My name is Anjelica Morgan Fitzsimons, but most everybody calls me Anjy or Anj.  I am 25 years old and live with my husband and son here in Morgantown, West Virginia.

I'm glad I went to church today.  Pastor Paul Rail talked about trusting God in all of life's circumstances.  I needed to hear that, especially after this past week, when Colton (husband) and myself were told that our son, Gavin Thomas, aged 22 months, had brain damage and cerebral palsy.  Apparently while he was being born, his brain had been left without oxygen and it left him with the mark of cerebral palsy.

Any and all dreams we had for Gavin were instantly dashed.  We had imagined all sorts of things for him: playing football, going to college, finding a girl and getting married, settling down and starting a family, even running for president of the United States.  Now all we would be facing would be doctor's appointments, wheelchairs, braces or AFO's, crutches, IEPs, and specialized education.  It was the worst news as parents we could have ever faced.

After the sermon, we went up to the prayer line; Pastor Rail said if anybody had any prayer needs to come down to the front.  Well, Colton and myself (along with Gavin, who was in my arms) went to the front, where Pastor Rail laid hands upon us as I poured out my anguish.  I did not hold back my tears.

I could feel the love of God washing down upon us like a river as I listened to Pastor's words.  It felt as if God was in the sanctuary; it was very comforting and soon I felt peace settling upon me like a warm, thick blanket.  It was a holy moment.

Pastor Rail then enveloped Colton and I in a hug and said for us to trust God in all circumstances.  He reassured us that in the dark, difficult days/weeks/months/years ahead, God would always be with us and wouldn't leave us, no matter what we were to be facing.  It made us feel a little easier; I immediately thanked God to be a part of such a caring church family and for bringing Pastor Rail into our lives.

Once church was over, Colton and myself headed for our car and we went out to eat.  I know I must have looked a fright with my smudged makeup and mussed-up hair, but I didn't care.  All I cared about at that moment was getting to the restaurant to get a good meal, then go to the store, to get some basic necessities, as our area had been placed under a blizzard watch: we were expecting nasty weather sometime in the next 24-48 hours.

For the first time in a week, both Colton and I had hope for Gavin.  We knew that with God's help, we could face the difficult journey that cerebral palsy had placed upon us and that Gavin could have a good life, even with the demands of his disability.  We decided to place all our hope and trust in God and let Him pilot our lives.  We couldn't do it on our own, that was for sure!

~To be continued!~