We are late giving you an update! And I am going to justify our delay by sharing a little theory with you. I believe that my mind has been conditioned to, mostly, associate “blogging” or “writing updates” with the difficulties and trials that our family has experienced through Ela’s medical journey. AND…since we have not had many difficulties and trials lately (besides our recent dealings with sepsis), my mind has not prioritized these updates. It is a delight to share that I have nothing negative to report.

At this season in our family’s life—at least as far as Ela is concerned—I am not worried about oxygen insufficiency, fluid in lungs, infections, invasive procedures, heart failure, or anything like that. I am, thankfully, dealing with more normal parental anxieties…you know, whining, screaming, not finishing meals, not sharing, etc. I’m cool with this…I’m happy if the biggest stressor in my day is wondering whether or not Noah will get sick from eating old Cheerios from behind the couch. This stressor does not produce as many gray hairs as invasive heart procedures.

Let me share with you a passage that has been a blessing to me lately.

Psalm 33:16–21 (ESV)
16 The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. 17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue. 18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, 19 that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.

We’ve said this many times but it is worth repeating…we’re thankful for medicine, we’re thankful for doctors…but don’t miss this: deliverance from the difficulties and trials of this cursed world and genuine hope for salvation from sin and death (and even despair) can only be found in the LORD…our help and our shield. May we always trust Him with our child’s health and with every area of our life.

Our hearts are glad in the Him. We ask that you pray for our kids’ spiritual salvation. We’ve been doing devotions with them in the evening and it has been neat to talk about the new bodies that God will give His Son’s followers in the future. Ela smiled when hearing that she could have a body with no scars! And Josiah was overjoyed to consider a body that does not tire (that way he can run all day!).

I am very thankful for my wonderful wife, WHO has a birthday today...happy birth day love. Leslee has been a wonderful care taker for Ela and a very hard worker at home.

Ela has a doctor’s check up at the end of the month. We will write you again once we get closer to it. Thanks again for all your prayer and support!