No Pain, No Gain, but Pray Anyway

We are thankful for a good day for Daniel. Yesterday was good in that he had the surgery the day before so God gave him the start of healing and the doctors said the surgery was successful. But, he had a lot of pain. I mean a lot. Thank you for your prayers for his pain. Today, it was much better.

Today, Daniel was able to sit up for 4 hours. He also got the catheter out. The tube came out of his nose yesterday. He is still tethered by several tubes of various kinds but going the right direction. The wound care for his back is painful (there's a hole in his back that is about 3 inches long) but Dr. Hendrickson says there is healthy tissue and that is good. When the wound care nurse showed him the picture she took to show the doctors (aren't we in the modern age to just whip out our little camera and take a quick digital?!), Daniel said it looked like "lips". The wound is about that shape. I just keep thinking when things come up about all his wounds (the gun shot, the stitches down the middle in the front, the hole in his back, etc) that saying -- "Chicks dig guys with cool scars!" Well, there should be a lot of "diggin'" going on with Daniel.

Daniel was asking about visits from friends today. Tomorrow and in the days ahead, he should be very ready for visits. I hope his peers especially can visit him in the hospital or even when he gets home. This would be a great encouragement to him. But I can't promise you'll get to see the cool scars!

So, all of our spirits are good. I was especially blessed today when I got to spend several hours with him alone in the afternoon and he felt well enough to talk and for me to read the Word to him. I, II, and III John have an awful lot to say about loving others. And that is something that Daniel relates to -- and lives I might add. He and I agreed as we read that one of our favorite verses is "perfect love cast out fear". I pray each of you have the freedom to love and not fear. Even if God sends you to Ecuador.

All praise to the Father above. Glory to His Holy name. May all that is done in the days ahead to heal Daniel be a blessing to us and an honor to God. Pray for his healing. But also pray for his witness and blessing to others today and in the days ahead.

Thank each of you for your concern and love and prayers. We feel them. We are truly blessed.

Love,
Eddie, Marilyn, Daniel, Sara Ann and Jonathan