God is Good!
O.K. so all this talk about how people are praying for us has finally hit me. I (Gary) began leaking from the eyeballs today as I read all of the comments you all have left. A lot of you say that you read this everyday and that it is a witness and testimony to the love of God. What you all may not know is that Sarah and I cannot wait to read the comments left at the end of each day. Those are a source of strength and an unmistakeable mark of the presence of God in the midst of all this. You have loved us, moved us, strengthened us, given us peace, and created a bond of support for Sarah and I. Carter will get better. I know he will. And it's because of the unwavering faith and committment of God's people. You are showing God's goodness. Thank you so much! God is so good!
Now, for news on Carter. When I came into the NICU this morning at 8 am, he was sound asleep in the swing. So we let him sleep and at 9 o'clock we got him up to change his diaper and feed him. To our surprise he was full of smiles and giggles. I cannot tell you how much joy that gave me to see him look into my eyes and smile.
Dr. Schropp came in and said he wanted to try to cut off suction from the drainage tube to his abdomen for 4 hours and then give suction for 4 hours off and on to see how he would do. He hopes that Carter's body will begin to absorb some of the fluid and reduce drainage. Carter is now taking all of his milk by bottle and has not needed the feeding tube for a few feedings.
At noon during his feeding, he kept stopping and smiling at me. It wasn't one of those half awake smiles either. It was a true and happy smile. We'll take more of these days please.
(Also read "Little Angels"...and new pictures of Carter to come soon.)
posted by Carter Heckman @ 12:50 PM
11 comments
11 Comments:
There is no doubt that Carter's happiness and smiles come from feeling so much love from his two incredible parents. He is so blessed to have the two of you. When I volunteered at the hospital in St.Joe, there was a mom that had twin boys. She was a single mother, and already had four kids, none of whom looked like they'd bathed in weeks. One of the twins was alot smaller & weaker than the other one, and had to be put in the NICU. When the mom came to see her babies, she wanted nothing to do with the tiny, sick baby that was hooked to 3 different machines...she took the healthy one to her room & left the other one by himself for the rest of the day. It broke my heart to see that, & although I would never wish what has happened to your family on anyone, I'm glad that it happened to such a loving couple, who have such an unshakable faith in God, and obviously so much love for their son.
God bless,
Ashley
I found myself thinking and praying for Carter all day. As I drove around doing all of my errands, he would pop into my head and I would pray all of you! I check his blog everyday and pray before it pops up, for good news. I celebrate and wait expectantly for each joy no matter how small. I cry and hurt for you when it seems there is a step back. I have adopted him into my heart. I pray for your family as if you were my own. That, I think, is what God would like all of us to do for each other. Pray as if it were our own child. Thank you for sharing Carter with me. I cannot wait to hear about his first steps, his first word, and every other first.
May God be with you,
Jennifer Gouldsmith
From Faiths Sunday School Class
The first thing I do every morning and last thing before I go to bed is check this website to see how Carter is.
You are the strong people that I have always known you to be! Carter is a very lucky little guy to have parents like you.
I hope you feel God's love all around you. You have so many people that care very deeply for you and more importantly God is holding you in his arms.
Kiss Carter for me! Linda Dale
We are friends of Jennifer and Bob. We have added Carter to our prayer list in St. Joseph, MO at Word of Faith. We are going to pray for Carter and for both of you! "We praise God for your mustard seed" faith to move the mountains that you are facing. God knows the plans he has for Carter! It is for him to prosper and to be of good health! Be of good courage and continue to trust in His word and in His healing virtue! Remember- the blind men in the bible, the ones with leprosy and palsy, the deaf, those that could not speak, the woman with the issue of blood- all made whole by their faith in Jesus. He prayed for them and said "your faith has made you whole!" Well, that same Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever more. My mother was healed of lupus. My grandfather puzzled the doctors as his cancer miraculously disappeared. We will stand with you and kneel with you and will trust the "great physician" for complete healing! We pray that Carter's testimony will be heard around the world to God's glory and honor!
May God Bless you and keep you!
Kim & Pastor RObert Warren
dearest gary, sarah, and carter.... i am glad you see how much poeple love you all. god has brought all of us to you to help you and the funny thing is you are helping most of us, more than you know. I read carters blog every morning my day isn't complete until i do. I am really glad to hear he is eating with out the tube. Gary and Sarah carter will get better. We love you all stay strong. love moriah
Gary, Sarah and Carter. Know that you are in my prayers numerous times every day. I read this blog page daily to see how things are going. I am so glad that yesterday was a better day. I pray that each new day will bring more smiles and healing. Jan Shrewsbury
I am a good friend of Carter's Aunt Sherry. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to be in prayer for your lovely family and will continue to be until all is resolved and he is home. I am so grateful to God for leaving the Holy Spirit here as a comforter to you and pray that His presence will envelop the entire NICU ward and your home. Thank you for the daily updates--it is so good to actually SEE God in action! May you be blessed, all three of you! Jennifer Kusilek
Hi Gary and Sarah, My name is Chrissy and I am a Pastors wife from New Castle Pa. Sherry Heckman and I Know eachother from church. I have been reading Carters updates everyday and he is in my prayers. What a beautiful boy. I have three boys of my own and can only imagine how you must feel. Know that I will be praying and believing for a miracle for Carter. Thinking of you, Chrissy
Hi Gary and Sarah my name is Chrissy and I am a Pastors wife from New Castle Pa. I am also a friend of Sherry Heckmans. I have been reading Carters updates everyday and have been so blessed by your faith. I have three boys of my own and can only imagine the toll this must take. Know that we serve a God who still performs miracles and that I will be believing God for that. In prayer for Carter, Chrissy
Hi, Sarah and Gary -
I am a friend of Grandma Cheryl's, and feel that I know the rest of her family too. All of you are precious children of God.
Have been following Carter's daily progress with my heart in my throat and my prayers fervently rising.
Having spent several days in a NICU with a beloved 16-month old grandson who eventually did not survive a fall into a swimming pool, I am with you in your pain and in your hope.
God is indeed good, and is with us as we suffer - as you are experiencing in your lives. Please know that a grandma in Virginia is praying for Carter every day, and for the whole family. Thank you for the blog which helps us feel close to you and to Carter. I know that you will continue to receive God's love in abundance and God's never-failing support above and beyond what any of us can imagine. You are not alone!
With love and prayers,
Lois the Landlady
Gary and Sarah,
I have been faithfully reading the "Carter Updates" and I want to personally THANK YOU for being vulnerable and sharing this experience.
By your witness throughout this storm, you are an encouragement, to so many people: families in the NICU, nurses and doctors at the hospital, different people that come across your blog, as well as to me personally (although we have never met, I feel I know you).
I am believing with you for a miracle for Carter!!! He is so precious!!
God Bless YOU!!
Jody Rhoden
(friend of Aunt Sherry)
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