Happy Birthday Micah!

"The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life" (Job 33:4).

Yesterday was a special day. Micah turned ONE! With that came a flood of memories and thoughts. I remembered this time last year. We awaited his birth having sold our home and with nowhere to move. He came on a day in which the world celebrates, primarily, romantic love. Sarah and I celebrated the wonderful, miraculous and beautiful birth of our third precious son. And of course we ate Zaxby's in the hospital room for Valentine's Dinner.

Little did I ever think at this time a year ago that I would not only spend many more days in a hospital, but also spend two Valentine's Days in a row in the hospital. It wasn't Zaxby's this year; we opted for Jason's Deli.

One year ago the biggest issue and concern in our life was knowing where we would move. That seems so small these days. But one thing is for certain one year later--Micah is as precious to us now as he was then. He is as loved now as he was then. As a matter of fact, I think he's more precious, more loved, more beautiful and more miraculous today!

Those words from Job, who certainly endured his great and fair share of difficulty, pain and suffering, are words of affirmation, declaration and encouragement. Without a doubt, Micah was made by the Spirit of God and the breath of the Almighty has given and continues to give him life. When days came that storm clouds circled overheard, the breath of God gave him life. When the next moment was unsure and the hope for him here eluded us, God gave him life.

Micah, as is true of us all, was made by the Spirit of God. He's not a cookie-cutter human. He's not some product of an assembly line. He's unique and special, hand-crafted by the Spirit of God. But God is also the One to give and sustain life by His breath. That he has. For one year and now counting, we bow our hearts in worship of the Living God who has breathed in Micah to give him life.

Yesterday's party wasn't what we had hoped, but it sure what good. Isaac and Ethan (along with Grandmom and Pawpaw), came to the hospital to eat pizza, cake and ice cream. After that, we opened presents (both Valentine's Day and Birthday presents). It seemed like Christmas all over again. When that was finished, it was time for Isaac and Ethan to make their departure. Not having an agenda for a 2- and 3-year-old can be chaotic in a hospital for sure. Our time together was good. Micah had a good day with only a few moments in which he didn't seem to feel all that much like celebrating.

The reports and news have been good as of late. The CT scan was clear, the bone marrow test showed the bone marrow to be good and functioning properly and the EBV test last conducted showed no detection of the virus. So at this point, while we know it is still present, it is not active in his system. The only item of negative sorts, though it was anticipated and expected as some time, was his liver enzyme levels have started to climb again. With the virus now dormant, the immune system may have begun to attack the liver creating a rejection episode.

Doctors have started the anti-rejection medicines again. This demands some great balancing work. We want the immune system to stay low enough to not reject the liver, but not too low that the virus is able to rear its ugly head again (creating problems as it did this time). Micah also had his "last" treatment today to try to eliminate the abnormal B Cells. If the test does not detect any, then he will have completed his last treatment. If not, there is the possibility he will have another one or more in the weeks to come.

Even though we are now completing our fifth week here, there is no talk at this time about when we might get to go home. We look with great fondness toward that day. Yesterday would not be too soon for me. Yet I know we want Micah to be well and stable before returning home. The last thing I desire is to go home just to repeat this all over again. So please continue to pray in concerning these items.

And I have one final note which is somewhat of an aside. While many individuals read this from literally all over, the majority who read it likely live within a fairly close distance to the Raleigh-Durham Area. You may be aware that for 14 years the WRAL Mix 101.5 FM radio station has conducted a radiothon for the Duke's Children's Hospital. In the past 14 years, they have helped raise over 9 million dollars. This year's radiothon ended yesterday which saw a pledge total of over 1 million dollars. I've given in the past, but it has been a couple years. This year I was certain I wanted to give.

Duke isn't a PERFECT place; but it's a GREAT place. The children who are helped and cared vary immensely. But one thing is for sure...They all have a need! So Sarah and I made a one-time pledge. Compared to the gifts of others, it probably wasn't and isn't much. The only place I usually encourage people to give is to the local church, in order that we might see people come to faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. But I must say that I am compelled, not just for my son but for all the other children and their families, to simply ask you if you might be able and willing to make even a one-time pledge. The link to the site where you can pledge is https://www.gifts.duke.edu/dcradio or you can go to www.wralfm.com and click on the link.

I often think about how the Lord kept us close to this place and how our son has benefited from being here. I have also thought about what it would be like if this place were not here. Maybe you have never had a need for a place like Duke Children's Hospital. I still ask you to consider giving. Just look to the right of this entry and see the pictures of Micah. You are not giving to a Faceless Cause. You are giving to help these precious children's lives!