Ryan is a Tough Lil' Guy

Ryan is doing very well today. Last week, all of the kids... Sallie Ann, Devin, and Luke, all had H1 Ni flu virus. Of course Jake and I were terribly concerned about them all. More than anything we feared that maybe Ryan would become infected. I asked the saints to please pray a hedge about him. Evidently, God was moved and provided Ryan with the protection he needed to avoid the germ. Thank the Lord!!



I also want to let all of you know how grateful I am for the prayers that were lifted for little Ryan last month when he was so very ill. You know, Christ is such an amazing friend. No matter how hard the winds blow, or how high the waves rise, He never leaves me alone.



How hopeless it feels when something that you love is suffering beyond anything you can physically do. But when hopelessness sets in, God's grace is sufficient. I know that He not only helped me, but He helped Ryan too. He certainly should have never pulled through such a bad pneumonia...


He and God have got their own relationship: God uses Ryan to bring Him glory because Ryan has been counted worthy to suffer for the cause of Christ. What a blessing. When I have trouble understanding why God allows certain things to go on, I reflect on something my dear pastor said recently, "God's intentions are ALWAYS good towards his children."



What a powerful statement, and true. Christ knew I needed that little nugget of truth to pull out when things are rocky.

Improvement!

Just passing on a message from Ryan's momma since she isn't able to post updates at the moment. Got this text from her this morning:

This is Stacy. The doctor says Ryan is improving. He will be on antibiotics one more day, then it's up to his body to get over the pneumonia. Thanks for the prayers and visits. Thank the Lord for another miracle.

Continue to keep Ryan and family in your prayers. It is much appreciated! I will update more if I hear anything else and until Stacy is back on top of it again. Thanks for dropping by!

Please Pray

Just to update everyone, Ryan is in Pediatric ICU with pneumonia. He has it in both lungs and they are trying to get it broke up so that he will be able to breathe again.

His sister posted this on her blog yesterday, but her blog is private, so for those of you who don't have access, here is what she said:

I thought I would inform you guys on little Ryan!!! He really needs your prayers , He's struggling to breathe, his heart rate is up, and his blood pressure is dropping some. This morning he woke up and he was swollen. The nurse gave him lasiks to see if she could bring some of the swelling down. He is hanging in there. I got him some music playing behind his bed. Momma really is in need of some prayer, It kills her to watch him suffer and she can't do anything about it. She is worried, stressed, and tired. Pray for her and Ryan!!! Remember our family in prayer!!
Sallie Ann

I was up at the hospital for a few minutes today and they said he was doing a little better. The oxygen that he was on today was at 60% (from my understanding) and yesterday it was up at 80%, so he's breathing more on his own. I felt so bad for him though because he was still having such a hard time and his momma is really worn out. They've been up there since Friday or Saturday, I think, so they're all pretty tired. Just remember the family in prayer and especially Brother. He's really suffering and it's heartbreaking to watch and I can't even imagine being in his momma's shoes. I asked her if there was anything she wanted me to post on here for her and she said to just ask ya'll to please pray and they would sure appreciate that.

A Beautiful Day

Ryan says to tell everyone Hello, and to let you guys know how great it was to see you in service on Saturday. What a wonderful revival we have had!! I sure hope that youth camp in Tennessee is half as good as this past week.

Ryan feels well today although he has had the hiccups since Sunday morning. Please continue to pray for him, because rough days do seem to be the "norm" lately. He still just smiles on, radiating God's love from within.

If you are reading this and you can ... please pray for Ryan's Hospice nurse and her family. She has just lost her dear father to cancer and only God can soothe the hurt. She is a wonderful lady who is very special to Ryan and to the rest of us.

I hope all is well. Looking forward to hearing from you......

Happ B-Day Ryan XOXOXO mr.beat up

happy b-day ryan hope your day was worderful even though you didn't feel good I want you to know that I love you and always will and you like skip the sad part man. you have realy done alot for this family your just realy realy special to but you just think that your a teen ager and you can just try to beat me up.
love you love always luke

From Mormie.....

Hey big boy! I can't believe you're 13! You are a wonderful gift from God, I have been blessed to know you and help take care of you when I'm there. When I think of you I always think of an angel, because that's what you are to me a beautiful redheaded angel! I absolutely love it when you smile, but then again who doesn't? I love you to pieces and hope you've had the best birthday ever!!

Love Mormie

From His Sissy:

Happy Birthday my sweet sweet Boy!! I want you to know that you are one of my most favorite people, living thirteen years is a big deal for such a special boy.I know that in life your supposed to live for the moment but today we are celebrating the past,*present*, and future.You are the sweetest thing that has ever been on this earth and you will always be my little God given angel. I want you to know that ill never regret taking care of you or staying home from doing something else because you are sick or cant make the trip. God give you to this family and to me for a very special purpose and that purpose is to show me love and has taught me a compassion that only comes from caring for someone special. You will always hold a spot in my heart. For all those times Ive scrooched up there next to you in your bed when your sick or I'm sad or just to love on you. I want to say thank you lord for the peace that i feel when I'm next to you all the time and especially those times.Remember Sissy loves you.
Sallie Ann Raines