A groggy update

Wow...what a precious thing to witness the body of Christ in action. From the prayers from strangers, to the hugs and tears of sweet, sweet friends. As of 2:30 this morning, Alex was still in ICU, but there were a few things that we were clinging to. Yesterday she had blood in her lungs and fluid around her heart. She was barely able to breathe even with 100% oxygen. When I saw her for the first time she had a breathing tube and was heavily sedated. Then she had a breathing tube, and a feeding tube, next the breathing, feeding, and a new IV coming from her neck. So, what were we clinging to (besides the hope that only comes from knowing God remains the same) is that the blood in her lungs was gone, I suppose when they treated the pulmonary hemorrage they were on to something, a symptom of something else, but they were treating something. The fluid around her heart isn't pressing on her heart and her breathing has improved. She isn't requiring as much of the ventilater. I think someone said she's only using 40% of it...whatever that means. So, I'm learning a lot about prayer.

You know how I felt yesterday? I had a lot of feelings, but one of them was victorious. I was thinking about the battle that was fought and won, only because Moses had some good friends who were willing to hold his arms up. When his arms were raised, the Israelites were victorious, when they dropped they got clobbered. So, when Moses could no longer hold up his arms, his pals held them up. I felt like, through my prayers, and those who were praying alongside my family, we were holding her arms up. She's so weak, but she's got a fight in her. They had to paralyze her temporarily to do a bronchoscopy (please do NOT check my spelling on that!!!) because she was biting the instrument. We were glad to hear that she was fighting...she's a bit ornery by nature, so we felt like she's in there.

I'm not sure what today will entail, but I continue to draw from the only well that will not leave me thirsty. We're all tired, as you can imagine, but my older sister flew in last night to be with the family, and that feels good. I am believing that this will not end in death, that can only happen two ways. 1. Alex has the opportunity to offer what she's got left to the One who can make her whole, and she goes to be with Him in paradise...that's THE life, or 2. He spares her life on earth, finally draws Him near and uses her in fantastic ways for the remainder of her life. I'm hoping to see her life impact many here on earth, and I'm hopeful that is going to be the result...but I know that His ways are higher and better. We are hopeful. I'll say that.

I'll tell you what, the next time someone asks me to pray...it will be a different prayer. It is an absolute privilege to labor for people through prayer. A privilege to come up behind that weary soul and gently raise their arms and watch for a victory. So, thank you for holding our arms up, Alex's and mine. I'll keep you posted.

I'll tell you what, I love watching God's people rally...I know that changes the watching world as well. To see people put their lives down, to stop what they are doing to wander around a parking garage, find the floor in a HUGE medical complex, and walk into a crisis, just so we know that they are there. Thanks.

With much love...

Ali