Time to meet Holden

Today we took KK and the kids to Springfield to meet Holden. It was great to have the whole family there, but I imagine it must still seem a bit intangible for the kids. They were able to stand at the viewing window and peer into the NICU. It was hard to see though. We weren't allowed to bring Holden's bed any closer to the window and though the nurse tried to hold him up just a bit, little brother was still far away. Todd captured this picture of the boys trying to look in the window. Collins did get a turn once the boys moved away. I can't wait till we can have the whole gang together. How sweet it will be to have all six of the kids gathered under one roof.

It was a delight once again to be with our little boy. He looks great and each time we visit, I feel like my heart is more attached. It is hard to leave him! I am positive that a baby needs his mom and dad and yet we are only with him for a few hours a day. That makes me sad. He was asleep the whole time we were there, but the nurse told us that he had been wide awake for most of the morning so he was probably wiped out. Today Holden did have an EEG during the early morning and as we left, they were checking his kidneys and prepping him for an MRI. We called the NICU tonight about 9:00 PM, but they didn't have any test results for us. We will wait and hope that tomorrow we can get some more answers.
I was able to take his temperature and change his diaper, which is great because I get to have my hands on him. I discovered today that his central line is actually stitched into his neck. Ouch! I didn't realize that the first few times I saw those tubes.

Tonight as we did family devos, Todd was talking to our other boys about the importance of praying with faith. Todd is trusting God and humbly believing that God would choose to heal our son.

Tomorrow Holden will get two special visits. I am headed to Springfield in the morning (thanks to Rebecca Duncan for taking me). I will get my catheter removed (Hooray!) and then we will head over to visit Holden. Todd has an afternoon appointment in Springfield so he will visit Holden closer to dinner time. We love our boy and treasure the time we get with him in the hospital.

So many of you continue to ask about updates on Holden or ways that you can pray specifically. Thank you! Truly we stand amazed. Thank you for your sincere care and for loving Holden even though you haven't met him. We love you so much!

As wonderful as it is to have you all praying for us, it excites us even more to see the body of Christ at work. Something that I feel like I have been learning through the job transition and now through this ordeal is how precious it is when someone asks or cares about what we are going through. It makes me not want to stay distant when someone else is hurting or going through a trial. I want to jump in, help, bring food, pray, keep kids, give unselfishly - the way so many of you have done for us. Thank you a million times over. We really desire that God would be lifted high through this time. It brings to mind John 13:35 - "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
Thank you for your love for the Rapp family.