How Great is Our God...
God has been SOOOOOO gracious to us, and with each passing day I see His mercies more and more. I know His mercies are ALWAYS new every morning, but for some reason, in the midst of a great trial, I am so much more observant of them. Each of His attributes come more alive as I have become so keenly aware of my (our) need for Him. Again, I "know" this in my "knower" but when the rubber meets the road, His promises prove true again and again and again.
The last time I posted I was in an absolute state of exhaustion, as was Mark. But since that very difficult, dark night, I have continued to see God's grace and intervention in a mighty way on Mark's (& my) behalf.
Lots of amazing things have happened both inside and outside of the hospital. First, as of two days ago, Mark is now in a regular hospital room. We've been on quite a few field trips in the therapy chair. They even have a 5th floor atrium that lets you breathe the fresh Colorado air. So, we've visited up there several times, enjoying the views of the Front Range. Mark also got one of his wraps off one of his legs and got a brace on that one. He feels much more "free." Soon, they will take the sutures & staples out, at least out of his femurs and pelvis incisions. He has been doing some physical therapy each day and is an eager beaver when it comes to working hard and wanting to progress. Yesterday he got his hair washed FOR THE FIRST TIME in ELEVEN DAYS. Can we say "hallelujah?" I mean, he had his hair sort of washed with some "dry" shampoo or with a wet wipe last week, but one of the nurse's aids actually washed his hair yesterday over an inflatable tub with actual H20. Talk about refreshing!
Speaking of refreshing, we have each been getting wonderful, refreshing amounts of sleep since that very tiresome, agonizing evening three nights ago. It seems the meds are figured out and Mark has been much clearer mentally. "Thanks be to God!" And, of course, I and Christian have been sleeping at home, so we're good!
But I think one of the most exciting things to see is that Mark is excited (as am I) about how God is going to use this in his life and in the life of our family. He isn't asking "why" or questioning God whatsoever, but is entirely confident that God is and will continue to use this in our lives. I can already see God working in our hearts, softening with oil the places that may have grown hardened. That is the most gracious gift of all.
Some of our best and dearest friends, Jim and Kris Dunlap, have absolutely, positively cared for us and laid down their lives for us the last two weeks. Kris works at Resurrection Fellowship, where Christian goes to preschool, so she would help shuttle him back and forth, as they lived out of suitcases at our home since the night of the accident. What a gift of friendship! They have done countless things, without me even thinking to ask, in order to make this season as stress-free as possible in a practical sense. Thank you, Jim and Kris!
Another crazy aspect of this season of our lives is that we had just sold our home and the people who purchased it are scheduled to move in April 15th! So, in the midst of Mark's accident, we had an impending "move date." A friend of Mark's from Group Publishing (John Carter) coordinated a team of about 15 people to help us finish packing, and move the stuff we needed to my Mom's last night. And he has also coordinated a moving company to put the rest of our "house" in storage this Saturday! God's provision BIG time! As a result of everything that's happened, I and Christian are moving in with my Mom and Step-Dad (who happen to have a handicapped accessible home) as of Friday night while Mark is in rehab. Then, when Mark is out, we will stay there until he is doing well enough to consider us finding a place of our own. Again, the timing is so clearly God's provision, because now that Mark is not working, we will not have to worry about a mortgage payment. We will continue to pray and seek the Lord for the next chapter of our lives, as this chapter continues to be written. "Have Your way, Lord! You are the Potter, we are the clay!"
One last thing I wanted to share was the Christian got to see Mark for the first time this morning! It went awesome! His favorite babysitter, Jene,' took him to Build-a-Bear last night and they made a bear for Daddy. I've prepped Christian all along about Daddy's legs and how the Doctors are fixing him, and how Daddy has to wear a really funny gown while he stays at the hospital. So, when we got there, he wasn't upset at all to see Daddy with casts on his legs or anything. He was thrilled to see him, but definitely cried when we had to leave. We are going back tonight as well. So, praise God and THANK YOU for praying for his little heart. I pray for God's continued grace as we walk the road of rehab for the next several months.
I never sent out any pictures of Mark, when he first got in the accident, but I think it's appropriate now to show the contrast between DAY 1 (the day of the accident) and DAY 12 (this morning). And I want to say "HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!" His love endures forever and ever and ever and ever and ever...
Welp, I need to go pick up Christian from preschool now, then we're off to the hospital to meet my Mom, Step-Dad and Grandma at the hospital for a quick visit. Then, believe it or not, we are going down to the hospital cafeteria to eat dinner. They actually don't have the traditional hospital food, and it's really inexpensive! So, HEY, might as well!
Thank you so much for your continued prayers, your loving messages and for so graciously displaying the beauty of the Bride of Christ. I'll continue to keep you posted!
Oh, and HAPPY EASTER! "HE IS RISEN!" "HE IS RISEN INDEED!!!!!!!"
-shannon
Published on Thursday, April 9, 2009 @ 6:05 PM CDT
Mountains, Valleys & a New Room with a View
I just have a quick update and prayer request, as I am really, really tired today. My dear Mark has had some great successes the last couple days, since I last updated, but he's also had some very difficult moments as well. He's not able to sleep hardly a wink at night and is extremely agitated. Some of his medications seem to be interacting funny, and they are working on adjusting those. They sent him for some more tests today and lots of blood work to figure out if anything else is going on.
Last evening they brought him up to a regular hospital room from the ICU, which was a real sign of success. But with the injuries he has, he is SO uncomfortable, even with the pain being fairly well-managed. I have been sleeping at home every night, with the exception of the nights following his surgeries. But last night I decided to stay again, since it was a new setting and no longer ICU. It was an incredibly difficult night, as he didn't sleep hardly a wink. As a result, neither did I.
I won't go into all the details, but I just want to call on you to pray. Pray for the Doctors to have wisdom regarding drug interactions that might be occurring that are keeping him agitated and mentally unable to settle down. And pray that they will be able to hone in on what would best allow him to rest. He is absolutely exhausted and mentally struggling.
I have come home now for a few hours to sleep some, hoping that will bring some fresh perspective. But I wanted to post this note & prayer request, as they are working on things for him today.
I trust the Lord will bring comfort even when there is not much comfort in the natural, and that He is & will be our Sustainer, even through those long, difficult nights. His grace is sufficient....
Off to bed...
Thank you for your prayers lifted to the Father.
Blessings,
Shannon
Published on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 @ 8:57 PM CDT
On the road to recovery....YES!
Published on Sunday, April 5, 2009 @ 10:57 AM CDT
Mini Mark Update
I'm with my hubby in the ICU. We just went on a field trip with the nurse. Now it's time to rest. A few more days in the ICU, then to a hospital room here. I love my sweet man & am thankful to the Lord!
Published on Saturday, April 4, 2009 @ 3:20 PM CDT
Out of Surgery
Mark came out of surgery about 45 minutes ago. Hooray! Things went really well and he is resting now. I'm headed to bed at the ICU for the night. Thank you for your continued prayers!
Published on Saturday, April 4, 2009 @ 12:16 AM CDT
Ankle Surgery TODAY for Mark
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
Published on Friday, April 3, 2009 @ 1:53 PM CDT
Surgery will be Friday
SURGERY FRIDAY...Dr. Rusnak, our orthopedic surgeon, came by this afternoon & said that they are going to be doing the surgery on Mark's ankle tomorrow (Friday) afternoon around 5 PM Mountain Time. This is great news! I will update more in the morning, but wanted to give you prayer warriors a "heads up!" To God be the glory!
Published on Thursday, April 2, 2009 @ 10:56 PM CDT
Quick Update on Mark
They took Mark off the breathing tube this afternoon and he's breathing great, even with 8 broken ribs! They hope to keep him off of it until his next surgery on Monday. He also tried to talk to me today because he is less sedated. Good stuff!
Published on Thursday, April 2, 2009 @ 6:41 PM CDT
My hubby, a piano and a nest...
It's a bright and lovely day in Colorado and I have a beautiful Front Range view from Mark's hospital window. I had a good night's sleep and awakened early, and what a blessed morning I've already had.
I had about 30 minutes to spare before the Dr's. would be coming by Mark's room to do their rounds at 7 AM. So I decided to explore the hospital a bit. It's a beautiful facility and I was enjoying wandering the halls lined with windows, when suddenly I stumbled upon the Chapel. I figured it would be a quiet place to connect with the Lord this morning, so I went in. When I walked in I was absolutely flabbergasted when I saw a beautiful upright piano sitting in the corner. WOW! I sat down & began to sing the first song that came to mind..."Great is Thy faithfulness...O God, my Father..." and got to have my own private worship service. I felt like it was an absolute gift from the Lord to me. And because we'll still be here another week or two, I plan to make many a visit! I'm supposed to be writing for a new project right now, so perhaps the Lord will give some songs in the "waiting."
As I left the Chapel to return to Mark's room this morning, I glanced out the window, and there before my eyes was a beautiful bird's nest nestled in a tree, right outside the window. It was a reminder to me of the sheltering wings of our mighty God..."He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge..." I am so grateful for the ways He is reminding me that we are in His care. I've attached pictures of both of my discoveries this morning. :)
As for my sweet Man, he is doing awesome! The Drs. came by this morning and said everything is looking terrific. No infection, his lungs are clear, his circulation is good, his wounds are healing, and his responses all are perfect. He's still on the breathing tube just for comfort due to his broken ribs, but they take him off the ventilator every day for several hours to prevent atrophy. He's breathing just great on his own. Praise GOD! The next few days he will be recovering from this last surgery and continuing on all the meds and treatments. He is scheduled to have the third surgery for his ankle on Monday. So, we have a little time in here to hang loose and recuperate. I continue to thank God for guarding Mark's life, as the medical personnel continue to say how "lucky" Mark is not to have head and spine trauma. I know we are blessed! This afternoon I'll head home to be with Christian for the afternoon/evening tonight and we already have some fun things planned! Can't wait!
I don't want to make this super long, so I'll close for now. But I just wanted to touch base and let you know the latest. And I also want to encourage each of you with these reports of God's faithfulness. I pray it encourages your heart today, especially if you are walking through a valley. "He who has promised is faithful and He will do it..."
Thank you for your continued prayers...I can imagine them burning on the altar before the Lord!
Love and appreciate each one of you,
Shannon
Published on Thursday, April 2, 2009 @ 11:21 AM CDT
Surgery Update and April Fools Joke
Hi All!
I wanted to let you know that Mark got out of surgery about 45 minutes ago. He did AWESOME! They were able to repair the pelvis with a plate in front along with 6 screws (they gave me x-rays and it's way cool), along with an additional BIG screw through the side of the hip into the sacrum. They were also able to get the knee done today. The x-rays on that are pretty wild. Lots of screws, a huge plate, and a bone graft. They will watch it very carefully in the days to come. There is a window of about 2 weeks or so that he is at risk for infection at this site because it was an open fracture, so please continue to pray regarding this. So far, thanks be to God, it shows no sign of infection whatsoever. :)
Because the surgery went about 6 hours today, plus the 1 hour filter placement this morning, they were NOT able to get to the ankle today. Dr. Rusnak (the orthopedic surgeon) said that they will do that surgery either Friday or Monday, depending on swelling, schedules, etc...I trust the Lord with that decision and while I am not looking forward to Mark going through surgery again, I know that Drs. being fresh and Mark getting some rest before the next surgery is definitely wisdom!
Mark's parents and my Mom were here all day with me, which was great. My friends Jim and Kris continue to be angels on assignment. I will spend the night here tonight, just because I want to be close. But tomorrow I will plan to get back into the night and morning routine with Christian. He is doing great and had a wonderful day at Resurrection Fellowship, where he goes to preschool. He misses Daddy, but so far he has been a very happy and content boy. Thank you for your prayers for grace for his heart, and for wisdom for me, as I balance these worlds.
On a FUNNY note...The nurses here are an absolute blast and so much fun. And in honor of April Fool's Day, the respiratory therapist got the idea yesterday to hang one of these glass bottles they use for a certain type of drip from the IV rack and put oxygenated water in it, along with three goldfish for when the 10 or so Dr's came in to do their rounds this morning. It was hysterical as the Doc's one by one saw that thing hanging with fish swimming around. They all broke out their phones and started taking pictures. We even labeled it "Omega 3." A little comic relief in the midst of a trying time, which I know Mark will get a kick out of later. I attached a picture of the IV stand and you can see the little fishies swimming around. The respiratory therapist (Kevin) bought Christian a whole goldfish kit, so we could take home the fish for Christian! So thoughtful. I found out just minutes ago that he is a Christian, as he had seen me lead worship before at Resurrection Fellowship. Too cool!
Welp, that's it for tonight. I'll continue to keep you posted as we approach the next surgery. We have a long road ahead, but our God is already there.
Love & blessings to you,
Shannon
Published on Thursday, April 2, 2009 @ 12:26 AM CDT
"Shannon - your "Faithful God" CD has become my "go to" CD when I need encouragement from the Lord. God has really used those songs in my life. Recently I was flying back from LA - a 4 hour flight - and was feeling discouraged & alone. I listened to "Faithful God" for almost three hours and found myself crying & worshipping the Lord on the plane. I could feel my tanks filling back up. Last week, I had a challenging day in front of me and I put "Pour Your Spirit Out" on repeat. It played all day long in my office. I just wanted you to know your ministry blesses my life.
- Mike Harland, Director/LifeWay Worship, Nashville, TN
"Shannon is an amazing singer with a heart of gold and a deep, genuine passion for God. When Shannon sings, I believe every word she says..."
- Buddy Owens / Editor of the NIV Worship Bible and Author of 'The Way of a Worshiper' / Zondervan
