The storm & the Savior

Dear Friends,

I have to start this update out with a confession: God has very gently but firmly confronted me with the fact that somewhere along the line I stopped walking by faith by looking to Him to define reality for Ava Gray, and turned to "the facts" instead. So I have repented, and by His grace, will no longer do that. The facts are still the facts, but they don't determine what Ava Gray's future holds, and they don't determine whether or not we have hope. Actually, regardless of Ava Gray's path or what her future holds, she and Hayvn and I have the most incredible hope & promise. So like Peter who walked on stormy water towards his Savior, we are walking through the storm of Ava Gray's hospital stay with our eyes on the One who calls us to do the impossible and live by faith. The waves can get pretty big out here, but I'm no longer fixing my gaze on them but on this powerful and loving God who has promised to never leave us or forsake us (and to provide for and protect us at every step along the way). Huge promises from a God who is always faithful! 

So what are the facts (read "waves") today?:

• Ava Gray is almost two weeks out from her last surgery where they put in a VA shunt (that feeds into her heart). 
• She has done well, especially during this last week where she had a run of 3-4 consecutive "excellent" days. (Eating a lot, keeping it down, talking & smiling at momma, gaining weight, head size stable, etc). 
• Then, two days ago her head circumference started to inch up again and she started to have some trouble keeping her food down. (This started right after her first vaccine shots, so hard to know if this could all be attributed to a reaction to those or not). 
• The wonderful team at Vanderbilt did an ultrasound of her head to "see what they could see" and were happy with the results. (Nothing out of the ordinary). 
• Her head circumference is back down a little, and she's working on keeping her feeds down too. As long as she can get back to eating as much as she was before her shots by tomorrow morning, she won't need a feeding tube. (Let's pray she can avoid that, as she hates the feeding tube with a passion!). 
• And as far as the known facts go, that's about it.... They are working on getting her up to full feeds, and as long as the shunt is working when she gets there - she can come home!

Although this seems like a fairly good report, will you support Ava Gray & Havyn & I by merely glancing at the facts and then turning to fix your gaze on the face of our Heavenly Father? If you want to, you can join me in praying over Ava Gray the following words of encouragement & promise;

Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.

Psalm 37:39-40 For the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

Isaiah 49:23b-25 Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who wait for me shall not be put to shame. Can the prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of the mighty be rescued? For thus says the Lord: "Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken, and the prey of the tyrant be rescued, for I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children."

Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Isaiah 30:15 This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength." 

Isaiah 41:12-13 You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "fear not, I am the one who helps you."

Isaiah 49:13 Sing for joy, O heavens & exult O earth; break forth, O mountains into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.

Revelation 21:5 And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."

For the prayer requests, here's an updated list :

• That I would repent quickly when I fail (which is often!) and would run merrily to Jesus for rest.
• That even when I fail to be a light where He has placed me at Vanderbilt, that He would still use me (& these two girls) to make Himself look good (read as wonderful, loving & powerful as He really is!)
• That I would stand firm against the Accuser, who would love to tell me that I don't have the "right" to ask for outrageous things from my Father.
• That God's presence would be tangible to Ava Gray & Havyn & I.
• For the stamina of our support staff (both at home, and at Vanderbilt). For healing of one of our sweet nurses who has a really badly hurt knee (but keeps hobbling into work to love on Ava Gray anyway!)
• For Ava Gray's healing. And for the healing that he wants to do in the hearts & lives of those of us who love her.

I am so thankful for the love of my Father today. He is MIGHTY to save! I wish I could see you all face-to-face and tell you more about what He has done, but that will have to wait. 

My love to you all - 

Jules

Pictures include:

1. Ava Gray doing "tummy time" with one of her special nurses, wearing an outfit a dear friend made especially for her, while looking into her mirror (a gift from another one of her adoring fans). This girl is loved!

2. Another one of Ava Gray in her new dress (Thank you Diane!). 

3. Ava Gray passing her hearing test (yay!)

4. Ava Gray in her swing (sporting a new hat)

5. Havyn hanging out & talking at the foot of her sisters bed

6. Sweet times with Havyn in the morning

7. Fun times with Havyn in the morning

8. How to put a baby to sleep (keep her warm & unable to move!)