The hand of God at work in our life and in others'

So today has been interesting. Not much change in Ridge since my last post. But check out what I am about to tell you.

First, we were told that the doctors in Miluakee do not believe this is a fatal disease. That is not to say that no children have died from this or no children will die from this- but they do believe it is manageable. This is good news to us, b/c we had not been told that yet.

Second, you have to hear some of this craziness. Okay, so I was getting ready this morning, and over and over I have wondered why Ridge's diapers were not checked for blood seven weeks ago when I took him to our pediatrician. I have tried to be understanding. Tried to explain it away. Tried not to be upset or bitter. I just didnt understand it. Everyone at the hospital who saw pictures of similar diapers knew by looking that there was blood in the poop (sorry if it's TMI for some readers). I did not get it...but I do now. Keep reading. I also am baffled by the odds of having this disease. Divide 35 by 6.5 billion and figure it out. We have a 1% chance of finding out Ridge does NOT have this disease. That figure looks incredibly hopeful compared to our odds of him being diagnosed with it. I say that somewhat in a joking fashion, b/c I know our medical teams are pretty certain he has MLT. I came to a peace this morning that the odds of having that disease are so slim to none, that for whatever reason, God is the only one who could orchestrate that. Please don't misunderstand- I am not happy Ridge has this disease. But as I keep typing, and you keep reading, I pray you will see how active the hand of God is and has been in our lives...and we didn't even know it. Okay, so here we go....I made peace about the diaper issue...for whatever reason, the pediatrician didn't check them for blood, and the odds of tha thappening are probaby slim to none, so I figure for some reason, it was meant to be. Earlier today, some of the doctors came in to talk to us. We were told about some possible treatments/how we deal with this when we get home/etc...the doctors were astounded by the response of people going to give blood for our baby. The doctors were very appreciative of our attitude, and mentioned something like, "you guys are the perfect parents to have a baby with this condition. he is lucky you are the parents he has." luck...maybe. but i doubt it. we all know it's Something bigger. Then...we were told this. Apparently, we came at just the right time to Children's. Not because Ridge was in grave danger, though I believe he was. But because...the week we arrived...was the first week that our initial GI doctor was here @ Children's. It was his first week here...HIS FIRST WEEK HERE. If you do not see the significance of this, here it is-- he came here from the hospital in Miluakee where this disease was found! He knows the doctors who treat this disease! It wouldn't have mattered if our pediatrician checked those diapers seven weeks ago, because even if we were here, they wouldn't have had a clue what they were looking at or how to get the resources to treat it! Do not tell me our God is not in control, never again will I doubt. We were also told, before we came here, that it would take a month to get into the GI dr. at Baptist Hospital...it took 2 weeks, and that put is in the EXACT right timeframe to be admitted to Children's when we were. I am in awe. Keep reading.

Almost six years ago, my husband and I were needing a different job. My husband was a part time youth pastor...and it looked promising that we would be hired full time at his home town church. I have not shared this story with many people. Some of you will hear this for the first time, and I hope you see God's hand at work here...and are not offended by anything I write. We interviewed, and really believed with all of our hearts that God was going to work it out for us to go there. That was the impression everyone there gave us. Then, one morning, we got a call that said for whatever reason, unanimously the team had decided that was not what God wanted. We were stunned. I'm not going to sugar coat it here- I was upset. I couldn't believe it. I was hurt and angry for a long time over that b/c I honestly believed a mistake had been made. Since that time, we have tried twice to move to Hollis for teaching positions (hollis is my husband's hometown). Once, it was basically promised to us that we'd both be hired. Then...that didn't happen either. We became so frustrated we just gave up trying to be that direction. Ridge was not even thought in our minds at these times. Hollis is about 3 hours from OKC. There is no way that we could live there with the disease Ridge has. God knew. Even then, God knew. Any doubts or questions or anger can be lifted, b/c all of this was all in God's hand even then. SERIOUSLY? I am baffled.

These are not coincidences. There is more to share I think, but my mind is blank right now. I will update as I have time and as I remember other ways God has been active in this, even years ago.

We would never wish this upon our child. We would never wish this upon your children. But we have been chosen by the Lord to walk this road for however long He desires us to. We still believe God can work a miracle in Ridge's life. We pray that He will just FIX IT. But if He chooses not to, He is still Mighty. He is still God. He is still watching over us. And we will still praise Him.