one year later

it's pretty hard to believe that on this day one year ago bethany was being wheeled into the operating room because our tiny little baby was in danger of losing oxygen. after 11 days of 40 minute drives to portland, daily ultrasounds, nail-biting, and laying horizontal in order to retain as much amniotic fluid as possible, the time had come. with much prayer and yet much fear we held hands as the surgeons operated on bethany's numb body. the curtain that draped over her kept us both from seeing the traumatic process but i could peek enough to see the doctors and their hands from time to time. and then he emerged. announcing to everyone in that room and to anyone else in the world who cared to know, conley roger lee made it very clear that he was here to fight. even the surgeon was surprised: surprised that he was 695 grams (1lbs. 8oz.), surprised that he took a breath, surprised that this little person could muster up a cry. his voice was but a little louder than a kitten's but his divinely-appointed determination was soon to be realized. the LORD would be his strength and his song, God would become his salvation in a very real sense. as i mentioned in posts so many months ago, no one can explain why this child was chosen to surpass expectations and overcome odds while others would fare differently. the only response i have is this: God, grant us the gratitude that is in accordance with this incredible blessing and the grace to faithfully tend to him. thank you for all your prayers. i could give you all the details of where conley is today, but i'd rather just have you watch this.
-love-