This week, Matt and I were trying to find a new restaurant that had been recommended to us to try. When we got there it was closed. So, we picked another place, put it into the GPS and headed that way. Once we got on to the correct path, we came to a red light. I was sitting there looking around and realized a church was right there on the corner. It was one of the churches that some of the nurses and respiratory therapists had recommended to us. I got to looking at there service times and saw they had not only one, but two Saturday night services. Matt and I decided that as long as Ellie was doing ok, we needed to try it. So, Saturday night rolled around and we headed off to church at Crossroads in Hyde Park. We of course arrived late because we got held up at the hospital making sure Ellie was ok. When we got to church, the worship part of the service was already over. I was kind of bummed about that because I LOVE to sing and worship. The announcements were almost over and then they invited this lady up to speak. I then was even more bummed because I had really wanted some good preaching. Now I am not sure if this woman was on staff or just a member of the church but the next 35 minutes just blew me away. This woman got up and spoke of healing through Jesus. But not the healing you would expect to hear. Her husband had been diagnosed with a brain tumor and fought a very courageous battle but ultimately God called him home. There healing came though in letting things go that once mattered before. They lived life to their fullest and cherished every waking moment they had together.
I sat there in my chair wanting to cry my eyes out several times. First, just hearing her story was so emotional for me. To hear the pain someone goes through with a loss, is heart wrenching. Then, for it to be the first church we have gone to in Cincinnati and it be that kind of a message, I knew God had us go down that path, to find that church for that particular reason. Its so amazing to me how so many times in this journey God has put certain people and certain places in our path at just the right times. It helped me so much to hear this woman speak. I have my days where I am so strong and then there are days where I am so down. It's such an emotional journey that sometimes is hard to explain. I learned a lot last night through her story. Most of all, what I took from her story, is to live each day to its fullest. Cherish every moment. Do not worry about the little things in life. They will eventually resolve themselves. That's what Matt and I try to do our best each day with Ellie. Take in every moment of her, every second. We don't want to miss anything. She is so precious and such a gift. She makes all of the troubles seem so small. It's amazing how such a tiny little human being can have such a huge impact on your life. Children change everything, that's for sure.
Ellie is still doing about the same. She's been uncomfortable more often the past couple days. The nurses weren't really sure if its because she is coming off of the paralytic on her own, or something else. Since she is still paralyzed, the only way you can really tell if something is going on is by looking at her heart rate. When it goes up, like 170's or 180's, they have to give her an extra dose of medicine. So today, they increased her pain medication. She's been resting now quite comfortably this afternoon. We are praying that this continues. We don't ever want her to be in pain or upset.
Please continue to pray for the heart cath on Thursday. We are hoping for some positive news and to be able to move forward with the chest expander. We also just want the procedure to go well and there be no complications.
Our friends the Hobby's got to take there little Riley home today from Riley hospital. We are so excited for them. Riley has a few more surgeries to go in the next few months so please continue to remember them in your prayers.
Love to you all,
Ellie's Mommy
