Happy Sonday to all who will read this journal entry, and thank you for taking the time to catch up on what’s happening in Pyper’s world!
Surgery for Pyper’s GTube and LADS surgery has been set for Wednesday, Feb. 14th at 7:30am. (Let it be heard that I believe that God has re-positioned Pyper’s bowels, and that there will be nothing for the surgeon to do … except to say “wow, I have never seen such a thing”!!) Like I have said all along, PRAY BIG, EXPECTING BIG THINGS. This has been my prayer, that God would miraculously move Pyper’s bowels and place them where they are supposed to be. I believe in miracles and I believe He is going to show us one this Wednesday.
Pyper will be in the hospital for at least a week, but could be as long as two weeks. I have spent time these past few days setting up a schedule that will provide someone to be with Pyper around the clock while she is in the hospital. While Nicole and Brandon will be with her a lot, they can’t be with her 24/7. The logistics of having her in the hospital require a whole lot of coordination of schedules. It’s not just Pyper that needs care, but Gavin and Chloe as well. Who is picking them up from school, where will they be one night and then the next? Who will get them to dance and basketball practice? When will they get to see Nicole (mommy)… and the list goes on and on. The next couple of weeks will be mentally and physically exhausting as Dean and I help to keep all the pieces to the puzzle in place.
God has shown me a couple of things during my quiet time (and not so quiet times) that center around Pyper’s surgery. About a week and a half ago God told me to invite His presence to dwell and inhabit Pyper’s room. This was not to be just a one time prayer, but He told me to pray for this each day. As I thought on this I came to realize that this could be something that everyone praying for Pyper could do. I want Pyper’s room to be a place where the very Spirit of God dwells. I want everyone who enters her room to sense and feel that there is something different there, that God is there in all His fullness.
God also gave me a vision of Pyper’s hospital room being covered in prayer. Literally covered in prayer. What I saw were hand written prayers posted all over her room! It didn’t take me long to realize that these were to come from family and friends, from Pyper’s Prayer Warrior’s. So I got on Facebook and asked people to write out on plain white paper, words of encouragement and prayers for Pyper and her family. I will take these and place them all around her room. Everyday these prayers will be read out loud and the heavens will resound with prayers on Pyper’s behalf. If you would like to send a prayer or words of encouragement please send them to: Dean and Cheryl Chouinard PO Box 1579 Waynesville, NC 28786. She will be in the PICU for at least the first couple of days following surgery. Once she is out of the PICU we will cover her room with your prayers. Don’t delay…snail mail will take a few days. I have never been so excited about getting the mail everyday!!
I will post an update each night to let you know the “happenings” and “goings on” of the days events beginning Wednesday. Stay tuned…….
Prayer Requests:
For Pyper to remain healthy leading up to surgery
For the Holy Spirit to inhabit the Operating Room
For Pyper to handle the anesthesia
For the surgeon who will perform the surgery
For no complications before, during or after surgery
For healing that will be quick and complete
For Nicole and Brandon
For the rest of the family that carries a burden for Pyper, Nicole and Brandon
For Gavin and Chloe
For God’s Spirit to totally saturate Pyper’s room
Today I am THANKFUL for friends and family that have volunteered to come and sit with Pyper at the hospital.
Today I am THANKFUL that Dean and I can be a stable and constant presence for Gavin and Chloe as they navigate these days of uncertainty and upheaval in their lives.
Today I am THANKFUL for a God that gives peace in the midst of our storms.
An Unintended Journey 