This will be quick –
The doctors just came to do rounds. They are keeping an eye on Allistaire’s diaper rash as this is a way in which she can get an infection. They wanted to come by to examine her during her next diaper change. The doctor told the nurse that there was a lot going on this morning and that she might not be able to come down immediately for the diaper change.
There are two new admits this morning.
One is an 8 month old with neuroblastoma with tumors all throughout the body.
One is a 12 month old.
There is another patient who is bleeding all throughout their body.
Please pray for them. “Please pray for them” feels like an understatement but there is no font attention grabbing enough, nor large enough, nor a sufficient number of exclamation points to add. No bright color will suffice. Pray for them please.
When I hear this I am reminded that things could be very different and are for others. For some pain and terror comes swiftly and knocks you off your feet. I heard that during our wild wind storm on Christmas day, a family was driving on Whidbey Island and a tree fell on their car killing their 9 year old daughter and injuring the father. In a flash their world is changed forever.
Our road appears to be a long one. But you know what, as hard as a hard long road is, there is the gift of time with the ones we love in it. Pray for those whose time is radically cut short. My heart is so weighty for them – these unknown faces and lives whose physical bodies are in a room not far from us.
Ask God over and over to help you be thankful for what He has given you. We’ve all heard it a thousand times – be thankful for what you have, but friends it really is an imperative. Don’t just nonchalantly thank God for you blessings; search them out; look around corners and under the furniture; look inside and out. Be rigorous about tracking them down. There is no blessing too small to count, for once it is gone you realize how much good it was in your life.
Conglomeration of Joy 
Jai – I am praying for you, for the others whose road is short and for those who have been on the long road so long that their souls are weary beyond belief. Love you.
Thank you for the reminder to be thankful.
This year has taught me in life what is really matters it is not the things. Christmas felt so different to me this year all I wanted was for my mom to be ok. I am sure that you felt the same way. I would even get so mad at people that wanted all these things and we are fighting for health. I also thought about the kids that woke up with no tree and presents. I promised myself that next year I would really truely help.I know that kids do not need presents but even clothes and books would make them happy.I thought about the kids in hospital and how I can help give them a smile. There is reason we have come together. You story touched me so much. Iam a better mother and I take more time for them because I have Really learned you never know.Thanks for that. MIchelle Brunner
“Don’t just nonchalantly thank God for you blessings; search them out; look around corners and under the furniture; look inside and out. Be rigorous about tracking them down. There is no blessing too small to count, for once it is gone you realize how much good it was in your life.”
Amen & amen.
Much love, sister!
Have you read ”1000 Gifts” by Ann Voskamp? If not, you need to get it. I started writing down things I’m thankful for, great and small, when Jaron was a few weeks old. It has changed the course of my thoughts and given me unexpected joy even when it didn’t make sense. It also helps to go back and remind myself of the gifts God has given me.
Thank you for these posts that keep us updated. We are praying for you and will continue to do so. It sounds trite to say “we’ll pray for you,” but there really isn’t anything else we can do, and we know what it is to be prayed for during trials. So just know that we’re praying for each of you and send our love.
Greg & Niki
Niki – it means so much that you and Gregg are praying for us! I hope you are all well!