Month 2_Day 18 - To God be the Glory

Phil 4:19And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.



What a crazy week this has been. So many things are going on in this journey that we can't even share them all. I have been worrying alot about finances lately. We took a step of faith and mailed in Anjies resignation letter this week. We have no idea what this means or how long she will be out of work. We just know that Levi needs her right now. I also have been worrying about Levi's future medical bills. He will undoubtedly need extra help in certain areas. We have no idea how much help though. I dont know why I am worrying as if I have any control over it. We must believe God will provide for all of our families needs. The crazy thing is at the same time that I am worrying about finances God is laying it on people's hearts to give to us. Instead of believing God and trusting him through his provision so far I just kept worrying. We were struck tonight by a gift we received in the mail. Not that any of them were any less appreciated. This one just struck us because of the words that came with it. It came in an envelope with no return address and no real markings to tell who it came from. On a post it note on the check were the very simple but profound words "To God be the Glory". That just blew us away. Its amazing that whoever gave us this whether it be a person or group of people want no recognition in return. Its not just that though it's the idea itself that we may have let slip. To God be the Glory! Its not about Levi or us or the blog at all. Its about God's glory shining through all of this. He is in control and He is trying His best to get us to believe Him. He is going to provide so we owe it to Him to lay down those financial worrys. Thank you so much to all of you have given out of obedience. You are a huge blessing to us. You are servants of God and he will surely bless you in return.

Levi is still recovering from the eye surgery. His eyes are swollen and he is not fully aware of his surroundings yet. Hopefully he will wake more over night and get back on nasal cannula tomorrow. I will make sure to get some pictures up soon. Levi will have his follow up eye exam next Wed. Hopefully it will show improvement so we can hit the road to UNC. His head is still growing a little too fast so we really need to get up there and get that checked out. Please pray for his head to clear and his eyes to improve from the surgery.

Month 2_Day 17 - No Road Trip - Eye Surgery

Its hard to put into words the roller coaster of emotion we have been on today. We woke up fully packed and ready to head to Chapel Hill. The trip was was to see a neurosurgeon about possible surgery to relieve pressure on his brain from fluid. Instead we woke to a call that Levi needed emergency laser eye surgery. He actually missed his follow up exam last week due to a rough day. This put him at 3 weeks since the original exam. Apparently 3 weeks makes a huge difference. His eyes started developing something called ROP. He was already at stage three. This required immediate intervention to correct traction on his retina. Basically he was gonna have detached retinas if something wasn't done. Lasers were used to blast away scar tissue to relieve the traction. Its about a 90% success rate but Sometimes they even need a second round. If this doesn't work he will need actual surgery. This is scary because it can cause blindness if left untreated. So the Chapel Hill trip is still going to happen so we will keep you posted. We are in a holding pattern.

Levi had to go on the ventilator for the procedure. He is currently off of it and back on the NIV mask. The plan is to try and get him back on the nasal cannula by tomorrow. Please pray! Please pray that his eyes will be healed from the procedure today. Pray that he will retain his vision or some form of it. Pray for the fluid in his head to not cause issues. Pray for no infections. Pray for patience for us as we live minute by minute.

Month 2_Day 16 -Road Trip

Psalm 4:8 - I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

We are really praying for God's protection over Levi tomorrow. It's a scary thing picturing him rolling down I-40 in an ambulance. We must believe that God will deliver him safely and he will tolerate the drive. God has seen him through so many things already. Plus we are big UNC fans already. Its kindve awesome we didn't have to go to Duke!

 Levi is really filling out. He weighed in at 3lbs 11oz tonight. Its crazy but he looks huge to us. We have no idea what lies ahead but its good to know that we will get some answers soon. I will be sure to keep you guys posted when I can.

For my prayer warriors

Levi - Safe travel, Growth, no infections, Brain

Trent & Anjie - peace & provision

 

 

 



Month 2_Day 15 - The Rock

Anjie and I have really been worrying alot lately. Its all starting to just weigh down on us. There is just so much that is unknown. We really just need to lay it all down. Its not good for us at all. We want so badly to just have some control over the situation. No matter how much we have worried we have not been able to gain any control. If anything God is purposefully taking more and more from us everyday. Its a scary thing really. Especially for someone like me. I am far from a type A guy. I do like to have my life in order though. It feels like we are living in the middle of a hurricane some times. There are quiet times but you know it hasnt passed and all of the sudden another squall rolls through and shakes the house. I am so glad we have built ours on the Rock. The storm is just as bad if not worse. The difference is our foundation. We are so thankful for that. Whats amazing is that He still loves us through all of the doubt we have shown.

Levi is doing really well. The doctor he has this week seems less convinced that Levi needs the surgery. At this point it doesnt matter because the trip is still happening. We need to see the specialist and figure out for sure. Levi is now on what they call "air control". He is regulating his own temp and ANjie gets to dress him now. You can only imagine how happy that makes a first time mom.

For my prayer warriors

Levi - No surgery! No infections! Grow, eat & Sleep

Trent & Anjie - No worry



Month 3_Day 14 - The Body

“I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

—Hebrews 2:11-12

I know I have talked about this before but being apart of the Body at Scottshill is a great blessing. We have know idea what it must be like to go through a tough time without a church family. We know that it has really eased our load alot to have that support structure. Every time we get to make it out to church we are just so blessed by the love we get.

Levi had another great day. Anjie and I both got to hold him and he tolerated it very well. We expect things to be quiet untill the transfer Wednesday.

For My prayer warriors

Levi - For the fluid to drain naturally. For no infections. COntinued growth.

Trent & ANjie - peace until the trip. Good decision making for his care. Provisions while we are gone.



Month 3_Day 13 - The Wait

The anxioty builds the closer we get to Wednesday. I realize that we shouldnt worry as things will work themselves out. There is so much unknown though and its starting to weigh on us. Levi seems to be doing really well so it seems crazy to even consider brain surgery right now. He weighed in at 3lbs 7oz tonight which is almost 2lbs above his birth weight. Levi is an amazing blessing to us and we are so proud he our son. We just cant wait to bring him home one day and show him off. We truely thank you guys again for all of your prayers and support. Sorry for the short blogs lately but I am just too drained to keep it up. I promise I will let you know whats going on with us once we get to UNC.

Month 3_Day 12 - Our Little Monkey

Levi is still doing ok today. His head once again remained the same. Although our doctor says he believes Levi needs the reservoir the only way to know for sure is to go to UNC. We are anxious about going but I think we will settle down once we get there. Levi weighed 3lbs 5oz tonight. Give God the praise for that! Levi was more irritable today. That could be related to the fluid or maybe gas pains. Its hard to really tell. Please continue to pray for healing in Levi's head. Please also pray for our anxious hearts.