Two Short Years Ago

On this very day, two short years ago, my sweet Sara Kate was in the hospital. By this date, she had been in the hospital about 4 days and would be in the beginnings of kidney failure, that would eventually have us transferred from Chattanooga to Knoxville for a two week stay in the PICU at UT Medical Center. This was by far the most terrifying and horrific experience of our lives. But, the dates always stick out in my head, and the memories are so vivid; and honestly I just can't pass up the chance to be publicly thankful yet again......

Thankful for so many things, and although I've already posted them on Sara Kate's site once, I can't help but express them again. For the next two weeks, I will be remembering, reliving, and recounting all of my blessings. One of which was God's nearness. God was so incredibly present during that time, so real that it was almost unreal. I won't lie and say that I had peace the whole time. In fact, there were several times that I completely lost it, the life and vitality of my baby was very much in question, very much up in the air. But He was there, and He was faithful. Faithful in the small things, and faithful in the one thing that mattered most to us: her healing. I'll never get tired of thanking him for that.

Another blessing was the nearness of family. I've really never had any doubt or question that our families love us and are devoted to us; but if I ever had, this would have expelled them forever. Our families very literally got us through. They came to our rescue in an unrescue-able situation. In my mind, there is nothing more dear to my heart than our family. I have tons and tons of examples that I could list, but it's not necessary. They're not looking for any accolades, their one and only motivation was love for us. And, boy was the love ever shown; shown in tangible ways over and over during those three weeks and the weeks that followed. Just know everybody, that we love you too, and the love you poured on us will never be forgotten.

The blessing of friends and church family can not go uncounted. We've never felt more loved or cared about in all of our lives. Genuine concern and over the top love and care were lavished on us in so many ways I couldn't possibly recount them. Your acts of service to us were touching and heartfelt and quite frankly, life changing. And, please don't think I'm saying that flippantly. Your examples of community and bearing one another's burdens were ingrained in my heart and I quickly resolved to "pay it forward" as an opportunity presented itself (and I hope I have).

I must mention also, the blessing of wonderful medical facilities; kind, compassionate doctors and nurses, and the blessing of medicine and medical technology. God used these things to heal my baby, and I'm grateful.

I guess, all in all, I'm just thankful. Thank you Jesus, for healing my KatieBell. Thank you for family and friends who love us. Thank you for the lessons you taught us along the way. Thank you for your faithfulness, and an opportunity to share about it.