A Letter To My First-Born Son

Taylor Leal

Taylor Leal

Never would I have predicted all of the ways you were going to deepen my faith in just three short years. We have been through a lot together, you and me.

Before I became your mom, so many people prepared me for the resilience you would have, the strength you would teach me, and the patience I would grow to understand.

But really, no one truly prepared me for the journey of being a parent. Sure, there are books. Yes, there are podcasts. Of course, I endured the unsolicited advice from a relative that I filed away in my mind as “never in a thousand years will I do that.” Still, nothing prepared me for the day that you entered the world.

I remember June 10, 2017 so well. It was a Sunday morning in Traverse City, a smooth delivery, and we welcomed you, Jaxon Joseph, into the world. In that moment, our world was forever changed. We were on the parenting path. New, but full of energy.

Jax, you have been through a lot in three years. When you were three months old, we learned that you had a hemangioma on your lip. The doctors sent us to the oncology and hematology floor at children’s hospital, and I’ve never prayed so much in my life. I’ve walked with Jesus years before I met you, but what the three of us were going through together created an intimacy with Jesus. I have you to thank for that.

Challenging and growing my faith didn’t stop there. From the minute you were born, there were markers to hit. We knew not to bank on what everyone says that you should be doing, but it was hard not to compare you to others.

At 18 months, with lots of wisdom and prayers, we met with specialists to understand if there were concerns with your development. Very early on we learned that you had a Global Developmental Delay and were slow to hit milestones. Slow to roll over, slow to crawl, slow to walk, and not talking.

For months I blamed myself. What did I eat while being pregnant? Did I not do tummy time enough? Do they have 1-year old preschool that I didn’t know about? Fish oil? Why didn’t anyone tell me about those vitamins?

Jaxon, you are 3 years old now. You are a big brother who is still learning the fine line of a hug and crushing your sister. You are full of energy. You have a BIG personality. You are full of love and passion. Your smile and laugh are contagious. You are a trickster. Your character is developing more and more every day. You comprehend so, so much. But even though you are growing and changing every day, I still find myself comparing and wondering why you aren’t hitting your appropriate milestones. Why can’t you talk?

We have seen many doctors, had genetic testing done, an MRI completed, we work weekly with therapists both in the office and in our home. We have taken every meeting with any doctor that could maybe shed some light on what is happening. And every twist and turn has brought us the very real fear that you, buddy, may never speak words. We know that is a real possibility.

I long for the day to hear you say, “I love you.” But I also know there is a chance I may never hear it. I hold onto hope that Jesus is still writing your story and this chapter we are in isn’t over just yet.

The writer Jeremiah pens the words in Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.”

I read that and I am reminded, God, the creator of the world, knew this path before I even took a step on it. He formed you, Jaxon. He knows you. He knows your thoughts, He sees your smile…He made those things. He is proud of who you are. And even on the hard days….the days of comparison. The days of jealousy. The days I am just too exhausted to teach and help you, I hold tightly the words of Jeremiah. That you were set apart to do something great. On the days where this path we are walking in seems winding and scary, I have to believe that the One who created the path is walking with our family.

I love you Jaxon Jo,

Your Mama

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Congregational Vote - Latest News!

Dear Kensington,

Yesterday was the Special Meeting vote to affirm our Senior Pastor candidate, which took place at all campuses during all services. If you were there or joined us online, thank you for taking part to vote on our candidate, Brian Mowrey, as our new Senior Pastor. Because of such a strong, positive turnout, members and the congregation have confirmed Brian as our new Senior Pastor with nearly 99% voting yes. Brian has said yes, and the Mowreys are coming to be part of the Kensington family! 

We all know this has been a long journey, requiring much patience and trust. Your continued commitment to Kensington and your willingness to lean into this process with us is what helped get us here today. With such a strong positive vote for Brian’s leadership, there is no doubt that we are ready to be led into what God has for us in the years ahead.

The next few months will be a time of transition and we ask that you continue to pray for Brian, Becca and the girls as their adventure is just beginning with us; also pray as they are concluding a chapter of their life with Walnut Hill. While this transition over the next few months will mean that Brian is back and forth between Kensington and Connecticut, Brian will be actively engaged with all that is happening at Kensington and will be relocated and in place with us by the end of summer.

Brian wanted to share with all of you a quick word of thanks for your trust in his leadership of Kensington. Watch here

Thank you, God, for your provision. It’s just beginning. Immeasurably More!!

Grace and Peace,

Craig A. Mayes
Lead Pastor & Elder
Kensington Church

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Troy

5pm | 12/23
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Marriage and Blended Family

The Marriage Course offers essential tools and practical ideas to help couples invest in their relationship and build a strong marriage. Strengthen your communication and gain a deeper understanding of your partner. The Marriage Course is based on Christian principles but designed for all couples with or without a church background.
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On Sunday evening, Dec 5, parents of high school and middle school students are invited to the second half of our Edge gathering at Genesis Church, 309 N Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067, at 6:15pm. We will have a breakout to equip parents in caring for themselves and processing pain with their children in times of tragedy.

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We believe that unity at this time is more important than ever. Several churches in the area are partnering together to offer space for students to begin the process of healing.

We will have several grief and trauma specialists on site this Sunday evening at our Orion Campus (4640 S Lapeer Rd Lake Orion, MI 48359) from 5-6:30pm and will have a night of prayer, worship and an opportunity for students to process with each other.

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We will be offering a time for our congregation to gather after each service for a time of corporate prayer in the Greatroom. Prayer will be offered at 10:15 am and 12:15 pm. (25000 Hall Rd, Charter Twp of Clinton, MI 48036)

This Sunday at 3:30 pm as a community we want to gather, pray and mourn together. We are all looking for answers and wondering why tragedy happens but we can find hope and peace in Jesus. 

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Join us Sunday night, December 5th for a Community Prayer Vigil at Kensington Church at 6:00 pm. Invite friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers to come together for a time of hope and prayer. 

Following the Vigil, at 7:00 pm, there will be breakouts for students and for parents to process and be equipped in caring for themselves and those around in times of tragedy.

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The Marriage Course includes seven sessions, designed to help couples invest in their relationship and build a strong marriage. Some couples do the course to intentionally invest in their relationship, others are looking to address more specific challenges. Either way, the course offers essential tools and practical ideas to help you build a relationship that lasts a lifetime. The Marriage Course is based on Christian principles but designed for all couples with or without a church background.

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What is my purpose? What value does the Bible have in my life? How do I pray? How can I grow in confidence to share my faith? These are the big questions that are at the heart of what it means to have a relationship with God. Alpha is a space to explore life’s big questions, to say what you think and to hear other people’s points of view. Over ten-weeks you will explore and discover while listening to weekly topics, participating in table discussion, and developing community. Alpha courses meeting in-person gather around a meal.

You don’t have to come for the whole series—just check it out for the first session and see what you think. No pressure.

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