A wonderful day!

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Well today was a day we never thought would come.  Especially as we sat in the NICU just two weeks ago awaiting the diagnosis of what was wrong with Griffin.  It's hard to believe that it has only been two weeks; it feels more like two months.  Although it has felt long my heart is burdened for the other children that are still there and were there before Griffin ever arrived on the scene.  

If one thing can be said about this whole experience it's that you gain perspective and you gain it fast.  You suddenly realize that all the things you thought mattered, don't, and all the things you're stressing about really don't need to be stressed over.  The most important things are my relationship with Jesus Christ and the hope I have in him, and my family.  Everything else fades away.  I am not sure if we mentioned this earlier but we were right in the middle of purchasing our first house when Amber was induced to have Griffin.  Leading up to the birth we were looking into all the things we could do to try and fix up the house and make it our own.  We really spent too much time on the internet researching, but we were excited.  Since everything has happened, the house has become the furthest thing from our minds.  It just doesn't seem as important.  Like I said before, suddenly I gained perspective.  Material things do not matter, they will fade, and fall apart, and rust, and rot.  Psalm  20: 6-8 has been an encouragement to us through this time, it says "Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand.  Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.  They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright."  Our trust is in the Lord.

Today we were able to bring Griffin home and what a blessing that has been.  Just to see him without wires and monitors hooked up is unbelievable.  I want to say thank you to all who have been praying with us and supporting us.  There have been so many who have brought meals and offered to watch the kids, and even offered to sit with Griffin when Amber and I were sick (unfortunately the NICU is really strict on who can sit in there so they wouldn't have let that last one slide).  Our hearts have been overwhelmed with the amazing amount of love and support given to us in the midst of this trial.  So, from the bottom of our hearts thank you to all of you.  I have put up some pictures of the past couple days and also him coming home, I hope you enjoy.  

We are through the first hoop, but the journey is far from over.  Stay tuned as we progress to the next surgery sometime this summer.




2 comments:

ELAINECARTER said...

PTL PTL PTL!!! He looks so healthy and we are trusting the next two surgeries will be as this one was...a success! Thank you for letting us share in this journey. What a miracle and how thankful we can all be to modern medical technology. Years ago a baby with this condition would not have lived. PTL! for little Griffin!! What a beautiful family you are!! Continued prayers!

Julie Vanker said...

John and Amber, I echo Elaine's post, praise the Lord!! Loved the pictures of Griffin, he is such a beautiful little guy, we (Steve and I) are delighted for you all!

 
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