So Ira is back on the Flolan. There was an ECCO done today to see if his pressure was any better but I left before we got the results.
Here's the thing about Flolan. When they tried using Flolan on children it was reported that the children suffered headaches and severe gaseous pains. You might remember that I posted once that Flolan is very experimental with infants. There are times when Ira screams at the top of us under-developed lungs and the only thing the nurses can surmise from this is that Ira is having headaches or severe gas. He turns three different shades of red and there is nothing, nothing, we can do to calm him down.
I just talked with Laura who is at the hospital. Ira just had one of the these episodes. She was exhausted from trying to help him out.
----------------------------
After meeting for a month in the home of R and T the Brooklyn church plant, Christ's Church for Brooklyn, is meeting back in our home. We kicked that off last night. It was good to have everyone back. A little overwhelming after a day at the hospital, but good.
I'm so impressed with the group of people who have committed themselves to this effort. They knew early on that it was going to be unstable due to my family's situation but they hung around and hung on.
People stepped up to continue the progress during our time away. I'm thankful for these sisters and brothers who have a desire to step out of their comfort zones to try this new thing despite the uncertainty of the road ahead.
I ask that you pray for Christ's Church for Brooklyn as it continues to search for its purpose here.
---------------------------
Finally, I want to thank all of you for logging in and commenting on Laura's post yesterday. I appreciate your willingness to step out on a limb and admit your uncertainties about God's work in this world.
Many of you know Laura personally and know that she is a giant woman of faith. Many of you know Laura personally and look up to her for her authenticity and genuineness. Many of you know Laura personally and realize that Laura will come out of the experience with much to say about God and God's work in this broken world.
So again, I thank you for testifying through your comments of Laura's faith. But if you haven't yet done so and you know Laura and have experienced Laura's personhood then leave a comment for I'm sure she could use the edification.
Here's the thing about Flolan. When they tried using Flolan on children it was reported that the children suffered headaches and severe gaseous pains. You might remember that I posted once that Flolan is very experimental with infants. There are times when Ira screams at the top of us under-developed lungs and the only thing the nurses can surmise from this is that Ira is having headaches or severe gas. He turns three different shades of red and there is nothing, nothing, we can do to calm him down.
I just talked with Laura who is at the hospital. Ira just had one of the these episodes. She was exhausted from trying to help him out.
----------------------------
After meeting for a month in the home of R and T the Brooklyn church plant, Christ's Church for Brooklyn, is meeting back in our home. We kicked that off last night. It was good to have everyone back. A little overwhelming after a day at the hospital, but good.
I'm so impressed with the group of people who have committed themselves to this effort. They knew early on that it was going to be unstable due to my family's situation but they hung around and hung on.
People stepped up to continue the progress during our time away. I'm thankful for these sisters and brothers who have a desire to step out of their comfort zones to try this new thing despite the uncertainty of the road ahead.
I ask that you pray for Christ's Church for Brooklyn as it continues to search for its purpose here.
---------------------------
Finally, I want to thank all of you for logging in and commenting on Laura's post yesterday. I appreciate your willingness to step out on a limb and admit your uncertainties about God's work in this world.
Many of you know Laura personally and know that she is a giant woman of faith. Many of you know Laura personally and look up to her for her authenticity and genuineness. Many of you know Laura personally and realize that Laura will come out of the experience with much to say about God and God's work in this broken world.
So again, I thank you for testifying through your comments of Laura's faith. But if you haven't yet done so and you know Laura and have experienced Laura's personhood then leave a comment for I'm sure she could use the edification.
posted by jch at
7:11 PM
19 Comments:
Yep, I'm leaving the first comment.
I attended A&M for 2 1/2 years before transferring to ACU where I met Laura. Laura and I started dating and I was ready for her to meet all my A&M friends. I took her to the A&M spring retreat. After a couple of days at the retreat a couple of Aggie guys came up to me and asked if there were more women like her at ACU. They were impressed with how Laura carried herself, her faith, her singning ability and of course, with how hot she was. I assured them that while there were great girls at A&M and ACU, there were none like Laura.
Our lesson yesterday was related to your blog from yesterday. The main idea was asking if we allow God to offend us? Matthew 11 speaks of this. If our God is not sovereign enough to reign over the good and the bad - then why bother! Basically - we should allow God to offend us. WHen all around us seems to fall, He will hold us up in the palm of his hands. I will find my notes from yesterday and comment later on this. It was very touching. So much so that I'd be willing to buy a cd and send it your way. I think it would be of great comfort to you both. Thanks for your honesty!
Teri
JeannaLynn and I have prayed constantly, read this blog daily, and have asked the same questions that Laura asked in her post yesterday.
We only know you from the MSN Retreat, but have loved you since that marvelous weekend.
We're confident that Laura will emerge from this pit with faith and hope, and with an lots of help for her fellow strugglers.
But for now, we are really, really sorry. We long for the day you get to leave that hospital. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Laura,
For your spirit, for your voice, for your life - we are thankful.
You are loved!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
I have listened to Laura sing in church during her pregnancy, and last night, too, and thought, where does the strength for giving voice to these praises come from? And I know it comes from the same place that gives her the strength to be so honest about life and faith and struggle. And I know that she probably doesn't feel strong, most of the time. But there are just a few people I have known in my life that I considered my heroes. Laura's one of them.
Laura-
You are so much stronger than you know. I admire your spiritual maturity, kindness, gentle spirit and zest for life! I admire your willingness to be "real" to all of us who read the blog. Thank you for your honesty.
I do not know Laura but I believe her feelings are very human and as wonderful as she apparently is, she is human. I very much doubt there are many people who have not questioned God. As humans we tend to question why we have a flat tire much less something as horrendous as what this tiny baby is going through. Also, isn't it strange it was anonymous? Hang in
any way you can.
Sherry Tilley, Tahoka Tx
Dear Laura & Joe,
It is great to see you encouraging one another. Sometimes, people have the urge to divide when things are tough. You two are sticking together. That's great! I hope that you don't think that the rest of us feel the way that that tacky person does. (Bless their heart!)We don't! I hope that they can realize how painful those words are, and not hurt anyone else. Of course you are questioning. We are also. We pray without ceasing for the mercy of Jesus on your son, and on your hearts. We love you. God loves you.
Love,
Dave, Karise, Keely & Kinlie
Father,
Merciful God whose compassion fails not. Please answer our grief with healing, our searching with consolation, and our stricken hearts with your love. We hurt so desperately now and it makes us so pointedly aware of suffering around us, compounding our questions with grief and more questions. Please take us into your lap and soothe our hurt. We are in ashes of the soul and feel that our darkness is all encompassing. Fear that we will never feel the same about you hovers above us. Hope that healing comes seems almost out of reach. God, help. Sometimes we are so stricken in the Spirit that we have no words and only cry. We ache for the suffering of your people. You are our defender, our sheild, our refuge. Yet we feel shaken and are scared. Please guide us through this.
Amen.
Laura is one of the kindest, down to earth people I know. I will always remember her "hanging out" in the back yard at Joe & Glo's with Lydia - just quietly sitting by the swing Lydia was in to keep her company. That was such a sweet thing to do, and just a small example of her nature. I haven't been around Laura as much as I'd like. But I've been around her enough to know she has a strong faith in God, doesn't doubt Him for a minute - but like all of us, doesn't understand why God allows some things He does. I know I have certainly questioned Him alot on that, knowing that it is not for us to understand His ways, but wouldn't you still like to ask Him WHY?? Joe's a lucky man to have Laura by his side, and the mother of his children. We know she's pretty special!
As for little Ira, he's come such a long way and will continue to do so. I have no doubt AT ALL about that. Give him a special kiss from his "great-aunt Don".
Love you all,
Weedon
(PS: Hang in there - it's gonna get better!)
Baby Ira,
You've inspired me. Someday, when you're old enough, I'm going to hug you and say, "Baby Ira, you're the one who made me get up off my duff and WRITE again. Thank you!" And you'll say, "Lady, people haven't called me "Baby" Ira for years." At which point, I'll probably start bawling, and you'll say, "You're scaring me. Go back to Texas." I can't wait for that day. :)
Love from Fort Worth (home of the newest blogger),
Stacy
Dear Laura,
My admiration for you has grown in the past several months -- beginning when we were still meeting at your home and I saw how much faith you had in the Lord, despite the uncertainty ahead. To have all of those questions and still trust the Lord with all of your heart speaks of great faith. What a source of strength you are for your family. I am so sorry that Ira is crying out in pain, but God has promised to comfort him, and I believe God will reward him on earth with a wonderful life of purpose, and this time next year, you will be rejoicing at all that God has done in your life.
R (and T)
Laura,
I have known since we were very young what a special person you are. I have always seen the strong spirit you have within you. Your love and committment to God has always inspired me. I know God has something special in mind for Ira. He has already touched so many lives. He is such a fighter and I know he will come through this setback too. I love you cousin.
Brenda
Laura and Joe,
This is John Siburt from Richardson. Thank you for having the courage to share this journey with us via blog. I read it every day and join you in hopeful prayer for Ira. I was moved by Laura's questions of faith. Sarah and I asked many of these same questions when our daughter, Katie, was diagnosed with a seizure disorder and had to have major brain surgey at the age of 9 mos. I am saddened that some think God needs defending in this or that Laura's questions reflect a lack of faith. On the contrary her voice is the language of faith, a voice spoken countless time in Scripture. It is a voice of authentic faith. It is the kind of voice that makes for a much better church planter than one who has already walked all around God taking pictures for the rest of the world to see. We hurt with you. We question with you. And we join you in faith as you wrestle with our God. Grace and peace. js
Laura, I thank God daily for you. You're an awesome Christian woman and you're a wonderful wife to my son. And also very importantly, you're a wonderful mother to Sophia and Ira. Sophia's and my teaparty Saturday night was sooooo funny and enjoyable. It was evident she has enjoyed previous enjoyable teaparties with her mom and dad. And how you handle Sophia's little "independence" is absolutely marvelous! (I can't imagine where she got that independence...must be from the Heintz side of the family!)
And of course, just watching you heading for the hospital to be with your son...when I know how tired you are and when I know that there are lots of moms who would just let the nurses "do their job" and not be there for their baby like you are. I've watched you talk to Ira, sing softly to him, and smile at him. And I know that's hard to do because his little gaze is so intense from his dark blue eyes. It's almost as if he's saying, "Won't somebody help me, please????"
I remember early in Sophia's life when you and Joe had such a hard time letting a pediatrician give her necessary immunizations because you didn't want her to hurt. That's the hard part about being a Mom....allowing some hurt so that good will come in the long run. But none of us want our kids to hurt. I really do relate to your anger and your frustration because sometimes I just can't figure out what I'm supposed to be thinking or feeling at this time.
When Joe and I came to NY for Ira's birth, Joe told me to "try and hold it together" and "not be offended if other people don't express their feelings the way I express mine!" Now you'd think that maybe my child thinks I'm a big crybaby...and you're right. You all know that I cry easily. So I tried real hard to do my crying privately, but sometimes it was just impossible to do. Laura, thanks for loving me even when I'm a big bawl-baby!
Like I said before, I thank God continuously for your presence in my life. I love you, Laura.
Joe, I've watched you sing the "ABC Song" to Baby Ira and tell him the latest Yankee news. I've watched you stand by his bed and let him grasp your finger for long periods of time. You have expressed how much you want him to "not be alone" when he's awake and that's why you and Laura have made such extraordinary efforts to be with him daily. I loved your "leaving" theory Saturday. "Leave him when he's resting comfortably and you are more likely to think of him as okay while you are away from him. If you leave when he's uncomfortable, the hours before you return to his side are heartbreaking." You are an awesome dad.
I love how you and Laura have ministered to those around you just as those around you have ministered to you. Your sense of humor remains intact, especially when Baby Alix's mom and dad indicated concern that their daughter was sharing a room with a baby boy on Viagra!
You and Laura keep on loving God and each other and your wonderful children. Thanks for your hospitality last weekend and thanks for sharing your precious children with Gram. I love you, Bro!
Mom/Glo (the most blessed mother and mother-in-law in the whole, wide world!)
Joe and Laura,
I have been encouraged and blessed many times by the transparency you share through this blog. It truly is a ministry.
Laura, thank you for you latest post. Your words reveal the intimacy who share with God even in the midst of your pain. I pray that I would be as eloquent, honest, and faithful in similar circumstances.
Joe,I know I don't need to tell you that Laura was turning heads long before college!!
Love you guys and you remain in our prayers.
I just want to let you know that I'm still praying for healing for baby Ira and for peace for his mom and dad while they are watching him go through this struggle. I can't wait for the day that good news comes that Ira is going to be home with Joe, Laura and his sweet big sister. It is so hard to wait for what we think is the perfect answer to our prayers. I have no doubt God hears us. I also expect that since he made us, He knows we are human and He knows what we are thinking, we may as well tell him. He can help us through our feelings when we open up to Him. He knows your heart and your strength and how now you come to Him with your pleas because you know where Ira's help comes from... God alone. We ask and beg of Him to do this because we know He can. Who else would we ask for healing? You know you have faith in God because you are going to Him constantly in prayer.
I admire your family. I will continue to pray. Ann
Sweet Precious Laura,
I still remember to this day meeting you at that spring retreat...you too made a great impression on me. After our first talk just the two of us at Camp of the Hills, I felt an immediate connection that words can't express. It was the beginning of a friendship that can only be explained by God. I truly feel He crossed our paths for a reason, and for that I am eternally grateful.
You have and continue to be an example to me of true faithfulness, wisdom, trust, love, strength, commitment and sacrifice.
Thank you for opening your heart and soul to us all as we read your last entry. I know your heart and know that those words can again only come from a mother who desires so deeply for her son to live a life free from pain and suffering.
I want to also encourage you to keep questioning and pleading with God just as Jesus did. "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Matthew 26:39
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46
Thank you Jesus for living on this earth and feeling all the feelings Laura is feeling right now. Thank you for showing her that it is okay to ask God questions that we don't understand. Please reassure Laura that you are with her in times of doubt, confusion, hurt and sadness that words can't express. We love You, trust You, and believe in You even though we do not understand. Please heal baby Ira. Please help him to become strong and healthy in every way. Amen.
Laura's name is written in my Bible, Joe. I know that sounds a little weird, but it's there, and it has been a great source of faith for for several years. During the summer I spent with you guys in St. Louis, we had a "girls lunch" every week to share with and edify each other. I still meditate on some of the treasures I learned in those times. All that summer long, Laura kept saying "God is faithful. He will do it." She said that about everything. Sometimes I didn't know what she meant, others I didn't want be patient enough to see the results, but occasionally. . .I listened to Laura's wisdom and I was blessed by what I saw and felt and experienced. Laura was always right. God is faithful, and he will do it--every time! Laura's name is next to two verses in my Bible: 1 Corinthians 10:13 (which I know you tire of hearing and reading) and 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (this one is underlined in two colors)
I owe much of my faith growth during the year after that internship to knowing Laura. She has always been wise beyond her years, and I am grateful to have been blessed by the brief time spent with her. Thank you for your amazing faith, girl! I am heartbroken that it is being tested in such a way as this, but I have no fear you will come out on the other side strong and supported and whole again.
All my love,
Dana M. Spivy
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home