Today is a monumental day. We are preparing for Jake to head back into the operating room. We are filled with a mixture of nerves and overwhelming gratitude. We have felt God’s hand in every step of this journey so far, and today feels like the turning point we have been praying for.Yesterday was a pivotal day. The medical team performed an “ECMO trial,” essentially turning down the support to see if Jake’s new heart and liver and lungs could handle the workload on their own. Praise God, he did it. He tolerated the trial so well. We know that his strength comes not just from his resilience, but from the prayers lifting him up. The plan is to remove the ECMO cannulas this afternoon, hopefully, and finally close his chest. We are trusting the Lord again and ask for Him to make this surgery a success. This step marks the end of the “crisis” phase of his recovery and the beginning of the healing phase.These medical milestones are answered prayers, I think what my heart is most anxious for is to see Jake open his eyes. We have not seen his beautiful eyes since last Sunday, just before transplant surgery began. It feels like a lifetime ago. The thought of seeing them again, not groggy and heavy from sedation, but focused and looking back at us is carrying me through today. We are so hopeful that once these major physical hurdles are crossed today, the team will be able to start peeling back the layers of sedation. We are ready to have our boy back. We cannot wait to see the personality that God fearfully and wonderfully created shine through again. Seeing Jake be Jake again will renew my heart and my resolve.Please keep the prayers coming for a smooth procedure today. We are standing on faith and ready for the next chapter.”But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” — Isaiah 40:31