elias update...

here is the latest on elias...he has been receiving treatment since last night. at 1 am this morning they did a blood test to determine his jaundice level. his level was 16.5 - down from 21.5 when he came in. then at 7:30 am this morning he was tested again and his level was 13.7 - which is obviously down more. this is a good sign. we still need to see that level continue to come down, but at this point it is a praise that things are moving in the right direction. he seems healthy and alert. we got to feed him and hold him this morning - talk about melting our hearts. we will continue the treatments and will keep you posted.

natalie and i are doing well. as i mentioned to her mom and dad last night, god has often allowed us to go through experiences in order to prepare us to come alongside of others who go through similar experiences. also, as i sat here last night i was reminded of so many things that i have preached on at lwc - most recently a message on security as part of our identity. i talked about the situational security god gives us through his promise to cause all things to work together for our good as we love him. i also was reminded of how many times we have talked at lwc about how these are the moments when we as christians can reveal our faith and hope in christ in the way we respond, the trust we display, and the peace we have. we are embracing this amidst the exhaustion this morning. 

we did get some rest - we shared a three foot wide padded bench in elias' room. it was the most we have been able to snuggle for months (natalie was barricaded with pillows in our bed at home for the last four or five months of pregnancy). thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers. we will update more later.