Jack the Fighter

God is in control.

There is peace in that phrase for a lot of you. In particular, there is peace in that phrase for my sister and brother in law. As you know from my last post, Baby Jack (my newest nephew) was born last week. A beautiful baby boy with the most adorable round, little face and dimple chin...

Several hours after the was born, the pediatrician discovered that little Jack had a heart murmur. To check things out even further, Jack was sent to Children's National Hospital up in Washington D.C. After several tests and finally, a fairly simple and common procedure, the doctors discovered that one of the valves in Jack's heart was not functioning properly. Thankfully, the procedure was successful and Jack was on the road to recovery. About a day after the procedure was done, recovery was not going as planned. They were trying to wean Jack off any medication and oxygen to see how he (and his heart) would respond. Unfortunately, his heart would not relax as the doctors had hoped during the weaning process, so it was off to the NICU for closer care.

Yesterday we were updated that Jack had been intubated for nourishment and that his oxygen levels were slowly creeping up - this is GREAT news! The doctors will be evaluating him this week to see how he responds, and if his heart will relax enough to close the valve to the heart, which was opened during the procedure last week.

Bobby, Cam and I met up with my parents and siblings at the hospital all day Saturday to be with Christina, AJ and baby Jack. It was a day filled with support and lots...LOTS... of praying. It is comforting to know that Christina and AJ both know and are confident that God has everything under his control, and that if they fix their hopes in Him, they will experience "perfect peace." In the midst of a hospital filled with sick children and my sweet nephew, Jack, peace and hope is exactly what they need.

I ask you, dear readers, even if you've never experienced the peace and hope of Jesus, that you would pray for Baby Jack. Please pray for healing and strength for Baby Jack. Pray for continued hope and peace for Christina and AJ. Pray with thanksgiving that we live so close to one of the best medical facilities in the whole country, and that Jack is receiving the best care possible. Praise God for the miracle of life that Christina and AJ have experienced in the birth of Baby Jack. Lastly, please pray for wisdom for the doctors who are working with Jack.

Jesus is the ultimate healer, and we are encouraged by that knowledge. Thank you for praying, and please continue to pray and keep Baby Jack, Christina and AJ in your prayers. Updates will follow soon.