4/12 Update - HE IS RISEN!

You better have replied "He is risen, indeed!"

Slept in a little this morning which will wind up good for us. Pamela is not feeling as well today due to a little upper respiratory stuff that she often deals with and may be getting aggravated by the dryness of the hospital air.

Dr. Johnson showed up a little after 9 (even though he was going to take the day off) and has been thinking a lot about our little girl and emailing international colleagues about the best course to take. He did an ultrasound and showed us that the fluid build-up is not really bad all over like what is normally expected. It is worst around that right lung with much smaller amounts scattered around in the abdomen, the skin, and other places. Another puzzle is that the signs of anemia don't really match up with everything.

The big news for the day is that since these things don't match up, with Dr. Johnson being a man of action and wanting to find solutions, that we are going to be undergoing a couple of procedures later today or Monday. These will require that Pamela is heavily sedated so that the baby does not move around during them. Pamela just had an ekg to check her out and we cannot have a humidifier in the hospital so the nurse suggested a hot shower to help her. As I am writing this Pamela just said "I hate to take a steam shower since I just put on my makeup." We must look our best for a procedure!

They are likely going to go in and draw some blood from the baby to test her directly. They also may do a transfusion while they are in there. They are also deciding if they should go ahead and draw some fluid out of that right lung area to decompress that lung. These all sound like great and wonderful action items but they are of course balanced with the fact that they are doing this while in the womb! Pray for them to know the best course of action and for the correct timing in getting all of this together. Certainly pray for Pamela and our daughter and for positive headscratchers and positive steps from the medical team. It is obvious that Dr. Johnson is a very dedicated,brilliant, and persistent man and we thank God for him.

So why is this happening to our little girl? Not just what is causing this situation but why is it happening to her? It is pretty cool to think of some of the possibilities. Pamela first suggested after meeting with the neo-natal specialists who gave us nothing but bad news and horrid outcomes (who, in my carnal state I refer to as the angels of death) that God might just have planned for our little girl to get to go directly to live with Him. She could also be building up a testimony to tell people one day that gets people to listen to the Gospel message as a result of what she has been through. There could be one doctor, nurse, staff, security personnel, snack stand operator, or anyone else that might be able to learn and accept the truth of the Gospel from our witness here or seeing or hearing the stories of your powerful prayers taking effect. You may get an opportunity to talk with someone about your faith by the subject of what is happening to us coming up in conversation. Don't do it for us or our little girl but for the God who gave His only son that you might have eternal life! Those at our church are very familiar with Romans 5: 8 that tells us "God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." Imagine yourself at your worst and God knew that you would be that evil and He gave Jesus to die for your sins anyway.

Pamela was just reading the incredible chapter of 1 Corinthians 15 and encourages you to do so. That is Easter, my friend.

Take a minute to read Phillipians 4 also. I love that he starts with addressing a feud (I love it more that the feud is between women...this time) and then goes on to that passage that is so encouraging with amazing promises. God, through Paul, gives us action steps and promises in an incredible combination. That's it. I can't take the chance that you won't read it.
Phillipians 4:
1Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I (A)long to see, my joy and crown, in this way (B)stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
2I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to (C)live in harmony in the Lord.
3Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my (D)fellow workers, whose (E)names are in the book of life.
4(F)Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
5Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. (G)The Lord is near.
6(H)Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by (I)prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7And (J)the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will (K)guard your hearts and your (L)minds in (M)Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brethren, (N)whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
9The things you have learned and received and heard and seen (O)in me, practice these things, and (P)the God of peace will be with you.
God's Provisions
10But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last (Q)you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.
11Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be (R)content in whatever circumstances I am.
12I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going (S)hungry, both of having abundance and (T)suffering need.
13I can do all things through Him who (U)strengthens me.
14Nevertheless, you have done well to (V)share with me in my affliction.
15You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the (W)first preaching of the gospel, after I left (X)Macedonia, no church (Y)shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone;
16for even in (Z)Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.
17(AA)Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.
18But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from (AB)Epaphroditus what you have sent, (AC)a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
19And (AD)my God will supply all your needs according to His (AE)riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
20Now to (AF)our God and Father (AG)be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. (AH)The brethren who are with me greet you.
22(AI)All the (AJ)saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.
23(AK)The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (AL)be with your spirit.

Sorry, but I would have messed up by telling you of this instead of getting you to read it.
Thanks for your prayers ongoing.
Yours and His,Terry