Prayers felt, Part 2

Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 15:30
I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

Ephesians 1:16
I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

Ephesians 3:14-21

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your heartsthrough faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,  and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Yes, I believe in the power of prayer.  I have seen it at work.  

When Andrew was 4 years old, he was diagnosed with craniosynostosis and needed cranial reconstruction surgery.  While the surgery may have been old hat to the neurosurgeon/plastic surgeon team (we were told that Children's Hospital of Philadelphia performed at least one of these surgeries a week), it was new to us and the idea of allowing my son's skull to be removed, reshaped, and replaced was a tad bit scary.  Okay, that's an understatement.

I purchased a stamp that said "Handle with Prayer" and the Sunday before his surgery, we announced to the congregation what was happening that week.  We shared specific prayer requests, asked for continued prayer, and then said that anyone wanting a reminder to pray could come forward to have his hand stamped with the visual reminder.  Our first prayer request was obviously for Andrew's health and safety.  Secondly, I asked that I would be able to sleep the night before the surgery.  I'm somewhat of a sleep snob.  I need my bed, my pillow, and my house to get the best night's sleep.  I also need complete darkness and no noise.  And something to worry about?  Even a small anxiety could keep me up all night.  I knew I needed sleep that night to get through the upcoming days.

The first answer to the prayer came from a pastor friend at another church.  He knew about the surgery and had also shared it with his congregation that Sunday.  He called to say that one of the women in his church had a vision while praying and wanted to be certain he passed it along to us.  She said she saw Andrew on the operating table and above him there was an angel, prone, hovering, protecting.  That image got me through a lot in the next couple of days.  And the morning of the surgery?  I awoke from a very deep and restful sleep, ready for what that day would hold.

After 8 hours of surgery, we were told that all had gone well.  He spent another week in the hospital, struggling with lethargy and anemia.  He was sent home still not feeling the best but it was a new week, after all, and they needed the bed for new surgery patients.

That first week home was awful.  We realized that Andrew probably should not have been discharged and likely had needed another blood transfusion before coming home.  After a week of begging him to eat and moving only when forced to go from bed to sofa and back again, we were very concerned.  So you can imagine my surprise when, one afternoon, he not only got off the sofa but asked to go to MomMom's house.  I called my mom who was happy to oblige.  I can't remember exactly, but I think they went to McDonald's (at that point we were willing to give the kid whatever he would eat) and to a farm's petting zoo.

John came home a little while later and asked where Andrew was.  I said, "You're not going to believe this, but..." and told him the story.  He asked me what time and I told him it was around 2PM.  He then told me that he had been in a meeting with several pastors.  At the end of the meeting, one of the men asked if he could pray for Andrew.  The time of that prayer?  2:00.  At supper time, a woman from church came with her daughter to bring us a meal.  She asked about Andrew and I told her that he wasn't home and why.  She asked, "What time was that?"  When I told her she said, "I had this strong feeling that I needed to pray for Andrew so I gathered the kids around and we all prayed.  It was at 2:00."

Yes, I believe in the power of prayer.  Please keep praying.

Victor is doing so well.  The fact that I forgot to ask how much he weighs today tells you that it's no longer my biggest concern.  I do know that he was 4 lb. 10 oz. yesterday and looking so much like a miniature baby instead of a plastic corpse.  All of his nurse friends, when assigned to different babies, stop over to congratulate him on his big boy bed and to comment about his size.  We are looking forward to busting out of here but once again, saying good-bye will be difficult.  We have made so many good friends.

His need for oxygen goes down everyday.  I am so thankful to God for that!

He will see the eye doctor today or tomorrow.  Rather, the eye doctor will see him.  Please pray for complete healing here.

Victor is showing so many signs that he is ready to eat but we are waiting on the occupational therapist who is on vacation.  Pray for her first available appointment next week and that in this week of waiting, Victor would be preparing his suck-swallow-breathe so we can make fast and furious strides.

When I returned to Utah last weekend, it was difficult knowing that there were no more trips to break up my stay.  Each trip home, and the family's trip here, gave me something to look forward to.  However, I found out this week that my mom and Mariana are planning a trip out here the week of July 6.  I couldn't be happier.  I'm so excited to introduce Victor to his very special MomMom and for Mariana to see how much he has grown and gotten darker.  So many nurses have commented to me about Mariana and the times she held and sang to Victor.  He's ready to hear your songs again, Sweet Daughter!

And now, another poem by moi:

Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn't a bear.

Fuzzy Wuzzy had clean hair.

Fuzzy Wuzzy is more fuzzy,

Isn't he?