Praise God for Huge Smiles!

Here's Luke enjoying his Christmas Day, it's the first picture that we have of him showing off his huge smile and look at his eye's notice how centered they are, this picture was one of the best gifts I received this year.

I hope that you all had a blessed Christmas. Our Christmas was good, God blessed our family with good health and so many wonderful gifts. This year was much better for me, Christmas and all holiday's bring some sadness as I shop for a little guy who never asks for anything, doesn't really care if he gets anything, doesn't show any excitement for any part of Christmas. I think back to that first Christmas after his accident and remember a little guy with with a trache, no emotions, no smiles, no movement of any kind, and I have so much to be thankful for, his smiles are priceless!

I'm thankful to say that Luke has been healthy lately, though he's been a bit more congested than normal. His appointment at the Pulmonologist was disappointing to say the least. He was definitely not at his best that day, when they first checked his oxygen levels he showed up at a 90, which is terrible for him or anyone. I again had to tell his Dr. that he is usually doing better. I am thankful that I could report that he has not been to the Hospital at all for 20 months, this is a huge milestone for him. We talked about getting a special vest for Luke that does chest percussions, we might give it a trial to see if this keeps his chest clearer.

The day before his appointment had been a crazy day, we had celebrated Lily's birthday having about 25 people over for lunch and her party, then I had to run to Costco to get a gift for Daniel's girlfriend, Kristin, who's birthday was that night. On the way home I got in a little accident, as I was merging onto the Interstate, the car in front of me stopped, I barely hit it, the car behind me stopped, but the car merging into my lane hit the back end of my van. It didn't seem like a bit deal at first, our van only sustained a long scratch, our bumper took most of the impact. Though his car was completely smashed in. As I got out of the car to be sure he was okay, I twisted my bad ankle, I was shook up, but didn't realize until the next day how sore I was, I had re injured my neck and back, I've had many Chiropractor appointments since that day.

The next day was Luke's appointment, by that night all I wanted to do was cry. I told Gordy I was "mad at God," I had prayed so hard for Luke to be at his best, he was not even close, there are times that I have a hard time understanding why God doesn't seem to hear my prayers. I realize this is not so but I feel this way at times. I've been praying for so many miracles lately, for little precious Maddie to get a new heart, for Katie Belle to stop having seizures, for Abbie, Izzy, Caleb, Justine, Brett Jr., Madison, Samuel, Josiah, Parker, Nolan, Lauren, Tori, to have a miraculous healing, for Melissa and Klinton to be healed from their horrible cancer and then Klinton dies last week. I KNOW THAT GOD is able to heal each one of these people, I guess I just don't understand why He is not doing this. I'm praying that next year will be a year full of His miraculous healing to pour forth. I will not stop praying, I can not, I do believe in miracles and I'm ready to see them happen soon. Will you join in me in praying that 2008 will be a year full of miracles?

For those of you that have followed Luke's blog from the beginning you will probably remember after his accident a man heard my screaming and knocked on the door to see if he could help. We named him "Angel Jim" he was the man who did CPR on Luke until the Paramedics ran with him out of the yard. I found out last week that he died unexpectedly, would you please pray for his family to be comforted during this time of sorrow and grief? We will always be thankful for his quick response during our time of greatest need.

Love in Christ,
Luke's Mommy Sue

PS We are finally taking our annual Christmas Photo tomorrow, I'm sure many people wonder why they have not a got a card this year. I'm hoping that we will get a good picture to send out for our Happy New Year card.

Santa Pictures with the Kids

I know I mentioned in my last blog entry that this week would be very busy, well I was right, it turned out to be a good but very busy week. We ended it today with a Birthday party after church for Lily, who is turning 3 on the 20th and then this evening a Birthday party for Daniel's girlfriend Kristin, who turned 21 today. I figure we had about 50 people over to our home this week, about 15 on Tuesday night for the baby shower, 6 friends of Amy and Natalie's had a Christmas party and sleepover on Friday, 16 last night for our church Adult Christmas party and then 17 today for lunch for Lily's party. Tomorrow we end our busyness, Luke has a Pulmonologist Appointment, which I would appreciate your prayers that he has an awesome appt., I'm praying that he is alert, happy, that his oxygen levels are doing great and that his breathing sounds great. I will be asking the Dr. for some idea's, other than a trache, on how we can help get Luke's lungs cleared and stay that way. Then our evening ends with the Kid's Christmas Concert.

Here are the promised pictures of Luke, Lily, Ezekiel and Isaiah with Santa at the Children's Therapy Unit Christmas party last Thursday. Luke was really intrigued with Santa' beard and as I mention had the biggest smile you ever did see, I wish we could of caught it on camera.

Love in Christ,
Luke's Mommy Sue

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, how lovely it is to have a live one!

Praise God, Luke has been doing great this week. He has not needed any extra oxygen and his nose has finally stopped running non-stop. He seems to be communicating more lately, two nights ago he was making new noises, I asked him to repeat it and he did, this was the first time he has done that.

Listed below are some pictures of our family getting our Christmas tree, this was the first year since Luke's accident we cut down our own tree. We used to do that every year, but the past years have been so challenging at times, we just didn't have the energy to go out there and do it. As you can tell this is a tall tree, the tallest one we've ever had.


The little guys wanted to help so Gordy and Daniel let them carry the tree, before they got tired they were having a great time.

You can probably tell by the way we have Luke bundled up it was a very cold day, in fact when we got home I was hoping that we wouldn't regret taking him because his nose started running again, but by the time he went to bed he was doing great.
Gordy took the kids to the Festival of Trees a benefit for Mary Bridge Hospital, while they were there Isaiah, Ezekiel and Lily got to sit on Santa's lap. You'll never guess what Lily told Santa that she wanted, it was a Christmas tree, you see we hadn't got our tree yet and after seeing all the beautiful trees she knew that was what she wanted. She continued to ask for one everyday until we finally got our tree put up. Luke wasn't in the picture because that was the day I took him to Urgent Care.
I will soon post a picture of Luke on Santa's lap. We went to the Children's Therapy Unit Christmas Party today and all the kids sat on his lap. Luke was intrigued by Santa, in fact he almost laughed, his smile was so big.

The joy that the Lord gives you will make you strong. Nehemiah 8:10c. This scripture is so true, when I'm joyful I'm full of energy and when I'm depressed I'm usually very tired. I thank the Lord each day for His strength, He is so faithful to give it to me when I ask.

Love in Christ,
Luke's Mommy Sue

PS Please continue to pray for Klinton and Madeline, they are both in need of a miracle today. Also please pray for Izzy's family they have been without power for days because of the ice storm that hit their area in Oklahoma.

Praise the Lord our family is getting better

We are finally getting healthy once again here at the Searles home and just in time for the Christmas busy season. Luke is doing much better, his nose is finally not running any more and his breathing is so much better. Gordy is feeling a little better today and worked from home all day. My biggest prayer right now is that no one else comes down with anything.

Tis the season to be busy! How about you? Our family has a very full schedule. Tomorrow I take Luke to Poulsbo, which is a hour drive each way to go to see Matt, the Rolfer, then on the way home to Pt. Orchard for a HBOT treatment, at night we are going to Chuck E. Cheese, compliments of Starlight Starbright. Saturday we are cleaning our garage in the morning, then going to cut down our Christmas tree and decorate it. Sunday is church then in the evening the girls have a Birthday party to go to and I am going to an informational meeting about a Missions trip to Romania. Monday I am planning a Funday Monday, this is a day where I kidnap a few friends and sisters to take to Seattle and have a full day of fun. Tuesday the kids have choir practice, then we are having a baby shower that night at our home. Wednesday is a stay at home day, with church that night. Thursday the kids choir is singing at the Children's Therapy Unit Christmas party in Puyallup. This is the place where Luke has his PT and OT, the choir is also sponsoring a craft table, which I am organizing, we will be making a Candy Cane Mouse. Friday night the girls have a friends Christmas Party and I'm hoping to go to the Mom's night out. Saturday evening is our church adult Christmas party. Sunday is church and then Daniel's girlfriend Kristin's 21st Birthday Party. Monday Luke has an appointment with his with his Pulmonologist, I'm praying that he can see Luke healthy this time, that night is the kids Christmas Concert. After that we are done. Except of course for Christmas baking, finishing shopping, wrapping, you get the picture.

I hope and pray that you all will have a blessed Christmas Season and you won't forget that Jesus is the reason for the season.

Love in Christ,
Luke's Mommy Sue

Just about at my Wit's End, but realizing this is where God wants me to be

Have you ever been at your wit's end? For years we've been calling Luke our mysterious man, he continues to live up to his name, I'm just about at my wit's end not knowing exactly what to do for him. Last night around 11:00 I almost blogged to say I think he's finally turned a corner, only to be disappointed a couple hours later. Today he woke up once again with a non-stop runny nose and breathing hard. Thankfully he's only had to be put on oxygen a few times during the day. I just checked up on him, he has his face mask on with his oxygen concentrator going at 5 liters, though if I put on his nasal cannula he's only be on 1/2 liter of oxygen. He sounds terrible like is he's running a race, he's breathing so hard with his heart rate up to 152, then down to 120 and up again.

Between his alarms and Lily waking up every few hours crying I've just about given up on sleeping tonight. Then poor Gordy is very sick also, he's been running a high fever all day along with aches and pains. Isaiah is finally feeling a little better today, Praise God. I keep praying that the rest of us won't catch whatever they've had the last few days.

As bad as things are here in our home I realize that they are nothing compared to what Maddie and Klinton's families are going through tonight. So many people desperate for miracles, God is a big God and is able to work in amazing ways, that is what I'm praying for. Would you please join with me in praying for Luke, Gordy, Lily, Maddie and Klinton.

Here's another wonderful quote from Streams in the Desert:
He generally waits to send His help until the time of our greatest need, so that His hand will be plainly seen in our deliverance. He chooses this method so we will not trust anything that we may see or feel, as we are so prone to do, but will place our trust solidly on His Word, which we may always depend upon no matter our circumstance (C.H. Boyartzky) This scripture went with this quote: Romans 4:18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed. I've changed this verse to Against all hope, Sue in hope believed. This verse just about sum's up my goal for today, I will continue to put all my hope in God, that's exactly what God wants all of us to do.

Love in Christ,
Sue

Luke went to the Urgent Care today and is already doing much better

After I blogged last night Luke continued to get worse. I ended up spending the night in his room turning off alarms all night long. He was struggling to breathe and his nose was running like crazy. I decided to take him into the Urgent Care today and after spending 4 hours there I found out that his x-rays showed that his lungs were a bit cloudy, which is not unusual for Luke and his right sinus looked unusual which could mean he has a sinus infection. The Dr. also did a throat culture because his tonsils were huge. I had a feeling that his tonsils were big because of the way he was breathing. The main reason I took him in was because I had a feeling that he needed to be put on steroids for a few days. If you know me very well you know I don't like Luke on medications, but I was desperate to get some relief for him and myself, we left there with a prescription for antibiotics and steroids.

Currently Luke is sleeping better and is not on any oxygen, his numbers are holding around 94 to 95 and his heart rate is down to 105 which is so much better than last night. So I guess the one dose of steroids and all the prayers are working. Wouldn't you know while I'm typing this out I hear Luke's alarm going off and he is once again in need of some oxygen, but Praise God his breathing sounds so much better. Tonight I've had to hold Lily three times I don't think she is feeling too good and I just put Isaiah back to bed, he had a fever earlier and is not feeling so hot. I might be taking a few more children into the Dr. tomorrow if I don't see some positive changes in the morning. Please be praying for our whole family to get healthy once again.

I am bummed because I had an appointment to get Luke's teeth cleaned tomorrow. I've put off that appointment for too long and now I will need to reschedule as I know he will not be able to go tomorrow. I also had to cancel his swallow study that he had scheduled last Friday, because I knew that he would not be successful with this cold he is suffering from.

One last note, I went to church tonight for the first time in 3 weeks and was ministered to by the Pastor's message, he spoke on fear. I sat there wondering if he knew I would be there tonight, because his message was just what I needed to hear. On the way to the Urgent Care Clinic I began to fear that perhaps they would send Luke over to the Hospital. I spent some time in prayer on the way there quoting the scripture, God has not given me a spirit of fear, but He has given unto me a spirit of power, a spirit of love and a sound mind. That was the first scripture the Pastor quoted along with other ones, the main thing I went away with was knowing that we need to stand on God's Word to overcome our fear and that is exactly what I was doing today. God's word is so powerful and comforting, I'm thankful for the verses that I've been able to memorize, as they always bring such comfort into my life.

Love in Christ,
Luke's Mommy Sue

Luke needs your prayers once again, along with Maddie and Klinton

Luke has been sick now for over two weeks. I've held off on taking him to the Dr. because I thought for days he just had a cold, since he has not been running a fever. Though today I was tempted to take him into Urgent care because his secretions are getting a bit yellow and just don't stop coming. We've had to suction him more this past week than we've had to in the past few years. He has been on oxygen for about 24 hours straight, only about a 1/4 to 1/2 liter all day, though now he is up to 2 liters. I'm praying that we will be able to get some sleep tonight. If he is not better by tomorrow I will definitely take him in, though I'm praying for another miraculous touch.

I would really appreciate your prayers for Luke to get better quickly. I would also like to request prayers for two other people that desperately need a touch from Jesus today, they are both listed in the Prayer Links to the side. Madeline Lester, a little 3 year old who has had to have 3 major heart surgeries, is in Critical condition right now and needs a miracle, also for her precious parent's Dave and Cindy who need great wisdom and strength to continue on this journey that God is taking them on. Also for Klinton, he is a young man suffering with cancer, today he had to be admitted once again in the Hospital because his pain is unbearable, also be praying for his wife, two children and parents.

I realize there are so many that need a special touch from Jesus today, if you have a special prayer request please share it with me and I promise to pray and if you have a website I will add them to our Prayer Links.

Love in Christ,
Luke's Mommy Sue