He is the same yesterday, today, and forever

I'm sitting here so thankful for how our Savior is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  We have had a pretty crazy week.  There were times when I just wanted to throw in the towel and hide in a corner.  It’s amazing when I’m at my weakest points the Lord always gives me the strength I need to press on.  

Sunday instead of going to church, Jason and I spent our morning with Noah in the ER.  The day before he had some strong chest pains and his stomach was distended.  These are all signs they tell us too look for.  They are signs of heart failure so they needed to do a work up to make sure he was ok.  He checked out fine enough to remain at home.  We followed up with Dr. Chang on Wednesday.  He put Noah on a 30 day monitor and added another medication to his already growing repertoire.  Monday landed us in the ER with Jason.  He was having the same symptoms he had when we landed in the ER in Florida a month ago.  The doctors once again took a chest xray and told him he had pneumonia.  What?? Really??? AGAIN!!!! He requested we see a lung specialist to find out the underlying cause to both these episodes so we are scheduled this Thursday.  This was also the first week that our helper was no longer with us.  It was rough but like we always do we pushed through.

 Like the Lord always does he gives me glimpses of his faithfulness and goodness.  I realized how thankful I was that last month Noah was feeling well enough to go on his trip, that he is well enough to not be hospitalized and was able to spend time with Family on Thanksgiving. Thankful for good insurance that allows us to bypass approvals and see which ever doctor we choose.  Thankful to have amazing friends and family who bring meals, run errands, step in, call with sweet words of encouragement, and have understanding when I’m just not my usual self.  I’m thankful that even when I'am tempted to buy into Satans lies that the Lord provides his truth in his word.  

I’m so thankful for answered prayers.  Caden received an incredible gift yesterday.  This sweet little guy was just in ICU a few weeks ago struggling.  They had echmo and an LVAD set up in case he went into heart failure again.  He needed a new heart incredibly bad.  We were so thankful to get the good news Wednesday night that they had a heart for him and by the next day it was in and he was extubated.  It blows my mind how the Lord has brought this family back into our lives through these boys same struggles.  The Lord is using us both to encourage one another as we endure this season.  I will be looking to them for wisdom as they go before us.  I love facebook and technology for this reason.  We had grown up in church with Caden’s parents and reconnected through facebook.  They reached out when Caden was first diagnosed with heart failure.  Never in both of our minds did we ever expect even then that they would both end up waiting for new hearts.  We all will be forever bonded through this.  Even when things seem so hard and dark God brings a light to break through.  He is so present and is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

I realize I will have hard days again but also know God will once again remind me he is present. No amount of pain, struggle, or worry is going to change that.

Monday I leave for San Diego for my Pacemaker Surgery.  I would appreciate your prayers.  We are relieved to be crossing one of our families surgeries out of the way but I also am nervous about being further away from UCLA.  I know God is in control of all those details but still cant fight the nerves :).  Would you also please pray for Jason as he prepares to preach this Sunday.  He has the opportunity to preach at Whittier Friends. Pray that he feels well and that the Lord would use him to speak to the congregations hearts. 

We are so thankful for you all.