We Know Who Goes Before Us

In three more days it all begins. Levi will have the first of three major surgeries. The doctors will tackle his tracheal stenosis and begin the first steps of his lip repair. This should really be the easiest of all the surgeries, but with his unrepaired heart it throws in a bunch of unknowns. The hardest part will be keeping a 3.5 year old still while on a ventilator for five days. While he will be breathing on his own, the ventilator will be in place to hold the tracheal graft in place so it does not close back up while healing. He will also have a feeding tube because of the ventilator. He will not be able to talk. We will not be able to hold him for five days. We expect he will be sedated a good part of the time. It's going to be a long five days, BUT we are at peace. The God that held and protected Levi while he lay on a sidewalk waiting to be found; that kept him alive in an orphanage suffering from malnourishment and a severe heart condition;  that placed him at New Day where He knew he would receive the loving care he needed... IS the SAME God that will hold him through these surgeries!

"Whom Shall I Fear?" by Chris Tomlin

You hear me when I call

You are my morning song

Though darkness fills the night

It cannot hide the light

Whom shall I fear

You crush the enemy

Underneath my feet

You are my sword and shield

Though troubles linger still

Whom shall I fear

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever

He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

My strength is in Your name

For You alone can save

You will deliver me

Yours is the victory

Whom shall I fear

Whom shall I fear

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever

He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

And nothing formed against me shall stand

You hold the whole world in Your hands

I'm holding on to Your promises

You are faithful

You are faithful (2x)

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever

He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side (2x)

Whom shall we fear? What shall we fear? NOTHING! God's got this!

We do have some specific prayer requests:

1. Levi would be at peace. Both before and after surgery.

2. That Levi would not fight the vent or feeding tube.

3. That pain would be minimal.

4. For the graft used to widen the trachea. That it would adhere and not narrow back down.

5. For his heart to remain stable.

6. For his doctors to have wisdom, discernment during surgery, and for skilled, steady hands.

7. For his initial lip repair to go well and that Levi would like it. (He has stated he doesn't want it fixed) I think when he sees how much more he can do with a repaired lip he will be happy! We will all miss that wide grin and his sweet half puckered kisses! But, I bet he will be able to blow out his birthday candles this year for the first time! And bubbles! Oh, how he tries to blow bubbles!             

8. For our other children whose routine are going to be crazy for a week and will not see much of mommy.

9. For our hospital stay to be short! They are quoting 7-8 days. We are praying for 5-6.

Thanks and we will keep you updated as we are able!