Hi dear friends! All of your emails and posts have been a tremendous encouragement to Courtney and me. We have gotten every one of them!
We are settled into our hotel room (Best Western Inn and Suites Medical Center in Houston) and awaiting the activities of tomorrow. We report to the pediatric cardiologist clinic at 8:00 am to begin a myriad of tests (EKG, echo-cardiogram, blood work, etc.) that will take most of the morning. We are scheduled to meet with our surgeon, Dr. Fraser, at 1:00 pm to discuss the details of Tuesday and the days to follow. I'll update everyone on the time of surgery once we find out tomorrow.
Max had the best time on the flight to Houston today...he says he loves "Hairplanes"! If I had to guess, he had a much better time than the people sitting around us...he barely stopped talking from take-off to touch-down!!! (actually he was an absolute joy)
The minute we hit the downtown area, he began to get so excited over all the "Castles". Any building over 3 stories tall seems to be a castle in his eyes. He was so thrilled to get in our "castle suite" (hotel room) that he didn't want to leave to get a bite to eat.
By the way...for all our football fans out there, a little heads-up that Peyton Manning and the Colts were playing the Texans at Reliant stadium this afternoon about 1 mile from our "castle" would have helped. A quick 2 mile drive to the local Olive Garden took well over an hour! Thank goodness we were surrounded by "castles" with "hairplanes" around every corner!
For those of you who have been so precious to pray for Max, Courtney, and me in recent days, please remember his brothers and sister. John David (age 10), Hadley (age 8) and Caleb (age 5) have a big week ahead of them back home. Leaving them this morning was really tough for us. We are soooooooooo thankful that Courtney's sister, Erin, will be taking care of them this first week. She has stepped up to the plate in a mighty way to bring a sense of normalcy to their life! She is awesome!!! (love ya e!)
Early this morning, before the rest of my house was awake, I got a text message from a friend I admire so much, Eddie Baker. From his hospital room in Jackson, MS, he encouraged me to "enjoy the affirmations of God today" and reminded me "He is already at work!" Eddie just went through a brain biopsy this past Thursday and is waiting for his oncologists to give him the results of the pathology report. His words resonated a simple truth in my spirit...Eddie has not lost sight of the fact that God's mercies are new every morning; that God is not hindered, distracted, or intimidated by a diagnosis, a surgical procedure, or ANYTHING that we face! The unknown, the unexpected, the unbelievable...in the midst of it all, God is there. "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (Deuteronomy 31:8)
Tomorrow we begin a journey with Max that won't be fun. We know the procedure is not new, the process is not unique...many of you have already walked a similar road. Even so, the task at hand is new for us. Max's "hairplanes and castles" attitude is teaching me a huge lesson. At this moment he is sound asleep. He's not worried about tomorrow. As long as we stay by his side, he is content to take each moment as it comes (needles and all)! Max looks to us for comfort, sustenance, and rest.
Your tomorrow may not be fun either. So join me in a Max-like act of faith. Our Father is near...there's no reason to be afraid!
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11 comments:
Y'all have already been mentioned in the throneroom this morning. Rest in Jehovah Shammah--the Lord Who Is Present.
Love y'all too Carl. No worries here (so far)...talk to you guys later tonight.
- e
Thanks for standing so tall in your faith! Isn't it a great comfort to know that God has known about Max's situation since before the world was formed?! I love you and your whole family, and I'm praying.
Beverly
Just like the rest, we are praying too. Thank you for taking the time to share with everyone! You all already have a great story of how God is working in your family!
Joyfully,
the Lynns
Praying for a good day for your entire family.
Also, praying Phil. 4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Stephanie
We love yall... I can only imagine the worry that you feel. Remember to rest in the Lord just as Max rest in you. You know we have been and will be praying for your whole family.
Tough little man..I would have passed out. Me and needles do not mix. Karla and I are praying for you guys. God is already at work!!Lance and Karla
Courtney & Carl,
You and your family are in my prayers. Tell John David hello for me!
Rose Hopper
Carl and Courtney,
Just want you to know that many who have not met you yet are praying for all of you. As Max finds his "comfort, sustenance, and rest" in you, our heavenly Father will comfort, sustain, and
give you rest.
Love in Christ.
Louise Jenkins
I sit here in tears and in smiles! I have been where Max is many times, waiting for surgery. And, oh to be like a child, and rest comfortably in our father's arms with no worry. Thank you for reminding all of us to rest in our Heavenly Father's arms! You will all be in our prayers and we have faith that all will be taken care of! Carl, I think you may have missed your calling....ever thought about going into writing?
Lots of love to ya'll, Lucy
Carl and Courtney,
I'd like to give a shout out to Max.
I am praying for a speedy and successful surgery.
Thanks for keeping us posted.
Jim B.
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