Some Updates udated with 2nd part

Lucy:

All is fine for Lucy. :) There is a pretty amazing video that was done on Lucy's Story, part 1. You can 2 3 Kids, a Mini Van and a Mortgage Part 2 should be up shortly. Since I don't have permission to show it on my blog, you can see it on their blog.

Here is the link to part 2 found at 2 3 Kids, a Mini Van and a Mortgage. 

 

 Easton:

This facebook page was removed but just today I found another page up and running and I was

thrilled!! Easton had a trach placement and he seems to be doing really well. Please keep him in your prayers as this child has such a fight in front of him. 

           2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

Please continue to pray and pray for these dear, sweet children. Thanks!!!
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Battle Weary

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,

and he will make your paths straight.

Easton:

This sweet boy is just not doing well at all. Here is the latest update from his aunt Sara:
Also, his xray this morning looked worse. His CO2 was high. They checked for viruses, and still are finding coronavirus. They did a sputum culture, they found some white blood cell activity, so they're waiting to see if any bacteria grow, but he has been negative for bacteria and off the antibiotics for awhile now. Danielle worries that he should stay on some sort of antibiotic while he's in the hospital and has so many tubes and things entering his body, but the doctors consider antibiotic resistance to be of more concern. 
His heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation are all acceptable right now, and they're anxious to see what his 4am chest xray will look like after all the activity today. The doctors are worried that Easton just doesn't seem to be able to withstand backing off the settings on the vent, and Danielle said they said he should have already come off of it by now. They said his lungs are damaged, and they're worried that he's not getting better. The doctors feel this will be a critical week for Easton....

If you want to read the rest please click on his name and that will take you to his facebook page. Thanks!!

Ian:

Ian had eye surgery a couple of weeks ago to correct his double vision and the results of improvement are slow. Please pray for Ian as he is struggling to heal and gain back his eye sight and many other things that are going on with him. Here is a snippet from the latest post, to read the rest just click on his name...


So the cancer is gone (we hope and pray for good!), but Ian is a different boy. He’s different physically, and he’s different emotionally.

He’s been plugging away at his physical and occupational therapies (taking a break from speech for now), and he’s made some major progress, but we all know he has so much farther to go. I know it, and he knows it.

It breaks my heart to see how much he knows it.

IT Guy and & were talking one night, and he agreed that, as totally crazy as it sounds, it would have, in some ways, been easier to handle all of this if Ian had been much more intellectually affected by the brain tumor & surgery. That may sound horrible, try not to freak out on me, but there are times when I just wish he didn’t realize how affected he has been. His realization hurts to watch. He’s frustrated, and I don’t blame him one bit. He’s angry, and I don’t blame him one bit. He’s hurting, and I don’t blame him one little bit.

It’s a tough place to be, for all of us.

But we’re taking it one day at a time (the only way anybody really can), and getting through each day by the grace of God. What else is there to do?

Ian had eye surgery 10 days ago (to attempt to correct the double vision he’s had since brain surgery that keeps him wearing the pirate patch). He was hoping for an immediate complete success. That didn’t happen. The eye doctor told him and us that it could take 2 or 3 weeks to see more improvement, as the brain continues to adjust to the correction. Initially, he saw a bit of correction, but he doesn’t think it’s changed much since. I’m trying to encourage him to be patient, to stay hopeful, and I know he’s trying, but he’s frustrated. Again.

Joanne:

This poor family is still really struggling with the changes the stroke has had not only on Joanne but the whole family. Please, if you are interested, head over to her blog and read the latest update. Thanks!! Here is a little bit from the latest post and again, to read the rest please click on her name...

...Anyhow, this was probably the first Sunday in our lives that we weren't at a service for Easter. There are many reasons that we decided not to go. Some of them were probably valid and others were not, but I know for me that I am in the midst of a Dark Night Of the Soul and that I am struggling mightily with my faith. I don't think it's hit me until recently that that's where I am. And the rest of our little family is there too. Joanne struggles, Audrey struggles and Emma, being the age that she is, struggles in her own way. We are all dealing with so many "non-Christian" emotions--anger, fear, sadness, shame...did I mention anger? We are still very much asking the question, "Why did this happen!" The price to pay has been so great!...

Please keep these three, Easton, Ian and Joanne and their families in your prayers. This is such a long, hard road they are on and they are all battle weary.


2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Praying and praying!!
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Sunday is Coming!!

Update on Easton:


Good Friday for Easton. He's down to 50% on his oxygen, his heart rate was in the 120s when I left and his O2 sats were 92. He's off antibiotics and they aren't finding anything new growing in cultures. The staff is encouraged by his numbers and there's even talk of moving him back to the other vent soon, depending on how he does in the next few days. Remember how easily he can fluctuate, and he is still extremely critical, I was told by his nurse tonight, so please keep holding him in the Light. 

God gave me this Word for Easton tonight:

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ Jesus. --Philippians 1:6

I believe God began a GOOD WORK when He made Easton. I really mean that. He didn't ravage Easton's body with disease, but I believe He reveals Himself in Easton's spirit. I don't think Easton fights like he does on his own. And it's not just medicine, because he has been so many times already to the precipice, where it is just a question of will he hang on or won't he, and he doesn't let go. I'm expecting our God to perform, perfect, and complete the good work in Easton. And I think He's just getting started. 

Now I woke up out of a sound sleep tonight, and I could not return to it. This post is what followed. 

Be bold and be blessed. ---Aunt Sara

Sunday is coming!!! Please keep on praying for Easton, it sure does look like he is improving. Thank You Father!!

Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ Jesus.

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Circle For Easton

Draw the circle for Easton.

Easton is still not doing well at all. Please continue to pray and pray for him. I noticed a Facebook page put up called Draw the Circle for Easton. It is a place for you to put a prayer or a Bible verse and draw a circle around it. Here is an explanation taken from the FB page.


About
God honors bold prayers, because bold prayers honor God. 

Join us as we boldly 'circle' God's promises for Baby Easton and believe for his full healing.
Description
“Drawing prayer circles around our prayers isn’t just a mechanism whereby we accomplish great things for God. It’s a mechanism whereby God accomplishes great things in us.” Do you ever sense that there’s far more to prayer, and to God’s vision for your life, than what you’re experiencing? It’s time you learned from the legend of Honi the Circle Maker—a man bold enough to draw a circle in the sand and not budge from inside it until God answered his prayers for his people.

If you attended or watched the prayer service for Easton you heard Pastor Sean talk about circling God's promises for Easton. We have already been getting emails from people who have drawn a circle at their home for Easton. Let's see how many circles we can draw across our entire community, and nation for Easton. 

Drawing the Circle is all about confessing God's promises in his word and refusing to stop circling until God answers. 

Will you Draw the Circle for Easton with us?

Here is the picture and verse I made for Easton.

Will you join in and support Easton? He is very weak and the doctors are doing all they can. Here is the latest update from cousin Amy.

♥ Morning update: Easton is still a bit swollen as you can see in the photo...but his oxygen is between 96-100 and his vent is down to 80...they are dropping it to 70 at 5 to see if he can tolerate it. This is all wonderful news and we pray he continues to improve - thank you ALL for the support and prayers ♥ ~ Cousin Amy

Praying and praying for you sweet Easton.
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Living in the Realm of the Spirit

Romans 8:5-8 NIV

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8:9-11 NIV

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

I'm linking up with Barbie for The Weekend Brew. 

Please keep Easton in your prayers as he has a lot of fluid around his lungs that the doctors have been removing with a water pill. He is scheduled to have a tracheotomy on Monday, please keep him in your prayers. Thanks!!

Blessings,

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Prayer & Praise

Romans 8:26 NIV

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

Prayer is needed for Easton and a 5 month old baby and father who were shot. Thanks!!

PRAYER

BABY AND FATHER SHOT! 

CHICAGO — A 5-month-old girl and her father were shot Monday afternoon as the man changed the baby's diaper in Woodlawn, authorities said.
The baby was rushed to Comer Children's Hospital at the University of Chicago, said Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford. Relatives gathered there identified the baby as Johnylah Watkins. She's the daughter of 25-year-old Jonathan Watkins and Judy Watkins, 21, who herself was shot several months ago while pregnant with Johnylah.
The baby was in serious-to-critical condition, police said. A University of Chicago official said Johnylah remained in surgery as of 4:30 p.m.
Jonathan Watkins was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, police and family said, where he was in serious-to-critical condition. Police said he is a known member of the Gangster Disciples street gang.

Please click above link to read more, thanks!

Easton

Prayers please! Easton was rushed to the ER this evening when he passed out and lost consciousness twice, turned blue and seemed like he was hyperventilating. They are still waiting on blood cultures but right now he has rhinovirus&cronovirus. Xray was extremely cloudy so pneumonia is a definite. His blood gas level was 102+(intabation happens at 79+). Will keep you updated as I hear!!! Thanks for your prayers ♥ ~cousin Amy

PRAISE

Phoebe

Phoebe is on the upswing. Right after she received her platelets and blood transfusion yesterday, Nathan sent me a picture of her walking to the playroom! The difference in how she feels pre vs. post transfusions is really incredible. Blood is so important, and having the right amount of the right things in your blood makes you able to function properly. 

The best news is that her ANC (Advanced Neutraphil Count) is 30 today, which means that her immune system is revving up again and she could be headed home as early as tomorrow. It's wonderful to think this might be her last transfusion for a very long time, and that soon enough we can take her all around town and to church without worrying about her immune system! What a feeling that will be, to just be able to go places with our whole family intact. 

Eventually we will work towards weaning her off her ng tube, giving all of her meds orally, and teaching her that she has to drink despite her lack of thirst. We will also be setting up a set-caloric intake to help balance out her weight. There are still many challenges ahead, but having been through the last fourteen months, they seem minimal in comparison to chemotherapy and learning to swallow, breathe and walk again after sepsis. We can do it! She can do it! We have so much to be thankful for.

Here's to Phoebe coming home to stay!

~Amey

Thank you to all of you for intercessing for these sweet precious souls.

Blessings,
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A Moment in the Life of Easton

The cruel reality of Epidermolysis Bullosa, EB.

A moment in the life with Easton. Please take a moment and watch this short clip on how Easton is cared for. EB must be the nastiest disease around. 

Please be in prayer for Easton and his family. Pray for a cure for this disease. 

Easton has had a new development as well. Here is what was written on his Facebook page by his cousin:

Easton has atrophy in the front part of his brain... it has stopped growing and isn't developing normally...they think it most likely occurred when he was septic. He also has a bulging fontanelle but they don't believe the two are related. He will be staying another night so they can watch him and are having the neurologist look at him to see if they would like to run additional testing. They can not tell us why the front part of his brain is not growing at the same rate as the rest of his brain. They will be monitoring the growth of his head very closely. Please pray for Easton and for the doctors to find some answers. Thank you so much for your support...it means the world to our family ♥ ~ Cousin Amy

Philippians 4:6-7 NASB 

Be anxious for nothing,

but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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Baby Easton: warning graphic pictures

Philippians 2:9-11 NIV

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

    and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

    to the glory of God the Father.

Easton was born August 23 2012 with the nasty disease Epidermolysis Bullosa  EB attacks the skin on the outside and inside of the body. This little boy was born with a big portion of his skin missing. :( My heart just breaks for the amount of pain this little fellow suffers every single day. The agony his mom and dad go through watching their son scream in pain and there is not much they can do for him but manage the pain the best they can.

Right now, Easton is fighting infection and there is a big chance he has a bone infection as well. Please pray for this little boy, who even in amongst all of this pain he still can manage to smile and melt the hearts of so many people all over the world.

Easton is now developing blood blisters which require cleaning and bandage change every day instead of the normal every second day. This bandage changing is very painful for Easton as these sores are like a 2 nd or 3 rd degree burn and exposure to air is excruciating.

Easton, is the worse case the doctors have seen and they are doing everything they can to help this baby and his family. Please be in prayer for them. As God has led me to pray, He has opened my eyes to many, many more children who suffer from EB. I had no idea!!

Awareness brings about research and a cure. Let's be aware and speak up for these children who are suffering so much. You can read more about EB at the DEBRA site.

Ben

I am also praying for Ben, Ian and Charlie.

Ian

Ian

Charlie

Charlie

Thank you to all of you for praying and caring. I know these Facebook pages ask for money and prayer. I believe prayer is the most important of all. If you are not able or just not led into donating money that is fine. What is needed most is prayer. Prayer for healing. Prayer for mercy. Prayer for those who are able to donate to channel their money into these organizations that will support research for a cure.

Psalm 41:1-3 NIV

Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;

    the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.

The Lord protects and preserves them—

    they are counted among the blessed in the land—

    he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.

The Lord sustains them on their sickbed

    and restores them from their bed of illness.

Blessings,
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