New Room (John)

​Today was not a bad day at all. Jessica and I are so glad that Noah is away from all the stress of the PICU. He has slept more than I have ever seen him sleep - and that's fine with me. From what we have been told and read, patients who have brain surgery sleep more post operation than any other surgery. As you can tell from the pictures, we are pretty happy today. Jessica got to spend time holding Noah. He and I ate a lot of chips and ice cream and watched America's funniest home videos.  Hearing him laugh again is the best sound I have heard.  The Neurosurgeon who saw him this morning said he was recovering remarkably well. (We all know why)  They decided today was the day to see if his brain could handle crimping the tube coming out of his head. He has a drain to relieve the pressure in his head. It’s amazing how much fluid has poured out these last few days. They crimped it this morning and told us to watch if he lost consciousness or threw up. They didn’t seem worried about that at all and sure enough he had excellent blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, appetite and energy - boy does he have energy - all day. So we are expecting a good CT scan in the morning at 5:00 am. They will look at the fluid in his brain and the swelling and if everything goes well, they will take the tube out. It will be such a relief to him. He tries to touch it a lot and we really have to watch him so that he doesn't pull on it or try to pull it out.  

This week has been so long. It seems we have been here for months. So many things have happened in our lives that we were agreeing today that nothing will ever be the same again. Coming home to Athens will be so great, but it will be different. We have a different outlook on life, different priorities, and even different values. Noah one day will ask us about this week. He will more than likely not remember any of it (thank God). But Jessica and I are forever changed. We have seen the hand of God move in such a way that it can never be explained away by chance. We have felt heartache like never before and experienced the peace that really passes understanding. We have wrestled with doubt - taken captive bad thoughts - spoken God's word in faith - really taken it to heart the words of Jesus "And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?" Luke 12:25 we have seen the devil work against us to distract us and try to cause us to lose our focus and our faith.

I was thinking about these things this morning. James 1:12 NIV  says- "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" There will never be a trial in our life where God is absent or unaware of our situation and our suffering. In fact - God sets the boundaries of our trial - how far it can go and how much we can handle. Jesus spoke to Peter in the book of Luke 22:31-32 31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 but I have prayed for you; that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.  Do you think that was a onetime occurrence? I don’t. We all know what Peter went through and how God restored him - even used that story to restore countless others who have walked away from Him. I believe the enemy still approaches God and asks who he can sift. Sometimes He chooses us. When our name gets called, we have to believe that God sets the boundary. I know that God has allowed this to happen for a reason. Many could say He is cruel and unjust to allow a little boy to suffer. I have been tempted to meditate on this thought and many more like it. But who are we to question the will of God? Romans 9:20-22 (NKJV) but indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? 

God has his own plans for these events. God has His own reasons for this happening. We don’t have the right to ask "Why me?" what we need to ask is "What now??"

As I type this, my wife lies sick on the bed in this hospital room unable to stand up, my son lies in the same bed he has been in for over a weak, recovering from a surgery that has drastically changed his life. He is facing the threat of cancer. He has a third degree burn on his arm causing him pain & discomfort. I feel weak and stressed and am battling a hoard doubt and worry in my thoughts. I know that boundary lines have been drawn by the Father and that the enemy is right on the edge of that line.  But in all this

BLESSSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD!

God will see us through the hard times in life just as He sees us through the good times!

We have a big hurdle to overcome - the pathology report. Please pray and tell everyone you know to pray that God would give us a good report.

Thanks again to all of you prayer warriors from 5 years old to..... You know how old you are.
 
I have received numerous emails from people who have dedicated their lives to Christ though this experience, To God be the GLORY - Great Things He Has Done!
Thanks also to those who have followed this blog and have become family to us through this ordeal.
Thanks to the Athens News Currier for the story on Noah and to faithblessingphotography.com for providing the photo. 
God bless you all!! 

Until tomorrow, 
John David

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