February 12, 2011

Saturday, February 12, 2011 10:00pm

Garren has had a great day. He continues to take small steps toward recovery. The steps are small, but very good. He is breathing over the ventilator very consistently. He has responded to several pain tests, very small responses, but a response none-the-less. He coughed, ever so slightly. Garren is a long way from where he needs to be. But this is a start.

In the mean time I continue to be blown away at what seems to becoming a movement of sorts. Word about Garren is spreading to places I never would've expected. I am receiving notes from people whose prayer lives have been impacted tremendously because of what happened to Garren. I am hearing about prayer circles happening in the most unexpected places.

This morning my sister-in-law stopped at a gas station to pick up several copies of The Enquirer Journal. The local Monroe, NC newspaper had decided to run an article about Garren. We made the front page. So she picked up 3 copies. When she went to pay, the cashier asked her if she realized that she had more than one copy. Paulette replied that she did, that the front page article was about her nephew Garren. The cashier looked at her and said "This morning, when we opened the store, we saw that article. We stopped, gathered around, and prayed for that family."

I received a comment on this blog: "Today 30 wrestlers (Chase had a tournament today) at Marvin Ridge wore a blue shoe lace in Garren's honor. We are beside you in prayer for the long run!" Then I found this on facebook: "I don't know Garren but it brought tears to my eyes today at the wrestling match when one of the kids won a medal and held up a sign that said "For Garren"! What a great thing for a kid to do in honor of a friend."

Yesterday, at Porter Ridge Middle School - where Garren went last year, before he was redistricted to Piedmont Middle School - the students wore yellow in honor of Garren.

I'm not really sure what to think about all of this. As my oldest daughter Kara said, "This is the kind of stuff you read about in movies!" And she's right. You hear about stuff like this, but to be at the very center of something like this is truly humbling.

There are many more stories like these. We are so thankful for so many people who have taken an interest in Garren. This is by far the most difficult and stressful thing I've ever faced in my life. I would not wish this on anyone. But to know that we are exactly where God wants us, and that this event is being used in amazing and miraculous ways to point people to Jesus - that is just humbling. Who am I, to be used in this way?

"Father - thank you for your amazing love for us. Thank you for using us to have an impact for you on people you love all around the world. Jesus, we join with these friends of ours around the world in asking you to bring healing and restoration to Garren.
- In Jesus name we pray, Amen."

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for being so happy to be used by God. I love your family and I am praying for you all. Your experience has definitely improved my prayer life, and while I have prayed for your family, I have found myself giving so many of my own worries to God. And thank you Nancy for your wonderful post. You have both brought me to tears this week.

With love and prayers,
Krystal Edwards

Anonymous said...

Amen! It is amazing to see God work in this way...I am working on a background investigation for an airline pilot and asked him to pray for Garren. I sent him the link to your blog. He e-mailed me and let me know that it was an honor and a priviledge to be before our Father's throne, on his knees, in Garren's corner. He also said he sent the link to other pilots, so now the airline industry is on board too! Same goes for the Matthews PD and the Department Heads at Stanly Community College, and the list goes on and on and on!

Garren will be so shocked to wake up and know that he's gone viral!

This reminds me of the lyrics "How wonderful, How marvelous, is my Father's love..." We pray for a peaceful night. In for the long haul, In His Love, The Sisk Family

Anonymous said...

Glory Be To God.
He's the same yesterday,today, & forever more

Amazing as it is,I believe with all my heart that we haven't seen anything yet.

God is ready to do even more if we'll just continue to pray and make ourselves available to do his will

As I prepare for bed, all I keeping seeing in my mind is Heaven rejoicing over every person that has bent their
knee to Christ from hearing of Garren story

God is worthly of all our praise and he alone is prefect


In him who I serve

Anonymous said...

http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=1616085815326

This song always lifts me up when I'm down. My whole church is praying for you Garren! You've touched many many people and continue to touch different people everyday! Jesus is with you every step of the way. Just don't give up hope. We will be praying for you everyday till you get better! Get better soon <3 Many many people miss you!
-Sami Blythe- PHS.

Anonymous said...

What better way to end Garren's birthday celebration but with such encouraging news. Totally humbling - - all of it: knowing we are powerless yet serve an all-powerful God. Doing what He only asks us to do: love one another, bear one another's burdens, WATCH and pray. My heart is so full for you all as you surrender Garren to God's care. Continuing to pray and sending love your way.

Anonymous said...

Today is Sunday...the beginning of a warm week, weather wise...we just want to say good morning to all of you, and to Garren..we pray that today you may see more healing "steps", and that you might be encouraged, renewed and strengthened by our God!!!! Love and prayers, Sandy & Russ

Anonymous said...

Amen! Pastor Geoffrey! God is good!!!
You all inspire us so much! I know I have family in Indiana and Ohio praying!

Anonymous said...

we will take the small steps ALL DAY LONG!!! They make my day when I read about them!! Thank you Jesus!!! hang in there. Hope to viit with you all Monday!
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