WITT IS A BIG BROTHER!

Witt getting to know Bennett!

Witt and the rest of the family welcomed his new baby brother on Monday, December 10, 2012.  Bennett Evans Lupher was born 8 lbs 3 ounces and is 20 inches long. 

Mom, Dad and Bennett are doing great.  Mr. Witt is spending time in Mom's hospital room and nighttime with his grandparents. Last night was his very first night away from his mom.  Witt did great with his grandparents and was very excited to see his mom this morning back at the hospital. 

Bennett and Witt are much loved.  Thank you for all your prayers for Bennett, Witt, Melanie and Austan. 

Just sleeping and eating.

WITTS GREAT GRANDFATHER

One of Witt's Great Grandfathers needs your prayers.  Bud Evans, affectionately known as, Grandbud, needs prayers of healing.  Throughout his life, Grandbud has been a strong example to us all.  His life and personality have been a constant reminder to us all that with just a little effort you can affect the lives of people all around you.  Please remember Grandbud as he rehabs his knee and hopes to be coming home soon. 

Witt's mom, Melanie, is soon to deliver a new addtion to the Lupher family.  We will let you know when Witt's sister or brother is here.  Thank you for your continued prayers for Witt and the entire Lupher, McCord and Evans families. 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Witt the garden gnome Halloween 2012.

WITT IS 4!

Witt turned 4 on oct. 23. We are so thankful for what God has done in Witt's life and ours over the last four years. I'm still in awe we are celebrating his 4th birthday. We will do a real update soon on all things Witt!

GOOD REPORT!!!

Melanie's ultrasound went great today! The baby is growing well and all measurements were normal. The baby's kidneys were a very tiny bit dilated but the doctor said he sees that a lot and expects it to have corrected itself in 6 weeks. We are very grateful for this great report!!! Friday is Witt's appointment with Dr. Ruiz(Pulmonalogist). Thank you so much for your prayers for all the Lupher's!!

APPOINTMENTS FOR WITT AND MELANIE!

Witt is a happy big brother to be!

Not many things brighten my day like Witt's smile!!!  God continually amazes me through Witt's life and Witt's pure enjoyment of life.  This Friday Witt has his semiannual pulmonary check up with Dr. Ruiz and next Thursday is his cardiology check up with Dr. Macicek.  Sadly, we have been told that Dr. Macicek is moving out of Houston so this might be the last time we see him.  I know that just as God provided Dr. Macicek, He has another doctor ready to step in.  I know I will have to lower my expectations because whoever replaces Dr. Macicek has some mighty big shoes to fill!!

Melanie, has a very important appointment tomorrow at 10:30.  This will be her 5 month ultrasound.  It was at this ultrasound that we were first told that something was wrong with Witt.  All I can say is that God has given us great peace.  I am asking God for a healthy baby, a healthy child to tell the world Witt's story.  I rest in knowing that my God is in control!

Shopping with Witt!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, AUSTAN!!!!!

Happy Father's Day, Austan!  I am blessed to watch you be a father to Witt through all of his challenges and to embrace raising a son with no real blueprint to follow.  There is no doubt how much Witt loves you.  His face lights up when you walk into the house from work. I can't wait to watch you be a father to 2 kids!!

LOOK WHO'S GOING TO BE A BIG BROTHER!!

Yes, its true!  Melanie and Austan are expecting!!!!  The baby is due early December.  I literally jumped for joy when Melanie and Austan told me!  Melanie has had her twelve week check up and all is well.  You can't see much but they have heard a very strong heartbeat.  As with Witt, they will not find out the sex of the baby till he or she is born.  Melanie thinks adding a baby girl to the family would be great.  Of course, we are asking God for a healthy baby.  I have always appreciated your prayers more than you will ever know and now I am asking for prayers again.  I am asking God for a healthy sibling to carry Witt's story, really God's story, to the next generation to His infinite glory.  This is Witt's blog but I don't think he will mind updates on his brother or sister.  I will keep everyone informed!  Also, over the next month or 2, Witt will have his cardiac and pulmonary check ups.  Thank you for your continued prayers for Witt.  I believe all babies are a miracle, God's very perfect creation and Witt is a wonderful reminder of God's hand in life!!

Witt's laugh will always bring joy!!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

It was a wonderful Mother's Day with Witt! I am still amazed by the mother that God created in Melanie. Yesterday, our pastor encouraged mom's to "never grow weary in doing good" and Mel never seems to! Please continue to pray for Witt's overall health. He has cardiac and pulmonary appointments later this summer. Blessing to all you mom's and special prayers of healing and peace to those who have lost their moms.

HEARING TEST CANCELED

Yesterday afternoon my mom and I took Witt in for a pre op visit to go over insurance, anesthesia, take his vitals etc. I've had an unsettled feeling about the procedure for a while and wasn't sure this was the right time to do it. I'm not totally sure why I didn't feel good about it I just knew I didn't. The nurse practitioner said that he did not need a cardiac anesthesiologist which normally he does. She called the cardiologist and on call and he reviewed Witts echo and the said that he didn't think he needed one either. I didn't recognize the name of the cardiologist and didn't feel comfortable with him not really knowing anything about Witt. Austan and I thought it was important to speak with Witts cardiologist about it first. Also they said that he needed blood work before having anesthesia and they could do it up there but it would have to be a vein stick. Witt is very hard to vein stick normally. In the ER they have to call in a special team to come and do it and they use ultrasound machines and lights. Had I known he needed it I could've scheduled to have it done the day before or that day in the lab where they would do a finger stick which is much easier on Witt. Everything was feeling a bit unorganized with the anesthesia and the lab work I just didn't feel comfortable proceeding with it that day. It is nothing he needs immediately. He can have done anytime so we will wait and have it done after we see his cardiologist and pulmonologist sometime in July. Witt normally does fine with anesthesia but we take every procedure very seriously with him, we never know if he will have a bad reaction one time or not. Thank you for continued prayers. Witt is doing great otherwise. He has started with a new OT and will start with a new speech therapist this summer. Austan and I are enjoying living life with him. I continue to feel more blessed and fall more in love with him daily.

WE ARE STILL HERE!

Sorry it has been so long. Things have been a little busy around here. Witt is doing great! I promise a full update soon. Until then here are some photos. One quick prayer request first, Witt will be having a sedated hearing test on Tuesday May 8. It has to be done with anesthesia which is never fun. Please ask God to open up his little ears and protect him during the test. It could take up to 3 hours. We should have results that day. Thanks!

LOOKING BACK WITH WITT, FORWARD WITH GRANDBUD, LOOKING TO MY GOD!

Witt is doing great! He is still off oxygen and in a few weeks they will actually turn some of his ventilator settings down. Dr. Macicek will always want Witt to receive pressure support from the vent but some of the settings can be turned down because Witt’s oxygen saturation is staying 98-100. The vent is probably working too much for him!

There are so many things that God has taught me through Witt’s life…God has the final say in all things, we are all just a dependent on God for life as Witt is, be a “nevertheless” Christian(praise Him no matter what the circumstances) AND ask wholeheartedly for healing but seek the Healer!

I carry the truths with me as we walk forward with my daddy, Witt’s great grandfather, GrandBud. GrandBud has lived with bladder cancer for almost 30 years. The doctors originally removed a section of his bladder and then over the years have had to remove tiny little tumors. Just last week the urologist happened to take a look at GrandBud’s bladder(thank You, Lord!) and found a 4 inch, very fast growing tumor. The urologist removed the tumor but some had grown into the bladder wall. Dr. Dan Lehane(my younger sister’s, Cheryl’s, father-in-law) is an incredible oncologist here and is overseeing all of dad’s treatment. I know that God chose Cheryl and Michael for each other and Dan for our family! GrandBud will begin a 6 week regimen of chemo. Hopefully, that will actually take care of the remaining cancer. The urologist will look again in 6 weeks to determine if surgery is required. Daddy will turn 81 this month and just had complete shoulder replacement last fall. Please, Lord, no more surgery!

God has reminded me that just as in Witt’s life, He is in control of GrandBud’s life. I find infinite peace and rest in that truth…not because of the possible outcomes but because of Who is in charge of the outcomes! I want to praise my God Who is Worthy regardless of my circumstances (nevertheless!) just as that wonderful family did at Texas Children’s even as their precious boy passed from this life to life face to face with Christ. I am wholeheartedly asking God to heal my daddy’s bladder, to receive infinite glory for His healing hand but I am wholeheartedly seeking the Healer. God has called me to a fast of sorts for the next 6 weeks, along with other family and friends, as I humbly “seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually.”(1 Chron 16:11)!! Please pray for us during this time and I pray that you see God’s face more clearly too!

GrandBud with us at Bayou City Fellowship!

GranBud loving on Adelaide, his great granddaughter. He is an

unconditionally loving father, grandfather and great grandfather!

GrandBud and Grandmama...a wonderful example of

a Christian marriage!

One of GrandBud's greatest joy's is Witt! Daddy, this one is for you, Witt

playing his new lollipop drum!!

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!