"Make 5" and Watch

Please make 5 minutes of your time to click on this link and watch the video posted by our sister in Christ Alla from the Bible Orphan Ministry team.

As you look at the faces of these children and young adults, consider that many of them are not available for adoption.  Let us give praise to the Lord that they are able to receive His Truth that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the love and care brother Misha and the BOM team bring to these orphans. 

Galatians 5:13-14

¹³ For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ¹⁴ For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Yana's Surgery Update 6 - Home

Praise the Lord!

Stephanie and Yana arrived home Tuesday evening just before 7pm. 

Last ECHO check showed no issues with heart function.  She will go back to A.I. Dupont Hospital next week for a follow-up check with the surgeon.

It is a joy to have them home...

Check out my bed-head

Colossians 3:12-17

¹² Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, ¹³ bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴ And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Yana's Surgery Update 5 - Homeward Bound?

Praise the Lord!

In a previous post, I mentioned that the earliest Yana would be released would be Wednesday (tomorrow).  Well, it look like God may have other plans...

Due to Yana's continued "smooth" recovery (Praise the Lord!), it is looking like she could be released today!  She has been eating and drinking, and her heart function is looking great (Praise the Lord!)...

Here are a couple videos from yesterday showing our beautiful daughter who has been given a new "lease on life" by God's Grace!

Yana's Surgery Update 4 - Almost "Out of the Woods"

Thank you to those who continue to pray!

Yesterday, Yana got moved from ICU. to a “regular” room.  All of her tubes, including the IV, have been removed.  This is a praise considering the discomfort and confusion it gives to any 4 year old…

Here is a picture of her cage; uh, I mean crib…

Yana has, understandably, battled some irritability and was rejecting food an liquids a good part of yesterday.  She had periods, some lasting hours, where all she did was cry.  Steph eluded to this period being the toughest and most stressful.  I reassured her that her presence there with Yana was doing more than she could maybe see right at that moment.

Well, today I received this update:

“I dolled Yana up and took her for several strolls around the unit.  She loved it.  I love her!  Then, she ate an entire package of cream of wheat.  Also, had 4 oz. Juice.  Yippee!”

We were able to have a video Skype session where the boys and I got to see Yana sitting in a chair playing with her pin wheel.  Steph said she even let out a couple smiles…

Regarding Yana’s release, the medical team stated that the earliest would be Wednesday, but we are prepared for it to carry into next weekend.  Her recovery so far is progressing well; yet, I still solicit your prayers as she continues to recover.  Please consider these prayer items…

May it be the Lord’s Will that:

(1)  Yana’s pain management allows her to sleep well.

(2)  Yana continues to eat and drink, as this will keep her from having the IV put back in.
(3)  Yana draws closer to her mother for comfort and companionship
(4)  Stephanie is able to rest well.
(5)  Yana is able to be discharged from the hospital on Wednesday.
(6)  Yana does not withdraw at her homecoming; that she continues to progress within her family.

Blessings to you all!

P.S.  Meanwhile, Mila is enjoying the attention and interaction with her brothers; here is an example (taken on iPhone):

Yana's Surgery Update 3 - God's Common Grace

Praise the Lord!

I am praising the Lord for His Common Grace; specific to Yana's surgery, I am thankful for His Grace as revealed in the gifts He bestows upon:

• Doctors
• Nurses
• Other Hospital staff
• Engineers who design/build the medical equipment
• The volunteers and staff involved at the Ronald McDonald House
• My company which helps provide my family with health insurance
• all of the prayer warriors out there (He knows who you are)

Yana is over the first major hurdle - the surgery.  In short, the surgical team was able to do the repair they sought out to do.

Cool, calm, and collected right up until surgery time

She isn’t “out of the woods” yet, but this is obviously a huge answer to prayer regarding the heart repair.  Yana will be in ICU (pictured below) for the next few days, and will be fully sedated for at least a couple days…

Stephanie has had many encouraging things to say about the hospital staff and the Ronald McDonald House.  I am comforted to know they both are in good hands; especially His Good hands.  Amen?

Yana's Surgery Update 2 - Faith Like a Child

Well, the Lord's Will was done regarding Stephanie and Yana's safe arrival to the hospital.  Yesterday's agenda included performing all of the pre-op items; e.g., Echocardiography, meeting with the anesthesiologist, and some other diagnostic checks to make sure Yana was healthy enough for surgery.

In summary, the main feedback I received from Stephanie yesterday was about how cheerful Yana was; how cooperative, giggly and happy she seemed (except for a brief period when she came out of sedation required to do the ECHO). 

Once all of the pre-op work was completed, they then went to check-in at the Ronald McDonal House, where they enjoyed a nice volunteer-provided dinner and a private room to get some sleep and prepare for the Thursday 615am appointment to prep Yana for surgery.

As I write this, Yana is in surgery.  May the Lord's Will be that the gifts He has blessed the surgical team with be used effectively to repair Yana's heart condition.

More to come; stay tuned...