Good morning dear friends & family!

It's been a little harder to pull an update together this morning because Mark is awake off and on (thank the LORD!)! He's been in a lot of pain, very groggy due to the drugs, and pretty talkative in between times of sleep. I'm being sure to write down some of the things he's saying when he can laugh about them later and also aching terribly for him as he hurts all over. The nurse said he's a very sweet patient and last night he even apologized for spitting out some applesauce, promising to "be a good boy next time." My sweet, sweet man is really in pain and my heart has been anxious, having to cast my cares on the Lord BIG time today. But he has been talking to me, saying my name, calling me "honey" and "babe" just like he usually does, so it was good to feel that connection after all these days.

About an hour ago, two precious physical therapy gals got him to actually sit up on the edge of the bed for about 2 minutes. His blood pressure shot up, obviously, and they laid him back down. But they said that was a great first step. They also continue to say that the circulation in both feet is good, so praise God for that. I give thanks to the Lord for those answers to prayer. He is bearing Mark up.

The main reason I'm writing is to let you know Mark's ankle surgery is a "GO" at 5 PM today. It will take several hours, but not as long as Surgery #1 or #2. I am really grateful that we are getting to the surgery today rather than having to wait through the weekend. A tad further down the road to recovery always feels good. As soon as he gets done with this surgery, and is pretty coherent, we'll bring Christian to the hospital to see him. You can be praying for continued wisdom for me regarding that.

With regard to today's surgery, the same prayer requests apply as they did with Surgery #2, but even more specifically you can be praying that the repair on the ankle would allow him to have excellent circulation to all parts of his foot. With this kind of dislocation, there is the risk of loss of blood flow to the tissue in the various parts of the foot (something they will continue to observe for 6 to 9 months), so let's pray that not only the Lord Himself would bring healing, but that God would give Dr. Rusnak amazing ability to mend and surge those parts back together in order to give them the ability to circulate fully in the days and years to come. This is critical.

This should be the last surgery - thank the Lord! Then he will be back in ICU for several more days, and at some point, he will go to a regular hospital room, then on to a rehab hospital near here. We've continued to be absolutely blessed and amazed by the folks who work here...they are so caring and attentive. I'm trying to just take it one day at a time, at this point, which is what the Word asks us to do anyway..."do not concern yourself with tomorrow, for today has enough concern of its own..." I am so grateful for all the promises He brings to my remembrance.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for lifting us up to the Father, precious saints. I will try to do a status update when he gets out of surgery tonight and is safely deposited in ICU once more. You can watch for that.

"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." II Chronicles 16: 9

So be it, Lord.

Love & blessings,
Shannon