"Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty - he is the King of glory!" [Psalm 24:8-10]
This is the battle cry that I read this morning during an incredible "quiet hour" with the Lord! He gently leads us beside still waters...overflowing with peace that restores my soul! He guides us in paths of righteousness...for His Name's sake and even though we walk through the Valley of the Shadow of death...he goes before us! His Promise is Peace and Strength...and man was that Promise on display today!
The first miracle of the morning -was that Kelly and I were on time for our 10:00am check in! And many of you are probably laughing your heads off right now, because you realize how huge of a miracle that is! Lol...
But the miracles that followed - let them never be forgotten! So here is the scene...twelve of us in a circle in the 2nd floor waiting room at Magee Women's Hospital praying together as Kelly left the triage area around noon. It was a very difficult start to the process when the triage nurses (they even called in their specialist) could not get her IV started - and a huge thank you to Kathy for "standing in the gap" and covering Kelly's veins and nurses in prayer from the triage room! As Kelly headed to the OR to get Jackson in position...fervent prayers continued to be lifted! And when Kathy and Stacy both had to leave around 12:30...that left 10 guys sitting in the waiting room together in a women's hospital! It was awesome - here are 10 grown men (amazing brother's in Christ) laughing, crying, and praying together all afternoon! After several hours of trying to get the stubborn Baby Jackson in the perfect position (Kelly walking around, pushing and pulling on her stomach/uterus, laying on her side) and a ton of prayer being lifted - the Doctor's decided and moved forward with the laparscopy through Kelly's abdominal wall . They made a 6cm incision, just large enough for Dr. Speer to insert his hand and manipulate Kelly's uterus and hold Jackson in "perfect position". As soon as Dr. Speer got is hand in - Jackson settled down, presented his heart perfectly...and allowed Dr. Emery to insert the needle through Kelly's abdomen, into her uterus, right into Jackson's chest, on into the heart, and perfectly into his aorta! Dr. Croutzer immediately inserted the ballon device thru the needle, and ballooned Jackson's aorta two times...and pulled out! And immediately there was a positive change in the flow through the ventricle! How awesome is our God!!!!!! The flow through Jackson's aorta was restored/improved immediately - and in the words of Dr. Emery "once Jackson was in the perfect position-the procedure could not have gone better!" Truly God's miracle! And the emotional release of celebration/praise and thanksgiving was awesome! Our God is a God of life! And that Life flows through the blood of Jesus Christ!
Never before have Kelly and I been so overwhelmed with His Prescense, His Peace, His Love, Comfort and Care! He is our Healer! And as Dr. Speer and Emery reflected with Kelly and I in the recovery area - the emotion was intense! For the first time in the history of Pittsburgh's Children's and Magee Women's Hospitals was there a successful Fetal Aortic Balloon Valvioplasty and all Glory, Praise and Honor goes to Christ alone working from the foundation of prayer you all laid, to to the instruments and talent of our doctors, surgeon's and nurses! Praise God for the incredible team of Dr. Emery, Dr. Speer, Dr. Sherman, Dr. Croutzer and Dr. McCaffery! To see Him work in and through this team- was awesome!
Now...we are still not out of the woods! It is time to continue to focus and direct our prayers to Kelly and Jackson's recovery! Kel was a warrior today and I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of her strength and courage to surrender her life and comfort for Jackson's! She is in a lot of pain tonight from cramping following the manipulation of her uterus and the incision! Her cervix is firm - which is great, meaning no signs of pre-term delivery! Please pray for her health, rest, and comfort as she recovers through out the night! The recovery nurses/doctors have been amazing doing all they can to get her comfortable!
As for Jackson...his heart beat is strong and Kelly is able to feel him moving around inside her! How amazing is that? There are no signs at this point of any complications to/for him!
As we go through the night - our biggest need is prayers for Kelly's comfort, pain and rest! Thank you again for standing with us through this journey! And I can't wait to see how God continues to guide and direct our path! Soli Deo Gloria...
All Eyes on Jesus! He is The King of Glory!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
The Game Plan...
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name...and even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. [Psalm 100:4 and 23:4]
Tomorrow...stand firm with me on this Promise of the Lord! Imagine David...standing before Goliath with five smooth stones and a slingshot...well tomorrow, we have a team of doctor's with a needle, a balloon and aiming for a space that is a thick as a dime - not the diameter, turn it on its side and the thickness is what they are going for! But hey...Our God is still in the Giant killing business! He still moves mountains...we just have to believe - even if our faith is as small as a mustard seed! Again...His Promise - not mine!
Here is the game plan for tomorrow...by the way, the moving company beat us to our house this morning, had already started the patio and shed when we arrived - and everything was out before 11:00am...and after 3 hours of "sweat equity" and cleaning, we rolled out of 200 Andrew Drive for the last time! Dropped the closing check and keys off with our agent...and everything is set for the closing on our home tomorrow morning! Kinda crazy that we close tomorrow on a home that has been such a blessing to us for the last 5+ years, and at the same time face Jackson's surgery! But again...God is good, and we continue to "lean in" to His Grace, Peace and Strength! He is all over this! But I will tell you...if you look towards Pittsburgh tomorrow morning, you may see a Revival occurring, because of your prayers! I am telling you...God is up to something huge in our City - and Greater things are yet to come!
Sorry, another A.D.D moment there - back to the game plan:
(8:30am) Leave the Farm in Dayton and travel to Pittsburgh
(10:00am) Arrive at Magee Women's Hospital and have an Echo-cardiogram
(11:00am) Meet with the team of Doctor's and they will begin to prep Kelly
(12:00am) Start of the procedure - prep the O.R. and team of doctor's/nurses.
(1:00pm) The Procedure...if all goes well, and Jackson is in the "perfect position", the procedure will last less than 15 minutes. Dr. Emery will enter through Kelly's abdomen with a needle, through her uterus -similar to an Amniocentesis - enter Jackson's chest, into the left side of his heart, and then into the Aorta. At that point, Dr. Croutzer will place a "balloon" device into the needle and "balloon" open the Aorta/Aortic Valve to "hopefully" restore flow out of the left ventricle! And again if all goes well...they will observe Kelly for a few hours and then we will be back at the farm tomorrow night! If there are complications - or Jackson is not in the perfect position - the O.R. prep will be much longer, and if they need to do a laparoscopy on Kelly - where they cut open her abdominal wall and hand manipulate her uterus to position Jackson - we will be in the hospital for several days.
We have a tremendous team of prayer warriors arriving through out the day - and we ask that you continue to join us in prayer - as we will be praying over the Doctor's, Kelly and Jackson through the entirety of the procedure! I will try to update the blog at some point tomorrow afternoon/evening - but, will have access to Facebook via my Blackberry and will be updating our status regularly throughout the morning with specific prayers and praises!
Specific Prayer Requests:
1. Jackson to be in the perfect position for the procedure!
2. God's strength, peace and wisdom to cover us, you and the team of Doctor's
3. That the Closing happens with out any hitches!
4. God's Glory to be Revealed!
A couple of years ago, I was reading in Oswald Chamber's, "My Upmost for His Highest" and remember one devotion specifically tonight! He shared that we never know the "particular" way that God is going to show up - but you can count on one thing...that He will! All Glory and Honor to His Name alone today, tomorrow and forever more! Every knee will bow - those who believe and those who don't - to the Name above all names! As we head into battle tomorrow - please be sure to put on the full armour of God and dive into the Word!
We love you all, and are so thankful that you are standing with us in the midst of this storm!
All Eyes on Jesus...
Tomorrow...stand firm with me on this Promise of the Lord! Imagine David...standing before Goliath with five smooth stones and a slingshot...well tomorrow, we have a team of doctor's with a needle, a balloon and aiming for a space that is a thick as a dime - not the diameter, turn it on its side and the thickness is what they are going for! But hey...Our God is still in the Giant killing business! He still moves mountains...we just have to believe - even if our faith is as small as a mustard seed! Again...His Promise - not mine!
Here is the game plan for tomorrow...by the way, the moving company beat us to our house this morning, had already started the patio and shed when we arrived - and everything was out before 11:00am...and after 3 hours of "sweat equity" and cleaning, we rolled out of 200 Andrew Drive for the last time! Dropped the closing check and keys off with our agent...and everything is set for the closing on our home tomorrow morning! Kinda crazy that we close tomorrow on a home that has been such a blessing to us for the last 5+ years, and at the same time face Jackson's surgery! But again...God is good, and we continue to "lean in" to His Grace, Peace and Strength! He is all over this! But I will tell you...if you look towards Pittsburgh tomorrow morning, you may see a Revival occurring, because of your prayers! I am telling you...God is up to something huge in our City - and Greater things are yet to come!
Sorry, another A.D.D moment there - back to the game plan:
(8:30am) Leave the Farm in Dayton and travel to Pittsburgh
(10:00am) Arrive at Magee Women's Hospital and have an Echo-cardiogram
(11:00am) Meet with the team of Doctor's and they will begin to prep Kelly
(12:00am) Start of the procedure - prep the O.R. and team of doctor's/nurses.
(1:00pm) The Procedure...if all goes well, and Jackson is in the "perfect position", the procedure will last less than 15 minutes. Dr. Emery will enter through Kelly's abdomen with a needle, through her uterus -similar to an Amniocentesis - enter Jackson's chest, into the left side of his heart, and then into the Aorta. At that point, Dr. Croutzer will place a "balloon" device into the needle and "balloon" open the Aorta/Aortic Valve to "hopefully" restore flow out of the left ventricle! And again if all goes well...they will observe Kelly for a few hours and then we will be back at the farm tomorrow night! If there are complications - or Jackson is not in the perfect position - the O.R. prep will be much longer, and if they need to do a laparoscopy on Kelly - where they cut open her abdominal wall and hand manipulate her uterus to position Jackson - we will be in the hospital for several days.
We have a tremendous team of prayer warriors arriving through out the day - and we ask that you continue to join us in prayer - as we will be praying over the Doctor's, Kelly and Jackson through the entirety of the procedure! I will try to update the blog at some point tomorrow afternoon/evening - but, will have access to Facebook via my Blackberry and will be updating our status regularly throughout the morning with specific prayers and praises!
Specific Prayer Requests:
1. Jackson to be in the perfect position for the procedure!
2. God's strength, peace and wisdom to cover us, you and the team of Doctor's
3. That the Closing happens with out any hitches!
4. God's Glory to be Revealed!
A couple of years ago, I was reading in Oswald Chamber's, "My Upmost for His Highest" and remember one devotion specifically tonight! He shared that we never know the "particular" way that God is going to show up - but you can count on one thing...that He will! All Glory and Honor to His Name alone today, tomorrow and forever more! Every knee will bow - those who believe and those who don't - to the Name above all names! As we head into battle tomorrow - please be sure to put on the full armour of God and dive into the Word!
We love you all, and are so thankful that you are standing with us in the midst of this storm!
All Eyes on Jesus...
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Jackson's anointing in Family Christian Book Store!
Now this is AWESOME - and only God...
So Kelly is out running errands and making returns at Lowes, Home Depot, Dick's, Toys R Us and other stores...and just so happens to go into one of our favorite stores in Cranberry Twp - Family Christian Book Store! [This store was not on her list of stops...but, you know how it is - you never know what is going to happen when you all go shopping...]
So she is standing in line to check out [she never told me what she was buying...] and the cashier - who we see there often, and is just the nicest guy - ask Kel when she is due and how the pregnancy is going. Kelly begins to share story, asks him to pray for us and hands him a "Pray for Baby Jackson" card - which to he then responds..."I can do one better - let's pray right now!" So he, and all the people standing in line to check out, and several others in the store, gather around/lay hands on Kelly and pray over her and Jackson! How awesome is that...but, the story doesn't end!
Just so happens that a Pastor was standing in line, asks for Kelly to hold on a minute...runs and grabs oil, and anoints her and Jackson!!!! Come'on...How awesome is our God!!!!!!!!!!! Unity of the Body through the bond of Peace - in Action!!!! [Ephesians 4]
You never know when God is going to show up or through whom - just keep your Eyes on Jesus, and stand firm on His Promises!
And just so you know...miraculously, a friend from National City Bank here in the Pittsburgh area - just called a couple of minutes ago and he has taken care of the financial "hiccup" in the closing process! Come'on...Praise the Lord!
All Eyes on Jesus...
So Kelly is out running errands and making returns at Lowes, Home Depot, Dick's, Toys R Us and other stores...and just so happens to go into one of our favorite stores in Cranberry Twp - Family Christian Book Store! [This store was not on her list of stops...but, you know how it is - you never know what is going to happen when you all go shopping...]
So she is standing in line to check out [she never told me what she was buying...] and the cashier - who we see there often, and is just the nicest guy - ask Kel when she is due and how the pregnancy is going. Kelly begins to share story, asks him to pray for us and hands him a "Pray for Baby Jackson" card - which to he then responds..."I can do one better - let's pray right now!" So he, and all the people standing in line to check out, and several others in the store, gather around/lay hands on Kelly and pray over her and Jackson! How awesome is that...but, the story doesn't end!
Just so happens that a Pastor was standing in line, asks for Kelly to hold on a minute...runs and grabs oil, and anoints her and Jackson!!!! Come'on...How awesome is our God!!!!!!!!!!! Unity of the Body through the bond of Peace - in Action!!!! [Ephesians 4]
You never know when God is going to show up or through whom - just keep your Eyes on Jesus, and stand firm on His Promises!
And just so you know...miraculously, a friend from National City Bank here in the Pittsburgh area - just called a couple of minutes ago and he has taken care of the financial "hiccup" in the closing process! Come'on...Praise the Lord!
All Eyes on Jesus...
The Move...
"But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness." [Psalm 86:15]
Today is the day! JW brought a team of movers with him this morning - and all I hear is footsteps back and forth from the house to the truck, wrapping paper securing items as they are placed in boxes, and grunts as they lift the boxes! Talk about a team operation...these guys are something to study for all you students of leadership and management! They have the upstairs completely packed/loaded on the truck...within an hour...and are now packing the rest of the main floor and heading here to the basement/office/family room soon! Afraid if I don't get out of the way I will be in a box and on the truck!
Please continue to pray for these guys and the move! They are such a blessing - as I am sure you can imagine! Also...please join me in praying for the final document/financial preparation for the closing on Friday. I ran into some "glitches" in the banking world with our credit union this morning - but God! Just another opportunity for God to demonstrate His Power, Glory and Majesty! [2 Corinthians 4:7-12] We get discouraged, perplexed, knocked down, and face death because we serve Jesus...but we are not crushed, not driven to despair, or destroyed because we who have also shared in His Death and Resurrection - sweetly broken and wholly surrendered before His Cross - as we have repented and confessed of our sin, asking for His forgiveness and inviting Him into our lives as Lord and Savior are Redeemed...and we are able to live victoriously because of His Death and Resurrection! [Romans 10]
A wise man shared with Kelly and I last night ... that the preparation for battle is the tough part, but the battle is what we live for...and don't forget the War has already been won! Christ conquered sin and death! PTL...(that's Praise the Lord ya'all!)
Love you all...and can't wait to see how God continues to move through today and the rest of the week!
All Eyes on Jesus!
[P.S. May not be able to update the blog until tomorrow - with the move and all...and not sure what time we will be arriving at the farm and where/when I will be able to get on to the internet! But, I promise an update as soon as possible! Peace...]
Today is the day! JW brought a team of movers with him this morning - and all I hear is footsteps back and forth from the house to the truck, wrapping paper securing items as they are placed in boxes, and grunts as they lift the boxes! Talk about a team operation...these guys are something to study for all you students of leadership and management! They have the upstairs completely packed/loaded on the truck...within an hour...and are now packing the rest of the main floor and heading here to the basement/office/family room soon! Afraid if I don't get out of the way I will be in a box and on the truck!
Please continue to pray for these guys and the move! They are such a blessing - as I am sure you can imagine! Also...please join me in praying for the final document/financial preparation for the closing on Friday. I ran into some "glitches" in the banking world with our credit union this morning - but God! Just another opportunity for God to demonstrate His Power, Glory and Majesty! [2 Corinthians 4:7-12] We get discouraged, perplexed, knocked down, and face death because we serve Jesus...but we are not crushed, not driven to despair, or destroyed because we who have also shared in His Death and Resurrection - sweetly broken and wholly surrendered before His Cross - as we have repented and confessed of our sin, asking for His forgiveness and inviting Him into our lives as Lord and Savior are Redeemed...and we are able to live victoriously because of His Death and Resurrection! [Romans 10]
A wise man shared with Kelly and I last night ... that the preparation for battle is the tough part, but the battle is what we live for...and don't forget the War has already been won! Christ conquered sin and death! PTL...(that's Praise the Lord ya'all!)
Love you all...and can't wait to see how God continues to move through today and the rest of the week!
All Eyes on Jesus!
[P.S. May not be able to update the blog until tomorrow - with the move and all...and not sure what time we will be arriving at the farm and where/when I will be able to get on to the internet! But, I promise an update as soon as possible! Peace...]
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The Procedure...
"The disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Spirit!" [Acts 13:52]
Time to mobilize all you prayer warriors! We received word this afternoon that Dr. Emery, after discussing with Dr. Sherman the results of yesterday mornings echo, is moving the procedure up to this Friday! They were hoping to allow Jackson two more weeks of development and strength - but, after seeing that the left side of his heart has not grown in the last two weeks, they are mobilizing their team!
The procedure will take place at Magee Women's Hospital in Pittsburgh this Friday around noon. Kelly will have an echo Friday morning, just to get a "game day look" and then they will prep Kel in the O.R. with the procedure taking place somewhere around noon. The key right now is for Jackson to be positioned "perfectly" Friday morning! When I asked Dr. Emery this afternoon what we could be doing to get prepared, his response; "You are already doing it! You have Faith!" And we do! We are filled with joy, that God has appointed and positioned this team of doctors to be His instruments and reveal His Glory, Majesty, Power and Provision!
So here is the plan...Wednesday, finish packing and move! Thursday, finish the move/clean and rest! Friday, at the hospital around 9:00am for an echo, the Fetal Aortic Balloon Valvuloplasty procedure around noon...and if/when all goes well, back at the farm for a Holy Ghost Party! Please rally all the prayer warriors you can...and ask in His Name that the Son - Christ Jesus - brings glory to the Father on Friday through Jackson, Kelly, Dr. Emery, Dr. Sherman, Dr. Speer, Dr. Croutzer, Dr. McCaffery, the whole team of nurses and through each and every one of you!!!
[God I ask that you continue to open our eyes so we can see you at work! God, continue to open our ears so we can hear your voice of Truth! And God, open up our hearts - right now - so we can come to know your Son - our Lord and Savior - more as we dive into your Word!]
And that is my plea with you tonight...dive into His Word and let it engage, encourage and equip you, so that others may see Christ - His Love, His Joy, and His Peace - in your life! This world needs you to share the Love of Christ and Shine forth His Light in your life! Let the Holy Spirit lead you in prayer...and please know how much all your prayers mean! To see God demonstrate Himself over the last couple of hours/days - has been amazing! And don't ever give up on God-no matter what you are facing...because He never gives up on you!
Please continue to pray... and remember, our prayer must be for God's glory and purpose! For His Will not ours! Soli deo Gloria - to God be the Glory alone! Stand firm on what Christ taught us in John 14:13, that "YOU can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father."
Praise His Name - and Keep Your Eyes on Jesus!
Time to mobilize all you prayer warriors! We received word this afternoon that Dr. Emery, after discussing with Dr. Sherman the results of yesterday mornings echo, is moving the procedure up to this Friday! They were hoping to allow Jackson two more weeks of development and strength - but, after seeing that the left side of his heart has not grown in the last two weeks, they are mobilizing their team!
The procedure will take place at Magee Women's Hospital in Pittsburgh this Friday around noon. Kelly will have an echo Friday morning, just to get a "game day look" and then they will prep Kel in the O.R. with the procedure taking place somewhere around noon. The key right now is for Jackson to be positioned "perfectly" Friday morning! When I asked Dr. Emery this afternoon what we could be doing to get prepared, his response; "You are already doing it! You have Faith!" And we do! We are filled with joy, that God has appointed and positioned this team of doctors to be His instruments and reveal His Glory, Majesty, Power and Provision!
So here is the plan...Wednesday, finish packing and move! Thursday, finish the move/clean and rest! Friday, at the hospital around 9:00am for an echo, the Fetal Aortic Balloon Valvuloplasty procedure around noon...and if/when all goes well, back at the farm for a Holy Ghost Party! Please rally all the prayer warriors you can...and ask in His Name that the Son - Christ Jesus - brings glory to the Father on Friday through Jackson, Kelly, Dr. Emery, Dr. Sherman, Dr. Speer, Dr. Croutzer, Dr. McCaffery, the whole team of nurses and through each and every one of you!!!
[God I ask that you continue to open our eyes so we can see you at work! God, continue to open our ears so we can hear your voice of Truth! And God, open up our hearts - right now - so we can come to know your Son - our Lord and Savior - more as we dive into your Word!]
And that is my plea with you tonight...dive into His Word and let it engage, encourage and equip you, so that others may see Christ - His Love, His Joy, and His Peace - in your life! This world needs you to share the Love of Christ and Shine forth His Light in your life! Let the Holy Spirit lead you in prayer...and please know how much all your prayers mean! To see God demonstrate Himself over the last couple of hours/days - has been amazing! And don't ever give up on God-no matter what you are facing...because He never gives up on you!
Please continue to pray... and remember, our prayer must be for God's glory and purpose! For His Will not ours! Soli deo Gloria - to God be the Glory alone! Stand firm on what Christ taught us in John 14:13, that "YOU can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father."
Praise His Name - and Keep Your Eyes on Jesus!
The Pack...
What a morning! Kel and I were up and at em' early...since little Miss Jordyn decided she was getting an early start (6:15am!!! - Woo Hoo!) That girl is nuts - she is wired 220 or maybe even 440, don't know where she gets that from! And the first thing out of her mouth this morning..."daddy"! She knew something was up...
Kel and I finished up the prelim packing early this morning...and a huge blessing rang the door bell at 9:00am! One lone guy from the moving company introduces himself as JW. He shared that he was the "scouting crew" to come and begin packing today - with a team coming tomorrow to finish up the pack and then load/move. But, don't be deceived...this dude can pack! He had Carter and Jordyn's room packed completely in an hour, and the dining room and closets finished before lunch! It would have taken me two days to do what he accomplished in three hours! Heck, he packed three rooms and four closets in the same time it took me to pack half my office! I think it may have something to do with the way that Kel keeps an incredibly clean/organized home, while Doug not so much of incredibly clean/organized office! But it is all good...and talk about a weight lifted from our shoulders! Praise the Lord!
No update at this point on Jackson's procedure or the timing of everything this week and next...but, as soon as we find out, we will be sure to share it here on the blog!
I hope you are having an awesome day - and keep your Eyes on Jesus!
Kel and I finished up the prelim packing early this morning...and a huge blessing rang the door bell at 9:00am! One lone guy from the moving company introduces himself as JW. He shared that he was the "scouting crew" to come and begin packing today - with a team coming tomorrow to finish up the pack and then load/move. But, don't be deceived...this dude can pack! He had Carter and Jordyn's room packed completely in an hour, and the dining room and closets finished before lunch! It would have taken me two days to do what he accomplished in three hours! Heck, he packed three rooms and four closets in the same time it took me to pack half my office! I think it may have something to do with the way that Kel keeps an incredibly clean/organized home, while Doug not so much of incredibly clean/organized office! But it is all good...and talk about a weight lifted from our shoulders! Praise the Lord!
No update at this point on Jackson's procedure or the timing of everything this week and next...but, as soon as we find out, we will be sure to share it here on the blog!
I hope you are having an awesome day - and keep your Eyes on Jesus!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Breakthrough...
"My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." [Proverbs 3:1-6]
I know many of you have been asking or maybe just wondering; "You only have 4 days to close on the house, what are you going to do?" "Don't you think it is time to make a decision?" "Where are you going to live?" "What are your decisions?" ... well, here come the decisions.
First, let me say thank you! Thank you for your prayers of wisdom, strength, clarity and direction! The Peace and Grace of our Heavenly Father has been overwhelming in the last several weeks...and I must share with, we will continue to wait upon His - Perfect - Timing and Will, we will continue to follow Christ - denying our selfish desires, picking up our cross, and following Him wherever He calls us - even if that means waiting until the last minute. The Word teaches us to be "anxious in nothing", and so many times the world tells us to "pull the trigger" or "throw the pass" even when we know it is not right! And that pressure has been there - intensely - over the last three days specifically, but last night was a night of breakthrough and surrender. Followed by peace and clarity...two necessary elements to make a wise decision!
Jackson Update: This morning we met with our team of doctors and had another echo-cardiogram to check Jackson's heart. The doctors found that the left side of his heart has stopped growing - meaning the measurements taken this morning are the same as they were two weeks ago. This is both good and bad news.
Good news: The diagnosis of Dr. Speer, Dr. Sherman and Dr. Emery two Thursday's ago is spot on - and are extremely encouraged by the early detection! This morning's findings confirm Jackson does have Aortic Stenosis currently, which is the root of his Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. So the care, strategy and preparation over the last two weeks is a great foundation to work from to save Jackson's life.
Bad news: Flow equals Grow - is the best way to explain it! Since there is no flow or squeeze in the left ventricle, the left side of the heart/the muscle is not going to grow anymore - unless there is an intervention. If we would not proceed with the Fetal Aortic Balloon Valveioplasty procedure, the left side of the heart would stay the same as it is today - with no function at birth - while the right side of the heart would continue to develop over the next twenty weeks.
The Great News (and it is always Great News)...as that the Lord has led and given us great peace in the decision to move forward with the experimental procedure - with an overwhelming peace, clarity and confidence to have the procedure completed right here in Pittsburgh! As Kelly quoted: "We have the superbowl champions and NHL champions this year - why not one more for the city!"
So a team of doctors and surgeons from Pittsburgh's Childrens Hospital, led by Dr. Emery and Dr. Sherman, are currently pulling all the pieces/plans together for the procedure to happen in Magee Women's Hospital, under the oversight of Dr. Speer, within the next week or so. Because the doctors found this morning that the left side of Jackson's heart has stopped "growing" - they have moved up the procedure date by at least a week. We could have the procedure as early as this week, Friday the 24th or as late as next Friday - needless to say...the next 10 days are going to be intense! As soon as we know the date from the doctors, we will be sure to let you know!
Move Update: This morning's news affirmed and clarified our decision regarding the move, after a weekend of focused prayer and pleas for the Lord to give us direction, rescue, clarity and peace! And man, did He ever deliver! A crew is coming to pack tomorrow morning at 9:00am, another crew will come to move us on Wednesday, and Thursday will be a day of final moving/cleaning, with the closing on Friday. A moving company has offered to store our stuff for an indefinite period of time - free of charge, and so we will be heading to my parent's farm home outside of Kittanning, PA - a small/country town called Dayton, PA - as a place of retreat and sanctuary to get us through the next couple of weeks and Jackson's procedure. Our plan is to stay there temporarily until the Lord directs us to the home He is preparing for us - in His timing!
We have yielded and are following His lead to this place of refuge and an opportunity to catch our breath, and I ask that you please continue to cover us in prayer in the move, and that we continue to yield to the Holy Spirit's leading in our life as to location, direction, and the home! We have an overwhelming sense of peace that this is where God is calling us to "land" for a couple of weeks, and we will remain in a state of prayer - as it is the foundation to Wisdom and Strength!
We serve an Awesome God - and we lean not on our own understanding, but it accept it by faith, that as we seek His Will for our lives, He will show us what path to take...even if it is last minute!
All Eyes on Jesus!
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." [Proverbs 3:1-6]
I know many of you have been asking or maybe just wondering; "You only have 4 days to close on the house, what are you going to do?" "Don't you think it is time to make a decision?" "Where are you going to live?" "What are your decisions?" ... well, here come the decisions.
First, let me say thank you! Thank you for your prayers of wisdom, strength, clarity and direction! The Peace and Grace of our Heavenly Father has been overwhelming in the last several weeks...and I must share with, we will continue to wait upon His - Perfect - Timing and Will, we will continue to follow Christ - denying our selfish desires, picking up our cross, and following Him wherever He calls us - even if that means waiting until the last minute. The Word teaches us to be "anxious in nothing", and so many times the world tells us to "pull the trigger" or "throw the pass" even when we know it is not right! And that pressure has been there - intensely - over the last three days specifically, but last night was a night of breakthrough and surrender. Followed by peace and clarity...two necessary elements to make a wise decision!
Jackson Update: This morning we met with our team of doctors and had another echo-cardiogram to check Jackson's heart. The doctors found that the left side of his heart has stopped growing - meaning the measurements taken this morning are the same as they were two weeks ago. This is both good and bad news.
Good news: The diagnosis of Dr. Speer, Dr. Sherman and Dr. Emery two Thursday's ago is spot on - and are extremely encouraged by the early detection! This morning's findings confirm Jackson does have Aortic Stenosis currently, which is the root of his Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. So the care, strategy and preparation over the last two weeks is a great foundation to work from to save Jackson's life.
Bad news: Flow equals Grow - is the best way to explain it! Since there is no flow or squeeze in the left ventricle, the left side of the heart/the muscle is not going to grow anymore - unless there is an intervention. If we would not proceed with the Fetal Aortic Balloon Valveioplasty procedure, the left side of the heart would stay the same as it is today - with no function at birth - while the right side of the heart would continue to develop over the next twenty weeks.
The Great News (and it is always Great News)...as that the Lord has led and given us great peace in the decision to move forward with the experimental procedure - with an overwhelming peace, clarity and confidence to have the procedure completed right here in Pittsburgh! As Kelly quoted: "We have the superbowl champions and NHL champions this year - why not one more for the city!"
So a team of doctors and surgeons from Pittsburgh's Childrens Hospital, led by Dr. Emery and Dr. Sherman, are currently pulling all the pieces/plans together for the procedure to happen in Magee Women's Hospital, under the oversight of Dr. Speer, within the next week or so. Because the doctors found this morning that the left side of Jackson's heart has stopped "growing" - they have moved up the procedure date by at least a week. We could have the procedure as early as this week, Friday the 24th or as late as next Friday - needless to say...the next 10 days are going to be intense! As soon as we know the date from the doctors, we will be sure to let you know!
Move Update: This morning's news affirmed and clarified our decision regarding the move, after a weekend of focused prayer and pleas for the Lord to give us direction, rescue, clarity and peace! And man, did He ever deliver! A crew is coming to pack tomorrow morning at 9:00am, another crew will come to move us on Wednesday, and Thursday will be a day of final moving/cleaning, with the closing on Friday. A moving company has offered to store our stuff for an indefinite period of time - free of charge, and so we will be heading to my parent's farm home outside of Kittanning, PA - a small/country town called Dayton, PA - as a place of retreat and sanctuary to get us through the next couple of weeks and Jackson's procedure. Our plan is to stay there temporarily until the Lord directs us to the home He is preparing for us - in His timing!
We have yielded and are following His lead to this place of refuge and an opportunity to catch our breath, and I ask that you please continue to cover us in prayer in the move, and that we continue to yield to the Holy Spirit's leading in our life as to location, direction, and the home! We have an overwhelming sense of peace that this is where God is calling us to "land" for a couple of weeks, and we will remain in a state of prayer - as it is the foundation to Wisdom and Strength!
We serve an Awesome God - and we lean not on our own understanding, but it accept it by faith, that as we seek His Will for our lives, He will show us what path to take...even if it is last minute!
All Eyes on Jesus!
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