I waited patiently for The Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.
Blessed is the one
who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
Many, Lord my God,
are the wonders you have for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Brady Update, Day 3
First of all, Brad and I want to express our thanks to all of our friends, family and those of you that we've never met who are walking along with us on this journey. We have been overwhelmed and humbled by the huge outpouring of prayer over Brady's health, our physical and emotional needs, and probably lots of things I have no clue about. This is what Christ's body looks like, mobilized and taking action. This is the type of faith that I am so thrilled for Brady to see modeled in those people who have been so touched by his story already- and he's not even 9 months old. So, with tears in my eyes, I thank you.
On to today's news:
Brady developed a blod clot in his IVC (The inferior vena cava (or IVC), also known as the posterior vena cava, is the large vein that carries de-oxygenated blood from the lower half of the body into the right atrium of the heart.- thank you Wikipedia!) late last night, so they performed an ultrasound to find out for sure.
His A-Line went bad last night (it wasn't able to draw labs any more) and because of his Down Syndrome, he has extra small arteries and it's hard for them to re-insert them. They performed a small procedure where the opened up his left wrist and inserted the line with the artery visible. This means they now have a clear reading of his blood pressure and other vital signs.
He's tested negative for any bacterial infection for the last 48 hours (Praise God!) which rules out things like pneumonia, so they took him off antibiotics.
Because he held stable for the last 24 hours under the current routine, they took him off the paralytic medication, added an anti-coagulant (for the blod clot) and have started giving him formula through an NG tube in addition to IV fluids.
So as parents, the fun is now just starting. Brady is starting to respond to touch and sound (apparently he's still ticklish when sedated! ), although because he's still on a breathing tube they are going to keep him pretty sedated until that comes out, so they don't aggravate his pulmonary hypertension.
Many of you have expressed admiration for how we're doing right now, and don't think we don't appreciate it. But like I was telling my dad earlier tonight, it's pretty easy to trust God with the stuff that you don't think you can have control over. It's the little things like getting a house moved, or figuring out what dinner's going to be, or what to wear when you leave the room in the morning that are harder to recognize God's providence in. For Brad and I, learning how to trust that God's will is being done in every aspect of our lives is a much harder lesson to learn.
In all things we continue to pray without ceasing, and give glory to God who takes care of the big things and the small things. We thank you all for doing the same.
On to today's news:
Brady developed a blod clot in his IVC (The inferior vena cava (or IVC), also known as the posterior vena cava, is the large vein that carries de-oxygenated blood from the lower half of the body into the right atrium of the heart.- thank you Wikipedia!) late last night, so they performed an ultrasound to find out for sure.
His A-Line went bad last night (it wasn't able to draw labs any more) and because of his Down Syndrome, he has extra small arteries and it's hard for them to re-insert them. They performed a small procedure where the opened up his left wrist and inserted the line with the artery visible. This means they now have a clear reading of his blood pressure and other vital signs.
He's tested negative for any bacterial infection for the last 48 hours (Praise God!) which rules out things like pneumonia, so they took him off antibiotics.
Because he held stable for the last 24 hours under the current routine, they took him off the paralytic medication, added an anti-coagulant (for the blod clot) and have started giving him formula through an NG tube in addition to IV fluids.
So as parents, the fun is now just starting. Brady is starting to respond to touch and sound (apparently he's still ticklish when sedated! ), although because he's still on a breathing tube they are going to keep him pretty sedated until that comes out, so they don't aggravate his pulmonary hypertension.
Many of you have expressed admiration for how we're doing right now, and don't think we don't appreciate it. But like I was telling my dad earlier tonight, it's pretty easy to trust God with the stuff that you don't think you can have control over. It's the little things like getting a house moved, or figuring out what dinner's going to be, or what to wear when you leave the room in the morning that are harder to recognize God's providence in. For Brad and I, learning how to trust that God's will is being done in every aspect of our lives is a much harder lesson to learn.
In all things we continue to pray without ceasing, and give glory to God who takes care of the big things and the small things. We thank you all for doing the same.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Brady Update 2
Hi all- if you have gotten any updates from me today, I've probably cut and paste this message-
Earlier today Brady's Blood pressure was low so there was less oxygen going to his Brain and extremities. His lungs are starting to clear up, but there is still a significant amount of "fluff" clouding up the xrays.
He isn't peeing even though they have him hooked up to major league fluids so the thought is that the low BP is affecting urine production, so he is hooked up to a catheter.
Had a pretty severe fever all night. Put him on ice packs and this inflatable cold air bed, which has really helped- he dropped from 103 degrees to 97!
They did a blood transfusion to get more oxygenated blood into his system. He has responded well to that; his temp is down, blood pressure is up and the percentage of oxygen he is receiving from a machine has decreased from 60% to 40%.
A hard day that was made better by prayers, messages of encouragement and reading scripture. It's not easy to see him hooked up to everything but its wonderful to hear that he is making improvements...Brady is NOT a quitter!
We are learning to praise God in all circumstances, and I realize so often during our days that we are so fortunate to be children of a God who controls huge things like Brady's health, to small things like the delicious coffee my wonderful sister-in-law brought us.
Thank you to our prayer warriors.
Xoxo
Earlier today Brady's Blood pressure was low so there was less oxygen going to his Brain and extremities. His lungs are starting to clear up, but there is still a significant amount of "fluff" clouding up the xrays.
He isn't peeing even though they have him hooked up to major league fluids so the thought is that the low BP is affecting urine production, so he is hooked up to a catheter.
Had a pretty severe fever all night. Put him on ice packs and this inflatable cold air bed, which has really helped- he dropped from 103 degrees to 97!
They did a blood transfusion to get more oxygenated blood into his system. He has responded well to that; his temp is down, blood pressure is up and the percentage of oxygen he is receiving from a machine has decreased from 60% to 40%.
A hard day that was made better by prayers, messages of encouragement and reading scripture. It's not easy to see him hooked up to everything but its wonderful to hear that he is making improvements...Brady is NOT a quitter!
We are learning to praise God in all circumstances, and I realize so often during our days that we are so fortunate to be children of a God who controls huge things like Brady's health, to small things like the delicious coffee my wonderful sister-in-law brought us.
Thank you to our prayer warriors.
Xoxo
Psalm 116
1 I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came over me;
I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“Lord, save me!”
the anguish of the grave came over me;
I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“Lord, save me!”
5 The Lord is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
6 The Lord protects the unwary;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
our God is full of compassion.
6 The Lord protects the unwary;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
7 Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.
for the Lord has been good to you.
8 For you, Lord, have delivered me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
9 that I may walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
9 that I may walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.
10 I trusted in the Lord when I said,
“I am greatly afflicted”;
11 in my alarm I said,
“Everyone is a liar.”
“I am greatly afflicted”;
11 in my alarm I said,
“Everyone is a liar.”
12 What shall I return to the Lord
for all his goodness to me?
for all his goodness to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.
and call on the name of the Lord.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his faithful servants.
16 Truly I am your servant, Lord;
I serve you just as my mother did;
you have freed me from my chains.
is the death of his faithful servants.
16 Truly I am your servant, Lord;
I serve you just as my mother did;
you have freed me from my chains.
17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the Lord.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the Lord—
in your midst, Jerusalem.
and call on the name of the Lord.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the Lord—
in your midst, Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord.[a]
Footnotes:
- Psalm 116:19 Hebrew Hallelu Yah
Monday, February 18, 2013
Helpless
There is nothing that raises your awareness of how helpless we are as humans than having a baby. It is crazy (and exhausting) to have a baby depending on your for EVERYTHING from eating, sleeping, staying warm and going to the bathroom. There was a point where each of us couldn't do any of that on our own.
Brady is in his second stay at Lurie Children's hospital in downtown Chicago, this time for a severe bout of RSV. He's currently laying on his hospital bed while a team of doctors has tried to insert a catheter line for almost 3 hours. He's being sedated and immobilized, so right now he's not aware of any of it. I however, am acutely aware of the breathing tube he has in his nose and mouth, the various lines that are running through his veins, arteries and wherever else they are sticking needles into him. And last night when Brad stayed up with him, he was definitely aware of his crying from his pain and discomfort.
Talk about being helpless. There is absolutely nothing more I can do for my son then be here to support him. Meanwhile, he's scared, in pain, and sick. I wish that I could explain to him that it would pass in a few days, but that it sucks for now, but he's 8 months old- it doesn't work that way. It's hard to feel so dependent on doctors to take care of my son. Then I remember that Brady belongs to a God who is so much bigger, and who has all the control over this situation! I can't sit and wring my hands, wondering what I can do. The most that I can do is pray, and trust that God is working through this situation the same way that he works through our good situations.
I've listened to some songs to help bring a sense of normalcy to this sterile and cold place, and a song by Chris Rice has struck a chord (ahem, ahem)with me.
Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!
In this time, your prayers and love mean more to us than you know. It is absolutely the most any of us can do! They sustain us, they give us a sense of peace, they give knowledge and insight to the doctors.
O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!
Through all of this, we thank God that we live in a city where we have access to excellent healthcare and a wonderful facility. How wonderful is that?
We'll keep you posted!
Brady is in his second stay at Lurie Children's hospital in downtown Chicago, this time for a severe bout of RSV. He's currently laying on his hospital bed while a team of doctors has tried to insert a catheter line for almost 3 hours. He's being sedated and immobilized, so right now he's not aware of any of it. I however, am acutely aware of the breathing tube he has in his nose and mouth, the various lines that are running through his veins, arteries and wherever else they are sticking needles into him. And last night when Brad stayed up with him, he was definitely aware of his crying from his pain and discomfort.
 |
| Just knocked out, catching up on some ZZZ's |
Talk about being helpless. There is absolutely nothing more I can do for my son then be here to support him. Meanwhile, he's scared, in pain, and sick. I wish that I could explain to him that it would pass in a few days, but that it sucks for now, but he's 8 months old- it doesn't work that way. It's hard to feel so dependent on doctors to take care of my son. Then I remember that Brady belongs to a God who is so much bigger, and who has all the control over this situation! I can't sit and wring my hands, wondering what I can do. The most that I can do is pray, and trust that God is working through this situation the same way that he works through our good situations.
I've listened to some songs to help bring a sense of normalcy to this sterile and cold place, and a song by Chris Rice has struck a chord (ahem, ahem)with me.
Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!
In this time, your prayers and love mean more to us than you know. It is absolutely the most any of us can do! They sustain us, they give us a sense of peace, they give knowledge and insight to the doctors.
O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!
Through all of this, we thank God that we live in a city where we have access to excellent healthcare and a wonderful facility. How wonderful is that?
We'll keep you posted!
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Growth
 |
| What a good sitter! |
I've come to be aware of how intentional our spiritual growth must be as well. Being raised in the church tends to mean that you know all the right answers, or know the right things to do, and yet I think it also leads us to be the most vulnerable to being stale.
We work so hard at getting our bodies in shape, eating right, improving our minds, getting promotions at our jobs, but do we spend time with God? Do we take the time to get to know who God is through his Word? Do we say that we want to follow Jesus and learn to love as he loves, and just assume that we know what that means?
I have asked myself those questions for months and I haven't had the courage to really face what action would look like. It means re-allocating time, when I feel like that's at a premium. I would need to change what I take in and what I give out. I would wrestle with my relationships, because when God is first, it changes all of them.
 |
| "How big is Brady?.... Sooooo big!" |
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Refocusing Our Lenses
At the start of a new year, our culture takes to self-reflection and betterment. Resolutions to lose weight, read more, have new relationships take a sudden prominence in our life. And yet, ask anyone who is a consistent member at a gym- February hits, and the busy rush of newbies that had flooded the gym has dwindled away. It isn't until it's beach season that there is a re-focus on getting in shape.
Early today, I heard a message on WMBI (Moody Bible Institute's radio network) by Ravi Zacharias (who has a really cool story if you have time to read it) that illustrated so clearly the importance of keeping our focus on God's will for our lives. Using King Saul as an example, he showed how Israel's first (and Zachrias says could've been arguably their best) king allowed his humanity to overcome his desire to follow God. There were moments of re-focusing where Samuel helped Saul see the err of his ways, but he ultimately died the way he had lived- for (and by) himself.
Brady has been a true re-focusing for Brad and I. The providence of God in my pregnancy and in our life since Brady's birth has been immense, beyond what we could have even imagined... The way that Brady is already exceeding expectations the world has set for him... Our recognition of our limited abilities to do this parenting thing- we're responsible for a human life! What?! We sure couldn't do this without the human and spiritual support God places in our lives.
Because of all of these (and many more, believe me!) realities in our lives, we have felt called to adjust the lens with which we see the world, and see not through eyes that serve two masters, but ones that are continuously humbled and seeking how to serve God. Not just saying that we are followers of Christ, but actually living it. As Christ said in the Sermon on the Mount, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other." (Matt. 6:24a) We cannot keep seeking validation for our lives in the way that the world sees us, because we now see our lives through a re-focused lens- one that is on God.
It's amazing how Brady keeps changing our lives, and we can't wait to see how else it keeps evolving!
 |
| Brady and I at the beach this summer... beach bod...get it? |
Early today, I heard a message on WMBI (Moody Bible Institute's radio network) by Ravi Zacharias (who has a really cool story if you have time to read it) that illustrated so clearly the importance of keeping our focus on God's will for our lives. Using King Saul as an example, he showed how Israel's first (and Zachrias says could've been arguably their best) king allowed his humanity to overcome his desire to follow God. There were moments of re-focusing where Samuel helped Saul see the err of his ways, but he ultimately died the way he had lived- for (and by) himself.
Brady has been a true re-focusing for Brad and I. The providence of God in my pregnancy and in our life since Brady's birth has been immense, beyond what we could have even imagined... The way that Brady is already exceeding expectations the world has set for him... Our recognition of our limited abilities to do this parenting thing- we're responsible for a human life! What?! We sure couldn't do this without the human and spiritual support God places in our lives.
Because of all of these (and many more, believe me!) realities in our lives, we have felt called to adjust the lens with which we see the world, and see not through eyes that serve two masters, but ones that are continuously humbled and seeking how to serve God. Not just saying that we are followers of Christ, but actually living it. As Christ said in the Sermon on the Mount, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other." (Matt. 6:24a) We cannot keep seeking validation for our lives in the way that the world sees us, because we now see our lives through a re-focused lens- one that is on God.
It's amazing how Brady keeps changing our lives, and we can't wait to see how else it keeps evolving!
 |
| Happy New Year! |
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