Olivia; July 9th

Friday again, another week gone.

Olivia is still holding her own, she is taking things slow and easy so we must follow her lead.  She is still in the process of being weaned off of the ventilator and her swelling is much better.  We are in the slow and steady phase of Olivia's journey.
I've talked about marathon training a couple of times before and I can't help think about that again now, the time in the race when you've been out for a while, the bands and cheering family and friends are behind you now and really all you can hear is the rhythm of your own feet pounding the street.  This is the time when your only running for yourself, you have to dig really deep to keep going here because this is the long phase of the race and you can't see the finish line, you just keep going because you know that it is the right thing to be doing.
That's where I feel like we are, its not really a bad place to be, it just feels long. The days kind of run into each other without event, Crystal walks over and sits with Olivia, she walks back and is mommy to Ezra and Evie, she eats, rests, and walks over and sits with Olivia again.
Even though I am going through this too it's different for me, I get to go home for the weekend again, I'll be picking Katie up in Mission Viejo because her car is in the shop, Caleb has another youth event to be taken to, Erik and I might go to dinner or a movie and my house "stuff" is always waiting. I get to touch normal. 
Please keep Crystal and Justus in you prayers that they are able to stay strong during this time.

Isaiah 40: 26-31
26 Look up into the heavens.
Who created all the stars?
He brings them out like an army, one after another,
calling each by its name.
Because of his great power and incomparable strength,
not a single one is missing.
27 O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles?
O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?
28 Have you never heard?
Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
29 He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
30 Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.