Tuesday, January 16, 2007

O Thou Son of David, have mercy...

Terry has gone home to be with the other children and to hopefully get a good rest in his own bed. In the twelve day stay he has only been home once. I am so grateful for his committment to the Lord, his family and his precious son, Joel. Terry is laying down his life for him through his energy and his constant prayer. This type of strength only comes from the Lord .Mere words cannot begin to expess our deep gratefulness to so many, may the Lord recompense the reward!!

Joel has been stable through out the day except for about an hour after one suctioning in which his heart rate jumped up to 143 and his blood pressure was 112\76. We had to tell him to stop being rowdy. The Lord once again allowed all to level out. Both of his eyes are very puffy. Pray that the Lord would reduce the swelling and protect them.

Please pray that all will work out to get Joel home soon. That the Lord would go before us !

This afternoon I read to Joel the book of Phillipians and now we are reading the book of Luke. I told Joel to listen carefully to the many miracles that Jesus did when he walked on this earth."O Thou Son of David, have mercy upon our little Joel."

During all the hospital stays and different procedures Joel would go through, he would always say "I'm all done?".This afternoon I heard Hosanna and Jeremiah discussing what Joel might say when Joel wakes up. They said he might say"I'm all done?". The other day I asked his twin brother Josiah what Joel was doing at the hospital and he said ,"he's sleeping". May the Lord give grace to these tender hearts.

The Lord has been giving such powerful scriptures to our hearts. Ones that have been very encouraging to me have been in the book of Luke. The story of the widow, Jesus raising Jarius's daughter, the sparrows and the number of hairs on our head and the power of importune prayer.

Terry has taught our family that God is sovereign, that he rules in the armies of heaven and among the inhabitants of man,that God works all things after the counsel of his will, that what ere befalls us is by his appointment, for our good, and for his glory.We know God is in control of every detail of our circumstances, that nothing is happening outside of his will, so yes there is great comfort in these bedrock truths, and he will give grace to all that he has for us. We must stay upon Jehovah!

I must say that there are certainly moments of intense heartache, like this morning when Josiah wants to wear a cowboy shirt that Joel has worn so much because it was easy to put on, going into our boys room and seeing Joel's bed and his stuffed monkey, arranging his special gifts on his shelf by his bed, and one of the hardest today was giving Josiah discipline. He and Joel have such different personalities. Joel would want you to hold and snuggle with him and Josiah tends to want to be alone, I was wanting to hold Josiah and recieve from him the comfort of feeling what it would be like to hold Joel again and Josiah really didn't want to so that sent me into a flood of tears. O Lord give us you comfort as these precious memories are continually before us.

We are so blessed by all the encouraging words through e-mail. Thank you for your support and prayer. May the Lord hear our desire and grant them according to his will. If you would like to view a clip of the Channel 4 news here in OKC, you can go to Kfor.com and do a search for Joel's story. They did a great job and we are thankful.May the Lord grant sweet rest and peace to us all this evening. I thank my God upon the rememberence of you!!

11 comments:

Christine said...

We are praying that God will pour His Strength into all of you.My family and I really enjoyed the news story. It was really well done and very touching.Joel is such a little sweetheart. We are continuing our prayers for his complete healing.

Teena said...

Cindy, I just posted a long comment and for some reason it did not go.

I am praying for all of you~ praying for Terry for his time home and for your time with Joel.

Your strength and faith is such a testimony to all.... we are lifting all of you up to the Father.

will be back... continuing to pray.

blessings,
Teena mom to 1/2 dozen

LJR said...

We are praying that God will grant you all the strength you will need in the days to come, especially sweet little Joel. Your story is so touching, your family is so devoted to God and to each other, its truly a blessing just to be able to read about you and be a small part of your lives. Stay strong, pray hard and most of all enjoy life with Joel, even if its in a hospital enjoy the little moments while you can, each moment we have here on earth is precious

suzyok said...

Cindy, your post was so touching. your family's faith is the Lord has helped me to get closer to the Lord. I know that the Lord has a plan for Joel and that all the trials we face have a purpose in our lives. Joel has brought so many people together through this website and he has touched our hearts and there is power in prayer. I pray that the Lord lets you take Joel home soon. We continue to pray for you and your family. Susie Musick

Conserve-a-tip said...

You are all in my prayers and I ask for God's strength on all of you in this wearying time. I have contacted Senator Coburn, as well. May God place on him a pressure to venture into the situation.

Blessings,
Mary Beth

Theresa said...

Lifting Joel and your entire family up in prayer this morning.

Rebecca said...

I am very new to your site, but I just wanted to let you know that Joel is in my prayers.. reading your story and Joel's fight for life has really touched my heart. I watched the news clip that you posted, and it is just so heartbreaking to think of going through all of that in the midst of what you are already dealing with with having your precious son so sick. Please know that I am praying for your family.

Beckaboo said...

We are continuing to hold your family up in prayer.

Matthew 11:28-30
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

In Him, the Eblings

Beckaboo said...

I was just coming on before I go to bed to see if there was any update... Please know that our family is praying for you all.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5

By the grace of God ... said...

I have been checking in throughout the day ... wanted to send a note that we have continued to pray. You all are on our minds and hearts. The Crook Family, Kansas

Unknown said...

Dearest Cindy and Terry,
I have been praying for you throughout the day today. Your family is in my thoughts continually. I am just reminded of Christ’s mercy, in so many ways, but specifically tonight that He has granted you both salvation. That you are able to rest in the comfort and hope of our Mighty Savior, knowing full well that He can, if He chooses, heal precious Joel. Knowing also He is Sovereign and that even if He does not, it is still for our good and His Glory. I remember thinking when Genevieve was in the hospital, how can this be glorifying to God? I was so weak and broken, humbled before my Majesty, my King, crying and asking, Lord how can I even ask of you healing for my daughter, when you have already given so much, your own son's life, for me?. You are already so merciful and gracious to me. But Lord, in spite of the fact that I do not deserve this, can you please, will you please, spare her life, for my sake. He reminded me of Abraham with his precious son Isaac. He put willingness in my heart. Willingness to accept His will. If His will might be that in my daughter’s death, one might be brought to their knees and be saved, oh Lord, make my heart willing. Give me a heart like yours. Refine me.
Tonight is the second year anniversary of my Genevieve being officially “brain dead”. This very night two years ago we began the similar trial you have faced for the last thirteen days. I have been and will continue to pray that the Lord’s mercy be in the form of life for little Joel as it was for Genevieve. Our God is fully able. He is also gracious and will grant the grace to your hearts to endure this time. I hope & will pray that you may be encouraged, what ever the Lord’s will be for you and Joel. Please do not hesitate to call if there is anything I can do.
All my love in Christ,
Kelley
Soli Deo Gloria,