Manna for the Day
Jeremy is doing much better today. His brother stayed with him last night while I went home to be with the girls. When I came in this morning, it was like having my Jeremy back. His personality is there again and I’m so thankful.
He is off of continuous dialysis and they will start him on short term dialysis as needed. He has some good goals for himself for today that he met and we would love for him to be moved out of ICU tomorrow to the post-transplant floor so he can start checking off some of their markers and eventually come home. He’s just really grateful for his life and for everything and everyone. And doesn’t want to waste any of life.
The girls are doing well, but miss me and Jeremy. Besides taking trips, this is really the longest time that we’ve both been away from them on a continuous basis. So it’s been really hard for all of us. I’m really grateful for people stepping in (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends) and helping with their co-op and homeschool and all the things. They’re still obliviously happy and that makes my heart joyful. We were able to snuggle on the couch for a long time last night and watch a movie together, so that was really good for all of us. I slept well and feel refreshed today.
Our friend and small group leader, Andrew, came today and Jeremy banned me from his room for an hour. I was able to sit outside and be in the outside air and sunlight beside a fountain. My friend, Anna, dropped by and brought me coffee this morning and lunch this afternoon. Our friend Jeff and Lindsey who also work at UAB also stop by regularly along with other faith family members who have heard we are here. We’re just sort of exhaling now.
We’ve kind of figured out that he is missing at least the last week from his memory. But he’s also been in hospitals for almost a month now with the exception of about a week where he was really declining. So the last time he was healthy was when he was in the Middle East and it was summertime and now he’s on a different time zone and in Alabama and it’ll be fall when he’s released so there’s just a lot for him to process through mentally.
Prayers for tonight include:
Increased kidney function as his liver begins to process well
Sleep! His mind is racing from the meds and clearing out toxins so he’s been a little restless all day plus he’s been inside the ICU for days
Peace and comfort in the days ahead as he regains strength and we find new rhythms
For manna for each day to be found without wondering if or when the next manna will be given. We have a multitude of things to sort through in time but I (Courtney) am learning to rest in what we have been given today and to trust that Jesus is with us through each moment. His presence is the manna—daily given and sustaining.
“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”
—Matthew 6:26-27
Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
—John 6:32-35