Sarah

(The view from my bedroom at the hotel.)

I’m currently sitting in a hotel room in Provo, Utah typing this.

Typically when flying on an airplane, my routine is to board as late as possible, shuffle to my assigned seat, stuff everything under the seats,  (I can’t reach anything in the overhead bins) and then read a book or magazine.  Once we’re up in the air, I will often pull out noise cancelling head phones and watch a movie.   

Often this ritual takes place without much more than a cursory greeting, or just the polite words necessary to find our assigned places.  It’s not that I mind talking to people.  It just seems that in our society most people today would prefer to keep to themselves and so I have learned to be prepared.

Thursday’s plane ride was different.

I boarded the plane just as normal waiting to the final boarding call, 2^nd to last to board.  I approached my seat, and the lady next to my assigned window seat stepped out of her seat to allow me into mine.  But somewhere between the requisite polite talk and me stuffing my overfilled backpack under the seat in front of mine, I was captivated by a woman who loved her children, was anxious to see her father and sisters, had a loving, incredibly supportive husband, and was extremely nervous about the flight.

Although I had my own anxieties about my trip, they were swept away by the joy she brought to the flight.  Within the 2 hours and 55 minutes we were on the flight, we talked and laughed together like we had been friends for the eternities. 

I watched her from a distance at the airport as she had the long-awaited reunion with her family, and the next day I found myself thinking about her.  And, the next day, when I knew that she’d be facing some challenges, I could not stop thinking about her.  I prayed for her non-stop in my heart.   

I tell you that not because I am a hero for praying for her, but because she was an angel to me.  It kept my mind from focusing on things that were hard for me, and that were creating anxieties for me. 

As I listened to Sarah talk on the plane, she spoke of choices she had made over the years, things she does with her family, things she does for her husband, what she does at work, and in life.  And, in those messages, I heard a woman of great strength and character, a woman who has great courage and is valiant.  I hope Sarah knows who she is ... who she really is.  I hope she knows how great she really is!

I remember when...

I remember when I was the nerd who had a computer sitting on my table and every body looked at me strange.  I was the only person in a restaurant, or the only person in an entire college classroom with a laptop.  Now, I'm sitting at a restaurant at the airport as I type this and almost every 2nd table has someone at the table with a laptop.  It's even more amazing to thing we're all connected.  Back then, it was just an expensive word processor.

I also remember when I was the only nerd who carried a mobile phone, and it was almost as big as the back pack I'm carrying today.  It wasn't really that big, but it was a big brick, bigger than the bricks you build a house with.  The battery pack, however, was a heavy bulky thing that required a bag and weighed probably 5 pounds. 

I was single then and I worked on a team where we took turns being on call for 24 hours.  I wasn't real fond of that phone.  However, it did come in handy one evening when a call saved me from a very boring date.  It was the one time I was thankful to be stuck handling a technical call outside of normal business hours.  Poor guy showed up for a date with me with a great big cowboy hat on and a big old buckle.  Remember I'm not from Texas, and didn't appreciate the Texas style back then.  And, to top it off, he was rather quiet.  Imagine me with someone quiet ... Can you imagine it?? 

See, the call was a good thing.

Mother's Day Flowers

In addition to the homemade soap he gave me, 

Jacob had flowers delivered to me for Mother's Day with a sweet note.  

Very thoughtful!  Very appreciated!

Happy Mother's Day!

I am one amazingly lucky lady! I have children who spoil me ... Thank you, all! And, a sweetheart who sets a good example for them.  I have a Mother who worked hard to be a good Mom. She sacrificed much for my comforts and to spoil me, even before I was ready to appreciate her sacrifices. I learned to serve others and to work hard because of her example. I have a sister who is strong and awesome. She has been my personal cheerleader throughout my entire life, believing in me when I didn't believe in me. I'm also blessed to have SOOO many aunts and cousins who were and are examples in life. I have always felt loved because of them. And, of course, I have more women in my life than I can count that are amazing examples of strength and courage. I am thankful to each of them for their friendships and the examples they are to me! Happy Mother's Day to each and every woman!

Happy Birthday Jacob

Fifteen years ago yesterday, I woke up early in the morning to a pop sensation and what I now know was my water breaking.  I also now know that I started having back labor, but I have a high pain threshold and since there wasn't a definite start or end to the contractions, I didn't know they were contractions.  It just hurt. 

So, I got up and took a shower and sat at the computer for a while.  I tried to "time the contractions", but again, there was no start or end, just non-stop hardening of the tummy and serious back pain.  So, I never mentioned any of it to Dwight and we went to the office for the day.  Around noon, I realized I should probably at least have the doctor check things out.  So I told Dwight we just needed to stop by the doctor's office.  He had no idea of what he was in for.

When I was on the exam table, the nurse said, "So when did your water break?"  I replied, "Probably about 4 am."  Dwight was not happy that I hadn't even mentioned it.  But, I had heard stories of women not being able to hold their urine and I just knew that it might be me, since after all, I was HUGE with Jacob.  And, since I didn't seem to have any other for sure signs of labor, I didn't think it was my water.  Well, I was wrong.

Unfortunately, by then it had already been more than 8 hours since my water broke and doctors apparently think you should be at the hospital by then.  So, they wouldn't let me go eat lunch or anything.  They had us go directly to the hospital.   At 1 am, on May 13th, 1997, Jacob was born in American Fork, Utah.  

Today he turns 15 years old.  I look forward to seeing Jacob's successes in the future!  I hope that this will be his best year ever!  Happy Birthday, Jacob!!

Mother's Day Gift from Ryan

 

Ryan made these gifts for me at school.  Aren't his hand prints adorable!  

He loves to finger paint and his favorite color is green, 

but someone went to a lot of work to get prints of his open hand!  

I'm so thankful for these!  What a neat treasure!!

Spoiled for Mother's Day

I was very spoiled this year for Mother's Day.  Not that it's a new thing.  I'm always quite spoiled by my family.  Or perhaps we should call it well loved.  Sounds better, doesn't it?  This year there were two really nice gifts that I received the family.  But, it's more than just gifts for me.  It's the consideration that is always shown.

My children gave me a new GPS.  When I first received my GPS, I thought it was an unnecessary thing to have, but I have now started to rely on it.  I love having it when I travel to new cities, or when we go to Doctors, etc.

Dwight gave me a new camera. YEAH!!!  My blog will once again be complete with pictures!  I won't have to wait for someone to let me use their camera nor will I have to wait to get the pictures off their camera.  YEAH!!

So ... the first picture from my new camera...

As I took out my camera and focused on Ryan, he covered his face with hands.  I said to him, "Ryan are you hiding?"  He then uncovered his face and gave me a big smile.  It was adorable!

Sweet Prayer

In Deborah's night prayer tonight, she prayed that Ryan would never get sick again ... "even right before he goes to Heaven."  Isn't that sweet?

The Atonement

I think anyone who knows me, knows that I am a Mormon, right?  I hope that doesn't surprise anyone.

For those of you who may not be familiar with the lingo of our Church, each congregation is called a ward and there are several wards within a Stake.  The wards are divided geographically as are the Stakes.  Every 6 months, each Stake has a Stake Conference where they meet all together.  There's an Adult session on Saturday night and then a session for everyone on Sunday. (If you'd like to learn more about our beliefs in general, you can click here.)

Anyway ... about two weeks ago, our Stake President called and asked if I would be willing to give a talk.  (In case you don't know, we also don't have a paid ministry.)  I was thankful for the opportunity, not become I couldn't wait to speak in front of a room full of people, but because I knew that the study time and the preparation would be a blessing to me.

So, I thought my Dad, and maybe some of you too might enjoy reading the talk.  This is the full version of what I prepared.  Because I was asked to keep the talk to 10 minutes not everything here was actually said on Saturday, but I'm including it anyway.

A couple of things you should know before you read the talk... 6 months ago, we were challenged to completely read the Book of Mormon before this Stake Conference.   So, this talk assumes that most of the audience has just completed that challenge.

Now, I recognize and appreciate that some of my dearest friends have different beliefs that I do.  I know that not all of you will be familiar with the Book of Mormon.  Some of you may have never read any of the Book of Mormon, or perhaps it's been a long time. I have included links for you, if you'd like to read the rest of the stories.  There are some amazing stories.

As I mentioned in my talk, I recognize that the Book of Mormon is not the only place where we find examples of the enabling power of the Atonement.   I too believe in the Holy Bible and especially love the writings of Paul on the subject of Grace. 

If you're not familiar with the stories, I invite you to read the talk and with an open heart to read the links.  I love the stories of the Book of Mormon.  I know that in my life it has helped me to draw closer to my Savior and I'd invite you to experience it in your life as well.

Now for my talk ...

When I was in my late 20’s, I attended a Relief Society with the sister of an Apostle.  One Sunday we were having a lesson on the Atonement.  This sweet sister was in her early 90’s.  I don’t remember much about the lesson that day, but I have never forgotten her comment.  She said, “I have recently learned that the Atonement isn’t something that applies at the end of my life, but it’s something that applies on a moment by moment basis.” 

I don’t know if it was because she was almost 70 years my senior, or if it was because she was the sister of an Apostle that I spent a lot of time contemplating her statement, but for more than two decades I have pondered the significance of applying the Atonement on a daily basis.

Many of you were here when Elder Bednar spoke at a recent Stake Conference.  You will remember that he spoke on the Enabling Power of the Atonement.   This has been a theme of his ministry.  It is obvious from reading many of his talks that he has a great testimony of the Atonement, and a sense of urgency at sharing His witness that through the Atonement of Christ we can indeed become Saints. 

I’ve been asked to use an address he gave at BYU in October of 2001 as the basis for my talk today.  At that time, he was the President of what is now BYU-Idaho and you will recall that our nation had recently been deeply wounded and many in the country were hurting. 

Elder Bednar shared this quote from President David O McKay as the framework for his talk.  He said, “The purpose of the gospel is to make bad men good and good men better, and to change human nature.”   

Let me repeat that “The purpose of the gospel is to make bad men good and good men better, and to change human nature.”

He then suggested that the Book of Mormon is our handbook of instructions as we travel the pathway from bad to good to better and to have our hearts changed. 

In Mosiah 3:19 it says: “For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be forever and ever, UNLESS he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a Saint through the Atonement of Christ the Lord.”

Through the redeeming powers of the Atonement, bad men become good.  I do not mean bad as in horrible, wicked, or evil.  I mean bad as in:   we do bad things; the tendency to be a natural man.   Through the redeeming powers of the Atonement, we are able to be cleansed and to be good.   

It is also through the Atonement of Christ, that we are able to increase our capacity to put off the natural man and to overcome the desires of the flesh and temptations.

When I was young, I struggled for years with an eating disorder.  As part of the eating disorder, I not only severely restricted my calories, often going for long periods with nothing more than just a wedge of lettuce but I also became addicted to daily dosages of large quantities of diuretics and laxatives.  After some time I eventually realized that it was ruining my life and even observed that it was affecting my spirituality and my ability to serve my Heavenly Father.  I first tried to quit on my own, but could not.  I eventually went through years of counseling, and even hospitalizations.  And, although they helped, I was still struggling to give up my self destructive behaviors.  Eventually, I pleaded with the Lord to help me.  This was the turning point.  It was not easy to overcome, but I felt the strengthening powers of the Lord and was healed completely from the eating disorder and all of its control.

Through the Atonement of Christ He can increase our capacity to overcome the desires of the flesh and temptations.  We can put off the natural man.

If we go back to Mosiah 3:19, you will remember it says: “…and putteth off the natural man and becometh a Saint through the Atonement of Christ the Lord.”

The purpose of the gospel is to make bad men good and good men better, and to change human nature.

Elder Bednar said, “I believe this 2^nd part of the journey – this process of going from good to better – is a topic about which we do not study or teach frequently enough nor understand adequately.”

He then said:

“Most of us clearly understand that the Atonement is for sinners. I am not so sure, however, that we know and understand that the Atonement is also for saints--for good men and women who are obedient and worthy and conscientious and who are striving to become better and serve more faithfully. “

The Atonement provides help for us to overcome and avoid bad  AND to do and become good.    The Savior can help us through the entire journey of life AND wants to help us through the entire journey – from bad to good to better and to change our very nature.

We learn in the Bible Dictionary that the word Grace is frequently used to connote enabling power.  In fact, it is used over 200 times in the scriptures.  It frequently occurs in the New Testament, especially in the writings of Paul, and the main idea of the word is divine means of help or strength given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ. 

There are many examples both in the scriptures and throughout history of men and women who have understood the enabling power of the Atonement.  Elder Bednar shared the example of Daniel W. Jones who was born in 1830 in Missouri and joined the Church in California in 1851.  Five years later, in 1856 he participated in the rescue of handcart companies that were stranded in Wyoming by severe storms.

After the rescue party found the suffering Saints, provided what immediate comfort they could, and made arrangements for the sick and the feeble to be transported to Salt Lake City, Daniel and several other young men volunteered to remain with and safeguard the company's possessions. The food and supplies left with Daniel and his colleagues were, to say the least, meager and were rapidly expended. I will now quote from Daniel Jones' personal journal and his description of the events that followed:

"Game soon became so scarce that we could kill nothing. We ate all the poor meat; one would get hungry eating it. Finally that was all gone, nothing now but hides were left. We made a trial of them. A lot was cooked and eaten without any seasoning and it made the whole company sick. Many were so turned against the stuff that it made them sick to think of it. . . .

"Things looked dark, for nothing remained but the poor raw hides taken from starved cattle. We asked the Lord to direct us what to do. The brethren did not murmur, but felt to trust in God. We had cooked the hide, after soaking and scraping the hair off until it was soft and then ate it, glue and all. This made it rather inclined to stay with us longer than we desired.

"Finally I was impressed how to fix the stuff and gave the company advice, telling them how to cook it; for them to scorch and scrape the hair off; this had a tendency to kill and purify the bad taste that scalding gave it. After scraping, boil one hour in plenty of water, throwing the water away which had extracted all the glue, then wash and scrape the hide thoroughly, washing in cold water, then boil to a jelly and let it get cold, and then eat with a little sugar sprinkled on it. This was considerable trouble, but we had little else to do and it was better than starving.

"We asked the Lord to bless our stomachs and adapt them to this food.

"We hadn't the faith to ask him to bless the raw-hide, for it was 'hard stock.' On eating now all seemed to relish the feast. We were three days without eating before this second attempt was made. We enjoyed this sumptuous fare for about six weeks".

I wonder if I had been Bro Jones if I might have asked not even just for some good food, but for a quick and easy shuttle back home.  However, Bro Jones and the other young men knew something of the strengthening power of the Atonement, and instead asked the Lord to bless their stomachs and adapt them to the food that they had available.

You will recall many examples from The Book of Mormon of disciples and prophets who knew and were transformed by the enabling power of the Atonement.   Hopefully, as we liken the scriptures unto us, we too can see the enabling power in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

Nephi when his brothers bound him, pleaded with the Lord to give him strength to burst the bands.  In the strength of the Lord, which is the enabling power of the Atonement, Nephi was enabled to break the bands. In what ways, have you pleaded with the Lord and with the strength of the Lord, what bands have you been able to break?

You remember the Lord’s promise to Alma in Mosiah 24 that He would ease the burdens which were being put upon the shoulders of Alma and his people, that even they would not feel them upon their backs. And of course, if you remember that story, then you’ll remember, the best part:  You’ll remember how the Lord did  strengthen them “that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.”   That last part is the evidence of the Atonement in their lives. 

We learn in Mosiah 3:19 that as we go through this mortal journey, yielding to the enticings of the Holy Spirit and putteth off the natural man, and becometh as a Saint, through the Atonement, our human nature is changed.  We become as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father. 

I have a testimony of the Lord’s willingness to do this for us.  I know that the through the Atonement He will strengthen us so that we can bear the burdens that He gives us so that they are truly made light.

A few years ago we were blessed with a child who has multiple disabilities.  For the first two years of his life, I could count on one hand the number of nights when I had more than 2 or 3  hours of consecutive sleep at any time.  Shortly after he turned 1, I was diagnosed with Cancer. 

I remember at one point lying on a table when the cancer had started to grow back having yet another biopsy taken and thinking this should probably feel more overwhelming than it does.  I knew that it was the Lord who was making the burdens seem so light.  After 2 years of not sleeping through the night and months of weekly treatments, I testify to you that the Lord through the Atonement, and with many angels both seen and unseen,  my burdens and my family’s burdens were truly made light such that I was able to easily and cheerfully carry them.  I would not have been able to do so without His strengthening power.

One of my favorite scripture stories is in the book of Ether … the happy part … not really the ending.   I believe there are multiple examples of the enabling power of the Atonement in this book.  How do we liken these scriptures to ourselves?

At the tower of Babel, the brother of Jared prayed and the language was not confounded.  Jared asked his brother to inquire of the Lord where they should go.  The Lord leads them into the valley and to the seashore.

After the brother of Jared talks with the Lord, they build barges that were tight like unto a dish, small and light upon the water with the ends peaked, and the length of a tree. 

Do you think he knew then that it would mean spending 344 days in boats built tight like unto a dish?

Early in our marriage Dwight and I with our then only child Jessica moved to Honolulu Hawaii.  Dwight wanted to learn to surf and I was the supportive wife who figured I’d get a good tan.  Shortly after arriving I was called to teach Gospel Doctrine. As I stood before a room full of Polynesians, within walking distance from the Pacific ocean, this story took on all new meaning to me than it had ever had in land-locked Indiana where I grew up.  A 60-year old Polynesian explained to me how the ocean’s mountainous waves would hold a boat like that down under water. 

Brothers and sisters, I’m not sure I would want to step on to a boat with all the modern luxuries for 344 days and I’m confident that it would take the enabling power of the Atonement to give me the strength to step on to one of these barges.

After they were built, the Brother of Jared went to the Lord and said, I’ve done what you’ve asked, but “O Lord, wilt thou suffer that we shall cross this great water in darkness?”

Do you ever feel like that?  Do you ever wonder if the Lord will suffer you to be left in the darkness?

When the brother of Jared had asked how they would breathe, the Lord had given him directions and told him how to get air, but this time, the Lord said, “What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels?”  

Of course, you know the rest of the story, the brother of Jared prepared stones and they had light.

I believe the next verse is especially significant to each of us as we face our own opportunities to seek the Lord’s enabling powers:  We could just write our names in front of it …

“… for the mountain waves shall dash upon you.”  {{ And, here’s the promise … }} “Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea; for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have I sent forth.”

If we then skip over to Ether 6:4, they have made their preparations and they set forth into the sea, {{and I love this next line … }} “COMMENDING THEMSELVES UNTO THE LORD THEIR GOD.”

“And, the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters towards the promised land and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind and many times they were buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind.”

How did they survive?  How did they access the enabling powers of the Atonement?

When they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters.

In Ether 6:8 it says, “And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind.”

Brothers and sisters, they did make it to the promised land. 

I have a testimony that there is nothing in any life that is too big for the Atonement.  I know that while the winds may seem fierce and the mountain waves may bury us in the depths of the sea, we are not alone.  We need not travel in darkness.  If we will be faithful and cry out to Him, his winds will continually blow us towards the promised land. 

I know that through the Atonement bad men are made good and good men are made better and our natures are changed. 

My Current Excuse for Being Late

The other morning I went to run what should have been three very quick errands.  "Should have been."  It took an hour longer than I anticipated.  This seems to be a common pattern lately.  So, I thought I'd go public with the issue.

If I'm late, there's a good chance that you can blame this:

Yes, the roly poly bug, or as I would like to call them ... a PILL bug.  Why is this harmless little bug causing me to be late?  Because apparently they need to be rescued. 

Every where we go, Deborah has to stop to rescue each and every PILL bug from any potential dangers.  She's even developed her own little technique.  She first scares them so that they will roll up into a ball so that when she gently tosses them out of danger they won't get hurt.  Then the toss.  It's always a gentle toss. It can't be too hard and she always ensures that they will land back on the dirt and grass where she is confident they really wanted to be.

It's kind of sweet, but it's making me a little crazy.  I hope this phase ends soon.

PS  Do you think this is a result of me telling her that I'm really not going to have the other 8 children she wants me to have?

Definitely Not a Trick

Today is one of my favorite days of the year.  It might not surprise you to know that I have lots of favorite days of the year:  Christmas, birthdays, Sundays, Easter, St. Patrick's Day, family days ... but today is one of the four special favorite days that happen every year.  It's General Conference time.

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, every 6 months our Prophets and Apostles speak to us.  Oh, back up... yes, we believe in the same organization that existed in the church of the Biblical days ... we believe in living Prophets and Apostles that speak to us today and in revelation.  Thank heavens!  And, the best part is that anyone can listen to the Apostles and Prophets.  If you click here, you can watch any or all of the sessions from this April.

Conference happens on Saturday and Sunday.  There's a morning and an afternoon session.  Each session lasts for 2 hours.  Even though we can stay home and watch thanks to technology, that's a long time to sit still and listen.  So, Dwight wrote a program to do General Conference Bingo.  He creates 2 Bingo sheets per person with unique words on each sheet.  The kids love it!

And, this conference, I borrowed the neatest idea from a super cute blog called  Brown Paper Packages.  Of course, I simplified mine to just 3 words since we were also doing Bingo.

The kids, of course, LOVED this idea!  It has really kept the kids attention and been a fun way to offer treats today.  The only disadvantage ... my favorite treats were in the pray bowl and that word wasn't said as often as I would have liked.  :)

6 Month Cancer Results

It's hard to believe that six months have already past since I was last here in Houston.  The drive down here was so beautiful.  There were the most amazing wildflowers on the sides of the roads.  It made the drive feel like a blessing.

I just completed another round of semi-annual testing at MD Anderson.

While I'd rather not need to come here at all, I feel blessed to have this resource, especially relatively close to home.  I was recently talking to a friend who is going through similar follow up testing.  Yet the place she goes still makes her wait weeks to get the results.

My results are already back.  I still have multiple tiny spots on several locations.  Most of them have not changed, but the spots on my thyroid have grown a little and thus when I come back in 6 months they will do an Ultrasound and a Fine Needle Aspiration.  He also would like to do maintenance chemo then.

So overall, things are good and I'm thankful to have Doctors who watch over me so carefully.

On the bright side: I'm half way through the day's tests. :) Just one thing: could someone please invent a painless mammogram? Good grief!! OUCH! That hurt more than today's blood draw.

On My Way to MDA

The drive to Houston was incredibly beautiful this morning. Texas is known for it's bluebonnets, but all along I-10 there were beautiful wildflowers of all different colors.  It was just gorgeous! I feel so thankful that I was able to see it.

Nice to be Home

It is so nice to have Ryan at home again.  He is doing so much better and life seems to have returned to our normal. 

As I have thought about our time at the hospital and the circumstances around it, I am overwhelmed with gratitude.  I am so blessed with so many wonderful friends.  Dwight was out of town and yet my family was well cared for during the entire time.  I did not have to worry at all about them. 

If you are well acquainted with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, you are probably familiar with the Visiting Teaching program.  It is a program where each sister is given two sisters who watch over a particular sister.  Ideally each sister has visiting teachers and each sister is a visiting teaching.  I love the visiting teaching program. 

I am especially fortunate in that I have two amazing women as Visiting Teachers.  One has been my Visiting Teacher and good friend for several years now.  The other just moved here maybe a year or so ago and has been my Visiting Teacher and friend since then.  They are both women of influence and both are great examples to me.

I have had numerous great women as Visiting Teachers over the years and I have been so fortunate to visit women that I have learned so much from over the years.  So you might say the Visiting Teaching program is sort of an assignment to become friends.  Cool, right?

Anyway, one of my Visiting Teachers happened to call just as I was walking out the door Monday to take Ryan to the Pediatrician.  She was calling to make an appointment to come see me this coming week.  I explained that Ryan was sick and I was on my way to the Pediatrician.  I promised her I would call her back when I got home and I'd let her know if I needed anything.

So as I was following the ambulance to the hospital, I called her to let her know what was happening and that I would in fact need something.  Then she coordinated everything else with other people.  It was such a blessing not to have to worry about calling and asking for help from so many people.  I could focus on Ryan and my other children. 

Dear friends came to the hospital late at night and stayed with Ryan caring for him.  (I would say "slept at the hospital," but I'm fairly confident they didn't get much sleep.  I've stayed at the hospital enough to know there's not much sleeping at hospitals.)  I was able to go home at night and comfort my children.  This was especially important for Johnathon and Deborah who were feeling really anxious about the situation.

Other sweet friends brought in dinners for the family.  Yes, my older kids could have made food for the family, but it was so nice for them that they didn't have to do it. 

I was very proud of my children as they did keep the chores around the house done, and Jessica and David helped a lot with Deborah and Johnathon. I love that they were so thoughtful!

I also felt very blessed by the type of care we received at North Central Baptist Hospital.  We have been admitted before by the Hospitalist, Dr. Armstrong, and so it was nice to have him again.  It was nice that he remembered us.  It was also nice when the nurse, Jenn remembered us as we went back in to try again for IV.  Somehow just being remembered built confidence.  And, Jenn and CJ were so kind as they worked together seamlessly to place his IV.

The Respiratory Therapist, Max, was so friendly and I enjoyed talking with her so much. I loved our conversations. It felt like I was talking with someone I had known for years.  The same was true of several of the nurses, especially Jana, Laura, and Dannielle. They just seemed to go out of their way to make Ryan and I feel comfortable.  It felt as though we had friends on the unit.  Although I won't miss being in the hospital, I will miss those conversations and I will wonder how each of them and their families are doing.

I also feel very thankful for all of your prayers.  I know without a doubt that we have been blessed so many times in Ryan's life ... and throughout my life ... by prayers.   I know He hears you when you pray and I'm so thankful for the prayers that you offer on Ryan's behalf.  They have worked. We have seen him healed so many times.

Thank you!

PS Today is the 101st day without a seizure!

Going Home

Ryan's doctor came into the hospital room this morning and said that we get to go home!  Ryan's lungs are clear and his breath sounds are good again.  His oxygen levels are back to where they should be without any supplemental oxygen.  He is resting so much better and is breathing is no longer labored.  He is even being sent home without orders for breathing treatments. 

It's really quite amazing a blessing how quickly he has recovered from this bout with RSV. I am confident it is due to the love, faith and prayers of you and so many friends and family. Thank you!  We are so appreciative and thankful for the Lord's blessings and the miracles we see in our lives on a regular blessings.  We thank you for your faith and your prayers.

The doctor had thought that perhaps they would consider sending him home this evening since we have a nurse who could administer the breathing treatments and watch him closely.  However, I'm not sure what will happen now.  He just started running a fever of 101.3 and vomited.  The doctor is making rounds now. It'll be interesting to hear what he says. 

Prayer Works

Ryan is doing much better.  They were able to take him off the supplemental oxygen and he is keeping his oxygen saturation levels up.  Thank you for your prayers.  They're working!  :)

This morning's update

Ryan had a rough night last night. He coughed up A LOT of mucous and his respiration rate stayed much too high and his oxygen saturation levels were not high enough.

This morning the doctor has him on breathing treatments every two hours and IV fluids only (no food still).  They are having to suction his nose and mouth due to all the blood and mucous that he is excreting/coughing up.  It's good that he's getting it up. 

This morning he had a tiny air bubble on his tummy and even just that small air bubble caused respiratory distress by pressing against his lungs.  Thus the need to still keep him off all food and only on IV fluids.  

The doctor estimates we will be here for 4 days.  Just an hour after his breathing treatments today his oxygen levels were only 88 and that's while on 1 liter of oxygen. We need him to be able to maintain above 93 on his own, ideally around 95 without any oxygen.  

A Final Update for the Night on Ryan

Preliminary test results show that Ryan is positive for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).  We're not sure if this is all that is going on, but it does certainly explain a lot of his symptoms.  I'm still waiting to talk with the doctor, but it will probably be morning before I see him again.  

He is still on 1 liter of Oxygen in order to maintain his Oxygen Saturation levels, but he is resting peacefully.  Please keep him in your prayers tonight and I'll update you tomorrow.