Thank you everyone for all of your prayers for our family and especially for Garrett. He is a walking (running) miracle and a testimony to God's grace in our lives!
He does have some upcoming appointments just to rule out some potential problems. One of his eyes keeps going cross-eyed. So, he will be seeing an ophthalmologist this Saturday (August 23) just to make sure the accident didn't cause any lasting eye problems. The eye in question is his left one, which is the side of his body that was hit by the car.
Also, when he runs, he is dragging one of his legs. He says nothing hurts, but it seems to bother him to put pressure on his left leg. So, the family practice doctor wants him to see an orthopedic specialist. He will be doing that next Friday (August 29).
Another small issue is that the paint from the accident scene investigation is in the street right in front of our house. It really seems to bother my older kids and makes it hard for them to move on from their memories of the accident, even though Garrett is doing well and looks great. Please pray for peace for them and a continued trust in God. Pray that this would build their faith and cause them to recognize God's goodness and faithfulness, rather than causing them to be uncertain and fearful.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Shoes
While we attending to Garrett after his accident, I noticed his shoes (fake "crocs" from WalMart) lying the street. They had obviously been thrown off his feet when he was hit. In the midst of all of the hubbub, I didn't even think to pick them up. Matt apparently threw the clothes the paramedics had cut off of Garrett into the entry when he went in the house to get his keys. Karen Arneson actually picked up the bag of fruit that I had been carrying for Garrett (a gift as we were leaving the party). I thought to run into the house and grab rice milk and cereal for Micah for the next morning. But, no one picked up Garrett's shoes.
The day after he was released from the hospital, our neighbor wanted to treat the kids to a Slurpie from 7-11 in celebration of Garrett's homecoming. When Garrett went to get ready to go, he wondered where his "crocs" were. No one knew. I knew that I had seen them in the street, but no one had mentioned picking them or having them. So, we had him wear different shoes and get ready. Honestly, if a $5 pair of shoes is all that is lost when your child is hit by a car, you are very blessed.
This morning the phone rang around 7:30. I assumed it was an insurance adjuster. Then I noticed on the Caller ID that it was the Carol Stream Police. When I answered the phone, I wondered what they needed. The officer on the phone informed me that they had Garrett's shoes. We have an appointment to pick them up today.
On the way to the hospital on Monday morning, I asked myself if I would have been able to say as Job did, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." if Garrett had been killed in the accident. I'm still not sure of my answer, but I am currently thankful that it was not the time for God to test my faith in that way. Instead, today I am feeling like Job after everything was restored without having ever to experience his great feelings of loss.
Garrett looks almost as good as new. (He's currently got a funny haircut from when we were trying to keep the hair out of the scrapes on his face, but once I use the clippers on it all it will be fine.) His abrasions are almost healed. He only has bruise where they drew his blood and put in his IVs. He's back to harassing his siblings and we get another chance to work on kindness with him. He's doing better than the few days before the accident on potty-training. (Go figure!) And by this afternoon, we will even have his shoes!
The day after he was released from the hospital, our neighbor wanted to treat the kids to a Slurpie from 7-11 in celebration of Garrett's homecoming. When Garrett went to get ready to go, he wondered where his "crocs" were. No one knew. I knew that I had seen them in the street, but no one had mentioned picking them or having them. So, we had him wear different shoes and get ready. Honestly, if a $5 pair of shoes is all that is lost when your child is hit by a car, you are very blessed.
This morning the phone rang around 7:30. I assumed it was an insurance adjuster. Then I noticed on the Caller ID that it was the Carol Stream Police. When I answered the phone, I wondered what they needed. The officer on the phone informed me that they had Garrett's shoes. We have an appointment to pick them up today.
On the way to the hospital on Monday morning, I asked myself if I would have been able to say as Job did, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." if Garrett had been killed in the accident. I'm still not sure of my answer, but I am currently thankful that it was not the time for God to test my faith in that way. Instead, today I am feeling like Job after everything was restored without having ever to experience his great feelings of loss.
Garrett looks almost as good as new. (He's currently got a funny haircut from when we were trying to keep the hair out of the scrapes on his face, but once I use the clippers on it all it will be fine.) His abrasions are almost healed. He only has bruise where they drew his blood and put in his IVs. He's back to harassing his siblings and we get another chance to work on kindness with him. He's doing better than the few days before the accident on potty-training. (Go figure!) And by this afternoon, we will even have his shoes!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Normal
Yesterday Garrett was looking and sounding much more like himself, but he was still moving pretty slowly and acting a bit sore. He still wanted to be carried up and down the stairs. He still wanted to be lifted into his bed and into chairs.
Today he is acting much more like himself. He has been going up and down the stairs while just holding the banister or the wall. Just a few minutes ago, he decided he wanted to "fly" and jumped over the last few stairs-- although he did ask Micah to catch him. He seems to be healing well. His abrasions on his face are looking much better too. Not bad for less than four days after getting hit by a car.
Thanks for all of the prayers!
Today he is acting much more like himself. He has been going up and down the stairs while just holding the banister or the wall. Just a few minutes ago, he decided he wanted to "fly" and jumped over the last few stairs-- although he did ask Micah to catch him. He seems to be healing well. His abrasions on his face are looking much better too. Not bad for less than four days after getting hit by a car.
Thanks for all of the prayers!
Monday, August 11, 2008
"It is I. Do not be afraid"
Those are the key words from the sermon that our pastor preached yesterday morning about having courage in the midst of the storms of life. The text that he used was from Matthew and was the story of the disciples being in a boat in the midst of the storm and Jesus walking toward them. This is the same story where Peter walks on the water. When you read these accounts and recognize God's power, it's sometimes difficult to put yourself in the place of those in the story.
Yesterday morning, as I was standing in the back of church holding Garrett, I kept whispering to him, "Quiet. Listen to Pastor Phil. He's talking about one of the Bible stories that you like. He's talking about the storm and Peter walking on the water." I also whispered at one point, "He's talking about having courage. That is what Mommy and Daddy pray for you. That's why we named you Garrett. We want you to be a courageous soldier for the Lord." Little did I know at the time that it wouldn't be long before both Garrett and I needed that courage.
Yesterday afternoon, we enjoyed a graduation open house for one of the Bible quizzers from our church. It was just around the corner from our house. So, of course, on a beautiful August afternoon, we walked. Shortly after 8:00, as the party was winding down, we headed home. As usual, Karissa was in the lead with Garrett not far behind. Micah and Rachel were walking with Matt and I. While we were still a ways back, Karissa looked and then crossed the road from the sidewalk to our house. I told Matt, "Garrett's going to go too." And then said, "Garrett stop." He wasn't quite to the driveway across from ours, but didn't hear me. As he neared the place where we would cross, I saw lights from a car rounding the corner from the next street. I told Matt, "He's going to get hit." It all happened so fast. Garrett stepped into the street, was struck by the car, thrown onto the hood and then was thrown back onto the street when the car braked. We were not carrying our cell phones. So as the driver and passenger stepped out of the car, Matt (who by then was next to Garrett and had moved him out of the road) yelled to them to call 911. At first Garrett was not moving or crying. When he first started crying, at least I knew he was alive. However, he was still not responding at all when the paramedics and police arrived.
During all of the hubbub, I ran inside and grabbed a phone and called the Arneson's house, where several people from church still were. Josh Christenson must have leaped over fences and run through back yards, because he was the first person I saw. Many others soon arrived. It was so comforting to have people to immediately care for our other children and begin praying for Garrett and for us as we faced this situation.
Riding in the ambulance, Garrett started to respond to his surroundings. Following him into the ER, I recognized how concerned and ready the staff there was. I have no idea the number of people that began working on Garrett the second he was pushed into a room. At first, we were taken around the corner to a waiting area where we prayed and waited for news. Although it seemed like a long time while we waited, it wasn't long before a nurse came to get us because Garrett was crying for us.
I happened to mention to one of the nurses that I was expecting our fifth child. So, as they began to do x-rays I had to wait in the hall. While I waited, I filled out my written statement for the police. It was then that I began to think even more about the terror that the young man who was driving must have been feeling. As I prayed for Garrett, I also prayed for the driver. As well as asking the policeman to notify him of Garrett's condition.
As was our experience when Garrett was hospitalized last year, he was so cooperative. He didn't complain about the neck brace or the IVs or all the poking prodding and questions. After the initial x-rays, Garrett was wheeled past and he and Matt went to the room where they would do the CT scan. So, more waiting and praying.
When they were finally done, Garrett was wheeled to one of the children's rooms in the ER and I was able to stand next to him and talk to him. Since Matt had been in with Garrett during the x-rays, it was now is turn to talk with the police and write out his statement. It was then that I remembered Pastor Phil's sermon. I was able to tell Garrett, "You are having courage just like Jesus said. Do you remember Pastor Phil saying, 'Take courage' this morning?" He said yes and seemed encouraged. It was also at this time that I realized that I need to "not be afraid."
As we talked with friends and family and recognized how many people were praying. We were very encouraged. Soon reports began coming back that there appeared to be no internal bleeding. Next, we learned that there appeared to be no broken bones. Once again, he had to be taken for more extensive x-rays and Matt went with. For a while I sat in the room alone and prayed and thought. While they were still gone, Pastor Phil came back from the waiting room. He had driven Matt in our car to follow the ambulance and waited so patiently. Although we mentioned a couple of times, "One of us should go get Pastor Phil." Things were happening so fast that we never did.
It wasn't long after Pastor Phil arrived and I had talked with him about God bringing to mind the words, "It is I. Do not be afraid." that Garrett and Matt were brought back to the room. And very shortly after that, we were taken up to a room in the PICU.
We decided that I would come home, get some things for the kids (who were staying at Pastor Phil's house with his wife Penne) and try to get some rest. Garrett's biggest concern when I left was that he couldn't really kiss me with the collar on his neck. On the way home, Pastor Phil called Penne and we learned that kids were asleep. So, I decided for sure to leave them there for the night. Matt spent the night at the PICU with Garrett. I was home before midnight, but the house felt very quiet. With such a busy mind, not much rest has come, but God's peace certainly has been present. At one point, I noticed a flashlight on the porch and a police car in the street. So I went to the door. The officer was giving me the name and insurance information of the driver which I would need for hospital and insurance paperwork. All I could think of at the time was how the young man must be feeling and again asked the officer to please let him know how Garrett was doing. As you think of it, please pray for him. Pray that if he does not know the Lord, that somehow this situation would be used in his life to draw him to God.
I will be going to the hospital soon, but wanted to let our friends and family know about God's amazing grace and mercy in our lives. We are so thankful that he spared Garrett's life. We so thankful for the loving church family and natural family that we have been blessed with. Most of all we are thankful for God's presence in all circumstances.
I had many other thoughts during the night, including a glimpse of understanding of how a God who loves us far more than a parent loves a child would be willing to take that child's place and be willing to die for that child. But the amazing thing is that God loved us while we were still sinners, alienated from Him and hostile toward Him! Don't we serve an amazing God?
I realize that since I have rarely posted here lately, many will not check. But I hope that it is an encouragement to any who read it that God is faithful and we do not need to be afraid because He is the I AM.
Yesterday morning, as I was standing in the back of church holding Garrett, I kept whispering to him, "Quiet. Listen to Pastor Phil. He's talking about one of the Bible stories that you like. He's talking about the storm and Peter walking on the water." I also whispered at one point, "He's talking about having courage. That is what Mommy and Daddy pray for you. That's why we named you Garrett. We want you to be a courageous soldier for the Lord." Little did I know at the time that it wouldn't be long before both Garrett and I needed that courage.
Yesterday afternoon, we enjoyed a graduation open house for one of the Bible quizzers from our church. It was just around the corner from our house. So, of course, on a beautiful August afternoon, we walked. Shortly after 8:00, as the party was winding down, we headed home. As usual, Karissa was in the lead with Garrett not far behind. Micah and Rachel were walking with Matt and I. While we were still a ways back, Karissa looked and then crossed the road from the sidewalk to our house. I told Matt, "Garrett's going to go too." And then said, "Garrett stop." He wasn't quite to the driveway across from ours, but didn't hear me. As he neared the place where we would cross, I saw lights from a car rounding the corner from the next street. I told Matt, "He's going to get hit." It all happened so fast. Garrett stepped into the street, was struck by the car, thrown onto the hood and then was thrown back onto the street when the car braked. We were not carrying our cell phones. So as the driver and passenger stepped out of the car, Matt (who by then was next to Garrett and had moved him out of the road) yelled to them to call 911. At first Garrett was not moving or crying. When he first started crying, at least I knew he was alive. However, he was still not responding at all when the paramedics and police arrived.
During all of the hubbub, I ran inside and grabbed a phone and called the Arneson's house, where several people from church still were. Josh Christenson must have leaped over fences and run through back yards, because he was the first person I saw. Many others soon arrived. It was so comforting to have people to immediately care for our other children and begin praying for Garrett and for us as we faced this situation.
Riding in the ambulance, Garrett started to respond to his surroundings. Following him into the ER, I recognized how concerned and ready the staff there was. I have no idea the number of people that began working on Garrett the second he was pushed into a room. At first, we were taken around the corner to a waiting area where we prayed and waited for news. Although it seemed like a long time while we waited, it wasn't long before a nurse came to get us because Garrett was crying for us.
I happened to mention to one of the nurses that I was expecting our fifth child. So, as they began to do x-rays I had to wait in the hall. While I waited, I filled out my written statement for the police. It was then that I began to think even more about the terror that the young man who was driving must have been feeling. As I prayed for Garrett, I also prayed for the driver. As well as asking the policeman to notify him of Garrett's condition.
As was our experience when Garrett was hospitalized last year, he was so cooperative. He didn't complain about the neck brace or the IVs or all the poking prodding and questions. After the initial x-rays, Garrett was wheeled past and he and Matt went to the room where they would do the CT scan. So, more waiting and praying.
When they were finally done, Garrett was wheeled to one of the children's rooms in the ER and I was able to stand next to him and talk to him. Since Matt had been in with Garrett during the x-rays, it was now is turn to talk with the police and write out his statement. It was then that I remembered Pastor Phil's sermon. I was able to tell Garrett, "You are having courage just like Jesus said. Do you remember Pastor Phil saying, 'Take courage' this morning?" He said yes and seemed encouraged. It was also at this time that I realized that I need to "not be afraid."
As we talked with friends and family and recognized how many people were praying. We were very encouraged. Soon reports began coming back that there appeared to be no internal bleeding. Next, we learned that there appeared to be no broken bones. Once again, he had to be taken for more extensive x-rays and Matt went with. For a while I sat in the room alone and prayed and thought. While they were still gone, Pastor Phil came back from the waiting room. He had driven Matt in our car to follow the ambulance and waited so patiently. Although we mentioned a couple of times, "One of us should go get Pastor Phil." Things were happening so fast that we never did.
It wasn't long after Pastor Phil arrived and I had talked with him about God bringing to mind the words, "It is I. Do not be afraid." that Garrett and Matt were brought back to the room. And very shortly after that, we were taken up to a room in the PICU.
We decided that I would come home, get some things for the kids (who were staying at Pastor Phil's house with his wife Penne) and try to get some rest. Garrett's biggest concern when I left was that he couldn't really kiss me with the collar on his neck. On the way home, Pastor Phil called Penne and we learned that kids were asleep. So, I decided for sure to leave them there for the night. Matt spent the night at the PICU with Garrett. I was home before midnight, but the house felt very quiet. With such a busy mind, not much rest has come, but God's peace certainly has been present. At one point, I noticed a flashlight on the porch and a police car in the street. So I went to the door. The officer was giving me the name and insurance information of the driver which I would need for hospital and insurance paperwork. All I could think of at the time was how the young man must be feeling and again asked the officer to please let him know how Garrett was doing. As you think of it, please pray for him. Pray that if he does not know the Lord, that somehow this situation would be used in his life to draw him to God.
I will be going to the hospital soon, but wanted to let our friends and family know about God's amazing grace and mercy in our lives. We are so thankful that he spared Garrett's life. We so thankful for the loving church family and natural family that we have been blessed with. Most of all we are thankful for God's presence in all circumstances.
I had many other thoughts during the night, including a glimpse of understanding of how a God who loves us far more than a parent loves a child would be willing to take that child's place and be willing to die for that child. But the amazing thing is that God loved us while we were still sinners, alienated from Him and hostile toward Him! Don't we serve an amazing God?
I realize that since I have rarely posted here lately, many will not check. But I hope that it is an encouragement to any who read it that God is faithful and we do not need to be afraid because He is the I AM.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
