February 11, 2011

Friday February 11, 11:00am

This is Nancy:
Nothing new to share about Garren. He continues to rest peacefully. I have officially decided that 'wait' is an ugly 4 letter word. Being a doer type person its very hard to do nothing. I want results and I want them now. I want to fix it but I can't.

But at the same time 'wait' is also a precious 4 letter word because it gives us a wonderful opportunity to step back and watch God work. I know during this 'wait' he is teaching me to rely more on him and less on myself. I know he is in complete and loving control of Garren's life and will do what is best for Garren.

Psalm 28:7:
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my hearts trusts, and I am helped.

I love this verse and hold on to it during the 'wait'. Sometimes we know things in our head but have a hard time believing them personally in our hearts. Through this terrible, painful, sad time I have been able to truly trust God with my heart and as the verse says 'my heart trusts and I am helped.' God really does give a peace that is unexplainable (see Philippians 4:7). Yes we hurt, yes we are deeply sad and yes our eyes are overflowing with tears but with that we have a love and peace wrapped around us that can only come from God. We have been asked how can you stay so calm through this....our answer, God's peace. Thank you for your prayers for us for that peace.

Thank you so much for praying for Garren. We are overwhelmed with all the love and support we have received from literally all over the world. You are amazing to us. Please continue to pray for Garren and specifically for his brain stem to heal. Pray for Kara and Kelsey too as they miss their brother.

Continue to pray and wait with us and see what God has to teach us in the waiting......

Nancy

17 comments:

Kevin Conklin said...

Thanks for all of your authentic posts! Though I have never had a child severely sick or injured (Thank you God) there have been times in my life when waiting on God is a gift and a curse. A gift, when my trust in His timing is where it should be, a curse when I lose my focus and of course my faith (just like Peter getting out on the water and walking on it). So, my prayer is that your trust in Him will only strengthen and your focus will be on Him! "Trust in the Lord, dwell in the land, delight yourselves in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."

Anonymous said...

Such a sweet and awesome way to describe the "wait"....we will steadily "wait" with you guys and we will pray for continued peace, strength and endurance for you all.

Ritchie, Donna, Racheal, Katherine, Luke, Madelyn and Brady Edwards

Anonymous said...

Our whole family is holding all of you close in thoughts and prayer. Our Jacqueline is going out of town this weekend and she asked me to please text her with any changes/good news about Garren. He is in her thoughts and prayers daily too!

Thank you so much for your posts, you inspire us all to continue to put our trust and faith in God our ultimate healer!

Love, Kendall, Sue Jacqueline and Meredith

Lana said...

I cannot imagine the pain you are all feeling and yet you remain strong. What an incredible witness for all those around you. I heard something many years ago that has stayed with me. I hope it will be a comfort to you during your wait. "As a mother, we rock our children when they are hurting. You are God's child. Climb up in His lap and let Him rock you." I love you, my precious friend.

Anonymous said...

But as for me, I will pray to you Lord; answer me, God, at a time you choose. Answer me because of your great love, because you keep your promise to save.
Psalms 69:13
We will be continually waiting and praying for you, with tear stained faces for our Lord's healing of Garren. But how long? It's not long in God's time. We thank Him for Garren being able to rest peacefully while he heals.
Beckhams

Chris Hogan said...

During my reading this morning you were on my mind. I came to Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." Continuing to pray for all of you.
The Hogans

Anonymous said...

Dear Nancy, Geoff, and all of you, and Garren...through this pain, you still glorify our God...we will continue to pray for all of you, and healing for Garren...proud to know you, and it is an honor to be able to pray with and for you...love, Sandy & Russ

Michael Romano said...

Geoffrey,

I have asked several Churches in our area to extend prayers for Garren. We are all praying for his quick recovery. I truly admire the way you and Nancy are staying steadfast to GOD through this trying time. Stay positive my friend!!!

Mike Romano

Michelle Singleton said...

Thank you, Nancy, for your post today. My heart trembles when I think of your past week waiting with Garren in his ICU room.

I meant what I said last night. Being with you and Geoffrey in the hospital, I have experienced God's amazing peace and the certainty of knowing that God is in control, even in the midst of this terrible storm.

Jesus tells us in John 14:27, "my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Yes, this peace that comes from Jesus is so evident in your lives. It is not possible in the world. It is not possible without Christ. You and Geoffrey encouraged my soul when I had hoped to encourage you. You are true ministers of God's Word.

I will pray for your sweet girls. This must be terribly difficult for them too. I continue to cry out to God for Garren's complete healing. He is able!

Anonymous said...

Thank you Nancy for the beautiful post. Waiting really is a pro and a con, just as you said. When I watched my son begin the fight for his life just days after his birth, I was strong at first, but started to really question everything after weeks started passing by. Week after week, he lay still...no movement, no noise other than the monitors...As much as I despised the waiting, I equally despised the sound of the moniotrs...ironically, they were also a blessing.

I started to feel sorry for myself and had a thought, which I soon regretted, that no one knew my pain and that my son was the only one in the world at the moment experiencing such anguish...while I knew it wasn't true and that my thoughts were selfish, for a short period of time, I couldn't stop myself from feeling like that.

I watched other babies go home and families rejoice, and then the anger set in. For another moment in time, I was angry at God, angry at the world. It's shameful to admit, but it's true.

Just as I was thinking we hit rock bottom and the light at the tunnel looked dim, another baby was brought in...no mom, no dad, no visitors...the baby was a ward of the state in this big NICU. For days, he wouldn't stop crying. The nurses said that even though he was so tiny and so young, babies need and desire a constant human touch and that they feel love through repetitive scent, touch, and voice.

I offered to hold baby Doe, I wanted to hold him...I was told that it was against the rules and that if he got used to me, it would only make his separation worse when they took him away.

I couldn't understand any of it, but at that moment, I was instantly blessed with peace and knew how unbelievably fortunate I was to be with my son during his struggle...what an awesome blessing knowing God gave him to me and that I had the ability to open my heart and love from a deep, deep place. I knew that from then on, I had to wait, but during that wait, my son would feel every bit of my love through my touch, my scent, and my voice.

Know that Garren hears you, he feels you...he knows that he is loved...Know that while you wait, you are giving him that gift...how awesome you are Mom. Keep reading, keeping holding his hand...God is using you and Geoffrey as part of His plan to heal your baby.

Anonymous said...

The kids at school today wore yellow in honor of Garren....praying for his recovery

Anonymous said...

The faith that your family shows in this time of "the wait" is a perfect illustration of what a true FOLLOWER of Christ looks and lives like. All of you continue to be in our prayers and thoughts daily...

The Millers
Phillippians 1:3

Mike said...

Was nice to see you today at the hospital, Geoffrey. We will continue to pray. Keep that number I gave you...call if you need anything

Mike Davis

Blaire said...

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. It allows us to "wait" with you. You both are amazing how you continue to help and guide people through this.

Much love and prayer,
Blaire Traywick

Unknown said...

Nancy & Family -

I understand your frustration. Again, it reminds me of where we were 11 years ago. It's hard to take the long term view and have to live with a loved one in the hospital for an indefinite time.

I also remember the night I went into labor with AJ - I had no panic, just a calm acceptance of the situation. I don't think anyone else did (Sandy, Daphne, Kev, etc.), but God gave me His peace that night. What a wondrous gift.

You're on my heard and mind a lot. Praying for full healing, strength, and perseverance. I'll pass your story on to a friend who's son was electrocuted almost 2 years ago - now fully healed and graduated on time.

God is faithful. God is gracious. God is good. Rest peacefully in that.

Love & Miss you guys,
Christy

Anonymous said...

your post brought tears and smiles to my face....we are waiting with you!

Rebecca Lloyd

Unknown said...

Thank you for this post. You and your family are a testimony to God's faithfulness and an encouragement to the Body.

More Love and More Prayers,

Kelly Tyler