FW: Libby Paul Update Day 8

Sorry about the delay... Amy’s Grandfather passed away today.  

Hey, all you wonderful people!!

ONE WEEK AGO this morning I received a call from a truly hysterical dear friend about a tragic fall her daughter experienced.  Friends, can you believe that it's only been 7 short days?  Well, it's because of all the amazing prayers of so many hundreds of people have lifted to God on her behaf that I share with you the GREAT NEWS this morning that Libby Paul is being released from the pediatric ICU today and moved to the regular pediatric floor of the hospital in Savannah, Georgia!!!  God is faithful! :)

What we know right now is that Libby is asking for her immediate needs as they come up, from being hungry, needing to use the bathroom, wanting her IV out, etc.  Dorsey said she's yelling her requests instead of talking.  Since we're being specific in our prayers here, folks, this morning Libby needs to have a bowel movement in a BIG way (no pun intended! :))  It's been a week now, and she keeps asking to go to the bathroom, which is a HUGE ordeal to lift and move her.  It's happened numerous times to no avail, and she seems very uncomfortable.  Please continue to pray that her body starts functioning properly, even in the details.

Dorsey's friend and brother have been there to visit, and her friend is helping her pack this morning to leave the Ronald McDonald house.  They will just stay in the hospital room with Libby now, since it has a bed and shower.  They just want to be with Libby anyway.

Dorsey said to tell everyone THANK YOU for the amazing gift baskets arriving continually. She said she feels like it's her wedding all over again, and I laughed, since I've told her I feel like a "stand-in bride" at HER wedding with all the love Dru and I have been receiving from everyone as a result of all this!  Anyway, she and Troy are enjoying hearing from everyone, but she wanted to reiterate that it's impossible to email back, which makes her feel bad.  I assured her that anyone reading this completely understands that replying to hundreds of us is not what she needs to be doing right now.  So, from Dorsey and Troy to you all, once again, THANK YOU for your amazing stories, prayers, verses, thoughts, and love sent via email and on the Libby Paul website.  It's hard to believe it's just 40 hours old, and there have been over 3,000 hits on it...WOW!!  They feel so incredibly supported through your prayers for them.

The Pauls will not have email access in their new hospital room.  Emailing will require them to go downstairs to a lobby area, which again, if Libby needs to be lifted, etc. is impossible.  So feel free to continue to write or email, because I know it's been GREAT for them to hear from so many different people, but please know that they can't respond at this time.  Your words mean more than you know to Troy and Dorsey!!

Like Dru said last night, the prognosis long term is that Libby will be inpatient at Children's Mercy Hospital (most likely) for 3 weeks or longer, depending on her progress.  We still are unsure on a release date for Libby, so please pray for wisdom on that decision.  Thank you for many of you who have responded to the possibility of flying them home on Angel Flight or a private plane.  We are in the process of researching the possibilities, and your thoughts are welcome and appreciated!

Well, it sure feels like the longest week of my life~ How about you all?!  I feel like we're old friends by now!! :)  We of course will continue to keep you posted with any changes, and please don't let up on those prayers!  This week will be a whole lot brighter!!!

At our church's midweek service, we sang this song, and it's running through my head today:

Give thanks to the LORD, our God and King, His love endures forever!

For He is good, He is above all things, His love endures forever!

Sing praise, sing praise; Sing praise, sing praise!

With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, His love endures forever;

FOR THE LIFE THAT'S BEEN REBORN, His love endures forever.

FOREVER God is faithful, FOREVER God is strong, FOREVER God is with us, FOREVER!

From the rising to the setting sun, His love endures forever;

By the grace of God we will carry on, His love endures forever.

Sing praise, sing praise; Sing praise, sing praise !

FOREVER God is faithful, FOREVER God is strong, FOREVER God is with us, FOREVER!

 Praising God with you today,

Joy Shiner :)