Thursday, August 2, 2007

Home at Last!

Dear All,

We are thrilled to report that Daniel was released from the hospital today, Wednesday, August 1, exactly one month after he was shot in the stomach in Ecuador. He goes home with a Wound V.A.C. that he must be attached to 22 or 24 hours per day, a PICC (sp?) in his arm to get IV antibiotics twice a day, many medicines and lots of "cool scars" / wounds. He also goes home weighing 30 lbs less. Yes, when we weighed him on Tuesday, he had lost 30 lbs in 30 days. WARNING: this diet is not FDA approved!

The next few months are going to be eye opening for Daniel. He has been in such a fog for so long now. Daniel knows God has much more service for him to do. He feels the calling. He wants to hear and see God's direction each and every moment of the day as well as show others Jesus. Pray that he will hear God's sweet and gentle voice. He knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that this injury is part of how God is going to use him. One time I said something about "when the accident happened". He quickly but calmly corrected me and said, "Mom, it wasn't an accident." He not only meant that from the shooter purposely shooting into his tent but also from a spiritual point of view. Romans 8:28-29 anyone?

As I was reading the Bible to Daniel a couple of days ago, he asked me where the verses are that say God will never leave us or forsake us. I turned to Hebrews 13 and we read them. He said that people's prayers can be so weak. That is why we don't see God doing powerful things in the United States. People don't boldly ask God for specifics. Why would we just ask God to be with us when He has already clearly said He will be? Ask for more! Be bold. Be brave. Let God work powerfully. Then praise Him! We are asking boldly for a complete healing and many blessings to continue.

We have learned so much. We've learned a lot about how God provides what we need just when we need it. I read Acts last week and felt close to the apostles, seeing the many ways God provided for us in Ecuador and when we got back to the US. I pray that each day, just as God provided for Paul and the apostles on Paul's oceanic cruise to prison, that you and I will see God providing for the smallest things, each and every step of the day throughout our lives. And not only in the crisis times! But in the daily humdrum, too. He is there. Count on it. Watch for it. Believe it. Share it with others.
We are beginning to know a little bit about the weariness that can settle in when you have a loved one with a long term illness. (Forgive us if we have not loved you enough when you needed someone to continue to care about you during your time of ordeal.) But getting Daniel home today will help greatly with that. He has a long way to go with lots of recovery and doctors appointments and medicines, etc. Thankfully, Sara Ann is still around to help as are other loved ones.
Where do we go from here as a family? All 3 of our children want others to know the love Jesus has for them. Sara Ann was a vocational missionary in China for 2 years and feels led to move to LA in about a year for more vocational ministry (any one interested in forming a team?). Jonathan graduated from Harding in the Spring and is on a church planting team headed for Chicago in about a year. Eddie and I are amazed at the faith of this younger generation -- not just our children. God is on the verge of doing incredible things with so many of them. So where do we go? We look for God's blessings to be new every morning and seeing how we can join Him in His work. We will let you know about that every once in a while as Daniel continues his recovery.

Please don't forget us in prayer. If you would like to send Daniel a card now and over the coming weeks, I know that would be a great encouragement to him (Daniel Stinson, 2801 S. Shady Lane, Arlington, TX 76001). In some ways he should heal fast since he is 24 years old but also it will be months so that will seem slow in ways. But we do believe he will heal.
Thank you again for your love and prayers. Thank God for the wonderful doctors and staff who He has used thus far and will continue to use. May God bless you richly today. His blessings ARE new every morning.
Love,
Eddie, Marilyn, Daniel, Sara Ann and Jonathan

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