THANK YOU, LORD!!!!

Dr. Macicek had nothing but good news today! Witt hadn't had an echocardiogram in almost 2 years. The one today showed that Witt's heart isn't any worse and actually a tiny bit better in some ways! He said that clinically Witt looks a lot better. Witt is only on four medications which is amazing. Dr. Macicek said to try weaning Witt off of one of his two doses of diuretic and even possibly turn some of his vent settings down slightly. Melanie will try this in a few weeks. Tomorrow Witt has his 6 month checkup with Dr. Ruiz, the pulmonologist. Right now I am shouting "How Great is Our God, He is Mighty to Save!"

Dr. Macicek and Witt!

It takes most the afternoon to have the echo, xray and get the results.

We did manage to keep ourselves entertained!

ECHOCARDIOGRAM TOMORROW!

Witt has his first echocardiogram in almost 2 years tomorrow afternoon at 1:00. We will get the results and see Dr. Macicek also! This will be done without sedation. Please join me in praying that Witt stays relaxed and doesn't wiggle around too much. I am asking Christ to just be hugging on Witt and keeping him still!! Witt's numbers(heart rate, oxygen saturation, etc.) are all good and unchanged so we don't anticipate any changes in his heart condition. Whenever I ponder the things of Witt I just keep hearing Witt's anthem..."Mighty To Save"! I am asking God to continue to show how Mighty He is to a world that desperately needs Him through Witt!!

I HEAR THE JOY OF THE LORD IN WITT'S VOICE!!

BLESSINGS AND PRAYERS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUSTAN! Yesterday was Austan's 30th birthday. Witt and family helped him celebrate with a hunting themed birthday party!

God continues to amaze and bless us! Witt has been off oxygen for several days now! He is, of course, still on the ventilator but that may even need to be turned down because even without the added oxygen Witt is still satting at 98-100. This could mean that the vent is giving more support than Witt needs!! Witt is sitting up real well now and just needs to learn to not throw himself back. He absolutely has the strength to sit up. Witt's therapist, Robin, also said that he is putting some weight on his legs and arms! When I said that Witt continues to improve even if its tiny steps Robin said, "Karen, these are not tiny improvements. They are big!" Another area of improvement is his making sounds! Witt has found his voice and loves to use it!

Jim played ball with Witt...

And Witt let Jim know when he was finished!

Yesterday, I listened to a sermon by John Piper entitled "Why Was This Child Born This Way?" from 5/25/11(2 more messages 6/811, 6/811). This is a great message that sheds God's light on Witt and all special needs kids. A couple of days ago Melanie emailed me this link(http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/2012/01/strongest-boy-ill-ever-know.html?spref=fb)to the blog of very special boy named Tripp. Please take the time to visit this blog and pray for Tripp and his family. I can't even imagine what his life must be like but I can more than imagine what grace and strength that our God is supplying to endure and be glorified through it all! It seems that Tripp's suffering may soon end. I am praying with each breath of Tripp(and Witt!) that God is infinitely glorified. I am praying the same for my life, for my breaths. God has numbered them...let them count for Him!!!

A VERY MERRY, BLESSED CHRISTMAS!!!

The month of December has been full of joy and blessings for us!!! It seems the greatest gifts have involved wheels!!! First, THE LUPHERS GOT THEIR VAN!!!! Melanie fondly calls it "The Beast"!!! It is beautiful and in Melanie's words, "It has literally changed our lives!"

It has impacted all our lives. The entire family got to ride together on a road trip to see the McCords in New Braunfels! Before the van, only Melanie, Austan and Witt could ride together in one vehicle because of Witt's equipment. And Melanie had to ride in the backseat to be by Witt. Now in the van, Mel can ride up front and quickly get to Witt if needed!!

Witt also received his new wheels, a new larger kid cart!! He has had the first one for almost 2 years and has grown quite a bit!! I will always have great memories of his first set of wheels...the ones that Melanie and Austan used to wheel Witt out of the hospital almost 2 years ago!! He has only been back once for a stomach virus and that was a 18 months ago!!!

Last Sunday our pastor, Curtis Jones(at Bayou City Fellowship!) spoke about the favor of God. He pointed out that Christ was the favor of God given to Mary and that with favor comes responsibility. I have always known that Witt is more than a blessing but now I believe that Witt is the very favor of God!! And yes, with Witt there is much responsibility but with God's favor comes God's strength to accomplish it! This Christmas day I thank my God for His favor poured out on Mary, for His favor poured out on Melanie and Austan...thank You for Christ, thank You for Witt!!!

AND, please join me in praying for the families spending this Christmas in a hospital. We remember what that is like. Pray that Christ presents Himself to them as the One True Gift!!!!

WITT'S LAUGH, ONE OF GOD'S GREATEST BLESSINGS!

BIRTHDAY PICTURES AND MORE!

NOTHING SAY'S BIRTHDAY LIKE A "MEL-MADE"

BIRTHDAY HAT!

WE WERE INVITED TO CELEBRATE AT "CAMP WITT"!!!

THE CAMP DECORATIONS WERE CRAZY CUTE!

THE FOOD WAS WORTH FIGHTING THE BEARS FOR!!

YOU COULD MAKE YOUR OWN SMORE OR EAT

ONE ALREADY PREPARED ON A STICK...

OR GRAZE ON ALL THE TRAIL MIX...

OR SINK YOUR TEETH IN A HOMEMADE

CHOCOLATE CANDY APPLE...

BUT DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE PLENTY OF ROOM FOR

THE "BEARY" DELICIOUS CAKE THAT

GRANDMOM VICKIE BAKED!!

VICKIE AND ELLE

ENJOYED THE TENT OUTBACK...

WHILE AUSTAN GRILLED THE HOT DOGS!

WE WERE ALL SMILES...

ESPECIALLY THE BIRTHDAY BOY!!

AFTER WITT'S BIRTHDAY CAME TRICK OR TREAT FUN

WITH SOME OF HIS COUSINS!

MELANIE CAME UP WITH THE IDEA AND AUSTAN

CRAFTED WITT'S TIN MAN COSTUME!

WITT HAS BEEN VERY BUSY BUT NOT TOO BUSY

FOR A HAIRCUT...

AND NEVER TO BUSY TO TAKE TIME TO PLAY!!

3 YEARS, 3 YEARS, 3 YEARS!!! GLORY, GLORY GLORY!!

I can hardly comprehend that Witt is 3 years old today! All I can think is GLORY!!! God has made it clear to me over and over that He is no less in control of all of our lives than He is of Witt's life. Its just that He used Witt's life to take so many of my blinders off! When I look at Witt I simply see God's hand, I see God's glory. I wish that for all our lives! Join me once again in shouting to the world:

How great is our God, sing with me How great is our God, and all will seeHow great, how great is our God!!!!!!

Witt...1 day old!

1 week old!

1 year old!

2 years old!

Witt is a 3 year old today!!!

BLESSINGS!

Blessing after blessing continue to flow! Bayou City Fellowship has welcomed us with open arms. Witt has been to church several times and a church picnic. Sunday I was able to share again with a fellow member how this church is a direct answer to my year long prayer for a solution to Witt, Melanie and Austan getting to go to church. Undoubtedly, it is and will be used to answer many prayers as Curtis leads the congregation to exalt the name of Christ in the city and beyond!

FOUR GENERATIONS AT BCF!

At church this past Sunday, Beth Moore asked me about Witt, his story. I explained the medical side and shared a small bit about what a miracle and blessing he is. She asked about Melanie and Austan and commented that they seem to be doing well. I said that I believe they are doing well! I said that after witnessing God with them in this situation that I am not worried about anything this world has to throw at them...God is Able! The other day I was listening to a podcast about God getting you through your desert times in life. It made me ponder the Luphers and their desert. It is truly amazing that God Himself is still there helping us in the desert times of our lives but it is even more mind boggling to me to see that God can flat get the sand out of your eyes and turn your desert into the Promise Land. The beginning of Witt's life seemed like a horrible desert time and yet that same life is full of one blessing after another. God didn't simply carry the Luphers through their desert he changed it into a beautiful oasis. He is Able!!!!

WITT'S FIRST WEDDING!!!!

Melanie, Witt, Annalee, Adelaide, Graham and I loaded up the Tahoe and drove to Wheeler, TX for Witt's first wedding! It was Lisa Scott's wedding. She is one of my best friend's(Carol Scott) daughter who grew up with Melanie and Evan. The wonderful time began with a hayride/barbecue followed the next day with the rehearsal dinner. We have been in an extreme drought but it rained all 4 days we were there. It was hard to complain but we did ask God to part the rain for a brief time for the outdoor ceremony. Witt's first wedding was a wonderful blessed event!!

God stopped the rain the day of the wedding and brought cooler weather!

Witt and the bride and groom(Lisa and Seth)

Austan, Melanie and Witt were all smiles at a wonderful first wedding!

Witt and the mother of the bride(Carol)

WITT ENT PROCEDURE TODAY

Everything is finished with Witt's procedure this morning. It went well with the ENT (tubes and scope) but the eye doctor wasn't able to find the tear duct. It may be very tiny or may not have one at all. Witt will go to a different specialist in a few months. Hopefully he will still get to go home today but his oxygen saturation is staying a little lower than where it normally is, so they will continue to watch him. Thanks you for all your prayers.

PROCEDURE TOMORROW MORNING!

Witt is having a couple of procedures tomorrow morning. He has to be at the Texas Children's Clinic at 6:00am. Somewhere around 7am he will have tubes put in his ears, a tear duct unclogged and the ENT will take a look with a scope at the trach area. Our prayer is that this is a simple one hour process and Witt will get to go home tomorrow. A cardiac anesthesiologist will be used and if there are any concerns at all Witt will be kept over night. I am praying that without a doubt God is control and that His presence is felt by believers and nonbelievers alike...all to His infinite glory!!

Today Witt, Mel and Austan went to the second worship service of Bayou City Fellowship! Curtis' sermon was based on Peter and walking on the water to Christ. Curtis gave this definition of overcoming: "Keep moving forward with faith, hope and joy in tact." He also said that even if you fail, maybe because of doubt like Peter, at least like Peter you should fail towards Christ. I couldn't help but think of Melanie and Austan and their journey with Witt. How amazing is our Lord that He empowered Mel and Austan to overcome...to continue to walk on this path filled with faith, hope and joy. I remember marveling at how much laughter there was even in the PICU waiting room! I also couldn't help but think of the family that having just lost their child invited me to be a part of their prayer that ended with them joyfully proclaiming over and over again: "Nevertheless, we will praise You, nevertheless we will praise You!!!" They undoubtedly overcame.

WITT AT WORSHIP

HE IS ABLE...AND PRACTICAL!!!!

Over a year ago I started asking God for a solution to the problem of the Melanie, Austan and Witt being able to go to church. I just didn't expect Him to create a new church! Wow, He is Able and Practical!!! For several years Mel and Austan have been members of a very large church. It just didn't seem right to take Witt to the service of several thousand people. I kept thinking I could stay with Witt every other Sunday so at least Mel and Austan could attend worship. God had a much greater plan...more than I could imagine. He created a whole new church. Obviously, there are many, many God glorifying reason why Bayou City Fellowship has been started but one of those was so that the entire Lupher family could worship together!! Curtis, the pastor was very welcoming along with the founding team of about 50 people. This Sunday was the very first official service of BCF and Witt. If that wasn't mind boggling enough for me, God put the "icing on the cake". The first worship song was "Mighty to Save"...Witt's theme song from birth!!

Witt has had several checkups. The first was with Dr. Ruiz, the pulmonologist. There is no plan right now to make major adjustments to the ventilator but he wants Mel to try weaning Witt off the oxygen! Witt's latest checkup was with Dr. Chumitazi, the gastroenterologist. He wants to try to wean Witt off two of his medicines and feels like there is no more need to see Witt!! Definitely all steps in the right direction. Truly, He is Mighty to Save!

This Monday, the 19th, Witt is having a couple of procedures down. He is having tubes put in both ears and his tear duct unclogged. They are suppose to be at Texas Children's at 6am. Hopefully this is a simple day procedure. Witt will have a cardiac anesthesiologist. The plan is for Witt to go home that day. I am praying that that is God's plan. Dr. Ruiz did tell Mel to speak up if she did not think Witt was 100%...then we all laughed!! God has blessed Melanie with a bold spirit that is never afraid to speak up where Witt is concerned. Just the type of mom Witt needs. What an Able, Practical God!!!

HOT BUT HEALTHY!!!

HE'S GETTING TALL!!!

This has been a fun, hot but healthy uneventful summer for Witt!!! He's been on trips to San Antonio, Dallas and Fort Worth with Melanie and Austan. With this extreme heat and the fact that Witt is a growing boy, it's hard to be patient waiting on the converted van. The daily highs are in the 100's and Witt and his equipment aren't getting any lighter! Unfortunately, the wait is still 2-3 months since the van hasn't even been made yet. It is ordered but the whole process including conversion takes a while. You would think by now I would have learned to wait and even bask in God's perfect timing! Please Lord, have Your way...it's always a better way than mine!!!

Witt does have several doctor's appointments this fall. Most notably is September 19. Witt will have tubes put in his ears, the doctor will look at his trach and wind pipe with a scope and a tear duct will be opened. These are normally not major procedures but Witt will need to be at the hospital with a cardiac anesthesiologist. Generally this is not an overnight stay.

This morning as I was thanking God for all the blessing of having Witt, He brought to mind a blessing that I don't normally think of. God reminded me of the incredible seeds He sowed through the valleys, some deep almost seemingly bottomless valleys. Yet, it is in those valleys that the ground is the most fertile...that the seeds yield the greatest harvest. Psalm 126:5 says:

"Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy." Throughout Witt's many, long hospital stays God was always always faithful to fill the seed bags with things like His truths, His promises and completely discard the seeds of anger or bitterness. Over and over He faithfully planted His seeds of truth deep into the fertile valley and watered them with our tears. Truly, truly joy always followed!! What a great harvest, what a tremendous blessing, what an Awesome God!!!

WITT HAS ALWAYS LOVED A CAR RIDE!

USING HIS '"CLAPPER"!

PLAY ME A SONG YOU'RE THE PIANO MAN!!!

ALL FINISHED!

GOOD NEWS FOR WITT AND ELLE!!!!

Witt had a great check up today! We had to wait a bit to see the doctor but if anybody is worth waiting for it's Dr. Macicek!!! He was Witt's first and has been Witt's main cardiologist. Dr. Macicek said Witt's X-rays and latest labs look good. He doesn't want to see Witt for another 6 months. They will schedule an echo cardiogram for that visit just because its been some time since Witt has had one. Just to show off for Dr. Macicek, Witt reached out and "shook" his hand! Dr. Macicek has a new nurse with many question about Witt and his history. I love the opportunity to talk about God and what He has done in Witt's life!!! She asked me how Melanie and Austan lived it...how they didn't freak out. I said that God is always equal to(and greater than!) the task at hand!! She said how do they not worry and I said the answer to all her questions is God. He is the Answer!!!

AND...Elle is out of her surgery and doing well! Dr. Morales said it all went great. The plan is to extubate her at 8pm tonight. Right now she is in cardiac ICU but will very soon will be moved to the regular floor!

DR. MACICEK AND WITT!

CARDIOLOGY CHECK UP TODAY!

He's a growing boy!!!

Today Witt has his first cardiology check up in months! He will be seeing one of our favorite doctors, Dr. Macicek. We don't anticipate that there will be any big changes because all of Witt's "numbers" are still good! We still do however ask for your prayers and as always my greatest desire is for God to be glorified!!!

ALSO....please be praying for Witt's cousin, Elle!! She is right now in the middle of another open heart surgery to make repairs!!!

AT THE ROUND TOP PARADE!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!!

God blessed Witt with the best dad. Thank you for all you all do for him. The way his face lights up when he sees you says it all. Happy fathers day! We love you!

GROWING, HAPPY AND GETTING WHEELS!

GROWING, GROWING GROWING!

SITTING UP!

Witt's life continues to be one of the greatest examples of God and His purposes! For those who might be visiting Witt's blog for the first time let me tell you a bit about Witt! He is a very rare trisomy 1 child...I started to say "baby" but he's 2 1/2!!! He actually has a partial addition and deletion on the number 1 chromosome. Texas Children's genetics came up with 30 known cases in the world. The nurses in the PICU were googling it! Before Witt was born Melanie and Austan were told that several things were wrong with Witt. They opted to not undergo anymore testing realizing even then that Witt's life was in God's hands and He most certainly has the final say over all including medical tests. Witt was not expected to live but a handful of days. The chromosome issue has caused abnormalities most notably with his heart and brain. Witt has had 2 open heart surgeries to try to repair the mitral valve but there is no more that can be done. Throughout the first 2 years of his life and months upon months in the hospital Mel and Austan were told several times that this could be the end. They have learned to listen to the doctors and certainly appreciate their knowledge and expertise but also cling to the truth that God has the final say in all things! Witt has required extra oxygen since he was a couple of months old. A little over a year ago it was decided that Witt needed to have a trach put in and go on a ventilator. He breathes on his own but the ventilator helps really expand his lungs which were staying full of fluid mainly from the heart issues! Witt is now a robust 33 pounds thanks to his feeding tube which was necessary because basically everything he swallowed was going directly into his lungs. Witt is a miracle! Not that most of us aren't miracles but with Witt there is no denying God's work!!! It has been almost a year since he has been in the hospital!!!! He has actually had several colds and ear infections but has been able to stay home. I believe Witt has confounded and surprised all the doctors especially Dr. Ruiz(pulmonary specialist) and Dr. Macicek(cardiologist). Dr. Ruiz has even turned down some of Witt's settings on the ventilator and Witt is now only on 1/4 a liter of oxygen. What may blow me away the most is how God is so glorified and magnified by Witt's life! This has been my prayer all along...that if Mel and Austan were going to have to walk this walk and their son was going to have these very special needs then let's at least ask God to bring Himself infinite glory!! I hope to one day point people to God in the same way that Witt's life always has!!! Witt's(and Mel's and Austan's) life has not always been easy but God has always been Faithful. He has been faithful to make up with peace and joy where ease has been lacking...Glory!!

Now for some more current news! The great thing is that Witt has had very few doctors appointments. As I mentioned, a couple of weeks ago at his lung check up, Dr. Ruiz turned one setting down on the ventilator. He made no promises but said we might as well keep turning it down slowly! He said that you never know...Witt has already surprised us all! Over the past week Witt has been fighting a pretty nasty head cold but is slowly getting better. He has no doctor's appointments for the month of June! AND with some very kind donations and saving money on their own, Melanie and Austan now have a down payment for a special needs van!! They are going looking this weekend. Its getting harder and harder to lift Witt into his car seat while managing his ventilator and oxygen. With a specially equipped van, Witt and his equipment can simply be wheeled up and "lifted" in! This will have a wonderful impact on the Lupher's lives and I pray it will give them a chance to touch more lives through Witt as they become even more mobile!!!!

Here are some videos of Witt enjoying life over the last month!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Melanie, I know that if Witt could say the words, he would most definitely say Happy Mother's Day to the best mom! I know because I see it in his eyes and his smile when you walk in the room! Today at church Gregg talked about a mom's sacrificial love. I know of no better earthly example than the kind of mom God has called you to be...the kind of mom God has empowered you to be...the kind of mom God has blessed you to be!!! AND I know how much Witt loves you!!!!

The best moms need a rest too!

BLESSED WHITE EASTER!!!

We pray for blessings


We pray for peace


Comfort for family, protection while we sleep


We pray for healing, for prosperity


We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering


All the while, You hear each spoken need


Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things



Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops


What if Your healing comes through tears


What if a thousand sleepless nights 
Are what it takes to know You’re near


What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise


This song is one of Melanie’s favorite. It makes me think of Good Friday and Easter all in one. Good Friday must have seemed horrible without knowing that 3 days later Christ would rise from the dead and there would be an Easter day. Christ being crucified was certainly not what the disciples were praying for but He does “love us way too much to give us lesser things”! Friday was “good” because Easter came. What’s hard is the in between days, the days between a good Friday and an Easter day…days that can be long and excruciating. Melanie has lived through many “Good Friday” days with Witt but in God’s infinite grace there has always been a glorious “Easter day’!!! We have prayed for healing, for His mighty hand to ease our suffering and we have always without fail received blessings…blessings through raindrops, healing through tears, unending mercies in disguise. Because of “Good Fridays” I can proclaim blessed “Easters”! Today I am praying for those who are right now living out a “Friday” that in no way seems good and for those who are in the in between days waiting on “Easter”. What I do know is that Easter does come because Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!!!

WITT ARRIVING AT THE FRITZ LODGE!!