Answered Prayer

A HEARTY THANK-YOU to everyone who has upheld Joel and Renee, since Joel's accident on Monday! It has been three days, and he is officially out of the life-threatening woods! Now entering the forest of recovery. God said, "CALL unto ME, and I WILL ANSWER thee, and SHOW YOU GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS, which thou knowest not." He proves it over and over. Hallelujah! These are the times when I'm inspired to write and sing songs of thanks to HIM!

Besides the loss of one kidney and his spleen, Joel seems to be fine internally. His lungs will heal. He had extensive surgery done on his left leg and knee. He has a metal rod now in his leg; I do not know details about that leg, but Lord willing, Joel will regain full function of the leg. (prayer request!)

He has no signs of brain damage, just a concussion- and no spinal cord or nerve damage detectable at this time. (praise request!)

Joel's cervical vertebrae were closely examined with MRI. Fracture was RULED OUT! AMEN!! He does have a broken ring finger, right foot, and ankle- which will heal. Praise God for sparing his HANDS from anything worse than one fractured finger! What a gracious God!

Joel was taken off the ventilator yesterday, and was slowly taken off the sedatives. He was very confused when he woke up. He knew he had been in the accident, but he had no idea how long he had been down. He asked if the baby had been born, and he asked if his brain was alright. He is able to speak and he is himself, but he is extremely weak. He is still in ICU, sleeping a lot, and on morphine for pain. I am praying against INFECTION.

Renee has a small cot next to his bed at the hospital. Joel is at Covenant Medical Center. Address is 3615 19th Street. Lubbock, TX 79410. Renee was much more tired on Tuesday, after Monday's huge adrenaline rush wore off. Brothers and sisters in Christ have delivered an RV for Renee to stay in, right in the parking of the hospital! WHAT A BLESSING!! I am thankful for servants and givers who see needs and MEET THEM!! Renee's parents and sister came to help her and to care for the kids. Renee is resting as much as she can, but still spending lots of time tending to all of the needs which are so important...like today...arranging a new pair of glasses for Joel as his were destroyed. All those abundant "little things" that make a BIG difference.

Baby boy-on-board is OK, too!! GOD, please continue to BLESS RENEE with amazing strength and energy now!

I will write another update soon. I'm sorry it took me this long to get an update written. I was drowning in a sea of essays. But now I'm swimming to shore... I have about 6 paragraphs to go on my LAST essay of the term. I'm like a delirious marathon runner who can't feel her legs anymore and everything's gone blurry. But I'll be crossing that finish line real soon. Then I can blog more, hopefully!

THANKS again to you all, for prayerful intervention on Joel's behalf. I know it will be an uphill climb for him and Renee. But I also know they WILL receive DIVINE HELP, SPIRITUAL COMFORT, and PERFECT PEACE that only comes from the Almighty Protector, Provider, Lover of souls. Creator of bones and skin and Giver of sight, hearing, cognition, muscle, humor, memory, all of the things that were so delicately preserved for Joel.

WE SEE YOU, LORD!