January 30 – “Benefit to come”

Yesterday was assigned to be a day of rest. Not just by God. The docs told Nathan in the morning that they were going to keep April just under the "knockout point" (my words, not his), so they can focus on the infection and she can get some rest. The infectious disease doc said he considers April his biggest challenge and the most important case he has right now. Test results should begin coming back today and should be arriving throughout the week. They did indicate that the parvo test was negative. Nathan showed he still has a sense of humor. He was excited that now we are sure she’s not a dog.

She does come to the surface on occasion, though, and she responds to what is happening. When Nathan told her he was coming to play with Cailyn she tried her best to open her eyes and look at him. Guess she couldn't completely focus, though. Yes, Nathan came over to play with Cailyn yesterday afternoon. It was good to see the smile on his face and the hugs they exchanged. He stayed long enough to put her down for her nap. Nice afternoon.

Folks have begun bringing food, and that has been a big help. Nathan hasn't been eating well, but he wolfed down a whole bowl of chicken soup for lunch. He shared one anecdote with me. A friend of April's Dad came to the hospital. He is a Christian, and he told Nathan that he had not felt comfortable about coming to the hospital for some reason. So he had been praying at home and had enlisted his church to join him. Yesterday he woke up with a definite peace in his heart, so they came to show their support. Nathan's response was what encouraged me. He told the guy that for some reason he woke up with a strange sense of peace as well. He told him to tell his church that "it worked."

The fire department had as meeting yesterday to begin work on a benefit activity for Nathan and April. They are planning a big fish or chicken dinner extravaganza on February 25^th. Details are still in the works, but there will be a silent auction, so if anyone has items they can donate for that, let me know. I heard things like a deep sea fishing trip and lawn mowing among others. There will also be a carnival of sorts with a dunk tank. Sounded like that has been a big hit for them in the past. Along with captains and each other, they are trying to get city council candidates and police officers to volunteer to be dunked.

They also will be setting up a bank account at Texas First Bank for donations to be received to help with medical and day to day expenses. I'll find out more about that this afternoon. Seaside took up an offering yesterday for them, and a few others have given money directly to Nathan. And that's in addition to the great outpouring of love and encouragement they have felt over the last week-that-feels-like-an-eternity.

Isaiah 56:6-7 says, "And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to serve him, to love the name of the Lord, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant — these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called

a house of prayer for all nations."

Father, thank you for the outpouring of love being shown to Nathan and April. Thank you especially for the peace Nathan felt yesterday. Give him more of that. Amen.