Joshua
I'd like to share something that has been on my heart for the past few months. There is a link, over to the right, that will take you to my friend Jill's blog. It's been up for awhile, because Jill is always posting amusing stories about her kids (Caleb and Hannah), reflections on being a wife and mother, and is generally incredibly profound.
For the past few months, though, Jill has been posting updates about her son Joshua. A few months into her pregnancy, Jill and her husband Shane were told that their baby had a severe heart defect called HLHS. Jill shared this information on her blog and kept her growing audience up to date with doctor's visits, milestones reached and valleys conquered. She detailed the procedures Joshua would have to endure following his birth, fully embracing her new role as a Heart Mom.
Jill and I met in college. We worked at the library together, established one of those crazy inside jokes, and just had a good time hanging out. After college, though, I lost track of Jill. We were busy - she was a new mom, I was finishing school and trying to figure out what to do with my life. We're on the peripheral of each other's lives. I follow her on facebook and through her blog. Jill became one of my prayer supporters as I began raising support to work at OMS.
Slightly more than a month ago, Joshua was born. He is an adorable little boy. Jill posts pictures of him on facebook and twitter, and underneath the tubes and wires, you can see his sweet spirit.
He had his first surgery a week after he was born. It's been an uphill battle since then. I read about everything they have gone through, and I wonder when the mountain will stop growing. Joshua's second surgery was scheduled for February. It will now likely take place tomorrow - today, by the time I post this.
Through all of this, Jill has continued to blog. She doesn't have to. No one would blame her if she stopped. Every day, I read about her fear, pain, frustration and despair at what is happening to her little boy. But I also read about her faith - her abiding, constant faith that God will see her family through this. I read about her joy that people have been able to seek God because of Joshua. I read about her love for her husband and kids who she hasn't seen in days.
Jill is the strongest person I know. I wish I knew what was going to happen. I wish I had her faith. I wish I could be a better friend. I pray that Joshua will grow up to be a strong man, sure in the foundation of faith his mother has given him.
Pray for the doctors and nurses who care for Joshua. Pray for Jill, that she will continue to draw strength from the Father. Pray for Shane, as he is unable to be with Jill at the hospital. Pray for Caleb and Hannah, separated from their mother and brother. Pray for the lives that Joshua's story has touched already.
Pray for Joshua.
"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exaulted in the earth." The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:9-11
For the past few months, though, Jill has been posting updates about her son Joshua. A few months into her pregnancy, Jill and her husband Shane were told that their baby had a severe heart defect called HLHS. Jill shared this information on her blog and kept her growing audience up to date with doctor's visits, milestones reached and valleys conquered. She detailed the procedures Joshua would have to endure following his birth, fully embracing her new role as a Heart Mom.
Jill and I met in college. We worked at the library together, established one of those crazy inside jokes, and just had a good time hanging out. After college, though, I lost track of Jill. We were busy - she was a new mom, I was finishing school and trying to figure out what to do with my life. We're on the peripheral of each other's lives. I follow her on facebook and through her blog. Jill became one of my prayer supporters as I began raising support to work at OMS.
Slightly more than a month ago, Joshua was born. He is an adorable little boy. Jill posts pictures of him on facebook and twitter, and underneath the tubes and wires, you can see his sweet spirit.
He had his first surgery a week after he was born. It's been an uphill battle since then. I read about everything they have gone through, and I wonder when the mountain will stop growing. Joshua's second surgery was scheduled for February. It will now likely take place tomorrow - today, by the time I post this.
Through all of this, Jill has continued to blog. She doesn't have to. No one would blame her if she stopped. Every day, I read about her fear, pain, frustration and despair at what is happening to her little boy. But I also read about her faith - her abiding, constant faith that God will see her family through this. I read about her joy that people have been able to seek God because of Joshua. I read about her love for her husband and kids who she hasn't seen in days.
Jill is the strongest person I know. I wish I knew what was going to happen. I wish I had her faith. I wish I could be a better friend. I pray that Joshua will grow up to be a strong man, sure in the foundation of faith his mother has given him.
Pray for the doctors and nurses who care for Joshua. Pray for Jill, that she will continue to draw strength from the Father. Pray for Shane, as he is unable to be with Jill at the hospital. Pray for Caleb and Hannah, separated from their mother and brother. Pray for the lives that Joshua's story has touched already.
Pray for Joshua.
"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exaulted in the earth." The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:9-11