Monday Update...great news to share!

On Sunday morning, I was able to spend some time reading and praying before going back up to the hospital. The passage I was studying was from Isaiah 41. I picked this passage because it's one of my favorites, and it's one that I discovered when reading John Piper's book Future Grace.

In this passage, Isaiah is speaking for the Lord as he reminds the people where their hope, joy, and rest comes from; even as the nation was being threatened by a brutal empire that was conquering the world.

Listen to this quote from Isaiah as he explains to the people who is in control:

4 Who has performed and done this,    calling the generations from the beginning?I, the Lord, the first,    and with the last; I am he.   

Things seem to be out of control for the Israelites, they can't make sense of their circumstances and how this evil country is allowed to prosper.  God reminds them, that he is the one moving things for his own Glory - the first...and the last.

This promise has been something Jennifer and I have held close to our hearts over the past 3 weeks, some times it's been hard to remember, but other times God has shown up in powerful ways to remind us.

Listen to the second part of the promise in verse 10:

fear not, for I am with you;    be not dismayed, for I am your God;I will strengthen you, I will help you,    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

This promise is such a comfort to those who are struggling through difficult circumstances.  The Lord has brought you here, and with his righteous right hand he will strengthen, help, and uphold you.  When you remember this, your circumstances become an opportunity to bring God glory. You find yourself looking around a hospital for people in need of prayer, and people who need to feel God's presence. You hear your four year old daughter look up at you and say "dad, can we pray for the babies who are in the hospital right now?"  

How is she doing?

We have been waiting for the doctors say that Madilyn's kidneys are functioning fully.  This morning Dr. Simon, took a look at Madilyn's lab work and said that she is not there yet, but she is on her way.

Right now, Madilyn's kidneys are filtering, and she is producing enough urine.  Her electrolytes and acid/base levels are back to the normal range.  The only thing that still needs improvement is Madilyn's BUN and Creatinine level. The levels were not high enough to need dialysis today, but we will have to check it again tomorrow to see if she needs a treatment.

We're praying that the filters will improve throughout the day, and that she can stay off Dialysis, then we can prepare to remove her catheter and make plans for taking her home.





Here are the things we need you to pray for:

1. Keep praying for Madilyn's kidney function! We are so ready to take her home!
2. Tomorrow is the first day of school for Siler and Caleb, we don't feel ready, but pray we don't forget anything important!
3. Keep praying for Jennifer and I to make the most of our last few days with the doctors and nurses, we want to make sure we Glorify Christ in this tough time, and make sure that the people we meet know we have our hope in Him.
4. Pray for Aubrey, who is 10 is in the Children's Hospital in Temple also with HUS, but they are hoping she will be home by the weekend.

Thank you again for praying, please keep it up!! 

For His Glory,

The Rascos