The 30 Day Journey For Hope

Hope update: The aneurysm in Hopey's heart remains the same and the backflow (leaking) of her aortic valve appears to be unchanged as well. This is good news, and we are happy!

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We will have a re-check in 6 months to make sure her heart is still cooperating. Many friends/family members have inquired about the size of the aneurysm, so I asked the cardiologist if he would consider it to be "small". He replied: "not small, but moderate in size." I don't know what "moderate" is in terms of an aneurysm, but maybe that answers a question for someone.

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Just a few moments ago, as I was sitting down to begin this post, Hope came to find me and took my finger in her hand to pull me to the piano. She climbed upon the bench and waited for me to sit beside her. I asked: "You want to play a song with me?" She nodded a yes and began to plunk gently on the keys. Looking up to the music stand, I decided to play whatever page of music was present and sing along to make her happy....here are the words of the song Hopey and I played together:

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"This is the air I breathe....this is the air I breathe....Your holy presence....living in me. This is my daily bread....this is my daily bread.....Your very Word....spoken to me. And I'm desperate for You. And I'm lost without You. This is the air I breathe.....this is the air I breathe....Your holy presence....living in me."

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Accident? No, we serve a God who is never taken by surprise! I believe one of His messengers was pulling Hopey by one hand when she came to grab my hand. Imagine that. Hopey with one hand being tugged by an angel as she pulled me along with her other hand to the grand old piano. Perhaps the messenger even whispered to little Hopey who still remains without a voice: "Hey girl, let's go brighten the day with a dose of Jesus!" I'd sure like to think so.

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Yesterday, when I entered Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, I was bogged down and suffocating with the nearly unbearable dread of knowing I was going to view a bubble in little Hope's heart on an ultrasound machine....visible proof that what the doctors have told us is very real. Shaken up with heart pounding, I could literally breathe only because of my Savior. Without Him, I am certain I could not bear facing Hope's chronic heart condition.

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While Hopey used both of her chubby pointer fingers to peck at the keys, she lifted her perfectly round face up to the ceiling as if taking in every word I managed to croon. Separated by 37 years, 30 inches, and a different number of chromosomes, we both reverently reflected on "WHO" it is we eagerly worship throughout the song. Hope's feet dangled off the bench seeming to swing with delight as her spirit connected with the words about the Savior. And then it came to me like a flood: Hopey breathes only because of her Savior too....we all do. His presence is very much alive within us when we open up and experience Him.

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Thank you for all of your prayers as we continue to walk this journey of faith and "HOPE", trusting the Creator Who holds the number of all of our days in His hands and knowing that when we blink our eyes closed to this earth, we shall open them to a new everlasting beginning with Him in glory! Blessed be His Name!