Sunday, April 25, 2010

Oh.My.Word!

Such a sweet, sweet moment that I will cherish forever.  Matt (my hubby) spent the weekend at our ranch with our other kiddos.  He left yesterday (Sat.) around 11AM and he just returned to the hospital PICU room where Chrissie and I are.  This means he hasn't gotten to talk in person to Chrissie since she's been regaining some movement.  (I've held the speakerphone up to her ear to hear Daddy's voice, but it's just not the same as in person.)  So, upon Daddy's entrance into Chrissie's hospital room, he cleaned his hands and went to Chrissie's bedside to talk to her.  Oh.My.Word!  Chrissie was SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited to see and hear her daddy!  (She had her Swiss Eye Mask on, so she couldn't open her eyes, but her body showed more movement than anything we've seen all day!!!)  Chrissie responded to Daddy BIG TIME for about 5 full minutes!!!  Her whole body shook with intense excitement.  Her lip quivered and quivered and quivered...we think she was physically crying, but it's extremely hard to cry when one is intubated.  (You know the look of the quivering, crying bottom lip...that was it.)  Chrissie raised her eyebrows over and over and over as she shook every part of her body as Daddy spoke to her and rubbed her hand.  Chrissie's chest and torso rapidly puffed as she breathed with excitement between ventilator puffs.  Her red shoe waved excitedly and rapidly tick-tocked from under the blanket.  The ECMO tech's eyes filled with tears as he looked on.  Daddy felt like he might be overstimulating Chrissie with so much movement.  When Daddy told his baby girl to try to hold still and rest her body, she shook her head no very evidently and adamently, over and over and over until Daddy changed the conversation!  Daddy just told her over and over how proud he is of her and how much he wants and needs her to fight.  Chrissie tried to agree, I could tell.  (It's extremely hard to nod when you're intubated and have chest packing at your chin.)  What a sweet, sweet moment of rejoicing that our Serbian Sensation is in there, raring to go run and play and swim and jump, but more than anything, to dance with her Daddy in her pink princess dress as the cherished treasure that she is!



Chrissie and Daddy, dressed in their finest duds, as they danced to Steven Curtis Chapman's Cinderella song the night before Chrissie's surgery, 4/18/10.

39 comments:

Becca Harley said...

Lorraine - you have all been on my heart all day. During church this morning, I felt an overwhelming need to pray for Chrissie - for complete miraculous healing. Our God is so good - may His peace envelope you all tonight and I will be praying for lungs and heart to synchronize tomorrow!

Renae said...

You're such a fighter Sweet Chrissie and I'm praying all the time that you will be dancing with your Daddy again VERY soon! Jesus loves you and I'm so happy to get to pray for you:)!

Angela said...

YES JESUS! Thank You Jesus.Overwhelmed.

Meredith said...

So I totally balled when reading this... what a daddy's little princess. Love the pictures too! Chrissie will treasure those always, Daddy too I'm sure!

Always praying for Chrissie, Mommy & Daddy, life at home and Chrissies doctors....

Debi said...

AWESOME!!! Praying and praising God for the small steps. Believing God for miracles.
Love and hugs and prayers,
Debi

"Are These Kids All Yours?" said...

Oh WOW!!! Tears in my eyes, and a THRILL in my heart! Girls are meant to be daddy's girls- it's just how it is, and how awesome is that story! I & my kids all love the pics!!!!

Carrie said...

Wow!! What a precious moment and a blessing too. Thank you Lord for Chrissie and her sweet spirit. The Alvarezes are continuing to pray for you and your family.

Kat said...

Half my family (which is a lot) is crowded in our room celebrating!!! We are SO excited and will continue to petition our Heavenly Father....He is so amazing!

Lori said...

Thank you so much for sharing that moment with us, Lorraine! Chrissie, you are a miracle! PRAISE GOD!! Keep that fighting spirit, little one. God WILL see you through! Still praying, Lori

The Jakes said...

PRAISE GOD! I have been traveling this weekend and as soon as I got home have been catching up with the blog. What encouraging news. All day today I have been thinking about a song called "Hope" by Sarah Groves so I have praying that God would bring renewed hope and peace for Chrissie today. Thank you God for answered prayers!

Maybe this isn't the most efficient way to circulate an idea, but I was wondering how many prayer warriors out there would be willing to fast and pray during Miracle Monday. Even if someone can lay down even one meal to focus their prayer time, that would be great. I'm not expert about the how/why of fasting, but I do know that it is scriptural.

So how about it? Will any of you out there lay aside your own need for food to focus your prayers on Chrissie's needs tomorrow? No need to respond, just do it if you feel led.

- Julie

Megan said...

Chrissie, we are praying for you in MN. Praying that you will dance with your Daddy again soon! Fight hard, Sweetheart! We are praying for God's miraculous power and healing hand to be evident in your life!

Anonymous said...

Just to let you know we are still praying, and watching the miracle unfold. Praying that God keeps his healing hand on this baby, and waiting for some more good news on"MIRACLE MONDAY" God Bless you!!!!

LOVE and Prayers from KY

Terynn said...

GO, GOD! GO, CHRISSIE!!! We are still praying and cheering you on. Thank you, Lord!

Katie said...

Praise God for improvement!! She sure sounds like a "Daddy's girl"!! Will be praying in Georgia for her safety in the OR tomorrow and that she continues to hold on and fight!!

wvamom said...

Chrissy, I have five children. Two of our children are little boys we adopted from another country, just like you were adopted.I know from how much I love them, just how much your mom and dad love you. I have been praying that you will get better soon and be able to run and play with your friends. My littlest boy likes to say that Jesus heals him when he gets boo boos. I'm praying that Jesus will heal you quickly. Carolyn Atkinson

living4him5 said...

Just precious. Nothing like a daddy and a daughter.

We're praying for Chrissie!!!

God bless you all,
Amy <><

Jenne said...

Wow! That's wonderful news! We're praying here in Michigan! I'll be checking in all day tomorrow to hear wonderful updates I'm sure!

Jenne B
Marquette, MI

katie pugh said...

Lorraine and Matt,
I am a preschool teacher and I teach children that are Chrissies age. I so love this age it is an age of wonder and discovery. I have prayed everyday for her to pull through her surgery. I have come closer to the lord through your story sweet princess. You have acomplished so much in your short time here on earth. Probably more than most people do in a lifetime. I will continue to hold you up in prayer all the time sweet princess. when you walk out of that hospital you will be such testamony of the lords work. Go Chrissie Go

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you!

Chrissie, you are a beautiful little princess, I love the picture of you dancing with your Daddy :)

Mary Voirrey said...

Oh how wonderful to hear! Keep fighting Chrissie! You will get to dance with your daddy again soon!

Susan said...

Oh, Lorraine,

This brought tears to my eyes when I read it. How totally sweet that she's responding the way she is to both you and Matt (and the nurses, too). I'm praying for all of you - those at the hospital and those at Forgotten Saw Ranch.

Anonymous said...

praying for chrissie in spring hill, tennessee. :)

Unknown said...

Lorraine - I can't go to bed each night without checking in on your family! Thank you for sharing these precious photos of Chrissie with your husband. They touched my heart and we will continue to pray - especially tomorrow!

Blessings and love!
Jill

Kritter Krit said...

Wow. I have a lump in my throat the size of a goose egg. Cripes, I need to just sit a box of Kleenex by the computer. I'm going to wear out all of my sleeves!

The bond between daddies and daughters - there's nothing like it.

Reading this is just so, so encouraging. She is IN there!!!! Ready to dance and run and play, just as SOON as our Heavenly Father heals her precious little body. It's just incredible, watching this miracle unfold. Thanks so much for allowing us the priviledge of sharing your story and petitioning our Father on Chrissie's behalf. I know it's hard to stay so dedicated to keeping everyone updated. You're doing such an amazing job!

Thinking about you guys all the time. We'll be praying like crazy!

~Kristy

ArtworkByRuth said...

Happy Tears, and continued praying for all of you!

Carissa said...

I am in TEARS! I have three little girls and I see everyday that "Daddy's Girl" look in his eyes and in theirs. People have made all kinds of comments about how my husband needs a boy, and how my dad needed a grandson (before my nephew, who is the youngest grandchild for my parents came along there were only the 5 girls!!). But there is something special about a little princess for a Daddy (and a Pappaw!) and the little girls know it and cherish it!

Still praying for Chrissie!! What a wonderful update!

Faith, Hope, and Love said...

I'm weeping....

What a BEAUTIFUL story! I can not wait to witness Miracle Monday!

God is good! Thank you Lord Jesus!!!

Love,
Robin

Tracy Loera said...

HALLELUJAH!!!
Thank YOU FATHER GOD for answering prayers... what a joy to hear this incredible testimony...my heart is filled with so much gratitude for YOUR loving kindness and compassion...in JESUS' Name amen

Chrissie you are a 'princess - warrior'... what joy you bring to GOD, your family, and to me!!!

Believing GOD that what HE started in YOU HE will also complete through you!!! To GOD be all the glory, praise, and honor...

Anonymous said...

The pure love in Chrissie's eyes for her Daddy have brought tears to mine. Praying all of God's blessings on Chrissie and your family on Miracle Monday!

Nora said...

You don't know me but I found out about you through the Rigg's blog. Chrissie your picture with your Daddy dancing is beautiful. You are an amazing princess! I can tell your mama is a wonderful mama and I know she loves you so much. I'm praying for you and I know Jesus will take very good care of you.

Matushka Anna said...

Chrissie, darling, get some rest tonight because tomorrow is a BIG DAY! We are praying for you and your family.

Sandy said...

Patterson family...Tears, prayers, tears and more. I am in awe of what God is doing for Chrissie and your family. If any of the hospital staff didn't know the Lord before this, they will soon.
I may not be able to fast tomorrow, but I definitely will be praying. My granddaughter has been here for the last 4 days on Spring Break. Her name is Abby and she and I have been reading and praying...Abby is 12 and loves the Lord. This story is drawing her closer to the Lord, I believe.
Thank you so much for sharing even through all the stress of her hourly changes.
Thank you Chrissie's daddy for being the daddy you are. I didn't have a daddy that was there to give me what you give your daughters: Love and time...
How wonderful that is for the spiritual health of a child.
Be Blessed and Rest in the Loving Arms of the Father.
Love from Sandy in NC

Anonymous said...

Lorraine & Matt,
We're so encouraged to hear of Chrissie's responsiveness! We experienced how slowly a child may respond when emerging from a coma, so hearing of Chrissie's responses is really wonderful! We just wanted to tell you how encouraging that sounds.

Thank you, God! We'll be praying and fasting for you tomorrow...

-the Linams

P.S. Tell Chrissie our message is that we really want to meet her and eat some chocolate with her at Forgotten Saw, so keep fighting! (And that Abby agrees that hospitals are no fun...)

JennyH said...

That is awesome!! What a great story.

Heather, Rick, and Tendai! said...

I am humbled and encouraged by the love, compassion and courage you all as a family exemplify. Following God's leading into a situation like this may look crazy to some, but we know He is MORE than ABLE to heal and restore Chrissie.
We are adopting here in Mozambique (we live here as missionaries) and have been frustrated by the somewhat slow and very uncertain process, but as I read your story I am reminded of how much we have to be thankful for, and also that with God- Nothing is impossible! Chrissie, we are praying for you, all the way over here in the bush in Mozambique Africa- Ill even ask the guys to pray in Shona (they claim Shona is God's "first" language! :) in jest of course!)
Blessings and Prayers,

Charissa said...

Praying hard. Beautiful story. Beautiful pictures.

junglemama said...

What a beautiful story. Chrissie stay strong!

Mama to Blu said...

I'm fasting.
Don't know Chrissie or her family, but I love their hearts!

Here's praying that the brush of angels' wings will be apparent!

May Jesus Christ be praised!


-Wanda (Mom to Blu & Cashmere)

Jewels of My Heart said...

I simply cannot find the words to say...... except,
"It's a miracle! Thank You Jesus!!!"
I am over joyed for all of you and will continue to pray for God's healing......

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