When I read Brent's email, I got teary because I feel as he does. I question my God and lack the faith we both desire. I am copying Brent's email onto this post because I want the boys to one day read this and know that we both struggle daily in our walk. We don't doubt the fact that there is a God or that He works in every part of our lives. But we try so hard to have control of it. We try to make sense of it. We don't intend to but sometimes we put our God in a box. I guess I want the boys to know that walking with God doesn't always mean the person is upright with shoulders back, head held high. Sometimes the walk is more of a crawl. And God already knows this about us, and I believe that He rejoices in the fact that we are simply still moving with Him. I want my boys to always be moving with Him no matter the posture. Anyway, here is Brent's email:
"Dear Friends -
Update on Will's leg length discrepancy. As you may recall, we discovered Will's uneven leg length a few years ago. Two years ago, we went to Shriner's Hospital in St. Louis, and they told us that the difference was 3/4 of an inch. Projected out to a full grown man, they estimated that this would result in a 3 inch difference in leg lengths. This would require a major surgery called Illizeroff, which involves breaking of the leg and lengthening it for a period of 9 months.
We were disheartened, but knew Will could handle adversity and we started to pray for healing.
I'll admit, I'm not really certain that I believe that God miraculously heals people today. I tend to think that ceased with the apostles, but I also believe that our God can do anything, so I figured why not pray for healing.
This weekend we went back for a visit to Shriner's 2 years later. More x-rays and tests were done. The doctor came in and said, "Well I'm not sure what happened, but the discrepancy is no worse. In fact, it may actually be slightly better". We asked what may have caused this medically, and he had no answer. We asked if this happened often and she said, "No - not often at all. We don't have a medical reason for this".
I don't know if Will's leg will go back to even lengths totally or not. I don't know for sure that God kept the legs from getting worse. I am weak in faith, and tend to lean on my own understanding, so I don't have a good explanation for this. I worry that it may start growing at differing rates again.
I don't know what will happen, but I know we prayed and things are better and the doctors don't know why. That makes me happy. And I hope that God did this. And I believe he can on most days. And on the other days, I imagine He does His work regardless of my weak faith.
Praise God"
)--Here are pictures we took on our visit to St. Louis/ Shriners. We spent the night in a hotel and took the boys to the Arch, The City Museum, & The Crown Candy Kitchen. Granny and Papa went with us to help with Sam and Ike while Brent and I saw the doctor with Will. They were a great help and fun to have with us. Thank you Granny and Papa!
