GOD IS IN CONTROL...EVEN IN OUR OWN LIVES!

Last night I went back and read the first couple of weeks of Witt’s blog. I am in awe (not shocked because I know all things truly are possible with God) and I am humbled. I am awed and humbled by the very presence, activity and power of God but I am also awed and humbled by all of you who read about and pray for Witt and our family. I was reminded again that God is in control of Witt’s life. God, however, also reminded me that He is equally in control of all of our lives and wants to be equally involved if we would just let Him! I have said this many times, but with Witt it is very apparent the need for God and his reliance on Him. Each of us has the very same need. It’s just with Witt our “blinders” have been removed. Today I ask that you join me in prayers for all of us…that God would remove the “blinders” from our own eyes and let us see that our need for God is no less than Witt’s need and dependence on God in his life. God desires…He is waiting to be as active in our lives as we see Him in Witt’s. He is waiting to impact the world through us just as He is through Witt. How long will we make Him wait? Today will you pray that we live out the gospel and live in its power? Pray that today we are crucified with Christ so that the very life of Christ and all His power can live through us. I believe God is being magnified through Witt’s life…I desire the same for each of us!!!

MAKING PROGRESS!

Witt is making great progress with his oxygen...praise God! He has been 24 hours with it turned down to 1/8 and Melanie even had it set at 1/16. We may never know if it was the heart medicine or Witt's lungs finally healing completely from the virus. What I do know is that no matter the path of medicine, it is still all God! He slept 9 hours last night that allowed Mel to get some much needed sleep!


Sleepy Boy!!



The Cutest Hands!!

CREATED THROUGH CHRIST...FOR CHRIST

It has been one week since we went to the Cardiologists and Witt started on the medicine to help the leaky valve. We haven't really noticed a big change but we find rest in knowing that God is always at work even if we don't see it! Witt continues to need 1/4 to 1/8th oxygen. I have been praying that Christ is the very "air" Witt breathes and that his lungs need no oxygen with that! Yesterday in church a man spoke just quoting scripture. He went through the days of creation but on each day he added other scripture from the Bible. There were incredible pictures to drive home the scriptures he was speaking. At one point, there were pictures of babies still in the womb. Colossians was quoted where its says that all things were created by Christ...all things have been created through Him and for Him. Witt was created by Christ. Witt was created through Christ and for Christ. Not a single cell is misplaced in Witt's body and Witt was created (just like all of us!) to worship Christ! Glory to God Who is the Creator and Sustainer of Witt's life! I pray that in God's perfect timing Witt's lungs are healed and the name of Christ, our Savior, is exalted above all else on earth!

I just noticed that Witt really resembles Jim with his "stand alone" mustache!

THE WISDOM OF GOD!

Romans 8:26-27: In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts know what the mind of the Spirit is, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Today Witt had a follow up appointment with the cardiologist. We did not get bad news and in fact there is no fluid around his heart, it just once again makes me realize how glad I am that God is in control and I am not! I praise the One Who is Sovereign, Who has all wisdom and knowledge and I gladly bend my knees to Him! We were told that even though Witt's lungs sound clear, the x-ray still shows them to be a little wet and Witt is still on a very small amount of oxygen. We have known that Witt has a small leaky valve and that remains. The cardiologists are putting him on medication to help the leaky valve to make sure this is not the reason why his lungs are at this point a little wet and he is still on oxygen. Its here that I would normally ask everyone to join me in a very specific prayer but I am not sure what would be best for Witt! It actually might be best if the valve were causing the lungs to be a little wet and the medication would take care of it, it might be that he is still just getting over the virus or it might be something more with the lungs that we need to check into...I don't know! God knows and the Holy Spirit intercedes for us! I would ask you each to join me in praying that the utmost glory is given to God by doing His best for Witt! Witt will start his new medication tomorrow and will return to the cardiologist in 2 weeks. In the meantime, I do pray we are able to take him off his oxygen but I am at total peace knowing that God is in control...Karen

A sleepy boy after the doctor's visit!

GREAT WEEK!

Witt has had a great week! With the help of my mom we have continued to get him to eat well. We all were so happy to hear how much weight he has put on. His doctor was very positive on the progress Witt has made since he has been home. I have been able to take him out almost everyday on walks in his stroller, which he loves. He falls asleep about five seconds after we start walking. If you would please pray on Monday at 1:40 we go into the cardiologist for another Echo to make sure the fluid around his heart has not come back. We should get the results right away. If everything looks good Witt should not have to go back to the Cardiologist for awhile. We will make sure to post the results as soon as we know something. As always thank you all for being apart of Witt's life.

-Melanie

"ON THE GROW!"

UPDATE

Witt did very well with his immunizations...he's a brave little guy! His pedi is very pleased with his progress especially in light of his smaller size and 3 weeks spent in the hospital. And, for the best news...HIS LUNGS ARE CLEAR! Mel continues to wean him off the O2 and we are praying to have him off it all together very soon. Sweet, sweet boy!!!

Witt is still in the middle of his 3 month well check but I just couldn't wait to post this GREAT news that Grandmother Karen just sent me...

WITT HAS GAINED 9oz IN 10 DAYS!!! He now weighs 8lb 8oz!!!

And please pray specifically for Witt as he is getting his first round of immunizations today...no fun at all. We'll be sure to post any updates from the pedi appointment later this afternoon.

PRAISE BE TO GOD!!!

THREE YEARS ENDS WITH A BLESSING

Three years ago today I married my best friend and we only dreamed what it would be like to have a child. Now we are blessed with sweet Witt and I couldn't imagine a better gift to celebrate our past years together. Austan and I had a great anniversary. Thank you for your constant comments, prayers, and support. Here are some recent photos of Witt since he has been home the last several weeks.
-Melanie

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

We wish Witt's parents, Mel and Austan,

a very blessed anniversary today!
3 Years ago, as we prepared to celebrate the union

of these two precious people,
none of us had the slightest idea of the

MIGHTY PLANS

that God had in store in these young lives.

Mel and Austan, may you have the happiest of anniversaries!
Thank you for sharing Witt's journey with all of us...
we have cried and laughed and fallen on our knees for you...
you have inspired us all to more closely examine our lives...
you have shown us God's tender love in the form of Witt...

you have reminded us that we may always find rest in God's loving arms!

God is our Rock and His Grace IS sufficient!

I love all three of you Luphers with my whole heart!!!

~Cheryl

CHRISTMAS, BETTER LATE THAN...

Witt is still at home and growing stronger each day. He needs a little oxygen to keep his levels up and we hope to get him off that when he is ready. Melanie, Austan and Witt have recently taken advantage of the nice weather and been on the road in the stroller. Witt has been busy this month celebrating a late Christmas with the whole family on January 10th. Since we were all at the hospital on Christmas Day, the big family Christmas was a great opportunity to get everyone together again.

On Monday, Witt is getting a recheck at the cardiologist to be sure there aren't any changes, which we don't expect there to be. His personality is so shining through nowadays. His strong will and love for food certainly make you realize very quickly that he is hungry. Witt likes his time with Mom and Dad too. But most of all Witt loves all the attention he gets from friends and family that send the family comments on his blog. Thanks everyone!

WATCH ME GROW

Witt is doing well back at home! He is still on .5 liter oxygen for some additional support. We ask for prayers that his oxygen can be decreased over the next couple of weeks. He is such a delight to have home and to hear those sweet baby noises all the time. Earlier this week on the way to his checkup his grandma snapped a picture of the big guy riding in his carseat. Can you believe how much he has grown?!

L- 1 month

R- 2 1/2 months

GOING HOME!

Praise God, Witt is going home today! He will be on a little oxygen for a while (hopefully under a month). Mel and Austan will wean him off. His lungs are totally clear so Mel and Austan believe it is time to come home!! We are so excited and grateful to our God!!

GOD'S WISDOM

Witt is still doing well. His lungs continue to clear up. Once again the doctors are talking about sending us home with oxygen. They believe his lungs took a little hit and he could use the extra oxygen for a short time. Please pray for God's guidance as Mel and Austan try to make this decision. God's wisdom never fails! We are so grateful we were still in the hospital a few days ago when he had the relapse but now it feels like a different situation. I have talked to two moms whose babies caught RSV here in the hospital so it might be time to go home!

RESTING WELL

Witt and Melanie are both resting well. Witt is back on the road to recovery, we just don't know how long it will take. The big discussion today with one of the doctors was whether or not this was still the same virus or actually some new virus. I believe the conclusion was that he just wasn't totally over the original virus and nothing new. He continues to require very little oxygen but he really needs that small amount to keep his oxygen saturation up. Today I was reminded that I am to love the Lord, my God, with all my heart, my soul, my mind and my strength. God is to always be my focus and my strength, my energy is to be spent loving Him even(and maybe especially!) while Witt is in the hospital. It's so easy to lose focus and spend all my strength thinking about the situation when the only true way to never run out of strength is for Him to be my focus. Today I praise God for always being in control, I praise God for a hospital like Texas Children's, I praise God that He has never been easier to "find" than here in Witt's room!

Happy "News" Year!

Happy New Year! Witt is doing much better. His oxygen has been turned down quite a bit. The doctor said his lungs look much better AND once again the cardiologists said his heart is great and not causing any of this! The doctor also said we will be able to remain on this floor with a higher level of care until Witt is ready to go home. We don't know when that will be yet but he is once again getting better. I can't imagine the amazing plans that our amazing God has for each and every one of us in 2009. I pray that we all seek to walk in His plans this year!

Prayer!

Please pray for Witt. Witt had to be moved back to a critical care floor early this morning. His lungs have more fluid, his stomach was very distended and his heart rate was staying above 80. I am very grateful that Melanie chose not to go home with Witt on oxygen. We could have been home when all this happened. Once again this is tough. Once again we need the strength to walk, to walk as Christ. Sometimes its hard to see God's hand in all this but that's when we have to trust His heart...a heart that is faithful and infinitely loves Witt.

Oxygen

We still can't turn Witt's oxygen down. He is not getting very much at all but definitely needs some to keep his oxygen saturation up. It's because his lungs are still "wet". The doctor said we can go home with oxygen but right now Mel would rather not. It would mean he is still not totally healthy and she would really like to leave here with him healthy! I am asking God to dry his lungs. Hey, He parted the Red Sea and dried the bottom. Nothing is impossible!

Slow Progress

Witt is doing better, however the progress has slowed a bit. As one doctor described it: "We have one foot out the door headed home." We seem to be dragging the last foot a bit! His lungs still have some stuff (you'd think I would know the medical term by now!) in them that is shifting around. The doctor did say that they sound a little better. Witt's oxygen is set at "1/4". He just can't quite tolerate dropping it to "1/8". He still has quite a bit of heavy mucous in his nasal passages. We don't have the results of the latest echocardiogram done just an hour ago. We don't expect to find any fluid around the heart but want to make sure. We are without a doubt trusting God for His perfect timing in going home. Thank you....each and everyone of you for all the prayers....it does make a difference!

Improving!

Witt continues to improve. His oxygen is turned down to about the lowest possible setting and his saturation stays mostly at 100. Respiratory continues to do the "clapping" therapy and yesterday added breathing treatment. This morning they did a deep suction which really helped also. Tomorrow morning his lungs will be xrayed and he will have another echocardiogram just to make sure fluid is still gone. Witt is eating great and really taking things in now. You can't help but melt when he looks right at you and furrows his brow! These last weeks were certainly not the plans I had made but they were the steps directed by God. We can choose to be dragged in those steps kicking and screaming or we can be carried by Christ. One way leaves the footprints of Christ for others to follow, the other way just leaves marks in the dirt. I pray we always choose Christ...our Refuge, our Strength, our Hope!

MOVING ON UP!

Witt is being moved from PCU to "infant care" where he'll only have a monitor for oxygen saturation level. He is back to a fairly normal eating and sleeping schedule as we anxiously wait for him to return to 100%. He is doing remarkably well and we couldn't be more thrilled! We're praying that he'll home in his own bed as we welcome in the New Year!!!

HEART RELIEF

The cardiologist report was very good. He didn't see any leakage in the valve that is an issue or posing any problem. Witt does have a small Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), which is a small hole, but the doctor said that it should pose no issue and will close up as Witt gets older. They will watch him in follow-up visits. So bottom-line, the heart is not contributing to any issues that Witt has with his lungs. GREAT CHRISTMAS present.

WITT HAS A BUSY AFTERNOON

This afternoon, Witt had a echocardiogram and a EKG and we are still waiting for the cardiologist to read the results. The doctors want to check further to be sure if Witt has a leaking valve that was seen on a previous echocardiagram. They also have found that his right lung, upper lobe is slightly collapsed again. They treat this with clapping on his back to loosen and help him breath. Melanie is holding Witt so that he can get some rest. Grandmother Karen is trying to get some rest as well. Updates when we hear from the doctor. Thank you for you prayers.

Perspectives

Without a doubt, this Christmas has brought such different perspectives to my life. God has certainly used this to clear all the worldly clutter away to bring me back to truly appreciate the birth of Christ! On a much lighter side, I also have some new appreciations. I appreciate the fact that in the PICU waiting room at Texas Children's there are big recliners (about 20) basically in a circle for family to sleep in. Melanie and I stayed 8 nights there so she could be with Witt around the clock. I always woke up to fresh coffee and some kind of breakfast treat! It's hard to really describe how funny it is to go to bed or actually "go to chair" with total strangers. One night I fell asleep and awoke with a man I had never seen just inches away! Now, I have come to really appreciate a hospital room. Witt is in his own huge room...2 TV's, dvd player and a couch that pulls out to almost a full bed. Witt is doing wonderfully! He just ate over 3 ounces from a bottle and is resting in Melanie's arms. What a God....what a day....what a Savior! Merry Christmas to all!!!

A CHRISTMAS SURPRISE

Merry Christmas from Witt’s family. Witt, his mom, Mel and grandma, Karen are all waking up at Texas Children’s Hospital today. Many things are different today than what we originally planned. But today is what God planned. We celebrate today because God surprised the world with a baby that would save the world. Mary and Joseph, the baby’s earthly parents never expected their lives to be used by God in such a way. When we wake up at the foot of Christ each morning we should expect to be blessed in different ways as well. How do we see today? Is it about the tree, the food, the surprising presents and time off from work? Will today be a lasting memory or just another Christmas and the day before the 26th? Could today be the very first day that we really take God at His Word? Our prayer as a family is for all of us to take today and spend time with God in His Word. Let God show you how Christ lived, how He died and how He lives through us again. Let Christ surprise you today with His love for you. Let a Child change you today. God promised the world will be different when we let Christ live through us everyday. Celebrate this day as you trust Christ to surprise you each morning and all throughout your day.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Jim

LUNGS

The mucous is gone out of Witt's lung but there still is fluid in both so they are continuing to "push" oxygen with a cpap. He is still off the ventilator but his breathing rate is a little fast. The nurse just gave him a diuretic. Please join us in praying for the fluid to leave his lungs and his breathing rate to come down! We know that Witt will be here in the hospital for Christmas but without a doubt this is the best place for him right now! This may be the easiest Christmas to truly remember what we are celebrating...the birth of our Savior...the birth of the One who came to give us life...the birth of the One that holds Witt in His hands. I look at Witt and can't imagine that Christ gave up His place in heaven to come as a baby just like Witt. Nevertheless, He came and that is what we will celebrate as a family tomorrow...from Colorado to Texas!!!

NOTHING LIKE MOM!

Mel is holding Witt...and God is holding them!