to all the nurses in nicu! We got to feed him with the bottle, the breast would be way hard for him after all he went through, and then all of the grandparents finally got to hold him! And poor Uncle Austin who had been patiently waiting all of these days was denied access to Silas. I begged on his behalf but not one nurse would budge.

We were told Silas couldn't leave nicu until we saw how he handled eating. We went to all his feedings to cheer him on, 8, 11, 2, 5 around the clock. It was hard for him at first but soon he was getting the hang of it! That night, another roadblock was thrown our way; they said he had jaundice and if it kept rising it would delay him going home. (this was so frustrating all we wanted was our baby) I was discharged this day so somewhat painfully; Anthony and I went home to get some rest.

Saturday, his jaundice had lowered a little bit because his eating so that night we got to board in with him and take care of him according to the nurses' schedule. We had our own room with him and every 2 hours we would take his temperature, change his diaper, feed him, swaddle him, repeat. It was a long night but so exciting because he was with US!

 (Sunday morning before we left the hospital for good!)

Sunday morning, we got clearance to go home!! And now all the rest is history. I think I was pretty strong and only broke down a couple of times. I think I just couldn't think about the details of the situation or I would have lost it. I had to just remember that Silas was a miracle from day one and He was such a strong little boy! Our families were an incredible support for me but Anthony really became my rock during that week! He was so positive and if he was ever scared he didn’t let me know. He would set the alarm each morning at 5 am to wake us so that we could pray for Silas when he was getting his x-ray. I truly fell deeper in love with my husband through this experience and through watching him become a father.

At home, I really had to watch myself because it was hard to not feel a bit cheated. I never had that special moment where I got him placed on my chest and just had smiles and peace and love with Anthony and our baby. We didn’t share a hospital room throughout our stay with our baby, or watch our families pass him around and take pictures together. It didn’t feel like a celebration at all. The first day we were all home when Silas and I were struggling with getting breast feeding because he had learned to eat on the bottle, I was looking through my breast feeding book for answers and stumbled across the first moments after birth and started crying because I felt so sad that we missed out on that, sad for me and sad for him.

Two months later, I don't really think about that time with any sadness because he is so healthy and we are home together and life is wonderful!! I'm so thankful, I know God had His mighty hand on him from the beginning and I know not everyone has a happy ending like ours.

So that's our baby story. It's special and full of love and full of God's amazing power and the healing of our little strong boy!

Silas Gage Rick

Born February 22, 2011 at 4:41 pm

7 pounds, 10 ounces and 20 inches

Dear blog,

Sorry we’ve neglected you...it's been sooo busy! I know I always say that but it's really true! First, we had a lovely time in Memphis! It was so great to get to spend time with family and friends! We really needed it. Now that we are back in FL, we spent the last two weeks getting ready for and having our first Surf Camp/ Spring Fling…all of our Spring Break activities for the youth group! It was a huge success and we got to connect with a lot of new teens in the area.

We’ve been pretty exhausted! Falling asleep around 10 at nights and getting up and working hard each day, but it’s such a rewarding and fun life we are getting to live!

I guess that’s how it is with God. You always have trials, you always have tests, but if you can learn to have fun in the midst of them AND are getting to show people who would never know about the love of God how much He loves them…then I think that you are getting to live a pretty awesome life. If only we could have family around more often…We do live in a very beautiful retirement spot….just a thought :) haha

I know this is a short one, but Easter is tomorrow! We have so much to get done. The next one should be lengthier and have more pictures!

Happy Easter!

Anthony, Brooke, and Oso

Sorry, there was no post last week! The week just seemed to get away from us. This week has been really cool because we’ve got to spend the majority of it focusing on the youth ministry. There is always so much to do so we really took advantage of this time to dream, create, and just continue to think of things that will help make this an awesome place for teens to want to come!

Last night was our KEEP THE LIGHTS ON service. It went really great. Anthony spoke on “Sacrifice.” and he has grown so much in his speaking abilities! It was truly amazing. One of the scriptures he read last week and I’m still thinking on was 1 Peter 1:13 in the message translation:

So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil [or just living normally], doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy.”

It was really awesome because Anthony talked about how being holy sounds like it would be super untouchable, or like those Catholic priest wearing all of those ornaments, but in it’s truest form all holy means is relating to or belonging to God and how when people see you they should relate you to God.

It was in that instance could we see little light bulbs turn on over the students heads. (haha no pun intended) It was his take on a scary scripture “Be Holy.” that showed the students the simplest message of how the truest part of what we do should be doing in life is simply belonging to God and doing what He asks you.

I wonder if any of you needed to hear that today. Hmmm.

On a more personal note, The Rick family is doing great! We are going home to MEMPHIS next week for a birthday week! Sis, JJ, Other Sis (that’s me), Hermana- we get to celebrate 4 birthdays in the 7 days we’re home! Also, this week marks one year that Osito Sebastian Rick has been a part of our family! :)

Thank you to all who read our blog, those of you who sponsor us, and especially those of you who pray for us! We feel as Paul did when he wrote the tells Philippians in Philippians 1:3, “I thank God every time I remember you”. Thank you so much for being a part of our lives!

Til’ next time,

Brooke, Anthony, and Osobear

P.S. Yes, we are leaving this lovely weather to come visit our MEMPHIS FAM! You are worth it ;)

Is God Blowing YOUR Mind?

Hello everybody (if anyone actually reads this haha)! Anthony here...


My amazing wife has been doing an incredible job posting to this, and it's been kinda overdue for me to do a post.  (Yes i've been putting it off....sorry. haha)

The past FOUR months of us living here in Melbourne Beach have literally blown my mind!  And when I say "blown my mind," I mean that in some different ways.


Firstly, God has blown my mind in His unfailing love, undying grace, and unbelievable blessings!  We could have never imagined that in just four months time, all that has happened would happen.  Moving here from LA and having never even been to this town, it was quite a scary step of faith (and what true step of faith ISN'T scary?).  We were totally planning on having youth meetings in our living room for at least a year, and God took it a step further and blessed the Way Church with our FIRST building in a matter of months!  We came here with close to NO money and NO jobs lined up, but we were willing to do what we had to do to follow this call.  God is STILL taking care of us and I'm able to commit my schedule to the church full time!  We are seeing growth in all areas of this church, and we know it's only the beginning, and we feel SO fortunate to be a part of what is going on here in this beach community!

Secondly, God has blown my mind by way of opening my brain up to a new perspective on things.  Being dirty flesh and bones, we try so hard to "figure out" what this life is all about and what the next step is and what we're supposed to be doing and yadayadayada... INSTEAD of stepping back and shutting up and LISTENING to what it is that Still Small Voice is trying to tell us.  Our human minds can't even comprehend what God could do if we simply LET go!  NO that doesnt mean be completely ignorant and disregard all responsibility!  It means letting go of what we KNOW, letting go of TRYING so hard BY OURSELVES, and simply WAITING ON HIM! Isaiah 64:4 says "...No ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like You, who WORKS for those who WAIT for Him!"  Is it really that simple?  We wait, and God WORKS?!  Simple, yes; but NOT easy.  In fact, it may be the hardest thing you'll ever do, but isn't that how God works?  He does things that are completely contrary to the world's standards.  "The first shall be last and the last first," or "Walk by faith and not by sight:" - just a couple of things that showcase how God's way of doing things make NO SENSE...to us.  But that's what faith is, isnt it? Is it not solely dependent on us doing something that, to our comprehension, is opposite of what our mind and body WANT to do?!

Whatever tempo your life is at today, just step back, even for a moment, and ask yourself, "Am I giving God COMPLETE control, or just part of my life?"  It may not be easy, but if you choose to completely let go in faith knowing that God will carry you, it will be the best and most fulfilling decision you'll ever make!


God speed!

 

Well here we are again, just a week later with another update! (I told you, we were going to try and be better with updates!) It’s been a busy week for us, but that is nothing new…in fact, I can hardly remember a time where we haven’t been extremely busy and pushed to do more than we thought we could, but this makes for an exciting life, and a life that we love!

This week, Anthony has been extremely busy with all the new media for the church! He has been designing the new logo, the sign outside, artwork for the building, and on top of all that, planning for an exciting illustration for this Sunday’s service (I will tell you more about that next week).

Along with preparing for our Keep The Lights On service, I have been very busy with solidifying my plan of attack for acquiring Florida Teaching Credentials. I have to take 3 tests, all of which cost around 200 dollars, and then that will provide me with credentials and my foot in the door! The hardest part of this process is deciding what subject proficiency test to take- I’m struggling with English the middle years (5^th-9^th), English 6^th- 12^th, or Reading. I really would love to be a reading teacher but I don’t want to limit myself to only being able to get a job as a reading teacher. This process is seriously, more difficult than taking an 18 hour undergrad course load!

Today I started studying for my Professional Education Exam and that makes for one bored pup!

So far the greatest lesson, we have learned since being married is to TRUST GOD WITH EVERYTHING. You may be saying, duh, that’s Christianity 101, and although that may be true, a lot of us, trust God with everything…to a certain point. I trust God with everything if I have health insurance, a little bit of a savings built up, and I feel purpose and fulfilled every day; but if some aspect of “our untouchables” changes, we fall apart and immediately start trying to figure out a plan of how to fix it.

I am done living like that. God doesn’t desire us to have “untouchables”. I am not speaking against prosperity but I am saying that if we live with our lives open before God and allow him to mess with whatever He chooses, we will find more peace and security in that then any number an account can give or any insurance HMO plan! And in doing so, when the days that all the numbers are much higher than we every thought they’d be, and all the bases are covered greater than we knew they could be, we will still allow God to mess with whatever He chooses! After all, everything good that trickles down to us comes from His hands…

I am so thankful that we are learning these truths now! I am so thankful that from 0 years of marriage to 99+ years of marriage we will have no untouchable areas from the Creator of the universe!

For us, we are truly learning to trust God with everything and laugh at the cereal dinner nights, and to ENJOY the less frequent “news”. (News- are the items Anthony and Brooke fondly refer to as anything that is new, whether it be a clothing item, something for the house, or anything that is bought just because you need something new.)

This is just one of the many lessons we have learned and the one on my heart tonight. Tomorrow is Friday and a day off! I hope it will be warm enough to go to the beach and look for seashells! :)

Goodnight!

Brooke, Anthony, and Osobear

a new chapter

Dear Friends,

Hello! We hope you and your loved ones are doing well. We have a little update for you!

Just three months ago, we felt God calling us to transition and at His call we left the rigorous and exciting life of Los Angeles where it seemed many opportunities were just around the corner and moved all the way across the country to the little town of Melbourne Beach, FL.

After reconnecting with Pastors Jason and Raina Byars at our wedding, God began to place a desire in our hearts to help establish and grow a church in this little town with little to no churches for miles at a time. We heard of all the hard work this family had done and how God had blessed the fruits of their labor, and literally grown their church from six members to over 250 in just four years’ time. This church plant’s staff was composed of Jason Byars and Ben and Ashley Kingdon and although they were doing amazing things alone, God began to show us how He needed us to join ranks and most importantly, that in the last few years in LA He had been grooming us for such a task.

At the end of October we left California to head to a place we have never been, to a community we didn’t know, with 500 dollars and no prospects of jobs…just the assurance that God would provide for all of our needs as He always has and that we were going to do something for Him that would bring purpose not only to our lives, but also to many other lives in that small community of the Space Coast.

In the last 90 days, God has done exceedingly more than we could ever ask. He has blessed us with the greatest couple we could ever learn from, Jason and Raina. He has blessed us with the ability to connect the church members and supporters of the church via email, Facebook, and Twitter. We have named the youth group, Keep The Lights On and seen the youth group grow from 12 members to 22 in just a matter of weeks, and have been teaching them to become a light in their community. And perhaps most exciting of all, we have seen a church pull together and God work a miracle in giving us our very first building!

There are so many exciting things happening here and we feel so blessed to be a part of it all. We are very anxious to do as much as we can with The Way Church and have dedicated every hour of every day to growing this church, but because it is a church plant of just a few years this means we must meet our financial needs.

If you feel led to partner with our family, either through finances or prayer- let us know! Anything you can give would be greatly appreciated, and we thank you in advance for lifting our family and the ministry of The Way Church up in prayer. We will continue to update our blog in order to keep you up to date with The Way Church, Keep The Lights On, and our first year of marriage! :)

Thanks!

Anthony, Brooke, and Osito Rick

96 Carmen St.

Melbourne Beach, FL 32951

our little bit of a long story

Since this is our first blog as a couple, it seems fitting to share a little of our story!  We are currently living in Los Angeles, CA where we serve at The Los Angeles Dream Center.  Anthony came out to LA 2 and a half years ago and I have been out here a year this week! Just two months ago we had a beautiful June wedding in Memphis with all of our family and close friends but our journey started long before that!

Anthony and I met in 2006 during the fall of my second year of college and his third year of Memphis Masters Commission. We both were greatly focused on building student ministries at the time and just living for God. We became friends and spent many Monday afternoons sitting in the comfy chairs of Starbucks talking away with Pumpkin Spice Lattes in hand. As it grew colder outside, and Starbucks filled with smell of  it’s Christmas blend our friendship grew stronger and we became a couple on January 16^th.

Fast forward:

17 months of a long distance relationship

two albums recorded

my Bachelor’s degree finished

my first teaching job

a beautiful engagement

a pup

and a wedding

….we’re realizing our adventure has just begun!

We are just two people with a heart to live a life of love for God and to point others to Him. Whether that be through music, through words, every part, but mostly through our lives. No matter what He asks, no matter the cost!