A Hymn from the Lord

Not much is new since I last posted. The Baby is still working on his sucking, gagging, and swallowing. The nurses say that he still has a long way to go. But he is still progressing everyday. I will list some things that Kristal and I would like ya'll to pray about: 1. Pray that the Lord would grant James the complete ability to eat orally on his own so that they don't have to place the g-tube in his belly. 2. Pray that James gets good nurses and doctors. 3. Pray that we would be able to take him home soon. 4. Pray that Kristal and I would get enough sleep--this is difficult because Kristal has to pump throughout the night and so our sleep gets interrupted quite often. Also, I have never had problems sleeping, but for some reason the past two nights I have had the hardest time falling asleep. 5. Pray that we would get good naps during the day. 6. Pray that Baby James would not have any more seizures. They took him off the seizure medicine and so there is that possibility. 7. Pray that Kristal and I would not worry ourselves sick watching every little movement of Baby James thinking that it is a seizure. This really is an issue because babies do not have seizures in the same way as adults. Baby seizures are less pronounced--mostly they look just like tense baby movement--which all babies have. This is a big concern. 8. Pray that the Lord would continue to grow Kristal and I during this time. 9. Pray for the salvation of our doctors, nurses, and those we are in contact with. I have a funny story about one of the nurses we had the other day. I was reading the Bible to James. We read the book of Ephesians and the first two chapters of Acts. When I was about half way done the nurse came over and said, "Do you really think he is enjoying that serious stuff." I answered, "Of course, it is the Bible." She said, "Why don't you read him Dumbo or something?" I said, "I think this will do, thanks though." She then was trying to convince me to stop reading the Bible. She gave up because she saw that I was not giving in. Well, a few hours later I was reading John 9 where Jesus heals the man born blind to Kristal and the Baby. If you haven't read that story lately you should go read it. It is absolutely amazing. It is also funny because the man who was healed has some sarcastic remarks. Well, we were laughing about it. The same nurse came over and said, "Are you making fun of the Bible?" Then we got the opportunity to share the story of the man born blind with her. After we shared a bit of it to her she got all frustrated and said, "Why don't you just read Dumbo?" Right after she said that I just kept on reading. I guess that wasn't funny. Ok, I am bad at telling stories. O well. As my mother always says, "get over it." I got the opportunity to talk to another nurse last night. He husband is part of the ecumenical interfaith counsel. This is a big clue that she has a skewed view of things. It was a short conversation, but she is going to be our nurse again today so please be praying.

I woke up this morning with a hymn on my mind. It is from Fernando Ortega's cd "This Bright Hour." The Hymn is entitled "O Thou In Whose Presence." Really meditate on the words of this hymn--it is excellent.

O Though, In whose presence my soul takes delight
On Whom in affliction I call
My Comfort by day, and my song in the night
My hope, my salvation, my all

Where dost though dear Shepherd resort with Thy sheep
To feed them in pastures of love?
Say, Why in the valley of death should I weep
Or alone in this wilderness rove?

Oh why should I wonder an alien from Thee
Or cry in the desert for bread?
Thy foes will rejoice when my sorrows they see
And smile at the tears I have shed

He looks and ten thousand of angels rejoice
And myriads wait for His Word
He speaks and eternity filled with His voice
Re-echos the praise of the Lord

Dear Shepherd I hear and will follow thy call.
I know the sweet sound of Thy voice
Restore and defend me, for Thou art my all
And in Thee I will ever rejoice