Lessons in Strength

Almost a week ago, we had the H1N1 visit our house. I am pretty sure, we are just one of almost a zillion people who have had it pass through their houses. What amazed me was the speed with which it attacked my oldest. My younger kids and I were working at the food pantry and by the time I got home, Cole was not doing well at all. Several things occurred in the next couple of days to assure me that God is still in control, for which I am so very thankful for. I felt so strongly that Cole needed to be checked out at the clinic. Once we got there, no small feat in that, the doctor felt we needed to proceed to the hospital. His fever had dehydrated him and his lungs weren't sounding clear so off we went. The doctor there, diagnosed him with H1N1 and began loads of fluids through an IV and honestly, I'm not sure what else they were doing. In the mean time, the kids' grandma had arrived for a visit and so was helping keep their minds off Cole's situation. (What timing! Another God thing!) It was then decided that Dirk would stay with Cole while I came back to the house so I caught a ride back with one of our church members. It was really hard to leave Cole but I knew he did NOT want me to be the one helping him to the restroom, etc. In the night, however, Cole woke up with blood gushing all over from his IV that had come out. They had definitely found a very good vein and by the time Dirk got the nurses, there was blood all over. I thank God that Dirk was there and realize God had appointed that too. Thankfully, we were able to bring him home and let him rest and recover. I learned something very important through this unfortunate situation. No matter how old your child is, when they are in the hospital, they are still your baby. I learned that he is a very strong young man and I hope maybe God has blessed me with some of His strength too.