Reunited Again For A Day

A big thank-you to one of my amazing aunts, who reminded me last night of something about the Lord's Day. She told me that not only was it to be a day of rest from our labours but also from the worries that we had. I thought about this long and hard this morning before starting my day, and then I prayed about it. Our Sunday was filled with a lovely time spent together as a family, rest from hospital tests, worrying and all the things that have become a daily burden for us to carry. And even though we were unable to attend church, we were able to praise the Lord & worship Him today.

Today was truly a beautiful day. Malachi & Olivia came Saturday evening for a sleepover at the RMDH with us, and today Malachi kept telling saying, "mommy, daddy, I like your home"...or "I like your toys!". I kept saying that this isn't our home Malachi, but to him right now it is. I suppose he is right! Tonight after our wonderful day together the kids went home and as Adam & I walked back to Logan's hospital room I caught myself saying, "Well, let's go home". Oops - I guess this place just grows on you when you've been here long enough!

Our kids loved every moment of being with us at the RMDH. Malachi thought it was his job to make sure he told every person (that we don't even know) at breakfast & lunch this morning that they need to pray before they eat and if they didn't, he just prayed for them! Olivia proceeded to say "hi!" a million times over to every person that she met! O dear, what can I say? Our kids aren't very shy, have lots to say & are clearly being little shining lights in this world, spreading the name of God to everyone that crosses their paths. I guess I can say that I am one thankful mama to see Malachi being a witness for our Lord at such a young age.

A few special things that we did/happened today. Starbucks donated lots of goodies & coffee for everyone (mommy's favorite), the kids played in the fun playroom for hours & hours, we visited Logan at the hospital & smothered him in kisses & hugs, and Aunt Shannon & Calvin came to see us. Opa & Oma Wassenaar, Aunt Kathleen, Uncle Ryan, and cousins Zach, Makenna & Taya also all came for a visit after church too! Kathleen brought a crockpot of yummy chili to "our" kitchen and we all ate together for supper in the cafeteria. Last but not least the most exciting part of the kids day was getting to go to the "special room" in the RMDH. Malachi was given a wand and on the count of 3 the bookself turned around and we walked into a very, very special room just for them and others kids who are staying here! Malachi just stood there in wonder as he watched the bookshelf turn open right infront of us. We got to take some pictures in a photo booth, and do other fun things in this special room, including finding a key which led to one more special room. This room was full of toys donated to the RMDH...each of our kids were able to pick out something special to take home. This melted my heart, what a sweet gesture! Olivia of coarse says "train, choo-choo", and takes the train set. Malachi after looking at airplains, trains, trucks, games, etc...finally decides that he wants the tea party set! Imagine the mortified look on Adam's face when everyone laughed at Malachi's choice. He was not interested in any "boy" toys, he had his heart set on the tea party set, and boy did he LOVE it! We are SO grateful for the RMDH, if we were not able to stay here, then we would not have been able to spend this time with our children, we wouldn't have a proper bed to sleep in at night or healthy home cooked meals each evening. We are so grateful that we were able to stay here and we will forever donate to the Ronald McDonald House.

It was sad to say good-bye to the kids again. As busy as it was, it was just so great to snuggle them again and spend some time together. It's not always easy to be away from your kids for that long, no let me put that another way, it's heartbreaking to be away from your kids for that long...but we know that even though we are all separated right now, God is watching over each of us and keeping us in His loving arms. We are thankful to have our parents who so willingly, without a second thought took our kids home with them as their own. A special thank-you to our families for all your help with the kids, we know they are in good hands and they love you all so much! Now can any of you figure out a way to get me to not cry everytime they leave me again? ;)

Now onto Logan. Because it was the weekend not much really was done for him. This morning Dr. Issenman spoke with Adam about the ultra-sounds & x-rays that were done yesterday. It shows that there could be a partial blockage in the small bowel, but there are no guarantee's and it was not very clear. Tomorrow morning they will be doing another x-ray called a "barium x-ray"  that involves Logan drinking a dye. Barium x-rays (also called upper and lower GI series) are used to diagnose abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract, such as tumors, ulcers and other inflammatory conditions, polyps, hernias, and strictures. If they find something through this test then we have high hopes of being able to correct it. We are also going for the pre-op tomorrow so we can do the scope on Wednesday, however we also know that Dr. Issenman didn't seem too confident that he will find anything through the scope, but we have to do this to really rule it out. The hope is that by the end of this coming week we will have finally checked & re-checked the gastral area's (upper & lower GI) and if we can not find the main source of Logan's problems here then next week we will be referred to Neurology to check metabolics & genetics. We are praying & hoping that we are able to find answers this week in the GI area yet. The thought of starting to look else where is a little more nerve wracking. As easy as it is to worry & think of what might be, there is no use in worrying because worrying does not change the outcome.... "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Luke 12:25. Instead as I've said before we are making the choice not to go down the path of questioning God. Rather we choose to trust God and stand on His promises. Proverbs 3: 5-6 remind us… “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.”

Please pray that the doctors will be able to find some answers for us & Logan. We know that the Lord is in control, and if we ask, in His good timing the answers will be revealed to us - even if they are not always the answers that we pray for. We trust that God's ways are good & perfect.

"I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere Him." Ecc 3:14

Time for bed, we have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow. Much love from us Linde's. xo