A Day to Celebrate

Two years ago today we faced saying good-bye to Daniel.  The pallitive care team had visited us early the morning of January 12, 2011 and asked where we would like to have Daniel pass away, at home or in the hospital.  Did we want hospice care?  So many questions, the foremost of which in my mind was, Is it even going to be possible to bring him home again?

As the day progressed, things looked worse and worse for Daniel.  The team of doctors was doing everything they could do for him, but he was getting worse instead of better.  Our beloved Dr. Williams left late that evening, saying he was coming back later...not because he could do anything, but just to be with us.

The circumstances were bleak.

We had several friends visit.  They prayed.

People all around the world were praying.

And when things were looking there worst, Daniel started to improve.

And he continued to improve...

From 8 pm to 10 pm Brent and I watched Daniel's saturations climb from the mid 70's to 100 without any clear medical explanation.  And he stayed there.  A few days later, we were able to bring him home!!

We believe it was a direct answer to prayer.

And although Daniel is still a very fragile little boy... A little boy with a backpack that holds a medication pump, a medication pump that is attached to a central heart line which delivers life sustaining medicine directly to his heart 24 hours seven days a week, a medication that if interrupted is considered a life threatening emergency...he is also a very happy little boy.  A little boy who learned to walk this past year.  A little boy who is learning to talk, and will proudly tell anyone who will listen that he is "THREE!"  A little boy who has had all of us wrapped around his finger since the day he was born.

A little boy that praise God is still here with us today.

He has made me better.

I know because the Lord gave me Daniel, I am a better everything.  A better friend.  A better mommy.  A better wife.  A better listener.  As I have depended on the Lord, He has made me softer, He has made so many things new.  And I hope that in a year I can say the same.  I hope that I continue to grow in the Lord's grace and knowledge.

Grace.  It is such a gift.

Thank you Jesus for today.  And thank you for our sweet Daniel.  And for his awesome brothers and sisters.  And for their daddy.  And for our family.  For our friends. And for everyone who has prayed for us and for Daniel.

Thank you for prayer.  Thank you for hearing.  Thank you for answering according your perfect will.  You are such a good God.  And thank you for loving us all so very much.