This week has been absolutely amazing! There are so many moments that have captured our hearts and taken our breath away...that truly have given us life, encouragement, strength, and energy, as we head into "Norwood Knockout Day" today!
Day 6: The Answer to a little boy's prayer... [December 5]
As many of you know - Carter has been praying for more than a year and a half for a baby brother. It was at Jordyn's three month check up when he asked Kelly if he was getting a baby brother today (like there was an exchange program or something...).
Kelly quickly responded, "Not today buddy, but talk to your daddy about it!"
"But daddy's not here!" Bubba replied.
"Well, you can talk to him about it later tonight."
"I want to talk about it now!"
"Then you will have to talk to God about it."
And the next thing you heard out of Carter's mouth was..."dear God, please give me a baby brother!"
Talk about a prayer warrior...and it is amazing how the Holy Spirit speaks through the faith of a child!
Well - God did not only answer that specific prayer of Carter's...but answered another prayer of his this week. It was an incredible moment when the nurse's placed Jackson into Carter's arms on Saturday for the very first time! I can't begin to tell you the emotion on this daddy's heart as I watched my two boys hold one another - Carter holding Jackson in his arms, and Jackson holding on tight to Carter's finger! It was awesome! And the the love, care and compassion on Carter's face...continues to take my breath away! There is nothing better - in this world - than being a daddy!
Jackson's oxygen levels were all over the place today...but after an urgent plea for prayer - his levels stabilized and remained great ever since!
Day 7: Team DKCJJ (That would be Doug, Kelly, Carter, Jordyn and Jackson)
Another incredible moment...was Jackson's first Steeler game and the gift of spending the entire day together - just the five of us! Even though the Steeler's can't finish right now - through out this whole journey we have called our team of doctor's "Team Pittsburgh"...for we are the city of Champions in 2009 - except for our minor league, farm team called the Pirates! It was a great day full of laughs, excitement and pure joy on multiple levels! We cherish these "perfect moments"...
Jackson had a great day today and continues to rest and gain strength! He is a fighter, and has quite the personality already...as he has captured the hearts of our incredible nurses and doctors here in the CICU! God truly has assembled the perfect team of medical professionals, acting as His hands and feet, that have become part of our family over the last week! Talk about a blessing...thank you Danielle, Liz, Jackie, Heather, Mandy, Tom and Ashley...ya'll have been amazing (as well as all the doctors!)...there are no words that could ever express our appreciation and love for you!
Day 8: Day of Rest...
Yesterday - was a day of rest and preparation for a huge day today! Kelly had the opportunity to spend the entire day with Jackson at the hospital, while daddy, Carter and Jordyn spent the day together preparing for the rest of the week - grabbing groceries, cleaning the house, etc! Carter and Jordyn then had a play date at with Kyle and Connor - so that Mommy and Daddy could grab a few quiet, precious moments with Jackson last night. Jackson is absolutely amazing, and I can't begin to describe the love, peace and strength that is filling us today! Our hearts are breaking and this is the hardest moment we have faced to date in this journey, but God is in control...and as we continue to fix our eyes on Jesus, we look to Christ to reveal His Glory in and through Jackson's life and surgery today!
This is God's story - and He is the main character...not Jackson, not Doug, not Kelly nor anyone else! This journey has been one that has truly taught us that God will draw people closer to Him in ways that we could never imagine! And when we Rest in Him...we will overflow with renewal, peace, strength, encouragement and faith! So today - find Rest in Him...
Day 9: "Norwood Knockout" Day...
And so here is where we find ourselves - the morning of Jackson's Norwood Surgery! We are ready, we are surrendered, we are leaning into Christ and His Body on the foundation of prayer that has been laid, and standing on the promise of Isaiah 43: 1-3...
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you! I have summoned you by name, you are mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze! For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, Your Savior!
Please pray without ceasing today, fervently for Jackson's surgery, heart and life! We have come to the garden asking the Lord - if there is any other way - to take this cup...but His Will be done!
Surgery starts at 7:30 and will last for more than 4 hours...so I will try to update the blog late tonight - but can't promise anything! Love you all and thank you for standing with us!
Look...even Jackson is praying today for God's miracle and healing!
This picture was taken at 7:10am the day of surgery! How awesome is our God!
All Eyes on Jesus!
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