Day 44 - July 29 - Two answers to prayer
Today, in the midst of my paperwork nightmare, we received two more answers to prayer. First, while I was chasing insurance stuff on the phone at the RV, I got a text message that Connor was on a speaking valve! A few moments later, the phone rang (I put the insurance lady on hold!) - it was Cherié's phone. As soon as I said "hello', I heard something I haven't heard since June 26th - my son's voice.
He said "Hi Dad".
>Cue the weeping.
He couldn't hear me over the cellphone and through the headrest of the bed, so we didn't get to talk much. Also, the speaking valve is apparently quite tiring, and because of the way the thing works, he will get to stay on it progressively longer as he gets more used to it. So the first time was only for 5-10 minutes, but it's one of those steps we keep talking about around here.
Fast forward a couple of hours. We had just finished moving Connor up on the roto-bed (he slides down the bed as it rotates, until his feet are coming off the end of the bed - then the nurses come in and scootch him back up), when the doctors strolled by. They popped their heads in to announce that it's now time for Connor to get of that rotating bed again! We just came downstairs after we got kicked out so they could change beds!
So, two answers to prayer today. We continue to continue, with the help of some very good nurses, some very good families, some very good friends, many very good prayer warriors, and (most of all) a very good God.
God is good - all the time.
posted by Eric Williamson @ 2:07 PM
27 Comments
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27 Comments:
Praise the Lord!
What wonderful news!
You go GOD!!!!
Praise God ! What a Blessing to her Connor Voice,we are still praying and crying with you guys,we love you
Adrienne
We have an awesome God! Shall we all shout from the rooftop what an awesome God He is. Perhaps you need to record that voice so you can hear it through out the day.
Praise God indeed!
Tim Myers
MH
Amen, brother!!
Rejoicing with you that you got to hear your son's voice today! Praise the LORD!
Jenann
(Drying my eyes...)
Ps 146:1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul!
2 I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
3 Put not your trust in princes,
in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;
on that very day his plans perish.
5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6 who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
7 who executes justice for the oppressed,
who gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets the prisoners free;
8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind.
The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
the LORD loves the righteous.
9 The LORD watches over the sojourners;
he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
10 The LORD will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD! (ESV)
These are huge praises! My father in law had a voice/trach for about 3 months as he was in intensive care after a car accident. It did wear him out at first, but he just kept getting stronger. His voice is not the same even today, but we praise God for healing him.
I am so happy and I'm sure when Tod finds out, he'll say "I told you so!"
You all are constantly in our prayers.
Coleman's
P.S. You've got mail. ;)
J
Great news! Once again, we have a reminder of God's faithfulness! I cannot imagine what you felt when you heard Connor's voice. Today was certainly a day of forward motion.
Just a thought. Eric, I'm not sure if this has been brought up here before, if it has, it goes to show that there are a lot of smart people praying for you guys and that maybe I will echo them in a comprehensive manner.It partly stems from Tod's words for you earlier today.
Here it is: I believe these steps are not just little progressions, not just little blessings, each bit of good news is Connor's first steps again. There are days when stepping forward will cause a fall and panic ensues, then there are the days these steps lead to clapping, joyful tears, and those perfect memorable moments. Eric, your boy is walking. He has picked up his mat and he is on his way. It doesn't look like it to us, but to the eternal, omniscient, and righteous God, your boy is walking.
Metaphorically each day but also literally with Christ. Each decision is a step. Each moment is truly a step. I know that Connor's steps take him closer to Christ as he lives for Christ's kingdom and glory.
I hope that these words will bless you and encourage you to keep taking your steps. This blog, this adventure that your family is on, its doing that for me. It's causing me to pause, look at reality, and take another step with Christ.
With prayer and belief,
Mat ("gigs" for Joelle, "T-" for "that boy")
Chicago, IL
So encouraged,
God is raining down thoses praises we asked him for! I love to here these moments of praise and celebration from your family.
Let's not give up on God because he will never give up on us! His plan is always the best! He sees the big picture when we can't.
I'm singing praises to God,
Krista
Lewis
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
This verse has gotten me through hard times and I hope it encourages you as well. I believe miracles still exist. You don't know me, but Connor and your family will be in my prayers.
God Bless,
A fellow believer in Fresno
A wall came down today when Connor could speak and you could hear his voice - Praise God! Praying so often throughtout the day for you all.
Sandi
Gilroy
Praise the Lord!! Baby steps!
Tex,
I just heard about this a few days ago. I immediately called our church prayer support specialist(thought you would like that)and asked her to put your family on our prayer chain. She is also putting the web site in our chuch prayer newsletter. My family will pray that God gives your family the strength needed to deal with this tragedy. We will also pray that the Lord will give your son the strength to deal with his trials.
My heart melted when I imagined Connor speaking to his parents for the first time since the trach tube was put in. Praise God for this new blessing!
Oh Eric! What a wonderful day! I am so thrilled for you, Cherie and Joelle. It is so nice to hear the upbeat tone of your voice in your post as well. PTL for that!
Love you guys!!
Melissa
Wow, now I am wondering if Joey really spoke to Connor yesterday on his imaginary phone? You never know about these 3 year olds and how God works through the mouth of babes.
PRAISE THE LORD!!!! One more step to recovery.
Blessings to you!
Love, Carolyn
I love looking at the "ClustrMaps" to see where all our prayor warriors are located. It's bugging me that South America is not involved. My daughter went to YWAM (Youth With a Mission) Missionary School in Chile. She met and married a fellow student from Uruguay and they did an outreach in Brazil, so we still have a lot of good friends down there. We're going to let them (the English reading ones) know about Connor and believe me, these folks believe in miracles! I could tell you some amazing stories of the results of their BIG faith. They were raised in a different part of the church than you, Tex! 8-)
Please don't misinterpret that. I think we all have varying degrees of faith in our Sovereign God. And each time we see or hear of more answers to our prayers, our faith grows! But it surely won't hurt to bring in some South American ringers and I want to see those red dots on the map.
Expecting great things!
Renée
Glory to God in the highest! Shall we all sing Our God is an Awesome God? Oh yeah, He sure is. Must have been one of the happiest moments of your life! Record that voice and listen to your son speak when your feeling down, that will sure cheer you up.
Thank you Jesus, you rock!
This post actually made me cry because I was getting really aggravated at my son's whining right now (insert smile). It is amazing how a "voice" can be taken for granted sometimes.
I cannot imagine not hearing my son speak, and had never thought about you not hearing Connor (so sorry about that) all this time.
I am so thrilled for you and I will keep praying that God continues to bring these wonderful miracles your way.
May God bless you today!
As I read the KLOVE devotional this morning I was led to share it with you....
Paul said, "Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts". Peace is your birthright. Jesus said, "My peace I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." Just because Jesus left His peace to us doesn't mean it automatically operates in our lives. It's a reserve we must draw from every day. And the enemy will do everything he can to deplete it. He knows when you're in turmoil you do and say things you later regret, plus, when you've lost your peace it's harder to hear from God. Anxiety is often our first reaction to conflict or problems. In those moments getting peaceful may seem disloyal or apathetic. Subconsciously we think "if I care, I'll worry. If this is important, I must stay upset." It's a misguided belief that the outcome will be positively affected by the amount of time we spend worrying. No, your best problem-solving resource is peace. Solutions arise more easily and naturally out of a peaceful state, whereas, fear and anxiety block solutions. Anxiety empowers the problem: it doesn't help to harbor turmoil. God's peace is available if you choose it. So, refuse to let negative emotions run amok in your life. The Bible says, "When the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce in us peace" Jesus said "Do not let your hearts be troubled." That means you have the option of choosing between peace and inner conflict. So choose peace - it's your inheritance!!
As we continue to lift up Connor before the throne, we will pray for God's perfect peace for all of you.
PRAISE GOD! Now get your little fancy video camera and let him tell us all HEY!
Love you!!!
Evalena
July 30--
(I've been out of town for most of July; checked in to read the blog when I was able.)
This morning in Celtic Daily Prayer, I sensed the Corinthians verse was for you folks, but it seemed rough-edged. So I backed up in the chapter, and it made more sense. Over breakfast I was praying that God would answer your prayer to be proactive witnesses there. Then I realized the whole entry (the Finan reading)this morning was for you. So, here goes...
The worship of men and women spending themselves in compassionate action would have an air more of desperation than formality. They would stagger into the church utterly drained of goodness, unable to face another day unless their numbed spirits were re-sensitised and their strength renewed. They would be too hoarse to sing, too stiff to kneel, and too dog-tired to take away any long exhortations from the pulpit. They would await the reading of the lesson with something akin to dread as God presented them with yet more impossible demands. Every false word in the service would stand out like a sore thumb and pretentiously ornate language would be heard no more. Instead, they would gasp out a simple litany exposing the horror and pain and misery they had shared, asking God to show them Jesus in it. -Colin Morris
II Cor. 4:7-10, 16-18:
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down, but not distroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body...Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
I gotta go get my Connor t-shirt today. :)
Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God.
PTL for the baby steps, and the continuing answers to prayer.
BTW, where do I look for the map that has all the locations pinned?
Someone mentioned it in a previous comment.
Gordon,
On the Home Page of ConnorWatch, the ClustrMap is on the bottom left side, directly under Member Menu and the Login button. If you're on the Blog page, the map is on the right side, just below the Donate button. Just click on the map with your mouse and voila! It'll take you there straightaway. :)
Jenann
Hey Gordon,
When you log on to connorwatch, the "Home" page should be the first thing you see. If not, you can click on the far left tab to get "Home". On the left side of the page under Member Menu you will see a box with a lot of blue on it that shows "Visitor Locations". You can click on that to enlarge it. It's pretty cool.
Renée
Dear Williamson's,
What great news to wake up to this morning!! I'm sure hearing your son's voice had to be one of the greatest moments in your life. I bet that was a beautiful voice to hear!! Thanking God today for this blessing He gave you and I pray for many many more as the days go on. Thinking and praying for you all often. Continue to keep your focus on God and sit back and watch for more miracles!
Ginny
Question for Eric -- how did Connor communicate before he had his voice valve?
Lip reading?
We will pray for you, Eric, as the monumental insurance/billing/payment task falls to you...we will pray for clarity, peace, ease of negotiation, and solutions to whatever roadblocks and confusion arise.
We all know how daunting handling this business is!
God Bless You in THAT journey!!
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