Day 13/14 - June 28/29 - Sitrep
Sitrep. Back when I was driving submarines for the North Pacific Yacht Club, we reported our status by situation reports...sitreps. Everything was abbreviated or acronym-ed, I think it was actually a law in the Navy. So when the phone rang at 'oh-dark-thirty', as we used to say, I dumped about two quarts of adrenaline trying to figure out who I was, where I was, what I was doing there, and how to stop that infernal ringing. Since that core experience was central to my years in the Nav', I seem to fall back on the old, ingrained habits.Sitrep. It was Eric. Connor has hit another bump in the road. Whenever he gets moved or adjusted, his oxygen saturation drops, and that's not good. It means there is/are problems in his lungs. Complications from the lake water, pneumonia, collapsed lung or lobes, at this point the staff isn't sure, but they are taking x-rays, etc., to find out.
It also means that Connor is being transferred to a rotating (?) bed of some sort that will allow him to be turned, rotated, folded, bent, spindled, and whatever as necessary to improve the situation with his lungs. Though we don't know the specifics, you can bet that it isn't going to be any joy ride, but it does seem necessary.
Don't know much more, other than Eric and Cherié have to struggle with this news, and Connor has to adapt while his lungs are worked on.
Pray for Connor - improved oxygen uptake, clear lungs, no collapsed lobes or lungs, comfort and rest, no depression, and courage to face the next hurdle.
Pray for the family - peace that surpasses all understanding, confidence in God and the actions of the staff, courage to stand beside Connor regardless of what comes next.
Brad
Michigan
posted by Brad Williamson @ 9:41 PM
13 Comments
Links to this post
13 Comments:
Thanks for this up to date communication, Brad, and for sharing in your last post how you were able to encourage Connor as he wrestled with despair, Eric.
It seems normal for us to wrestle with despair when a heavy trial comes along. I sure did when I was dying in 1998; and I think despair and its bed fellow, depression, are tools the enemy uses to discourage us, so we have a hard time trusting. Those are the deadly 'D's'-despair, depression and discouragement.
The remedy, though, is the promises of God. His promises are sure and can take the weight of our leaning, because He is great, and holds us up, and this is great news. But, it gets better than that.
When we are in the midst of a severe trial, we sometimes cannot 'get there from here', if you know what I mean; and when this happens, He always sends other people along who believe for us, until we do get there and for as long as we shift back and forth between faith and doubt-so either way, we're covered by prayers of faith.
I just wanted to let you know we're standing with you on this roller coaster. In the same way Elijah thought he was alone, only to learn there were 7,000 others who were like minded, you're not alone. You know this, but when the roller coaster runs in a dip, I suppose it doesn't hurt to remind you.
We'll be having special prayer tomorrow in all three services. Count on it, my brother,
On the rock,
MdB
When you all ask, I shall pray. When you don't, I still pray. And there are thousands out there doing the same.
We appreciate the Sitreps!!!!
Thanks for the updates, I hope that you are able to make it to CA. soon to strengthen the family in person, you do so well for all of us on this blog!
As always,
Michawn
MHBC
Hi Williamson's..
just want you all to know that you are constantly on our heart.. we think about you all day and pray.. We are lifting you up to our mighty God to walk you through the fire.. our hearts ache with you and we are standing as your army.. We love you and want you to know that we think you are very amazing special people..
love, Kathy MacPhail and family (lexi misses you so much)
Hi Family,
Continuing to pray for you all throughout each day. Thank you for the updates. Updates or no updates, the Holy Spirit reminds me and wakes me. Love you guys very much. Love, debbie in San Jose. :)
Hey guys -Jeanine here.- It was a pleasure to be with you worshipping together yesterday (Fri) It has lingered with me and I know we experienced something special from the Lord there. You know I'm praying for you and that my heart is with you all the time. I was just contacted by Jodi Beck. She is having trouble posting to the blog from where she is so she asked me to pass this on to you:
I just got connected and checked out Connor’s website to get updated. I am having a hard time posting on it so wondered if you might just send this on to Cherie.
I am in MN with the kids visiting my parents. My mom has been battling cancer this past year so it was a good time to come and spend time with them. One of the things I have been doing is going through my things in storage including old video tapes. So, tonight I sat after everyone was in bed to watch a few. I am in the middle of No Home for the Holidays at this very moment and Cherie just finished her solo by the garbage can….No More Pain. It’s a song about Christ’s return and the peace that He will bring. I was overwhelmed by the fact that the Williamson family could never have imagined a day like this would ever be a reality for them back then. BUT, God knew and He was in control and has always been in control.
Just seeing everyone again way back then and knowing some of the pain so many have been through brings me again to prayer for my brothers and sisters in Christ It’s been a trip down memory lane. But the wonderful reminder from God is that He was there then and He is here now. Praise God for each breath we have to take!
Please let them know that I am continuing in prayer for the family. We are truly family in Christ.
Jodi Beck
It's 12:15 a.m. and I'm about to head off to sleep. As has become my custom, I'm here checking for any last-of-the-day update before I toddle off to bed. Thank you for the Sitrep. I take the information and the prayer requests with me to bed so my prayers for Connor et al are the last thing I do before I fall asleep.
Before I go, though, I just wanted to share a song that's been running through my head for the past two days.
His Eye is On the Sparrow
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
"Let not your heart be troubled," His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
*******************
God cares about the lilies of the field and the birds of the air. How much more does He care about His children? God is watching over Connor. Rest in this.
Jenann
How do I follow such beautiful comments (all of them), such a tender song? Especially at 4:40am?
I'm not sure... except to say that I'm praying for Connor, for you all right now.
Lee
The Lord brought this old hymn to my mind as I was praying:
Lyrics by Georg Mattheson - O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
1. O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.
2. O light that foll’west all my way,
I yield my flick’ring torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.
3. O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.
4. O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.
Breath of Heaven
hold me together be forever near me breath of Heaven.
Breath of Heaven
lighten my darkness, pour over me your holiness.
Breath of Heaven....
let Conner Breath.
Joining in you prayer today. A7
Our family continues to pray and lift you all up. Your posts have become an important part of our day - before prayer time, we check in to see what specfic needs you have.
I am so blessed by your honest soul sharing. I hear the despair and just immediately dwell on God...what can be offered... words seem so empty at times. But then, it's words from songs that often just flood my mind. Today, the Philips, Craig and Dean song, "You are God Alone" came to me"Our family continues to pray and lift you all up. Your posts have become an important part of our day - before prayer time, we check in to see what specfic needs you have.
I am so blessed by your honest soul sharing. I hear the despair and just immediately dwell on God...what can be offered... words seem so empty at times. But then, it's words from songs that often just flood my mind. Today, the Philips, Craig and Dean song, "You are God Alone" came to me as I prayed for you:
You are not a god
Created by human hands
You are not a god
Dependant on any mortal man
You are not a god
In need of anything we can give
By Your plan, that’s just the way it is
You are God alone
From before time began
You were on Your throne
Your are God alone
And right now
In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne
You are God alone
You’re the only God
Whose power none can contend
You’re the only God
Whose name and praise will never end
You’re the only God
Who’s worthy of everything we can give
You are God
And that’s just the way it is
You are God alone
From before time began
You were on Your throne
Your are God alone
And right now
In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne
You are God alone
And so, right now- He is on His throne. We will continue to check in as long as your blog is here. May the Lord just make Himself known to you today. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Sandi Zappa
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 (NIV)
You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Psalm 139:5 (NAS)
I understand how easy it is to fall into despair when dealing with something like this. It creeps in quickly, and we have to cling to what we know is true - our Father loves us and has plans for good things...He goes before us, and hems us in behind...He is our Good Shepherd.
Praying for Connor's lungs and that they will clear up, either by God's mighty hand or through the use of the new bed. Praise Him for modern medical technology!
Praying also for your spirits, for all of you - this has been a long road, and it's not over yet, but trust that our Heavenly Father never gives more than we can bear, and take each day one at a time.
I believe it was Phillip Yancey in his book "Disappointment With God" (the only book I have ever read 3 times) who, when talking about Job, said, "Job got to the end of his life and never knew he had been the focus of a divine conflict. He never knew he had been God's champion. He never knew that God said 'have you seen my servant Job?' He went through all of the struggles never knowing the affect it would have for thousands of years to come." I like that thought. I forget who it was who wrote of suffering that, "God must trust you a lot to entrust you with this suffering." I am sorry for the pain of the son, but we know a Son who suffered and was made perfect through the things He suffered. I am sorry for the pain of the parents, but we know a Father who saw His Son suffer and He is the One to whom we have entrusted our lives. We have not suffered in the same fashion that you are enduring today, but in the very real suffering that we have endured, we have found, what you know to be true outside of this present storm, that Jesus still loves us, that Jesus is still with us and the Jesus is worth any price to know Him better. We are praying for you guys.
Robert & Donna
Hello Williamson's
I remember Connor from the June 23 MHBC youth meeting. He was hanging with Cody. Our prayers are with you and especially Connor. My wife and I have had tragedy strike our family on two occasions with the accidental death's of two children. We understand some of your pain. This has to be heart wrenching for you. May you find God's everpresent grace and mercy sustaining you each day.
Roy and Lee
June 29 11:30pm
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home