Guest Post from Nammy

Psalms 145:4 "One generation shall praise Your works to another, 

And shall declare Your mighty acts."

The musings of a Grandma-

Since Sarah and Peter have been too exhausted at the end of the day to update the blog, I offered to do it for them.  Those of you who are parents know you would do ANYTHING to spare your child pain of any kind.  But you also know that a certain amount of pain is good in that it teaches them coping skills, prepares them for life and shows them that they can come through it a stronger person.  However knowing that does not diminish your desire to do ANYTHING to spare them pain.

Watching my daughter and son-in-law go through sleeplessness, impossible decisions (such as do we reduce the robinul dose to reduce harmful side effects or do we increase it to prevent frequent desats?) , being torn between how to share the precious hours in a day between caring for a very needy baby and 3 other very young children, and having no down time at all because when all the children are ok for a few minutes there is a mountain of paperwork to fill out, phone calls to medical supply companies, arranging appointments with doctors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, visiting nurses, etc., has been very tough for this mother.  On the other hand, seeing them persevere, seeing them cry out to God and hear Him say, "Be still and know I am God", and seeing them live their faith in such a real way that their 5 year old asked to baptized helps me trust God with their lives, as well as with little Brinley.

So, I have mused, but now for you bullet point people I will outline the current news and prayer requests.

-Brinley is gaining weight.  She is gaining more muscle tone and responds to stimuli (like her sister's constant kisses)

-Cailyn Joy was baptized this Sunday, at her own request!  She came up out of the water with a smile that was dazzling.  When asked why she wanted to be baptized she said it was because she "loves Jesus so much."

-Raina had a fun filled 4th birthday party with friends.  Peter made a obstacle course that started with a new slip 'n slide and ended with some kind of balloon hockey.

-Peter's  bother and family were visiting from VA this and the family had a great time together on Sunday including fun cousin time for the girls.

-The family was blessed by some funding to pay for nursing help a few times a week until the Medicaid program for this service kicks in.  Thank you!!

Please pray specifically for these things.

-The  plastic surgeon says Brinley's soft spot on her head has closed prematurely.  They will do an x-ray and then decide whether they will have to surgically open it back up. Pray for a miracle.

-Pray for Sarah and Peter to be able to find and schedule nurses who are a good fit for their family quickly.

-Pray for peaceful nights full of good sleep for all.

Thanks to all the folks who have brought meals, cleaned the house, helped with yard work, given cash and gift cards and helped take care of the children.  This "bearing one another's burden" really makes a difference.  They couldn't do it without you!  Keep the prayers coming too.  They provide the daily grace needed to navigate the new "normal" at the house.

God bless you!  

Mary Louise  (or as the kids call me, Nammy)