Penguins 9/7

The good news: Last night Kaitlin had a great night. Megan stayed with her and she slept well (she got a new bed a few days ago that's basically an air bed but more high tech and it's much easier for her to lay on). One of the neurosurgeons came in to check Kait's incision, and said it's healed perfectly...another praise.



The not so good news: Kait has been having a really rough day today. She had to get a CT scan to make sure she has no blood clots and the process of deflating her bed (it only has air if it's plugged into the wall & when it deflates it gets really hard), rolling her downstairs to CT and getting her back into her room was really, really painful for her. We haven't heard a definitive answer yet on the results of the CT, but will do a brief update when we know something more. To add to that, they've been messing with the pain meds to get a good combination going, so that's also made for a difficult day. The combination of the meds she was on today made her have some crazy dreams/hallucinations which scared her a little bit because she just felt confused-thankfully, that shouldn't last too long. Although Kaitlin is still stronger than any one of us would be in this situation-her spirit is hurting a bit today. She is feeling a bit defeated. Please pray today for this specifically! The God we serve IS enough for Kaitlin. For all of us. He has been, He is, and He will be.

I spent a little bit of time this morning with one of my best friends, Erin. We were talking about all the amazing people that have been supporting us and she mentioned that her Mom's small group from church has been following Kaitlin's story and lifting her up in prayer. While this is representative of SO MANY of you who have asked everyone you know to be praying {this is one of the things that has blessed us the most in this time}...this group stuck out to me this morning because of what they call themselves: the penguins.

Apparently, in real life when one penguin in the group of penguins traveling together is hurt or sick, all the other penguins surround that specific penguin to protect it and support it...thus, the reason these sweet women named themselves "the penguins." It was yet another reflection on the way our family is feeling right now. Protected and supported by each and every single one of you who is walking with us as we feel each emotion & figure out how to bounce back from this tragedy. You are our penguins! Thank you.

I keep telling my family that I don't HAVE to write these long posts, but then I get going & there's just so much to tell. One last thing...Mark and I had an amazing conversation as we stood in the hallway outside of the CT room this afternoon. He requested specifically (here's where you get to see where Kaitlin's selflessness comes from) that I express our families' understanding of the grief that each one of you is feeling. We want to make sure you know that you are not alone. That just as Kaitlin and John have to grieve the implications of this accident-so do we as their family-and so do YOU as their best friends, biggest fans, coworkers, and as those who are fighting for them in prayer. We know that you are hurting, losing sleep and broken right alongside us. Our prayer for y'all as you are hurting in this time is that you would cling to the one who sacrificed His only son so that we could have life, and life in the full. That you would feel the joy that comes with His resurrection and redemption and that you would believe with all of your souls that God is faithful and that He & only He is the source of life. We are thankful for your love of us and of Kaitlin and John. We are overwhelmed with blessings, even as we cry out to God on Kaitlin's behalf.

As Kaitlin was resting this afternoon, Katie and I had the chance to read the Psalms over her. Psalms is particularly comforting to me in times like this-where you can't keep up with the good or the bad, and you never quite know what kind of day it's going to be. One of the Psalms we read over her says this,

"Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled. My soul is also greatly troubled. But you, O Lord-how long? Turn, O Lord, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love." {Psalm 6:2-4} 

Next to it in my Bible I had written, "worship God when all you know how to do is weep." No doubt a note that had been written during our sermon series on the Psalms this summer--one of those seeds that is planted by the spirit to bear fruit when you need to hear truth the most.

Take care sweet community-we are thankful for you.
Love,
Carolyn

PS: We just added a new email address that will allow people to directly contribute to a project that is based on writing letters, messages, and prayers to Kaitlin (set up by her former roomies). This e-mail will also have information on sending any cards to Kait & John (or the family). Check it out here.