December 29, 2006 - Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to you all! We would like to thank you for all that you have taught us this year. What a year! Every year we know that the next year will be the best yet and so far this is true! We are looking forward to 2007! We want to thank you for what you have taught us this year. Many of you probably do not even realize the impact and support we have felt as a result of your prayers and support. Here are a few things that come to mind for us as we think about the past year. . . -- Unconditional love - you have loved us when times have been good and bad. -- Faith - you have been faithful in praying for us even when we didn't ask. You have been faithful to God by helping us in ways we did not expect and could not have anticipated. -- Kindness - we have been touched by those we know and those we do not know. Kindness has been shown in many ways and through many people. -- Understanding - you have tolerated our tardiness, lack of responses to calls or emails, and have offered assistance at just the right time. -- Christian love and teaching for our children - our children have grown in Christ through your actions, words, and teaching this year. The balance has been perfect and they have gained knowledge on how to walk in Christ through whatever comes our way. The Christians who have prayed and carried us through the challenges we have faced have been instrumental in this. We could not have done it as well on our own. We could go on forever but these things stand out and we just want to extend a huge THANKS to all of you! We know God brought us all together for many reasons and some of the ones we have been blessed to know are listed above. Thanks and we look forward to 2007 and the blessings God has in store for us as we watch him fully restore Erik - speech, walking, running, learning, the list goes on and on . . . Love in Christ, Erik's Family

December 18, 2006 - Enjoying being home...

Hello All! We have finally added a little "Christmas spirit" to our home! We decorated the tree, added wreaths to our windows, and put up some lights this weekend - much to our children's delight! Nick in particular has been really questioning why we did not have any lights up so he is thrilled with the product of our efforts this weekend! I am working days and we were without nursing help for Erik for a week so time for decorating was not in the picture! Everyone is doing well though and we periodically check Erik's progress with the doctors and so far, all is well. There is the possibility that we will only need the IV medication for another 2 weeks which would be great! We don't want to rush things so we are not pushing for this. We want to clear his body of the cause of his infections for good! We would like to extend a blanket message of "thanks" to all of those who have been so supportive of us this year. We have seen God's love in ways we never would have imagined! Just in the past few weeks we have had so many of our needs met - most even without asking anyone but God! We have had meals delivered, gifts delivered, and even monetary gifts to help us make this a special Christmas for our family and the children in particular. We may not say much about Erik's siblings but we do want for you all to know that they each are developing into some very special kids. I do not recall them ever complaining or feeling like they have missed out because of Erik's health challenges. We do realize that our efforts to keep things as normal as possible (because Erik's needs are just a part of who he is) have played a key part in this but we also know that your prayers and support in various ways have allowed us to keep things as "normal" and "special" as possible in many ways. Christmas this year is yet another example of how God continues to surround us with His love through each of you. Although we do stress to the children the true meaning of Christmas and that Jesus received 3 gifts so 3 gifts are sufficient for each of them, the gifts we have received have made it possible for them to receive items that would not have otherwise been possible. We have even had people deliver anonymous gifts to our home! We pray that those who have been so generous have also been touched by Erik's story in a special way. That gives new meaning to what we have experienced. We are so blessed to live in a country that allows freedom to worship the one true, living God. We want for each of you who may not know Christ as your personal savior to know that you are in our prayers daily. It is such a pleasure to hear our children pray for "those who do not know You" each night in their prayers. This is a sincere prayer from them. Our children are fortunate to know a side of God filled with compassion and grace beyond belief as a result of what God has done for Erik. Man said over, and over, and over that what God has done for Erik was not possible. This is nothing but AMAZING! We are thankful that we were Christians before this because our faith has truly allowed us to come through these experiences stronger and with more positive than negative outcomes. We are looking forward to 2007 and the wonderful things we know God has in store for us. We are also looking forward to sharing Erik's coming progress with each of you! In the event we do not email before the holiday, we wish each of you a very Merry Christmas! Love in Christ, Erik's Family

December 5, 2006 - Another Day...

Hello All! Erik made it through the surgery fine yesterday and was able to sleep in his own bed last night. Let's all pray that this central line will last and will get us through this infusion therapy! Your prayers were definitely felt yesterday and carried us through the long day. Erik's Family

December 4, 2006 - Surgery for Erik...

Greetings! Well . . . the verdict is in . . . Erik's line is not working. The plan is to replace the line tomorrow afternoon. This is a simple procedure but none the less is a procedure and creates logistical challenges for our family. Please pray for no complications and for the logistics to work thmselves out. The enemy continues to test but our faith will once again get us through! Please pray us through this!!! Love in Christ, Erik's Family

December 4, 2006 - Prayers for Positive Outcome...

Good Morning! Just a quick prayer request . . . This weekend we noticed that Erik's shirt was wet after his medication infusion. Yesterday, we saw that it appears that the medication is leaking through the site of the broviac. This does not appear to cause discomfort or anything for Erik. The obvious concerns are if he has been receiving all of his medication and if the broviac will have to be replaced. Please pray for positive, successful, and simple resolution. We are hoping that perhaps the decision will be to remove the broviac and begin oral antibiotic treatment. This would only be the case if the doctors believe he has received adequate therapy to date which we are not optimistic about. He may have to have it replaced. Erik has an appointment this morning at Duke so we will know more today. We will keep everyone updated and thanks in advance for your prayers and support! Love in Christ, Erik's Family