An update on Stellan

For the past several weeks, the boys and I have been praying for a tough little guy named Stellan.  He's been fighting for his life for four weeks now, first in the Minneapolis Children's Hospital, and now in Boston with a new team of specialists.  He's had great days and he's had some not-s0-great ones (to say the least), yet he continues to fight... to God be the glory!  If you have any interest in following his story, check out his mom's blog (she updates it very regularly), or to learn just a tiny bit about his condition, feel free to read my original post here.

So, here's the skinny... tomorrow Stellan will be undergoing a very difficult surgery (= an ablation)-- a surgery that, up to this point, his doctors have avoided because it's extremely risky in one so small (and young).  Now, however, they have decided they must travel down that road after all-- it's their only (or best) option-- and his parents are in full agreement.  In preparation for this procedure, the specialists started weaning him off some of his iv meds this past weekend, and thankfully, his body handled it very well.  

How. in. the. world. are. they-- his parents-- surviving???   I simply cannot imagine.  We are so blessed with healthy children and with so many other creature comforts.  Viewing Stellan's struggles from the sidelines sure puts my monetary afflictions into perspective. 

How is his mother still sane??  What about his dad, who's home with their other children half-way across the country-- how's he surviving??  How do they sleep at night?  How do they make it through these terribly dark days, and how do they rise again each morning, only to press forward one more time?

  Grace.  

God's marvelous grace...

His riches at Christ's expense. His unmerited favor, lavished on us~

"Each time He said, 'My grace is all you need.  My power works best in weakness.'  So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  That's why I take pleasure in weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ.  For when I am weak, then I am strong."

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Amen!  We serve a mighty God!  And as my eldest likes to remind me, "He is mighty to save!"  So please, if you feel so compelled to pray for this little guy or for his family or for his doctors or for anyone else who might be attached to his care, please do so.  After reading Jennifer's blog (that's his mom), I feel certain she covets any and all prayers lifted towards heaven on behalf of her son.

"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;

I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call upon me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble,

I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."

Psalm 91:14-16