Live From St. John

We're coming to you live today for the first time here at Benjamin's bedside, where the hairdos are messy and the diapers are even messier. I consider making it through 28 years of life without changing a diaper to be quite an accomplishment, but the streak has come to an end. It is said that some people have a sixth sense; as for me, I've got about three and a half. My selective hearing has had its benefits throughout my life, and now I've found that my almost total lack of a sense of smell has also started to come in handy. Even the most toxic looking diaper is no match for my newfound superpower. I hear they get much worse in the next few months so I'll let you know whether father or son wins out. Round one goes to the Senseless Wonder.

The snow and ice have been coming down here pretty well over the last day or two, and anytime we get over an eighth of an inch of ice in Tulsa, the entire city shuts down for three days. Thankfully, Chris and Linda Jones have extended their hospitality to us and allowed us to stay in their home, which is just down the street from the hospital, until the weather improves - yet another example of how great our church family is.

One more large machine has been rolled out of the room. This time it was Ben's other ventilator. That's right, Ben is breathing on his own through his trach pipe now! I can't tell you how happy I am about this. God is healing Benjamin must faster than any of us could have imagined. We can now do more of the fun stuff that other parents get to do. I held Ben in my arms for the first time. I'd show you the pictures of this, but they are trapped on my camera since my USB transfer cable is on the other side of town. Technology has a long way to go to overcome all of man's stupidity.

Ben is also off all of his medications except for some antibiotics to fight off a staph infection that is developing in the area of his tracheotomy. We'd love your prayers that this will not turn into a serious problem.

My new most favorite thing in the world: singing my boy to sleep with great songs like Blue Skies and Rainbows. My new least favorite thing in the world: watching Ben cry with no sound coming out. You would think that a baby crying on mute would be great, but it's actually scary to watch. It's good that I can use my most favorite thing to fight against my least favorite thing. I suppose God works the same way. He uses his greatest gifts, love and hope, to drive selfishness and fear out of our lives.

I'm going to get out of here soon before the next round of snow and ice hits, but I hope to get you those pictures as soon as the weather clears up. This is Whit, Adrienne, and Benjamin signing off from St. John Medical Center.