Health Update

Jenna here again to update you all on where we are with Noah’s health. Firstly, we will never be able to express how our cups have overflowed with the way we have been blessed by the Lord and His people.

The last update ended with the morning of June 15th when Noah was weaned off sedation and extubated.

The following days were quite a rollercoaster. We were graduated to a regular hospital room and were likely to leave on the 16th. However, that day as doctors came in to visit, there were a few concerns that were brought to our attention that, though unlikely, were rather serious.

It was necessary to rule out a possible ruptured aneurism or brain bleed, and the presence of meningitis or encephalitis. We were grateful to find out that while we were in the ER a CT angiogram (a CT scan with contrast to show a clear visual of blood vessels in the brain) was performed and showed negative results for any kind of brain bleed.

We then needed an MRI with contrast and a spinal tap to confidently rule out meningitis or encephalitis. We had tremendous staff caring for Noah who advocated for us in order for these tests to be expedited.

The MRI was clear, so the neurologist and PA came to perform the spinal tap. The initial results would show us if we would be able to go home that afternoon, or if Noah would have to be in the hospital for another 3-10 days.

We prayed with fervor and the PA returned with favorable news. We were finally able to go home.

We were blessed to go pick up Matthias from Gary and Donna’s house, eat some Chipotle (if you know Noah well, you know this was fitting), and all sleep under the same roof.

The only tentative answer we have as to why these seizures happened is possible heat exhaustion Noah could have been experiencing Friday into Saturday, though there is no guarantee this is the case.

This experience has left us, yet again, with more questions than answers. Why is this something the Lord sees fit for us to go through? Why does he allow for continual setbacks? How will this work in another semester? In full-time ministry? And yet, He is still God, and He is still good.

As Noah and I debriefed some of our feelings and experiences on our way to pick up Matthias last night, I shared with him some personal reflection of mine. In questioning the purpose of all of these circumstances, I was continually in prayer, constantly before The Throne, deeply trusting in the Lord’s guidance of each detail. There were numerous ministry opportunities as I walked the halls of the hospital as well. I met many people as I walked up to Noah’s room who needed guidance to other areas and we walked together. There was opportunity to encourage a young lady on the same floor as Noah with a recent an unexplainable inability to walk. We connected with nurses over World Cup games, Kenyan culture, provided some comfort for Spanish-speaking visitors in the elevator, and the list goes on. I do not wish for this to be a trial we walk through, but my conclusion in looking at all of these pieces was:

If the ONLY reason God had us here was for me, one of His sheep, to love Jesus more and to love His people more- isn’t that enough?

This morning (June 18th, I know the timeline is long and a bit confusing), we wanted to do a small, but non-strenuous outing. We finally made it to the Locust farmer’s market, which we’ve been intending to do for weeks. It was fun, sweet, and easy, a blessing. On our way home, I was playing some music and a song came on that we had sung in church just a few weeks ago, and found incredibly encouraging at the time. But today, on our drive back to our little farmhouse, with the sun shining, the fields waving, fit our circumstances even moreso. I will post the lyrics just below. It is long, but I encourage you, brothers and sisters, to read it through and see how it may bless you.

I Asked the Lord that I Might Grow by John Newton*

VERSE 1
I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith and love and ev’ry grace,
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face.

VERSE 2
‘Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust, has answered prayer,
But it has been in such a way
As almost drove me to despair.

VERSE 3
 I hoped that in some favored hour
At once He’d answer my request
And, by His love’s constraining pow’r,
Subdue my sins and give me rest.

VERSE 4
Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart
And let the angry pow’rs of hell
Assault my soul in ev’ry part.

VERSE 5
Yea, more with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe,
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Humbled my heart and laid me low.

VERSE 6
“Lord, why is this,” I trembling cried;
“Wilt Thou pursue Thy worm to death?”
“’Tis in this way,” the Lord replied,
“I answer prayer for grace and faith.”

VERSE 7
“These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free
And break thy schemes of earthly joy
That thou may’st find thy all in Me.”

*Lyrics copied from Sovereign Grace Music

(https://sovereigngracemusic.com/music/songs/i-asked-the-lord-that-i-might-grow/)

As always, we would like to share the ways we have seen the Lord working and praise Him for His kindnesses.