We’ve seen that in all of God’s timing recently. My mom was wanting to come to OKC to spend some time with us but we weren’t sure what to plan because of the bathroom remodel. My dad is an evangelist and travels to preach in churches. He had a break in his schedule and was planning to work on some projects at their house so that was when Mom wanted to come here. We finally called Make-A-Wish to see what the plans were and found it would still be a few weeks until start time so last Friday, my mom came to OKC. The Lord worked it out so that she could ride here with Sarah who was returning to college at Heartland Baptist Bible College from my hometown. We didn’t necessarily try to plan it so that she was here during Joyanna’s surgery but, of course, it has worked out that way. It will be a huge help. She will watch Ethan and get Philip ready for school. Then, my brother, Joe, decided to come to OKC to help with anything they could. He will come Thursday evening. He will take my mom with him when he leaves on Saturday as he was already planning a trip to my parents’ home next Monday. I’m positive we couldn’t have worked all that out by calling and planning and asking but the Lord has done it all so simply.
This may seem really simplistic and not awesome enough but it seems a good illustration. You know when you find a favorite stain remover, you use it over and over again and watch it get out tough stain after tough stain, sometimes amazed at how powerfully it has worked. You want to tell others about how good that stain remover is. When the subject comes up among friends, you are zealous to recommend your favorite stain remover. You’ve seen it work time and time again. You’re convinced of its ability to remove stains. In a much grander and overwhelming way, I feel the same about my Father as time goes on. I think it’s how God allows our faith to grow stronger. We believe in Him at the beginning; that’s how we’re saved. But as time goes by and we watch Him orchestrate thing after thing, caring for us in such specific ways, we are more and more convinced that He is able to do all things, regardless of their complexity or impossibility. If I’m confident in my stain remover, I’m not anxious when my children get that bowl full of spaghetti with tomato sauce. (Remember I said it was simplistic.) In the same way, when something unexpected enters my path, I can rest in the fact that my Father is in control and I’ve seen that He is over and over again. That rest is so freeing. I’ll cast all the distractions on Him, because everything that happens to me matters to Him; He’ll take care of it.
Joyanna’s surgery is tomorrow. We thank you for your prayers. I am actually relieved it is here. She needs fluids and the safeguard available when she can’t get all the vitamins and nutrients she needs. I am thankful to be having it done before the emergency stage hits us. The surgery is scheduled at 8 am tomorrow. It will be a longer surgery as they are doing 2 procedures at one time. Not only are they placing the G-tube, they will also do a fundoplication. It is a technique they can do now to control acid reflux when the valve at the stomach begins to weaken. She will be admitted for at least one night and possibly two, depending upon her progress afterwards. She has done well with anesthesia before so we trust that will be the case again. I will try to update on here tomorrow.
She is continuing to lose skills at a more rapid pace than just a few months ago. These are specifically the cares I am trying to continue casting upon Him. He cares for Joyanna more than I ever could. It doesn’t seem that the medicine changes we have been making are making much difference in this season. We ask you to continue to pray for wisdom in making decisions for her.
Philip has been doing about the same thankfully. Congestion troubles are up and down. His stretches and muscles are doing better now that we’ve been able to be consistent with them. We got his new wheelchair ordered on Monday. We probably won’t get it for 3 months but it will be coming now. His seizures have spiked a little bit over the past few days. I’m not sure for the cause but we will raise his medication again. He is still enjoying school.
Make-A-Wish informed us that there is not a lead or asbestos threat in our house so we can move ahead with the remodel soon. It should happen just after Labor Day (but we said the same about July 4th :)).
We just keep taking each day and its happenings as they come. God gives strength, grace, peace and joy. We praise His name for His continued care.