Day 55 - August 9 - Saturday
The girls got back this morning without incident - thank you, Lord. They are upstairs now, visiting with the boy. Connor is in good spirits, and we're praying strongly that God will bring encouraging news to him today. He doesn't have a fever this morning, and so we are pleased with that and eager for God to be moving in him and us. Patience comes so hard!
Saturday always seems to be a hard day for me. On the weekends, I struggle with despair more than on weekdays. It's silly, but I take a cue off of the blog, and when there are few online, or there's no new comments, my heart sinks a bit. I know I should only be drawing strength from the Lord, but I've received so much blessing from the blog that, like Pavlov's dogs, I drool for the feeding every time I hear the bell; and like them, sometimes there's no feeding! And so I get disappointed, even though I should be drawing my faith and hope from a different dish anyway! Silly, silly man.
Connor rested fairly well through the night, which is a blessing. Please be in prayer for us today, that God would uplift and encourage the boy with signs of His working in him.
posted by Eric Williamson @ 11:24 AM
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40 Comments:
We're praying today and every day! We love you guys! Any results from the CT scan taken yesterday to see if the vertebrae are fusing correctly?
I came across your website...I can't remember how...anyways, I've read every blog since. You are all in my thoughts & prayers. I rejoice with you with every answer to prayer & my heart aches with every setback & frustration. I pray that God will bless each one of you as you continue this journey together.
Heidi
Sundre, AB, Canada
This post has been removed by the author.
Isaiah 66:2- "....But on this one will I look; On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word."
Lamentations 3:22-23- "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness."
Psalm 10-12- "Create in me a clean heart O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by your generous Spirit."
Psalm 90:2- "Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever you had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting You are God."
May His Word bring comfort to you today.
Eric - I'm so glad you said something. I refrain from commenting often because I just feel like my words are 'blah, blah, blah, blah, blah'. Now I know you enjoy some form of particular 'blah blah'. :) We are praying, know your family comes to mind for so many of us, near and far, as much as, if not more than our very own family during these times. Time, space and blood means nothing. God blurs the lines, and we are all feeling some *very tiny small insignificant* of your pain, and it brings us to our literal and virtual knees.
We love you all and you are steadfastly in our hearts, aching and beseaching with you. Even when we feel like our words are just 'blah blah' - if God can use an ass, why not me? :)
ttfn ~ maureen for the Hinds~Jackson Family
One of the things I love so much about this blog site is that, as I read, a particular Scripture usually pops into my head. Then I have to run to my Bible and make sure I've got it right...and that the context is proper. The verse that popped into my head this morning is from Hebrews 3:
"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." 13
Then I read the whole chapter. The author of Hebrews is exhorting the believers to fix their thoughts on Jesus. He then goes on to remind them of a rebellious generation that wandered in the desert with Moses, how their hearts always were going astray because they allowed their focus to waver. Kind of appropos, yes?
We, too, can wander so easily. Which is partly why it's so important to be there for each other for exhortation and encouragement. Thank you, Eric, for your transparency! It's not easy asking for help...our pride seems to get in the way so often. But you let us know what you need. I LOVE THAT! It gives us the opportunity to be useful in even the smallest of ways.
And if our words are any help to you, praise be to God! And I thank Him because *your* words are a help to us. Like I said at the top, I read your blog and it drives me to God's Word (I'm learning a lot!) I'm growing because of your faithfulness to our LORD and to your brothers and sisters around the world. Totally awesome!
Big hugs all around...
Love you guys,
Jenann
lol Maureen!
Eric,
We're pray for you all many times every day but thanks for letting us know Saturdays are hard. That helps us know even better how we can pray for you as a family.
We all love you,
The Trapps & Sarah & Trinity, too.
Hi Eric,
For years I struggled with depression then the Lord taugh me something that changed my life. I no longer struggle with depression, even during those 2 years I was homebound. I wasn't sure if I should post or not but it has been on my mind for the last few days. Today I felt I had comformation that I should post my experience.
The battle field is for our mind. That's where we need to protect ourselves. We cannot entertain one minute of "stinkin thinkin" because the enemy with take us to the pit very quickly.
We have to capture our thoughts and bring them into obedience to Chirst. I was just leaving the computer to look up scripture when I got an email from Max Lucado. Yes, he personally emails me. Lucky me. Anyway He says it a lot better than I can, so I will post it.
What I do is make a conscious decision to stop when I am "stinkin thinkin" and replace it with God's truth (His word) or sing praise songs or think about what is great in my life any thing to stop the negative thoughts. It really works. God's word changes us on the inside which changes our actions on the outside.
Here is Max Lucado
TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE
by Max Lucado
Today’s thoughts are tomorrow’s actions.
Today’s jealousy is tomorrow’s temper tantrum.
Today’s bigotry is tomorrow’s hate crime.
Today’s anger is tomorrow’s abuse.
Today’s lust is tomorrow’s adultery.
Today’s greed is tomorrow’s embezzlement.
Today’s guilt is tomorrow’s fear.
Could that be why Paul writes, “Love … keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Cor. 13:5 NIV)?
Some folks don’t know we have an option.
Paul says we do: “We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).
Do you hear some battlefield jargon in that passage—“capture every thought,” “make it give up” and “obey Christ”? You get the impression that we are the soldiers and the thoughts are the enemies.
It was for Jesus. Remember the thoughts that came his way courtesy of the mouth of Peter? Jesus had just prophesied his death, burial, and resurrection, but Peter couldn’t bear the thought of it. “Peter took Jesus aside and told him not to talk like that.… Jesus said to Peter, ‘Go away from me, Satan! You are not helping me! You don’t care about the things of God, but only about the things people think are important’” (Matt. 16:22–23).
See the decisiveness of Jesus?
What if you did that? What if you took every thought captive? What if you took the counsel of Solomon: “Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life” (Prov. 4:23).
You are not a victim of your thoughts. You have a vote. You have a voice. You can exercise thought prevention. You can also exercise thought permission.
Change the thoughts, and you change the person. If today’s thoughts are tomorrow’s actions, what happens when we fill our minds with thoughts of God’s love? Will standing beneath the downpour of his grace change the way we feel about others?
Paul says absolutely! It’s not enough to keep the bad stuff out. We’ve got to let the good stuff in. It’s not enough to keep no list of wrongs. We have to cultivate a list of blessings. The same verb Paul uses for keeps in the phrase “keeps no list of wrongs” is used for think in Philippians 4:8: “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (RSV). Thinking conveys the idea of pondering—studying and focusing, allowing what is viewed to have an impact on us.
Rather than store up the sour, store up the sweet.
I cannot begin to understand the situation your family is in, but I do know God is faithful. I am so blessed by your openess and honesty. If only more of us believers were so open and honest about our walk with the Lord we would not only love each other better, but would have a bigger impact on our beloved non- believers. Bless you, my friend. Keep up the faith because the blessings of God are pouring down on you and your beautiful family.
Love,
Susie : )
We are God's voice on earth and sometimes it really helps to hear a human voice.
I know how much you must long to be home but in the mean time I do believe God has provided you a great temporary home in Fresno. I am a frequent visitor, my parents live there, and when you can really see and get a feel for Fresno it is a wonderful family and spiritual community. You are being spiritualy well provided for by being in Fresno. It's like California's Bible Belt!
Blessings from Hollister!
Kim
Eric & Family,
A Lot of blessings and progress this week, PRAISE GOD!
You know one of my favorite chapters in the Bible is Acts Chapter 28, Paul has just survived the storm and shipwreck, while sailing for Rome bound as a prisoner. On shore he begins gathering wood for a fire and is bit by a poisonous viper, I don't know aabout you but I would have said, "Enough already", but God used all of it to further Pauls witness and preach the Gospel. The chapter ends with, "Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ."
Hope this offers you the encouragement and perserverence that is has for me. We continue to pray for Connor throughout the day and wait on God for His continued healing and blessings.
Love, Hope and Prayers,
Sally for the Wrye Family
Eric,
Please forgive us for the many, many times we have thought to comment and then someone else says it and so much better than we ever could. Knowing that it is an encouragement even if all we do is AMEN what has already been said, that is the least that we could do. You all are ALWAYS in our thoughts and Prayers. Love to all.
Pam and Paul
Hello to you all.
We've never met, but we have been praying for you daily. We have a nephew named Connor, and when my 3-1/2 year old is praying she refers to your Connor as the other Connor - out of the mouth of babes.
May God bless you and keep you even this day.
The Chacon Family
Eric, thank you for telling us that you are being "helped" by the comments. I sometimes wonder if maybe they are just too much and so I don't always make a comment - but just pray for all of you.
We are all being "helped" in our own way and with our own trials by reading the daily comments on this Blog. For example, TR SUSIE's comments above are great. She is spot on!!
Do you read the comments to Conner? If so, I hope and pray that he is helped by hearing so many people are praying for him. We know that our Lord is working in Conner's life for a mighty purpose. Keep the faith and rest in the warm embrace of all the love and respect from all of us for each of you.
In Christ's Love,
MT
From Anonymous Unbeliever Who's Watching
I don't know if my non-prayer good thoughts being sent your way are encouraging or not, but Connor and your family are often on my mind and in my heart. I check this site a few times a day to check progress of the boy, and to see if there's any interesting posts as well! It's been fun for me to watch this community/family of faith encouraging, loving and challenging one another, even though I am outside looking in. No, not just fun, but also challenging to me, and encouraging that all Christians are not like many I am familiar with. Thank you all for being an honestly refreshing and faithful voice for believers.
Cherie,
Im so happy that I get to sell the shirts and bracelets at the concert!!!!
Connor,
YOU TRULY INSPIRE ME!!!!!!
Dear AU,
Your comment made my heart swell with happiness, that you have been moved by Connor's journey to follow along with us and be taught and challenged.
Those of us who believe in God and Jesus Christ are also being taught and challenged! You may feel like you are outside, looking in, but you are one with us, on the path of life, joining in prayers and good thoughts for an incredible young man and family. Thank you for being with us. I hope Eric reads your post to Connor, to give him encouragement that he is a tool of God to reach the world. We should all be so blessed with such an important mission!
The Robinsons are here, always, checking up on you all at least a couple of times a day. We miss you, Connor, and the whole family.
I love the above comments on "taking every thought captive." Those scriptures have become very real to me with the struggles in our family with disablities. Christ gives strength for each day and victory...but only if I keep taking captive the fears/unknown and giving them to the more capable hands of my Jesus.
See you soon, dear friends! We're having a great time with my family in WA but looking forward to HOME, too.
Kristie
Hi there.
Even though we don't comment that often, we are thinking of you all and checking the blog many times throughout the day. Hugs to you guys.
So glad you are all safely back together! It is a blessing that Connor's spirits are good!
Please know that your family's journey has helped me to put my own journey in a better perspective.
We too pray for Connor with our kids ages 11,6,3,&19mths. Little ones pray, "that he'll be all better soon." How precious is that!
Hope your evening together goes well, with some good news tomorrow!
Connor keep looking up,
Krista
Lewis
Hi Eric:
Don't despair, the weekend warriors are here!!!
Connor doesn't leave the forefront of my mind. In fact, I was just thinking today that there are ample examples in the bible of God "changing his mind" on things because of the pleadings of His people.
I'm crazy enough to believe that if we all asked Him in unison to change His mind on Connor's ability to regain his mobility, He would do it. I'm not really talking about "name it, claim it" theology, but a sincere plea from His children on behalf of Connor.
Thank you for keeping us updated, we are so grateful!
Blessings,
Lynne Piper
Houston, TX
Sometimes weekends at hospitals are quieter, doctors are taking the time off, and it can feel like the "doldroms". God is at work behind the scenes even during the times when it appears there is nothing going on. Oh, to be able to peek behind the screen to see what's going on! Keep the faith!
Dear Connor and Family,
You do not know us, but your web site was passed onto us through a ballet studio here in Morgan Hill. I check it daily as I have 5 kids and am now pregnant with baby number 6! It has been a difficult pregnancy and I have had LOTS of time to read your blog. I want you to know we have been very touched by your story, and have made the decicion last night to name our 6th Connor after your son. We are so impressed with what an amazing young man you are and can only hope that our "little boy" who we hope will be born in the end of September will be half of the young man you are! At this time we do not attend Church, but have felt the leading to find one that may help us to raise such an amazing young man !
God bless you all and know there will be another little Connor in the world who will keep watching your journey in life!
Family in Morgan Hill/Gilroy
Dear Williamson Family...even Grandparents!
It is good to hear that our comments bring comfort. Like so many have said before...we worry our comments only cause more grief or frustration. I do keep remembering the message on Job and all is "helpful friends" filled with SUCH "helpful words" I try SO hard to not cause more grieve in others life that sometimes I suppose the fact we remain silent can be causing some other issues.
I pray we do not fill you with useless words, but it is so good to hear we are a comfort to you. So many of us want to come and visit and send notes but worry that we are a bother.
Thank you for letting us know we can help even by sending little notes! I am sure your "mail box" will be overflowing with mail now.
God is good and He does provide JUST what we need when we need it.
Hugs from the Myers Family
Morgan Hill
PS.....we are trying the Mac and Cheese in Honor of Connor....(and the Olympics, it is AMERICAN!) :-)
Hi Connor Family, Eric, Saturdays were hard for me too when Debbie was in intensive care for 3 1/2 months it seemed like the hospital closed down on those weekend days I hated it. Debbie just told me to say she is praying for Connor and the family.
When she was in the hospital we didn't know the Lord so we didn't get all the encouragement, now it's nice that we can be encouragers and also be encouraged while giving it.
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. Psalm 28:7
Loving you all, and praying in Downey
My boys and I are traveling in Oregon this week visiting some friends. I want you to know that I show Conner's web page to everyone and ask them to join in prayer in healing Conner.
We are very excited to see positive notes on the page. The Williamson family is ministering to the world and the world hears your prayers, your hearts and your love for God.
Our prayer for you today is faithfulness. My you always focus on your faith to lift you and and carry you in your most burdened days. My faith in Jesus and his work on the cross be what you cling to everyday and know that he is Lord. Amen
The Derendinger Family
Eric,
I shared this passage with Karen and the rest of our body in Charlottesville on Thursday night, but when I read it on Wednesday, you and your family were who the Holy Spirit directed me to pray. The Word was the entire Psalm 33 but I will just share the end: "Our soul waits for the Lord: he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you."
In Him from London,
Pete Kulenek
Sweet sweet family!
Believe me, the posts may not show it, but "the boy" is being prayed up. I was up at 5:00am this morning (Saturday) and I went online to read the blog to see what I might need to praying for. However, I didn't post a comment.
I'm sure the multitudes are with me on this one...we're keepin' on keepin' on.
Maybe Saturdays would be a good time for you to venture outside the hospital and take a deep breath, walk around, rest, laugh, cry, scream, but dont' blog. Let us hold down the front.
Saturday is actually the Sabbath. Maybe you could use your Sabbath to rest...
R - Rely on others to carry you and yours.
E - Eat from the Word and be strengthened for the new week.
L - Lay aside the blog, computer, insurance issues,responsiblities, and rest.
Y - Yield to God's Word, use Sat. as Scripture memory day.
We love you! You are precious as is your whole family.
We got you covered!
I spent a long time in Hebrews 12 this morning, line for line, and found it personally very comforting, I hope you have a chance to read it through soon. Remembering we are not alone in our struggle, fear, confusion but that there IS a great cloud of witnesses and THEIR stories can encourage and embolden us to run the race marked out for us (not the race we chose) with perseverence. Romans 5 We know that affliction makes for endurance and endurance for tested virtue and tested virtue for hope. And this hope does not disappoint because the Love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. WOW. Now experiencing my own affliction I can tell you I was very disappointed in my virtue, it just wasn't what I thought it was. You have been so candid to share similar thoughts, but evenso through that the Lord has poured out His love into our hearts. For this we can rejoice!
Dear Williamson's,
Your blog and the comments have become a necessary part of each day for me - I am drawn to the deep level of sharing and truth that I find here. I too am growing - stretching beyond my own understanding of this event - reaching out to God in my prayers like never before.
Each week it seems I have an opportunity to tell your story to others so they too can lift you up in prayer.
We are still here - we will remain...
Your Family in Christ,
Sandi
Gilroy
hey Connor and family~
I check your site MANY times a day and lift you all up throughout the day too~ I do not know you but I will comment more often even though sometimes I too feel like my dear friend Maureen...blah blah....But God is so good! Look and all of these wonderful people who are being touched and transformed by YOUR lives!!! Believers and non believers alike! I will continue to pray for you always and tell all those I meet to pray!
~one day hoping to meet you all face to face~
Colleen
San Jose
All of us "Dots" on the Clustermap will not turn away...we continue to pray. There are prayers for you, Connor, 24-7, all around the world! We are your silent partners in praising God and trusting Him....
Bless you, and keep on keepin' on!!!
You know....just this morning I was thinking, "how do I convey to the Williamson family that they are soooooo often in our thoughts and prayers throughout the day without sounding repeatitive and mundane." I wondered to myself if you ever tire of hearing that phrase....."we're praying for you, we're thinking of you" and if you feel it enough to believe it! I know from reading all that I have that you are all a family of great faith, and that is SUCH a blessing to us other believers out there that are perhaps not struggling as you all are at this time, but know that we too, can have faith and strength in the Lord, as do the Williamson family. We don't even personally know you, but through this website and through our Christian brother and sisterhood, it FEELS like we know you and even love you all. I want you to know and please tell Connor, that I think upon you all so much in my day. You will NOT be forgotten!
Eric, Cherie, Joelle and Connor,
I pray for you guys everyday. I focus on setting my mind on the thought that God HAS answered the many prayers, and that Connor will be fully restored.
I don't post often, but I think of you guys all the time. What a blessing it is to read the steps of your journey. Hearing the details has certainly endeared your family to my heart even more than before.
Thank you for letting all of us follow along the journey. I keep praying - and believing! ...even if I don't post
Dear Anonymous Unbeliever,
I don't believe that you don't believe, maybe not in "GOD" but you believe that our faith is getting the family and friends and fellow church family through this. You seek updates and watch what is going on, so you must believe in the goodness that comes, even in time of tragedy. Thanks for your words, I know that words even from "unbelievers" lift Connor and his family.
As for Connor and family, though I've been on vacation I still get updates and check and think of you often and tell my family of your good news (they are not "believers" like my daughter and I).
Always praying for you,
Michawn
In Arizona right now! But MH in my heart and on Monday!
Hey guys,
My wife and I are here everyday and have been since day 2. I comment today because I have been struggling within myself about my relationship with my Father. I ran across a sermon that has been heavy on me all week. In it there was a story of a child that went into the woods with his father and strayed from his Father and got scared when he realized his situation. His father did not answer his calls right away to teach the child that everywhere is dangerous except in his presence. What meant so much to me was the desciption of the child clinging to the leg of his father and my mind filling with the words "HOLD FAST".....I get it.....it is not seeking anything but God....and Himself alone. Not answers but a face. Thank you so much for your faith and for glorifing our Father. You have no idea what your family is doing to mine. Thank you. Know that you will always be lifted in prayer and are on our minds daily.
We love you guys......Kevin
Dear Eric and Family,
We are praying for you constantly! Thank you for your updates and for your honesty. It has been a blessing to me and my family to watch you go through this journey.
-Family in San Jose
Just yesterday I read the blog and said I should comment, then that "stikin thinkin" like Susie said, got me to feel like I blog too much blah blah blah blah so I did't comment.
I keep comming upon this verse: When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” John 5:6 (NIV).....I know Connor's answer is "YES LORD!" I didn't want to post the verse because I felt there was some insult to it, but then thought about it and know that there is encouragement in the verse.
I am always encouraged by blogs and comments. Usually I am not at my computer on the weekends to comment, but I do pray continually. God is in control and I trust Him and know that Connor is in good Hands, just need to pray more for Eric? Off to church, will check in later.
Love you all
Carolyn
The slowness during the week you feel is God giving you, your family and staff the needed rest they require to DO WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO and that is be there when God needs them there! He has Conner under control and right were he wants him. We are holding down the fort...praying without ceasing...praising every single moment of God's mighty power.
Love you!
Evalena
Connor and his family always come to mind during my regular prayers and even other times. Even my children ask to check on Connor although he's a stranger to them.
Keep celebrating life and your enviable love for each other. Embrace the will of God as it unfolds each day.
NOHTING will separate you from His love.
Hugs from our family to yours.
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