He is...

He is...our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Risen Lord and Savior, the Alpha and Omega, Healer and "Living Water" - "[guiding] you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring." [Isaiah 9:6 and 58:11]

And every time I hear that phrase... my mind goes to the scene with Christ and the Samaritan woman at the well! Imagine the shame, pain, disappointment, discouragement, struggle, embarrassment, guilt, bondage and frustration that must have been upon her shoulders...and in full understanding of who she was, what she had done, and where she has been...Jesus speaks to her and says, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”

And would your response be the same as hers...“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? [John 4:9-11]

Do you see the "strategizing", the longing to understand, the need to know how, and the desire for a plan from our earthly perspective! And where are her eyes fixed...on the problem...the depth of the well and the overwhelming amount of obstacles in her way! But do you also see her hearts cry for answers, direction and a drink? For peace, strength and guidance! For rescue, refuge and renewal! And her longing to be healed! And Oh how He loves us...and longs to reveal His Glory, Majesty and Power in our lives! To give us Life in the face of death, Healing in the face sickness and Peace in the face of struggle!

The "good", the "bad" and the "not sure"...

He is beautiful...and it was so awesome, amazing and encouraging to see his tiny, adorable, and incredible face and hand yesterday in 3D! Kel and I have never had a 3D ultrasound in all of our 4 previous pregnancies - but God gave us an awesome gift yesterday when our technician/nurse grabbed the 3D probe and captured a glorious picture of Jackson's face! He was playing peek-a-boo with us during the ultrasound...and Kelly and I just fixed our eyes with sheer amazement to see that he looks so similar to his brother and sister! He definitely has Jordyn's nose and his hands are huge - just like Carter's were! Awesome...truly Awesome and oh what a blessing it was to see him!

The ultrasound showed that Jackson is doing well! No signs of any complications or abnormalities with hydrops, amniotic fluid or placenta! All is normal and all is great! And of course as Dr. Speer sat down and got going with the ultrasound probe - the machine shuts down! And during the 3 minutes of "rebooting", Jackson rolled over and only would show Dr. Speer his spine! It was hilarious...can't wait for these two to meet! Oh wait - they already have when Dr. Speer redefined "laying on of hands" during the surgery!

So with a great ultrasound report...it was back to the waiting room before the echo! And man did Kelly and my heart just break! There was a very young couple - not married - who must have received some very sad, disappointment and discouraging news. The young girl was maybe 15 and her boyfriend maybe 17. Kel and I watched them come in, get called back to the ultrasound, come back out sit down silent and shocked - and two minutes the young man started weeping! And man did I weep with him...my heart was crushed, and not knowing any of the details we flooded them with prayer! We may never know what they are facing - but we could see the strain on their hearts and brokenness they were experiencing on their faces! But I have to to you...I was so proud of this young guy, you should have seen the way he stood tall for the "gem of his eye", the way he wrapped his arms around her in the midst of a full waiting room as tears streamed down his face, the way he comforted her by kissing her hair and forehead, and allowing her to experience safety, care and genuine affection in the midst of crisis! And Lord - I ask right now that you continue to step in, continue to stir in their young hearts as they face this storm! Lord be lifted high in their love, their life and their world! Surround them with your angels and let them experience your Glory, Majesty, Peace and Healing like they never have! Please, Lord...let them seek you! Cover them Lord and let them know that you are with them every step of the way!

The "Good": And so with our hearts shattered for this young couple...we stepped into the echo room! And oh how He heals! After 10 minutes of searching, seeking and pursuing understanding and answers in silence Dr. Sherman spoke..."there is no leak!" Prior to the surgery - Jackson's aorta and aortic valve were so closed and stenotic, and post surgery there was a leak, where the aortic valve was not closing properly and just 14 days ago the "aortic insufficiency" was still very visible in his heart...and yesterday - it was gone! There was no leak and the aorta was clear and blood was flowing and we all stood in amazement...with no answers as to "how" but with the promise of LIVING WATER!!! So Jackson's aortic valve has healed - completely! How awesome is that...

The "Bad": But, he is still very sick and not out of the woods yet as the left side of his heart is still not functioning properly...and this is still of grave concern for the doctors. His left ventricle is not "squeezing" like a normal, developed ventricle should and is still very enlarged with little movement. However...some how there is still pressure and flow being created in the left ventricle - because blood is continuing to flow through the aorta! Again - uncharted water without answers!

The "Not Sure": And speaking of "uncharted water"...Dr. Sherman found what he "believes" to be a retro-grade flow coming back up through the aorta! Meaning that they believe that the body has recognized that there is an insufficiency in the amount of blood flowing through the aorta, and so his body is responding by sending blood from somewhere else to the aorta...from "where" Dr. Sherman and Dr. Speer have no idea! And "what" does this all mean...again, they have no idea! And they are not even sure if this is the really the case - as it could be an "alias"! It is just a waiting game at this point...and a whole new element to our "wait"!

So we continue to pursue the Holy Spirit and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus - as we continue to walk and wait by faith! And we REJOICE - and give our Creator the Praise, Honor and Glory for He alone is worthy!

Urgent Prayer Request...and I plea with you to continue praying for Jackson! Pray that the left side of his heart would "squeeze"! And that in two weeks - the doctors/nurses and all of us would stand amazed at the Healing Power of the Holy Spirit and the Majesty and Strength found in the Power of the Blood that was shed for you and for me on Calvary! Pray that Kel and I continue to find peace in the midst of this house search! We are very weak, tired, frustrated and weary as we continue to walk into what seems "dead ends"! Let us recieve the "no's" with Grace and continue to call on the Name of Jesus to Rescue us and lead us to the home He has prepared- just as He promised in Isaiah 58! He is guiding and leading us - but it does not come without struggle and transformation! Lord, let our minds be renewed...and allow us to continue yielding to the Holy Spirit's prompting/teaching/guiding! And please Lord - bring clarity and peace quickly to our family...you know are needs and you have given us the desire of a new home soon...just as you Promised in Psalm 37:4 as we have drawn near to you...and we ask you to remind us in every moment of your faithfulness, provision and deliverance!

All Eyes on Jesus!