Of course I'm not writing from prison, as Paul often was, (although a hospital has a strange way of feeling like a prison) but I feel disconnected in much the same way. In all of this, I've come to realize that one of the benefits of having a strong support system of family, friends and church is the knowledge that things will continue on. Youth Group, for example, continues to function through the hard work and dedication of all the counselors and parents who are committed to that ministry. This is both a comfort and a heartache to me. I am glad that you all have stepped up to the plate, but I am the sort of person who loves to be doing things by himself, and so accepting all of this support has been a lesson in grace.
Today Emily has been faced with another tough decision. She's been on the ventilator for 10 days now, and tomorrow she will meet with a doctor about putting a tracheostomy tube in her throat because it looks like she'll need the vent for a little while. That elusive 40 on her breathing test has slipped back down into the teens. This, we are now told, is not uncommon. I wish we had been told this last week before we got our hopes up.
The trach tube means that we'll be settling in for a bit of a slower pace. We thought this would be a sprint, but it has turned into a marathon, and we have to re-adjust ourselves accordingly. Now we have to try to work out some schedules, some routines, some paths to healing that allow for good and bad days, for work and for rest. She can also begin to see a limited number of visitors (1 or 2 per day) if you're interested in coming by. I ask that you pray for us in looking forward. We trust that we will faithfully run the race that is set before us.
Finally, we're praying for all of you. In every letter, Paul mentions how thankful he is for the prayers and support he has received from this or that church, and he says that they saints of those churches are continually in his prayers. In much the same way we are thankful for all of you, and we are praying that all of you may have the strength to continue the race in our temporary absence.
