IN SURGERY NOW

Our little man is in surgery as I write...we got here at 5:30 and they took him back around 6:45. He was ready probably a half hour before that but just as we handed him over the first time, they got word that the OR air conditioning and heating units had malfunctioned. Not good for trying to maintain proper body temps for the paralysis and heart and lung machine, I'm sure:-( But they got everything working, and we expect our first update within the next hour. Brandt was really happy when we woke him up this morning, but started getting mad on the drive here because we had neglected to feed him. This got progressively worse to the point that I couldn't hold him because he would start crying...Glenn was able to calm him better. Apparently my mother's touch did no good since he was associating me only with breakfast:-(

I truly feel very calm about everything today, but did keep waking up last night. Glenn had a rough time handing him over to the nurse this morning. But God kept bringing to mind His promise that "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Glenn and I were talking about how different circumstances in our lives really cause these truths to solidify in our hearts and minds. Often we've heard them, read them, memorized them for years and years...he's been just saying Psalm 23 as hearing the risks for a surgery like this truly reflect the "valley of the shadow of death." Yet we fear no evil, because our God gives comfort, and He works each valley for our good and His glory.

Certainly, people all over have let us know they are bringing "prayer and supplication with thanksgiving" for Brandt to the Great Healer today. Glenn was able to pray again with Dr. Bradley last night, and we are so thankful for how God has already answered these requests...He's used Brandt in our lives, and know He will continue to work through this little miracle. Thank you to all of you who have shared in this, and we'll continue to send updates through the day.