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