Washing Feet: An Example of Service or Something More?

Jesus Washing Peter's Feet by Ford Madox Brown 1852-6 So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. - John 13:2-5 Today, in 2024 A.D., we don't give much thought to these few sentences. The impact of the activity of Jesus is lost on us because a) We wear shoes everywhere. Many of us even have "inside shoes" and "outside shoes". b) The Church's liturgy (as popularly practiced) often misses or lessens the importance of this event (pro tip: it's not simply Jesus giving and example of serving others). Contrary to what we see in the movies, the roads in the time of Jesus weren't all covered in perfectly placed cobblestones or silky, fine dust. If r

Catherine's 1st Birthday Party

First an update...Catherine recently had a few appointments and has a few more coming up. She had an evaluation with a speech therapist where we learned that we are pretty much doing what we should be doing as far as encouraging vocalization. She also had a Neonatology clinic visit and she weighed 16# 8 oz. which is good, but she has fallen off the growth chart again, so we are increasing her calories in her tube feeds to 30/oz. You wouldn't guess by looking at her that she needs to gain weight, but we just want to make sure she is following the curve and not falling away from it.

She is also going to get a feeding evaluation in a few weeks to help with the feeding issues that she has. She does not care for eating solids and while she is still being breastfed, I am not sure that she is getting anything at all anymore. I give her a bottle once a day, but she takes very little from that too. So hopefully this clinic will give us some strategies for helping her to take more by mouth. This Friday she sees a new opthamologist (eye doctor) and next week is the nephrologist (kidney doctor) for her kidney stone.

Catherine has finally rolled from back to belly! She has done it a handful of times and her physical therapist says it's only a matter of time before she is rolling across the floor. She is sitting up better, although not by herself, she can hold it for a few seconds. We're so proud!

Here is some video footage of the party we had for Catherine. We delayed it a week so that my parents and Uncle Bill could celebrate with us!

Comments

Rick said…
Very pleasant. Thank God.
Patience said…
With the breastfeeding; can you try breast compression to get more into her with less effort on her part?
Nicole said…
Yes, Patience, I've tried that after it was suggested by a lactation consultant. Thanks!