Home and Groggy
I’m glad to say that I’ve been home for a few hours (most of which I’ve spent sleeping). Things went well with the surgery. I am in too much of a fog to type much, but if you want, you can read Jonathan’s update here.
Wednesday Surgery
Okay, I’ve been debating about whether or not to post this, but I think I shall…
I’m supposed to be at the hospital tomorrow morning at 7.30 to check in for outpatient surgery. It’s not considered a major deal, but to someone like me, general anesthesia is never going to seem like a minor thing.
Not sure if I’ll feel like checking in tomorrow evening or not, but I’d appreciate your prayers – both for peace for Jonathan and I, and guidance, etc. for Dr. S.
Thanks!
BBC Family Camp
Our chapel (Believers Bible Chapel) had our first Family Camp this last weekend; we rented Dayspring Bible Camp. Though Papa spoke at Dayspring when I was younger, he didn’t take Mama, Eric, and I because it was so primitive back then! So this was the first time there for all of our family.
It was a special weekend of fellowship for our chapel family. John Jimo from Emmaus Bible College came and shared with us from God’s Word. He was obviously led by the Lord as his messages were very much what we needed, both as a body of believers and as individuals (at least it was for this individual!).
Jonathan and I both were drawn to Dayspring, and I expect that you’ll be hearing more about it from me in the future. As many of you know, Kansas Bible Camp is home to us, and I don’t think that will ever change, no matter where the Lord leads us in the future. I found myself surprised by the tug on my heart toward the camp itself. I don’t mean the grounds, but the Dayspring staff and the feel that I got about the camp and the way the Lord is at work there. Hard to describe…
I’ve posted pictures in a couple of Picasa Albums – One for pictures from the weekend that include People, and one for pictures that are of the beautiful grounds and Scenery.
Here’s one of my favorite pictures from the weekend, just for a teaser…
So Much to Blog…
… so little time.
I have multiple blog posts swirling again in my head. And not much time to blog right now!
I’m going to try to get a few posts up this afternoon. If I don’t manage it, I apologize for the false promise. If I do manage it, I apologize for the flood!
Walking
The following devotional was written by Richard Burson and was in the KBC Intercom in January 1973. It was included in this month’s KBC Good News, and I thought I’d pass it on.
A message from God’s Word:
There are three expressions in the Bible concerned with our walk that may be helpful to think about.
1. Deuteronomy 13:4, “Ye shall walk after the Lord your God.” Walking AFTER God tells us we have a leader; Someone walking ahead of us. In the New Testament we are admonished to become “Followers of God as dear children,” He is our example. The expression “walking after the Lord” is found three times in the Old Testament.
2. “Walk BEFORE me and be thou perfect” said God to Abraham. David commented: “I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” Walking BEFORE the Lord reminds us that God is our interested observer. We are always in His sight and He is interested in what we do. He observes us, not as a critic, but as a loving parent observes his little toddler. Every step is observed with love, pride, and gentle care. Every improvement is noted and encouraged.
3. Noah and Enoch are said to have walked “with God”. We can only walk WITH people with whom we agree: Can two walk together except they be agreed? Two can walk together only if they have the same goal, take the same path, progress at the same speed, and adjust to each other.
You and I are also called upon to walk with the Lord. Our lives must conform to His plans for us. Our path must conform to His word. Today, more than ever in the history of the church of God, we need youth who will walk after the Lord. We need youth who will walk before the Lord and youth who will walk with the Lord. How are you walking?
You and I are also called upon to walk with the Lord. Our lives must conform to His plans for us. Our path must conform to His word. Today, more than ever in the history of the church of God, we need youth who will walk after the Lord. We need youth who will walk before the Lord and youth who will walk with the Lord. How are you walking?
It’s on the Market
The Byrds’ Nest went on the market this week.
I don’t know what else to type… sitting here with my fingers hovering… but no words.
Update on Noah Estes
Please keep praying for Noah and his family. Here is Kate’s latest update:
This morning the head of the pediatric service came in and told us that Noah’s newest blood cultures are continuing to grow out this still-unknown bacteria. This means that the antibiotics are not succeeding at killing the bug. He said that we should know what the bacteria is within 24 hours, and that he suspects that it is MRSA (antibiotic resistant superbug). The antibiotics Noah is taking are big guns and *should* be providing coverage for all gram positive bugs, but for some reason they don’t appear to be doing the job.
He also said that Noah is in what is called a catabolic state which means that his body is being broken down instead of built up. This is basically an acceleration of his mitochondrial disease caused by the severe stress of the infection. Whether this state can be reversed, and how long it takes to reverse, will be determined by the length and severity of the infection.
The doctors are exploring the idea of removing Noah’s central line, which is a catch-22. It is *possible* that removing the line will make it easier to clear the infection from his blood (if the line is harboring bacteria). It’s also possible that removing the line won’t make any difference. If they do remove it, they won’t want to give him a new line until the infection clears, because putting a fresh line into an infected body will just cause the new line to get infected. Noah can’t get his TPN (nutrition) through an IV – it must go through a central line. Most of us could get by with IV fluids for a few days, but children with mitochiondrial diseases must absolutely be kept from fasting . . . .
Noah is still spiking high fevers, and when he is feverish he is either sleeping or very, very out of things. When the fever goes down lower, he perks up enough to take an interest in his surroundings, watch a DVD, get carried to see the fish tank, etc. He is even walking a little when he really perks up.
It seems hard to believe that things are going this way. Noah has had sepsis and line infections and other horrible issues, but he has always responded beautifully. I guess we’ve always known that there could come a time when he didn’t respond as well, but it still seems hard to believe.
We should know more tomorrow. They drew another blood culture a few minutes ago and there is still hope that this one will show that Noah is winning and the bug is retreating. If any other big event or change happens, or if we receive any new news, I’ll update – but I don’t expect that until tomorrow. Again, please pass this on to anyone who might be praying for Noah.
I want to get back to him (you could pray that we can get our in-room internet figured out!), but I want to close with a song that has meant so much lately.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_38RfYrFYA&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1]
Note to Self – Master Bedroom
(because if I don’t post it, I’ll forget all about it)
In Large, Friendly Letters…
I make no claim to economic brilliance, so this will likely be the only post I make about the current economic panic. This post says it so much better than I ever could. Please go read.
(My apologies to those unfamiliar with Douglas Adams who will be baffled by the title of this post and by a tiny portion of the referenced article. Read it anyway. Please.)