And the Hits Just Keep on Comin'...

Today we found out that Ellie has the chickenpox. We now reside in the isolation room at the hospital. This is the coveted big room with a huge bathroom - the one all of the other parents gaze into and wonder "how can we get THAT room?" Well guess what boys and girls? I'll tell you how you can get into this room, and it's not worth it! It looks like both of the antibiotics Ellie was on will be stopped and a differnt one has started, now that we know exactly what she has. It can be very dangerous for someone with a compromised immune system to get the chickenpox, so we are just praying that she will get through this well. So far, miraculously, she isn't covered from head to toe - I think the current pox count is about .

Today I am mostly just tired. Some days I just want to pretend that life is normal again and that when my eyes open in the morning I can think about something other than what it will take to keep Ellie alive. The days go by so quickly, and most days I don't even open my Bible, but for now God keeps bringing songs to my mind. Just the other day Ellie asked me to sing to her, and after the standard 4 or 5 songs that I usually sing, all of the words to a song that I learned when I was young came flooding back to me and I can't get them out of my head.

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater.
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase.
To added afflictions, He addeth his mercy.
To multiplied sorrows, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving has only begun.

His love has no limit.
His grace has no measure.
His power has no boundaries known unto men.
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

So for today, it's ok to be just plain tired because I don't have to do it all myself. That's nice to know.

The update on my friend Vickie (Myers, for those of you who know her) is that she still hasn't had the baby! I was able to spend most of yesterday at the hospital, but had to go back to our hospital at night. Still, I had an amazing time catching up with friends - it was like a party in Vickie's room: Tania Rich (Tamra popped in), Julie (Barger) Armatti, Karen (Byron) Whatley, Tonya (Lundeen) Hagood, and Wanda Scoble (Vickie's mom) were all present at various times in the day. (Of course, Vickie's husband Luke was there - poor man - there was a LOT of estregen in that room!) My father-in-law stopped by with Ethan, so I was able to see him for the first time in several days. Vickie's midwife, Bobbie, delivered both of my kids, so it was wonderful to see her again. The whole experience was just what I needed yesterday - I was able to have a complete meltdown, and there's no better place to do that than among friends. Please keep praying for Vickie tonight and tomorrow. Thanks so much!

As always, we value your prayers and everyday we feel your love.
Love, Sarah (for all)