Surprise for Jacob and everyone else

               Going for our first ride with Mary Beth

Jacob has a remote that turns his inflatables off and on.

               This is so easy for him...no moving.

The children and nurses love our inflatable thanksgiving turkey.

The best thing I have ever seen was the smiles on their faces.

Thank you everyone.

Praise - we have movement

As of about 20 minutes ago, Jacob began having some gas in his colostomy bag.  It appears that the awakening is underway.

We are getting ready to put him in a chair for a little while and perhaps take him to the play room.

We also have the Thanksgiving turkey inflatable ready to go.  Pics to follow a little later.

Praise The Lord.

Mommy and Daddy

Monday morning rounds

Jacob had another decent night of rest.  His bowels are still sleeping, but there does appear to be a little bit of gurgling going on inside.  Both the Urology and General Ped surgery teams came by this morning to check on Jacob.  Everything looked good and they will again try to get him some chair time today.  Dr G also came in to get an update from the docs that were here over the weekend.  Jacob is still reluctant to talk, but did surprise us with a few words early this morning.  Please continue to pray for overall healing, especially at the incision site and with all of the internal plumbing.  Please pray that his colostomy will return to normal - not prolapsed anymore but not so tight that it requires dilating.  Please also pray that the SP tube and stents will continue to work correctly and that we can soon begin the process of training to use the catheter.  The pain management side of things continues to go well - a definite praise.  

On a separate note, we had a visit from Pastor Rick Cash, who has followed Jacob pretty much since birth.  Rick is the senior pastor at Valley Baptist Church, where Uncle Ron, Aunt RoRo and their family are members.  We've been able to worship with them there several times over the years and they, along with many other churches, have faithfully prayed for Jacob since birth.  We always enjoy his visits and time of prayer with us.  And we may be able to see him more  frequently as he is currently in chaplaincy training, here at Hopkins, on part time basis.  

Despite the many challenges associated with a long stay in the hospital, God continues to use these stays as an opportunity for us to share Him with others.  We have already met several new families from various parts of the country.  In addition, we also encounter different nurses, doctors and hospital staff each day, with whom we try to share Jacob's story and all that The Lord has done.  Mommy, in particular, does a great job of boldy proclaiming His word of truth with everyone she encounters.  So many have been amazed at the story of how God provided us with a van (we continue to be in awe, too).  But what a powerful testimony of His grace and mercy, demonstrated through one of his childen.  

We are reminded that, despite our weaknesses and the effects of our sin, God's Word will go forth and will not return void.  It will accomplish all that He intends (Is. 55:11).

May God grant us the strength to share His good news, through our words and actions, for His glory.

Mommy and Daddy