Update from Daddy

In drivers education class, the teacher emphasized that most accidents happen within the final stretch of coming home. Anytime I travel back home after a long time away, I find myself so excited with anticipation or so tired from the long journey within that final five mile stretch that I have to remind myself of the risks; There's a greater need to keep alert and ready.

Hebrews 12 and Galatians 5 talks about our journey to Christ in faith being a race. If accidents and carelessness happen so often near the end of the race then it becomes a greater need to pray, seek and listen to God. It's easy to be broken at the beginning of a long and arduous trial, but not so easy when there's a hopeful and near end in sight. We're hopeful and excited, but still exhausted and easily overcome or tripped if we're not careful.

It's hopeful that Paula and JJ may come home this week - possibly even today! But that means we need more prayer. Pray that God's will is orchestrated through these doctors.

We know what we want, but aren't certain of what God wants specifically related to the days ahead and JJ's release. We do know, however, that whatever God's will is - it's ultimately the best for all of us, even when (and most often when) we don't understand it.

New problems have come up which require prayer in addition to the hopeful return home.

JJ has been tolerating a feeding tube through his nose for nearly a month. He's now suffering from nose bleeds there. He's doing well in the hospital, but RSV season is approaching and we fear that if he's there much longer that he will contract that disease. He can't advance as quickly in his therapy at the hospital as he could at home because we have better equipment and accessibility to more equipment at home.

Any parent who has sacrificed and suffered as Paula has understands the needs. On her own she's completely exhausted and drained. Please pray that what has been drained is filled up with the LORD's Spirit.

If what we have endured and learned over this past month doesn't come to a finish that glorifies God then it would have all been in vain.

We need physical and emotional strength to endure, strength of character to overcome, strength in faith to wait on God and love Him more no matter what. We need healing for JJ; a strong appetite and stomach for JJ to keep good amounts of food in his system today and for the years to come, a quick healing from the feeding tube in his nose (and hopefully removal of the tube today). We want Paula and JJ to come home as soon as possible - again, this all depends on God's will and we'd rather subject ourselves to that than to our own desires.

Thanks again and stay tuned. There should be some more news in the next few days ahead.

-Bri