I know I have been telling quite a few of you about it already, but just in case …you can read the lyrics and listen to it here or in the player below.

It is about the nights Max and I spent together, reading “The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe”, from C.S. Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia” …

“Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,
When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death,
And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.” (The Lion The Witch The Wardrobe)

“I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now…Come further up, come further in!” (The Last Battle)

“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NASB

Max's Book

In talking with some friends this past weekend, I realized I had been reluctant to update all of you on Max’s final “clinical diagnosis” from our last meeting with the genetic counselor … I am sure my reluctance is due in part to the gravity and future-impacting nature of the results. I have attached Dr. Wheeler’s full report as a PDF, though I will say that as complete as it is, it no where describes the person I know as my son.

Some of the main points that are within the report …

• Max was diagnosed with Walker-Warburg syndrome.
• It is autosomal recessive, meaning that an unaffected parent “carrier” can pass it along to their children.
• It would seem that Jodie and I are BOTH carriers … meaning that there is 25% (1 in 4) chance that this could affect future children.
• A 14-16 weeks ultrasound would be earliest when we would be able to tell if a future child was affected.

To be brief, we still don’t yet know what this means for us as a family. Obviously the doctor recommended the usual options (artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, adoption, etc.) … but we haven’t made any decisions yet.

Maximillian Medical Report (PDF)

“Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.’” – Exodus 14:13

“And Mary said: ‘My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.’” – Luke 1:46-47

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:37-39

We enjoyed the company of so many at Max’s celebration and memorial … and in a rarity that hasn’t happened in years because of schedules and addresses, we had the entire immediate Cortez family all together in one place.

Cortez Family at Max's Celebration

There is more I want to share, but for now … know that Jodie and I love you … and that it is God that sustains …

“Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs … I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. To whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared? – Isaiah 46:3-5

On Thursday, May 21st, between 7 PM and 9 PM, join us in commemorating baby Max in the Student Union Building at Florida Christian College in Kissimmee, FL. Southside Christian Church will be providing refreshments at this informal gathering of family and friends. In the words of Aunt Stephie … “Come and relax, as we celebrate Max!”

On Friday, May 22nd, at 12 Noon there will be a Memorial Service at Poinciana Christian Church in Kissimmee, FL. All are welcome to attend.

We ask that in lieu flowers that donations be made towards Max’s medical expenses. If you would prefer, you can donate online via PayPal.

Oscar & Jodie Cortez
2324 Academy Circle West #304
Kissimmee, FL 34744

We thank you for your continued prayers, love and support … and cannot wait to see you.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

Love,

The Cortez Family

——————

Directions:
Florida Christian College‎
1011 Bill Beck Blvd.
Kissimmee, FL 34744
(407) 847-8966

Poinciana Christian Church‎
3181 Pleasant Hill Rd, Kissimmee, FL‎
(407) 870-9700‎

Baby Cortez Photos – Day 0 through 11

Baby Cortez Photos – Day 12 through 16

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” – Psalms 91

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” – Luke 12:48

“Better is one day in your courts, than a thousand elsewhere … For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.” – Psalms 84

“Daddy is with him right now and Jodie should be joining them in a few minutes.”

“From the rising of the sun, to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” – Psalms 113:3

Our Family

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” – 2 Corinthians 4:7-9