You Say Wanna Revolution?

Revolution was an amazing event.  The UMCSC is definitely to be commended for putting together an event that connected with teens (and adults for that matter) where they were met where they were and challenged to take it to a new level.  So many things will be remembered for a long time in my mind from the weekend. Lowell McNaney, whom I had not heard speak before, was incredibly effective at getting across to all there the messages of overcoming fear, the role of the Holy Spirit in overcoming those fears, and not being lukewarm in our faith.  God made an impact on many lives this weekend through the words of this man.  The Robbie Seay Band and Empire State each led us in worship in their own unique ways.  It really was memorable.

But as memorable as the event was, my favorite part was the relationships that were formed as I met new people or strengthened as I hung out with old friends.   It was great to be staying at Lexington UMC with my good friend Hank Brooks and the group from LEXUMC as well as sharing space and busses with the posse from Berea Friendship UMC and Matt Greer, their leader.  Having time to hang with the adults I am privileged to work with was awesome too.  Cutting fool with Lew and harrassing Krystal about being “pregnick” and craving Orange Crush was great.  Discovering the random fun that is the game QUELF with several of the teens that make what I do enjoyable was sooo much fun…”Whatever” (inside joke).  Creating some hilarious videos of REVOLUTION commercials was fun too.  Meeting and sharing stories with Ranger Phil and the OMC was another highlight that made it a great week.

As I have reflected on the retreat, there were many things that I could have blogged about when it came to Revolution.  It could have been one of the Lowell’s topics or one of the songs from the bands, or just how cool the set was, etc.  Instead I am really excited about the role relationships played in the weekend.  I mean we were challenged to start  a REVOLUTION. And where does a REVOLUTION begin? It begins with a RELATIONSHIP.  It starts with that vertical relationship between an individual and their creator.  We experienced that first hand this weekend as two of our young people made a decision for Christ.  Several others rededicated their lives to that vertical relationship.  And that relationship is where we must look to start ANY revolution.

But that can’t be where the a revolution ends.  Have you ever heard of a REVOLUTION of ONE?  No, by definition a revolution requires a group of people who rally around a common cause.  I am thankful that God did not design us as Christ-followers to live this life alone, but rather he gave us fellow Christians to be co-journers together in this REVOLUTION.  And I experienced the beginning of a REVOLUTION this weekend.  The true test now is how do we continue the momentum of the REVOLUTION and bring other folks in to be a part of the great revolution that God has begun in us.  Personally, I can’t wait to see what lies ahead as we grow that vertical relationship with Christ and the horizontal relationship between our brothers and sisters in Christ and offer that vertical relationship to those who have no idea what it means to be a part of this revolution.  So, you say you wanna revolution?

GOD AT WORK

So we have settled in at home as we have had Ruthie home now for over 24 hours.  As great as it is to be in the “friendly confines” of home, it is also taking some adjustments.  After a few days of having nurses and all the medical care you could imagine within earshot, it is a little unnerving at times to know that we have no idea nor control over whether or not Ruthie has another seizure.  But as we have said before, we trust in ONE who is greater than all of us and all of this to comfort those fears.  The hardest part at this point for me and Michelle is getting to the point where we don’t think that the NEXT moment will be the moment that another seizure occurs.  We are not naieve enough to think that we are definitely in the clear for sure, but then again, we may be.  We are trying to learn to live our lives without the fear that a seizure is going to happen and to live confident that if it does that we are as prepared as we can be to deal with it properly and take the next steps that need to be taken.  We have felt that God’s hands were on us throughout this entire experience and we FIRMLY believe that he will continue to care for us and for Ruthie moving forward.

I mentioned in an earlier blog how God showed himself to me in a MAJOR way on the morning after we were admitted to the hospital as I thumbed through Max Lucado’s book Fearless.  But there have been other things that have happened that some folks might see as coincidence, but we believe were orchestrated by God.  To start with we were originally scheduled for the MRI to check for tumors, legions, and scarring in Ruthie’s brain on JANUARY 20th.  After several attempts and calls to Greenville we got a call last Monday, the 21st that there was an opening on the 22nd.  GOD AT WORK!  Then we were told not to expect any word on the results until the following week due to the holidays.  So we waited.  The call came last Thursday that the MRI showed a perfectly healthy brain with nothing that would “cause” the seizures.  AGAIN, GOT AT WORK!  So before we even realized that God was working, he was.  By the time we arrived at the hospital on Sunday morning all the tests results were completed and there for all the doctors and nurses and neurologists to use to care for Ruthie and base their decisions upon.  GOD AT WORK!  One more “GOD-sighting”:  as we were in our room, trying our best to verbally describe the seizures to the 3 pediatricians working our floor on Sunday around noon, another seizure occurred.  Now, I know some of you think that saying it was a “blessing” for Ruthie to have a seizure is a little strange, and I on some levels agree.  But at that moment there was no more GUESSWORK on their part as to what was happening when these seizures hit.  They were able to witness it first hand.  Maybe it didn’t make any difference in the treatment that she received, but I feel sure it had to be somewhat helpful for each of them.  And for me personally  to see their “reaction” helped to alleviate MY feelings of helplessness of not being able to “do anything” to help her come out of it.  Again, I believe – GOD AT WORK!

So pray for us.  Specifically our prayer (and we hope you will join us in this prayer) is that this intial dosage of Keppra will be just what Ruthie needs to avoid seizures from this point out.  We are told by the neurologist that it is very much a possiblity that there will come a day that Ruthie can outgrow these seizures and not have to take meds everyday to prevent them.  We are praying for that is well.  Pray for strength and courage for Michelle and I as we seek to live a normal life with our 3 little gifts from God without fear of what MIGHT happen.   We are very much aware of our Savior’s work and presence in the midst of this trial and our own fear.  But I for one am trying to live each day with confidence… not in myself (b/c alone, I shiver in fear), but rather in HIM.  I mentioned earlier (and in a previous blog) my initial encounter with Fearless, Max Lucado’s new book.  (If you haven’t read that account, check out the blog entry My Luke 8:50 Story)  I backed up and actually started the book from the beginning yesterday.  In the initial chapter Lucado  talks about the overwhelming presence of fear in our society and how it tends to dictate how persons in our society live out their lives.  I want to share a couple of short paragraphs from the book that have have been helpful to me as we have come back home and are moving ahead.

If we medicate fear with angry outbursts, drinking binges, sullen withdrawals, self-starvation, or   vise-like control, we exclude God from the solution and exacerbate the problem.  We subject ourselves to a position of fear, allowing anxiety to dominate and define our lives.  Joy-sapping worries.  Day-numbing dread.  Repeated bouts of insecurity that petrify and paralyze us.  Hysteria is not from God.  “For God has not given us a spirit of fear” (2 Timothy 1:7)

Fear may fill our world, but it doesn’t have to fill our hearts.  It will always knock on the door.  Just don’t invite it in for dinner, and for heaven’s sake don’t offer it a bed for the night.  Let’s embolden our hearts with a select number of Jesus’ “do not fear” statements.  The promise of Christ and the contention of this book are simple:  we can fear less tomorrow than we do today.

– Max Lucado (FEARLESS – pg. 13)

That is my hope and prayer now and each day, that by God’s amazing grace, amazing power, and love for me that I will fear less tomorrow than I do today.  AMEN!

Quick Morning Update – 12/29/09

Quick update for everyone… First of all, Ruthie slept for 11 hours last night.  That is HUGE, as she has gotten very little deep seep for any length of time since Saturday night.  She actually is asleep right now in the bed as well.  We are praying that she will continue to catch up on rest today.  The medicine change from Trileptal to Kepra seems to have been a very positive step.  In addtion to the better sleep, we were able to see glimpses of “our Ruthie” this morning.  She woke up at about 6 and they brought breakfast a bit before 8.  She ate some fruit and some pancakes…another good sign.  Afterwards she colored with mom and we went to the playroom for a bit.  She then began to get irritable again.  It was NOTHING like the fits of rage yesterday, but she wants to get down and play, but can’t because she is still quite groggy and has trouble being stable when she stands and walks. But overall it was a good morning.

We met with the pediatricians and the neurologist this morning.  Everyone feels that we are now on a much better path with the medicine treatments.  Our major concern at this point is the instability she has when she is standing and trying to walk.  She is quite wobbly and shows little or no balance.  We asked the neurologist about it and she said she believes it is occurring from the last bolice of Dylantin she had on Sunday.  She feels as though she is improving and should continue to improve as the Dylantin fades from her system.  We were told that they want us to stay here one more day to be sure that she does regain some stability.  Please pray that that becomes the case.  She just woke up from an hour long nap and is sitting in the rocker with one of close friends “talking” to the fish in the HUGE aquarium.  It is GREAT to see her being herself, even in quick moments.  We still are holding close to HIM knowing as I said in my previous blog that she belong first and foremost to HIM.  We are thankful that we are able to share her even in the midst of all of this.  LUKE 8:50.  If you haven’t read the full story up to this point, see it below.  And thanks again for all the kind words and especially the prayer.

Chris, Michelle, and the Lynch Ladies

LUKE 8:50

MY Luke 8:50 Story

I wanted once again (just like i did on December 7th) to use this blog to update everyone on the latest on Ruthie’s situation.  It has been a long couple of days for me and even longer for Ruthie, Michelle, and Michelle’s mom I am sure. Where, to start…i guess the beginning makes the most sense.  After a GREAT Christmas day we spent Saturday as many parents do cleaning out closets, figuring out where to put new stuff, and organizing it all.  Ruthie, was all into helping us clean etc. and riding her brand new princess “bike” (tricycle) throughout the house (complete with her Dora helmet…and mind you with only a diaper and a t-shirt to match the helmet)as we worked.  It was a great day.  As it neared 6 o’clock, we decided to load up the van and make a trip to a Goodwill drop off center to unload some of the old stuff that needed to go to make room for the new.  As we got to the end of our street, I heard Michelle call  back to Ruthie who was in her car seat.  She called twice with no answer at which point I looked into the rearview mirror and saw her head cocked back and she was making a noise as if she was gasping for air.  Michelle then said the words that we thought and hoped we wouldn’t have to utter again…”She’s having another siezure”.  After all the positive news we had been receiving over the last week or so about Ruthie’s MRI, etc, I guess we had assumed we were somewhat in the clear.  We were mistaken.

We got her unbuckled and sped around the corner to Michelle’s mom’s house and got her inside and laid her on her side until the seizure ended.  It was a short one around a minute or so to our best estimation.  We called our pediatrician who then consulted with the neurologist in Greenville and we were told to start Ruthie on Trileptal to help prevent the seizures from happening.  We were also told that if she had a second episode to call her back and then head to Greenville to the Pediatric ER once she came out of the seizure.  Again, we assumed and believed that we would be okay.  I mean it was almost 3 weeks between the last two.  We did go to Target (plug for my wife’s favorite store) and bought a baby monitor.  (it was weird to buy a baby monitor for a 3 yr. old, but we did).  We set it up just in case. Of course what that meant was a really sleepless night for Michelle listening to every snore, snort, and breath to make sure they were just that and nothing more.  Right at 6 AM Michelle called me through the monitor and alerted me that Ruthie was having yet another seizure…a  mere 12 hours after the previous one.  She told me to grab the phone and go ahead and call the pediatrician.  In my half sleeping stupor I did manage to get to the phone and call, however I did fall as I ran into the kitchen to grab the phone.  By the time we received the return call from the on-call nurse, Ruthie had come out of the seizure and was alert.  This seizure was another fairly short one, but for the first time there was SOME convulsing of the arms, head, etc.

We arrived at GHS about 7:15 or 7:30 and got checked into the Pediatric ER.  The people there (and EVERYWHERE we have been here at GHS) were INCREDIBLE.  The charge nurse was named Dawn.  She was an incredible woman who has been “doing this for 20 years”.  We were so blessed to have her tending to us in the ER.  We had been here for about an hour and Ruthie was asleep in her Gammi’s arms when it happened AGAIN around 8:30…another seizure.  We called Dawn and she came in, saw Ruthie, scooped her out of Gammi’s arms and headed to another room.  She was so calm and collected as she did her thing.  She calmly said to Michelle, “Mom, follow me.  We are headed down the hall to another room to check her out.”  She truly was amazing and such a calming affect for all of us.  This seizure lasted a little longer and for the first time consisted of noticieable convulsing of the body and drawing in of the limbs.  Ruthie was given a half of a dose of Dylantin (got no idea if that is how you spell it, but that is how it sounds) to stop the seizures.  It was decided at that point that they would admit us to the hospital to be sure that the seizures would indeed stop.  Niether of them in and of themselves were a major issue, but the fact that she had 3 seizures so close together raised some concerns.

Soooo, up to the 5th floor and the Children’s Hospital we go.  We were placed in room 5515 and once there, we went through the whole ordeal with the two resident doctors, giving them ALLL the details.  They were extremely nice and very attentive to what we were saying, which in turn, made us feel comfortable.  Once they did all the prelims the BIG DAWG doc (that’s a redneck term for the chief resident.. if that if even the accurate term, but you know what i am talking about i hope) came in with each of them and as we were talking with him and asking and answering questions, Ruthie had yet another seizure… the longest and most violent (for lack of a better word) of them all.  The BDD (Big Dawg Doc) was calm and told us to get her on the bed, which we did, and he calmly said “okay, lets time this to see how long it is”.  Now I’m not a very smart person, and surely no where near as smart as a doctor, and obviously don’t know what to do.  But as a dad I wanted it to be FIXED.  In my mind, I was SCREAMING “don’t just stand there, DO SOMETHING”.  And he did, he timed the seizure and let us know that it was a minute and 45 seconds.  In hind sight, it was a blessing that they were all three there to witness it, because then they didn’t hve to take our word for what it was like, they could see for themselves.

After that seizure they gave Ruthie the other half of the dose of Dylantin to again try and stop the multiple seizures now that we were at 4 in a16 hour period and 3 in 6 hours and moved us to a room closer to the nurse’s station.  At this point of the story, it gets a little crazy and i get really confused on the EXACT order of the meds that Ruthie was given.  I know that sounds a little irresponsible as a parent, but I was EXHAUSTED, emotionally and physically, and she was given 3 different drugs each of which has at least two different names.  Different doctors were calling the same drugs different names, and as I look back on it I am not sure exactly when which was given.  OH WELL!   I do know that at some point yesterday afternoon she had a dose of Ativan and her regular dose of Trileptal.  It seemed okay at first as she was having fun, sitting up, playing, etc. but it took a sudden turn as she became VERY, VERY agitated.  Agitated is probably an understatement…okay it IS an understatement.  My sweet Ruthie became someone that none of us liked, now will soon forget.  She was flailing her body all around, punching, kicking, clawing, and biting anyone who would hold her and there was nothing anyone could do to really console her.  The only thing that even worked marginally was to put her in the large wheelchair/bed and walk her around the halls of the pediatric wing.  And even doing that it was not exactly PLEASANT.  That went on from about 5:30 until 9:00 PM.  At 9, Dr. Mercer (amazing young doc) had the idea to “taco wrap” her….like you would a newborn.  As we were trying (and failing) to do that Ruthie finally had had enough and went to sleep.  At that point I headed home with the pa-in-law to be with Lindy and Cami while Michelle and her mom stayed with Ruthie.

I sooo had hoped it would be a good night, but found out this morning that it wasn’t.  Ruthie slept from 9-midnight, then was awake in another of her rage fits from midnight till 4 and then slept again from 4-7.  However, even in the sleeping times, it was not a good deep sleep.  She seemed agitated even in her sleep, which of course meant less sleep for Michelle and Deb.  This morning saw another dose of Trileptal but no Ativan.  Our thinking was that the Ativan was what was causing the rage fits.  However, things did not improve in terms of the rage fits.  It got so bad that at one point we were given the option to let it “play out” or to give ruthie an anti-psychotic drug.  We opted to just let it play out.  So at about 2:45 today we met with the neurologist to talk things over… first about the meds and what was causing the temperament issues and then more generally about the seizures and the plan moving forward.

The neurologist was not completely sure if it was JUST the Ativan or JUST the Trileptal or the combination of the two that was causing the mood changes in Ruthie.  Her best guess based on what had happened was that it was the Trileptal.  The good news was that there were other drugs that could do the same thing that Trileptal could and would hopefully work well for Ruthie.  We decided, with her suggestion, to go off of the Trileptal and try Kepra to see how Ruthie reacted to it in hopes that it would be beneficial and could be the long term maintenance type drug to hopefully prevent seizures.  tonight around 6 she was given her first dose of Kepra through the IV.  The best news I can give you at this point is that it is 10:30 and she has been SOUND asleep for the better part of 3 hours.  Our prayer going forward is that this is the right med to help prevent seizures.

As for moving forward, we have for the most part good news.  Assuming the switch to Kepra goes well in terms of the moods for Ruthie, and assuming we have no more seizures, we will be heading home sometime tomorrow.  As for what is causing the seizures, we have a vague answer.  We do know that the MRI of Ruthie’s brain showed NO signs of tumors, legions, scars, etc which means there is nothing inside her head that is causing the seizures.  The neurologist told us that therefore there is a diagnosis of exclusion that Ruthie has genetic epilepsy.  In a nutshell, there is something in her genetic makeup that makes her prone to have seizures.  We have no concrete evidence of anything that might have made this happen suddenly to a seemingly healthy 3 year old little girl.  The neurologist said since the seizures are not being caused by anything in her brain, that the cause becomes secondary to simply treating the seizures and hopefully preventing them from happening as much as possible.  The tough part to me is that we head home tomorrow with the lowest dose of Kepra that we can take.  We give it to Ruthie hoping that it is enough to prevent the seizures from happening, but not knowing if it is right.  The only way we know is if she has another seizure, the dosage will be increased until we don’t have seizures.  The good news is that it is possible that Ruthie could outgrow this proneness to seizures and eventually not have seizures and be able to come off meds completely.  That is our prayer at this point.

Now to the GOD moment in the midst of this.  I know that this has been the LONGEST blog ever, but I have to let you in on how God gave me one of the greatest wake up calls ever.  I said earlier that I struggled yesterday.  I didn’t, and I guess still don’t handle it well when Ruthie has a seizure.  I pray that should one happen when I am the only adult around that I step up and deal with it, but to this point I have not been alone with her when they have happened and other folks (like Michelle, her mom and other docs and nurses) have handled it.  I just was NOT handling it well at all yesterday.  This morning as I woke up, I looked over to my nightstand and saw a copy of Max Lucado’s new book Fearless laying there.  It was given to me by Michelle’s grandmother for Christmas and as we cleaned up Saturday it ended up on my nightstand.  I have read a couple of Lucado’s books and this morning when I saw it, something (i now know was God) reminded me that often in his books Lucado will have great quotes and/or scriptures at the beginning of the chapters.  I thought maybe there would be something in that book at the beginning of one of the chapters that could be an encouragement or a focal point, or a reminder to help me through the day.  I kid you NOT, that I opened the book for the FIRST time and opened it to Chapter 4 and turned back a few pages to the title page of the chapter.  The title?  “The Fear of Caring for My Kids”.  There IS NO WAY I COULD MAKE THIS UP.  I thought, wow that seems appropriate.  As I looked over to the opposite page, I read words that brought tears to my eyes.  I have never felt God’s presence as I have read words from a book before.  But today, I did.  Those few words have become my prayer today and may be my prayer for the days to come.  It was one verse of scripture that comes from the story of Jairus’s daughter in the 8th chapter of  Luke.  Jairus’s daughter was very sick, and he came to Jesus in a panic and pleads with him to come and to help his daughter.  Jesus’s words to Jairus and to me this morning were POWERFUL…. a power that gives me chills right this moment as I tyype them.

” DO NOT BE AFRAID.  JUST BELIEVE. AND YOUR DAUGHTER WILL BE MADE WELL.”

- LUKE 8:50 (NCV)

After I cleared my eyes of the tears, I went on to read the chapter.  It is the only chapter of the book I have read to this point.  I look forward to reading it all.  But right then, right now, it was ALL i needed to see/read.  The general gist of the chapter is a reminder to parents that our children are not ours but God’s.  He has given us the birth of parenthood.  He had given me the most incredible gift of 3 girls that I cherish with every ounce of who I am.  And this morning I offered Ruthie and Cami and Lindy back to God.  They are his children, just as I am His child.  And though I don’t know what the future holds for any of them, I know that I WILL NOT BE AFRAID BECAUSE I BELIEVE.  I believe in HIM and because of that, I rest tonight knowing that my daughter (s) will be made well.  AMEN.

Results Day

It has been a few days since the last blog.  To be perfectly honest, I have tried to take a little more time to enjoy the important things of life instead of spending too much time on the computer.  It has been a tough couple of days though, not so much due to Ruthie, but due to the multiple tragedies that have continued to strike our community here in A’town.  Two days after our scare with Ruthie we got word of the stroke suffered by Jake Nicolopulos, a senior at TL Hanna high.  WE have known Jake for years and were stunned when we heard the news.  We have lifted this young man up in prayer along with SOOO many in this community (many of whom had also prayed for Ruthie), and have watched from a distance as God has answered prayers again (as if we should doubt him).  Jake still has a long way to go, but there have been great signs each day since the stroke.  Then this weekend, there was a car wreck that tragically claimed the life of a young TL Hanna student (Cassie Hunter) who had visited our youth group for a few months several years ago.  It is always tough to hear of life ending at an early age, but it is a different, heart-wrenching when it is someone you knew, even if you barely knew them.  Also involved in that accident was another young man (Joel Jackson) who too had been involved in the youth ministry at TUMC for a period of time.  I went today to GHS with some of our college students who knew Joel well to let his family know that we were definitely thinking of them.  Things don’t look good for Joel at this point.  His family is definitely in need of our prayers along with the families of Cassie and Jake.  So before I even begin to update you on Ruthie, I wanted to mention each of these situations, because they are near and dear to my heart, and my heart as ached over each of  these situations over the past few days.   I STILL believe more than ever that God hears our prayers, and therefore challenge all who happen to read these words to pause and pray for these families and individuals. 

Now, an update on Ruthie.  First of all, every bit of praise and glory goes to God who has shown himself to us in so many ways over the past week.  Can’t believe that it was a week ago tonight that I was typing that first blog of what had happened to Ruthie.  I also want to take another opportunity to thank everyone for the words and actions of encouragement and especially your prayers.  Ruthie has had a GREAT week as we have watched her get back to “normal” and keep us in stitches with her great sense of humor.  Michelle and I (especially me) have been a little unnerved when she would fall, or if she would get quiet, or as she slept, but Ruthie has been fine.  We did finally get a call today from our pediatrician with results from the EEG taken last Tuesday.  There was what they termed an “abnormality” in the brain wave.  There is not at this point any answer as to what may be causing it.  It could be just an abnormality that was showing up as a result of the seizure she had suffered on Monday, or it could be something else.  Sooo, we are being referred to a pediatric neurologist who will run her through further tests which we expect to include an MRI.  The appointment hasn’t been set yet, but we are hoping that it happens sooner rather than later.  It is to me a little nerve racking to think of all the possibilities that MIGHT be causing an abnormality, but I am trying to heed my mother’s advice to me as a child to “Cross that bridge when we get there”.  I take comfort in the fact that I know our God will not send anything our way that we cannot handle as we rely on HIM.  And I am reminded of the words I heard spoken today in the ICU waiting room at GHS: 

“I do not know what the future holds, but I do know WHO holds the future.”

Walking With HIm,

Chris, Michelle, and the Lynch Ladies

Beginning of Normalcy?

Today seemed to be another step towards normalcy.   Yes there was a trip to the AnMed Health Campus for an EKG on Ruthie, and we didn’t do a whole lot other than that before lunch, but it seems that maybe tomorrow will be the day we try to have a NORMAL day for the first time in a few days.  Ruthie once again blew away the technologist with how well she did, this time on the EKG.  WE know without a doubt that this is a testament to the power of prayer.  Ruthie is definitely an active child who is on the go a lot of the time, but she did great.  She laid VERY still as she was asked to do as she laid back in her mom’s lap for the EKG. Once again we have no results, but are patiently waiting to hear back now from the Neurologist and the heart specialist to see if anything abnormal showed up on either of the tests. We have heard from several friends and friends of friends about their own experiences or the experiences of those they know that have had one or two seizure episodes as a child and NEVER had them again.  As I said before, we realize this may be the case and we will count our blessings if this is the only episode we ever have, but we are curious to see if there is something within her physical makeup that caused what happened on Monday.  We shall see. 

Tomorrow the plan is to have a normal day.  Ruthie will be heading back to her preschool class.  One of her best little friends told her mom this morning that she should go call Ruthie’s mommy so she could bring her to play with her.  So tomorrow she will get the chance to see her again if all continues to go well.   Another way that God’s hand is in all of this: Ruthie’s preschool teacher’s son has suffered from seizures. It is a comfort to me to know that someone who understands and has experienced that sort of thing before will be with her…JUST IN CASE.  As much as I say I put my full faith in Christ, and I do, there is still that fear that is in my mind that it will happen again. I can’t tell you how many times I have walked into her room as she has napped or as she was sleeping and looked just to be sure she was still taking breaths.  I fully expect that to diminish as time passes, but at this point, that fear is still in the forefront of my mind. 

But even in the midst of that fear, we are reminded of the blessings of the entire situation.  My perspective on life and the importance of it have experienced a slap in the face.  In the midst of our tough situation we have been made aware of others still who are dealing with far tougher situations.  Our prayers go out to them as so many have offered for us.  And we count our blessings.  Ruthie has been a JOY ever since Monday night.  We couldn’t ask for a better “recovery” period.  As we look forward, we know that God knows what lies ahead, and even though we don’t know, we believe His promise from scripture not to place anything in our path that we can’t handle.  So as we take each step, we take it not alone, but with a savior who loves us unlike our imagination is possible of imagining.   My love for that little girl ( and all my Lynch ladies)  has never been stronger.  Yet I know that the love my savior has for all of us is the perfect love that is incomparable to the love that I can comprehend.  God bless each of you.  AS we receive results from the tests, or more news, I will keep you posted.

Walking With Him,

Chris and the Lynch Ladies.

The Day After

8″For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
       neither are your ways my ways,”
       declares the LORD.

 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
       so are my ways higher than your ways
       and my thoughts than your thoughts

                                           – Isaiah 55:8-9

Thoughts…  There have been an amazing number of different thoughts over the past 36 hours and they have run the gamut of emotions as well.  This verse from Isaiah was sent to us in the midst of the EEG with Ruthie this morning.  It came at just the right time as so many thoughts, words, phone calls, emails, facebook comments, and tweets have over the last day.  We have been through a lot, but (as I have said countless times) we have never felt closer as a family to so many people, and felt more reliant upon our savior for guidance, strength, courage, and wisdom.  And the prayers of those folks reading this blog and so many others were felt time and time again in the midst of everything.  So here is the latest on our Ruthie:

Last night I posted a request that you pray for Ruthie and us as we tried to limit her sleep. There is no doubt in our minds that those prayers were heard loud and clear, and God was a huge part of our night. Ruthie ended up staying awake not JUST til 11Pm, which was our plan, but actually was awake until 12:45 AM.  Typically, all you parents out there would be ready to turn us into DSS, but we know that it had to be done, and we KNOW that God kept her spirits high.  Michelle and I were able to get some rest.  I flaked out trying to pull my Packers through on Monday Night Football and Michelle along with some help from her mom, were up with Ruthie till 12:45.  The entire time, as i said, Ruthie was in great spirits…somewhat happy and wired, but in great spirits.  Amazingly enough, she woke up in the same great spirit, another amazing testament to God’s hand in this process.  When Michelle walked into Ruthie’s room and opened the blinds and turned on a lamp, Ruthie immediately looked at Michelle and said, “What we doing Mommy?”  And thus began a good day for all of us. 

We headed to Greenville for the EEG after a quick stop at Chick-Fil-A because Ruthie was demanding some chicken minis.  We arrived at GHS by 8 and after checking in, we went to the 5th floor and the EEG area.  We waited a bit there and then Ruthie went back with Michelle and I and began prep work for placing 25+ electrodes all around her head.  As we began Ruthie asked for her gammi, so I went out and swapped places with gammi and she and Michelle were with Ruthie throughout.  I understand that thy played beauty parlor in the room even having the technologist putting lip gloss on.  Ruthie was a trooper, only getting upset one time in the near hour of prep time.  The actual test consisted of 3 minutes of a strobe light flashing every 10 seconds and then the monitor captured brain activity as she fell asleep and slept for 30 minutes and as she woke up from the deep sleep.  The technologist told us afterward that 1-3 year olds are typically the toughest patients but that Ruthie was exceptional (she takes after her dad…okay, her mom).  We learned after the test that results are typically received within a week unless there is something that they find needs t0 be addressed quickly, in which case we would hear something in a day or two.    So now, we wait…something I honestly don’t do well.  I have patience I think on a lot of levels, but when it comes to one of my little Lynch ladies, my patience seems to disappear, particularly when it is about their health.  But again, we call on the name of Christ to provide all that we need even when we don’t think we have it.  Again, we are reminded of the passage from Isaiah that I posted at the beginning.  We can’t begin to understand the thoughts and purposes of God, but we do trust fully in Him. 

Tomorrow is another battery of tests as Ruthie has an EKG here in Anderson just to rule out that it was a pulmonary issue that caused the incident on Monday.  We are fully aware that we may NEVER have an answer of exactly what happened Monday, but we also believe that we owe it to Ruthie to elminate every possible option of what it might have been.  Again, we thank you so much for your prayers to this point and thank you in advance for the prayers that you will offer for the coming days.  There are so many stories I look forward to sharing with each of you as time allows of how amazing God has been to us and the CRAZY COOL ways he has shown his hand to us.  We stand in awe of Him and look forward to walking the next steps as he guides.  

Walking With Him,

Chris, Michelle, and the Lynch Ladies.

The Day I Will Never Forget!

I hope this post finds each of you doing well. We have just returned from one of the longest, craziest, & scariest days of my life. I wanted to post this here, becasue there have been sooo many questions about what happened and we wanted to give you all a place to get the facts. So here goes….
We were at lunch today: me, Ruthie, her papa and gami (Michelle’s parents) and Ms. Sara (family friend, and gami’s nursing partner at AU). After Ruthie was done eating, she was walking from side to side of the booth seeing me and gammi and back and forth. All of a sudden and without warning, she fell to the ground. At this point, no big deal, right? Kids fall all the time. I have seen way too many knots, bumps, bruises, cuts. etc from falls to think this was anything major. That quickly changed when, before i could get a glimpse at Ruthie, I heard gammi (my mother in law who is a nurse that doesn’t panic) yell for someone to call 911. The next 2-5 minutes (I have no recollection of time frame) were the moments i will never forget. I ran to the kitchen of the restaurant screaming for someone to call 911, got the phone and handed it to a worker and begged her to call quickly. I then went back into the dining room to see Ruthie in her gammi’s arms limp, non-responsive and with a blue tint to her. At that point, I ran out of the restaurant, expecting the worst. My mind ran in 100 different directions during that time, waiting on the ambulance. I called Michelle who was up the street, and she of course was overcome with fear, and high tailed it to the restaurant. After being unconscious for what we guesstimate to be between 30 seconds and a minute, receiving a few compressions and breaths of CPR, Ruthie regained consciousness just as the EMTs were arriving on scene.
Since then we have been to the ER, where a CT Scan was performed and the results were clear of any sort of head trauma. Curious as to how Ruthie could have stopped breathing that long and have no head injuries from the fall much less a bump, bruise, or knot, we decided to see our pediatrician upon leaving the ER. AFter recounting the story among ourselves and telling Dr. Draisen what happened, we are thinking now that rather than blacking out and going unconscious as a result of falling and hitting her head that maybe Ruthie had already blacked out and fell due to some seizure-like activity.  So the plan was originally to do an EKG (heart scan tomorrow to rule the pulmonary aspect out) and then to follow up with a EEG (brain scan) later b/c those are harder to schedule on quick notice.  Praise GOD, we received word that they have a spot for us TOMORROW morning at 8:00 AM in Greenville.  It will be a sleep deprived EEG, which means that Ruthie can only sleep for 6 hours max. tonight.  So that is where we are at this point.  Ruthie is doing incredibly well right now. She was VERY tired at the ER, because of all she had been through plus it was naptime.  Since we have been home she has bounced back so quickly and has seemed VERY normal.

So here is what lies ahead and the stuff that we would covet your prayers for:

     1)  a LONG night, trying to keep her awake.  It seems like just yesterday we were sooo LONGING for the nights she would sleep through the night, and now we are praying for a good night of the opposite.

     2)  a trip to GHS early tomorrow for the EEG followed by an EKG by the end of the week.  Pray for the doctors and nurses that will perform the tests.  Pray for Ruthie as she attempts to process in her little mind, what in the world might be going on.  Pray for us as we seek peace in the midst of all of this.

Beyond that we are trying to take it one step at a time, trusting in the ONLY one that loves Ruthie more than Michelle and I do.  It is only by his grace, strength, love, and hope that we can even begin to process all of this without having nervous breakdowns. 

I would be remiss if I didn’t say a few “thank you”s to some folks.    Thanks to all of those  persons who I may never meet again who were at the restaurant and tried to offer so many different acts of kindness and help in the midst of the chaos.  EMT’’s, employees at Pompous Pig, and regular old folks who were trying to enjoy a nice lunch.   Mrs. Deb and Sarah, I have loved you both for years upon years, but have never been more thankful for your knowledge and expertise as medical professionals than i was today.  I know full well that God had us all there together for a reason.  Scott, thank you for your spirit of prayer.  Within literal seconds, you knew that the most important thing that we could do was to seek our heavenly FAther.  That will forever speak deeply to me personally.  Thanks to all of you who have called, commented on Facebook, and sent emails who have prayed for us and Ruthie not even fully knowing the situation.  As I have said, those prayers are definitely the strength upon which we stand and very much appreciated.  Last, but certainly not least, thanks to our Savior, friend, Jesus, who has given us so much even in the midst of this day.  I don’t have the time or the carpal strength to type all the amazing ways we experienced Christ today.  We are more grateful than EVER for the life abundant that he have given us and out 3 girls.  I will keep you all updated as much as possible thru the coming days via this blog site, facebook, emails, twitter, etc.  Again, thanks for taking the time to even read through this and to offer prayers for our family.

Walking With Him,

Chris, Michelle, and the Lynch Ladies

Refelctions Of A Different Day

I find it amazing how much getting away from a normal routine can really stir you in so many ways. As I write this I am sitting on the campus of Asbury Hills with fellow youth workers from across the SC Conference of the UMC.  It has been a really laid back time since lunch yesterday.  Asbury Hills’ staff invited us up for some retreat time

The 3 Amigos

and to give us a TRUE glimpse into the amazing updates and renovations that they have made here in the last few years.  Got a chance to experience the high ropes course and the zip line with some friends.  Heard lots about what was coming soon at SH too.
If you haven’t been able to check it out, you should.  But this blog is  more than an plug for AH.  Being here in the midst of nothing but trees, and running creeks (which are flying due to the rain this week) has been therapeutic for me for a number of reasons.

The first reason is that is has just gotten me out of my routine.  We all have routines and they are helpful in many, many ways.  The problem with routines however is that they become SOOO commonplace that we fail to remember that there is nothing “common” about life that is a gift from God.  This Wednesday we talked about the abundant or FULL life that is talked about in John 10.  It struck me that we as Christians tend to not view life as abundant or full or even satisfactory.  Simple parts of our day to day routine become exactly that…simple….common, when in reality they are a part of that abundance that God has in store for us.  What kind of stuff am I thinking about:

• A conversation with an old friend, a new friend, or someone who is hurting.  As often as it may happen, we don’t see it as part of abundance.  Worse yet, we sometimes event get annoyed with it.
• The beauty of nature.  I am fully immersed here at Asbury Hills in God’s creation, and it does make it more obvious when it is all around you, because you have no choice but to take note of the details of what God created.  However, as I left Anderson yesterday, driving down Clemson Blvd, where there is much more asphalt per square mile than there are trees, I caught a glimpse of it.  Driving toward the mall from downtown as you come beside the McDonalds on Clemson Blvd, on a clear day you get a GREAt view of the Mountains off in the distance.  It struck me yesterday that I ride by that glimpse of abundance OFTEN, but never take the time to enjoy that tidbit of God’s majesty.
• The presence of quietness.  Here at Asbury Hills there is NO cell phone service, and we have had no tv either.  Now obviously we have some technology , b/c i am blogging from here, but compared to my typcial day, it is QUIET here.  I am pretty sure my phone rings from a call or a text about 104, 137 times a day.  With no service, it hasn’t.  Truthfully, I like that… A LOT.  Maybe i will have a cell phone sabbath once a month now.  Who knows.  but not having the distractions of cell phones and tv, and limited distractions of computers, email, etc.  has given me great time to enjoy conversations with others, to notice things i would usually notice, and to experience the presence of God.

So, as you muddle through our day today, be reminded that the life you lead as a Christ-follower  is DESIGNED to be full and abundant by a creator that is the great giver and example of abundance.  So don’t miss it today….or any day for that matter.  Would love to hear your stories of experiencing that abundance!  Post them if you’d like.

Mission Trip (Mis)Adventures Days 5-6

Another quick trip to the St.  Louis Bread Co. to do this blogging thing.  Things are still going GREAT.  God has blessed us with a trouble free trip so far and we expect and pray that it will continue.  Since my last blog a LOT has happened, and I wanted to share it with you.  Worhsip on Monday night was very good.  The theme for the day was “release for the captives”.   The powerful part of the service was when each teen and adult had their wrists tied together with zip ties to get an idea of what it is like to be in captivity.  Then each person was allowed to get up and spend times at any or all of 6 different stations that represented things that many teens today become captive to.  The stations included relationships, money, sports, self-image, technology, and drugs and alcohol.  So as music quietly played 80 students were going from station to station praying about their own lives and struggles while they had their hands tied together.  Then as they finished they were invited to a cross in front of the room to have the zip ties cut to symbolize allowing God to release them from whichever item in their life is holding them captive.  It was very powerful and moving.  Afterwards, we had a great devotion tim with our youth group to debrief what had occurred.  it was a good time of discussion and accountability.  The devotion time ended by our group circling up and holding hands and one by one each person saying a sentence prayer for the  person on their right.  It was one of the greatest prayer times I have experienced with teens because each person was so sincere and really encouraged their neighbor.  But more importantly as God showed up amidst the tears, the smiles, and laughter…that’s right laughter.  It was a great lesson and reminder to all of us of the true JOY of prayer.

Tuesday morning marked another day of service opportunities for everyone.  I don’t have a lot of details of the service projects becasue there are so many, but I can tell you from our discussions with some of the folks that everyone is having a great experience and as far as I know feels as though they are making an impact for the Kingdom.  Last night (Tuesday) was our free night out.  We had gotten a suggestion from the Bockstanz family to try out SKYZONE, and indoor trampoline court facility.  That is the best description I can give.  What I do know is that for two hours we were bouncing around like kangaroos at the facility.  There were dodgeball games, dunk contests, and many flips (even by yours truly…see the pic for proof).  We had an amazing time together as can be seen in the group picture.  Afterwards it was on to Chick-fil-a for supper and then next door for Culver’s frozen custard….YUMMY.  On the way back we rode by the Lamborghini/Maserati/Bentley dealership and glared at some nice cars from the bus, then made a quick Target run.  What youth trip has ever occurred without a Target run.  It was a great night of fun and bonding.

This morning brough another trip to our work sites.  We got back just a bit ago and are eagerly awaiting another great meal at 5:30 local time.  Today’s theme is Freedom for the Oppressed.  I am looking forward to how God will speak to me and to our students tonight and throughout the week.  Let me close by telling you about one of the “God Sightings” that was shared with the entire workcamp on Tuesday morning.  God Sighting are a big part of the Group Workcamp experience.  At least two times a day students are given a chance to share with their youth group or work crew where they saw and/or experiencedGod that day.  One of the leaders from another church was asked to share his God Sighting from Monday with the entire workcamp group on Tuesday morning.  He began to tell the story of one of the young ladies on his crew who he thought had exemplified the love of Christ at their worksite.  He shared about how at somepoint during the day there was a period of time where they had nothing to “do”.  Then he noticed one of the girls in his crew (who happens to be one of the girls in our group) sitting by the bed of a paralyzed, elderly woman whose house they were working in.  This young lady had taken an opportunity to be God’s instrument to spend some much needed and often unreceived time with this lady to simply talk.  It was a great story and a great testimony and reminder of why we are here.