Have you ever hung out at a hospital on Friday night? It is a good night for peace and quiet! A good time to focus on our Lord, and to seek His will and desire. I know that runs counter to our culture, but what a blessing is in store!
I wanted to share another writing in BJ's journal. A bit shorter this time...
"In the story of Jesus turning water into wine, what stood out to me was verse 9: The master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where if had come from" (though, of course, the servants knew)... Here God showed me that it was the servants and the first dedicated followers of Christ who were able to first see His glory. Similarly, if we seek to see God's glory (or as Christ said in Mthw 20:26, "if anyone wants to be great or wants to be a leader") we must become a servant and earnestly and wholeheartedly seek God.
Jesus doesn't always tell us everything we want to know, but asks that we follow and seek after Him, that we might experience Him. We should be like Phillip and Andrew and FIRST go and bring our brother or close friends, family, etc. and bring them to Christ..."
I cannot tell you how many times I've read that scripture, and I don't think I ever got that. I am thankful that the Lord reveals Himself to each of us if we truly seek Him.
To recap BJ's situation: He is off of ECMO with the canulas and everything removed. He remains on an oscillating ventilator, and a Cvvh or dialysis machine. He is in a deep state of sedation, which he sometimes comes out of to a kind of groggy sleep state, but is NOT in a chemically induced coma...according to medical staff that is a different drug or procedure. He remains under a "Bair Hugger" as his body temp is hovering below normal. He is very swollen again (in the face). He is being rotated from his back to his front each day or every other. He has skin breakdown, and some places where blood pooled in his back, and blistered through the skin to open sores.
There is no diagnosis yet, but our infectious disease doctor is in routine touch with ID doctors in Peru, and is awaiting a second set of lab results from the CDC in Colorado. Theories are present, but no proof. His kidneys still are not functioning.
The Lord has brought us a long way in 33 days. Successfully coming off of ECMO was miraculous as we had been told he was not likely to make it. God had another plan and has AMAZED us all. We give Glory and Honor and Praise to Christ our Savior for his deliverance thus far. He has sustained us (the family) and given us peace through the most difficult of times. Largely due to the prayers of you...His people. May He receive all Glory for what has occurred. His condition should improve in the coming days, but we have learned to expect setbacks...they have been many. But God has never wavered in caring for us, and we have tried hard to be faithful to Him.
Bless you this Friday night for reading and praying. You have blessed us!
BJ's dad
please leave name, city, state or country info...
posted by Pray for BJ @ 10:37 PM
27 comments
27 Comments:
Your sustained faith is a true inspiration to us. We read your posts daily and it helps to put our world back in perspective. We continue to pray daily for BJ, your family and all of the healthcare workers with you. May the healing power of Christ continue to work in your lives.
Sam and Traci Williams
Powder Springs, GA
Praise God for how far BJ has come. Thank you for sharing.
How inspiring to hear BJ's history
throughout his journey.
May God Bless all and I pray your night continues to be quiet and uneventful {except more improvements!}
Lisa Gresh/Meils
Amen!!!!
I think of BJ often throughout the day and use it as a reminder to pray. People at school still ask about him and are praying. I pray the Father blesses you all tonight and surrounds BJ as with His awesome power.
For His own,
Emily Reagan
Shawnee, OK, Oklahoma Baptist University
A quiet, boring Friday is just what you needed after 30+ days. I pray that your weekend is "boring" and healing.
As much as you can, enjoy your moments of solitude. Find a quiet place and escape for a few minutes. Walk outside and spend some time in the sunlight.
Isn't it interesting some of the things we take for granted each day as far as our bodies are concerned? It might seem strange to be praying about urine, BMs, veins, and body temperature, but God's Word tells us to pray about everything.
I enjoyed hearing your excitment over BJ having his hair washed. Sammy's absolute favorite thing is to have his hair washed, so I hope that BJ felt relaxed and refreshed by having his hair washed too. When Sammy spent 4 months in the NICU, one of our favorite activities was "Saturday bath night". It was one of the rare moments during his hospitalization where we felt that we were able to do something to help care for our child.
We continue to lift you up in prayer, and we pray that next week will bring healing and fullness of body and spirit.
Steve, Leslie and Sammy Harley
I praise God for the outpouring of His Spirit upon this time of longsuffering. I have faith in the sovereignty of God and seeing it lived out through the life of a young man in Christ only helps to increase my faith. I believe BJ would understand Paul’s feelings in Acts 21:13-14 “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he (Paul) would not be persuaded, we (those who weep) ceased and said “Let the will of the Lord be done.” To God be the Glory now and forever Amen.
I am praying for you.
Jon-Michael Gwinnell. K.C. MO
We continue to be inspired daily by BJ and his improvements. I continue to check throughout the day. Thank you for all the continuous updates as he is an inspiration to so many in his testimonies and your families. We pray that you have many more restful days to come and that BJ's kidneys begin to where HE will be up and running to the boy's room!
God Bless!
Kira and Carol
Louisville, TN
Dear Higgins,
Wow! This day has been an answer to prayer! We have been praying for BJ to have uneventful day just for rest. I hope it has been like that for y'all as well.
it's great that Beej had his hair washed. This could be something you use for leverage in the future! "Son, if you don't do something hygienic with that hair..." You know. For a mom, it is a reassuring and normalizing ritual. Praise God for the priority of cleanliness! It seems like an indication that other things aren't so urgent for now.
I hope you never feel beholden to anyone but our Lord for anything provided for you. The mere mortals around you are only here at the behest of your Father...doing only what they are called to do. What they are thankful to be able to do...for you...but for Our Lord.
We continue to hold BJ up...before the holy throne of God...for his continued blessing and anointment.
What great days are ahead of him.
In His Love,
Jamie
Praise the Lord for His continuing strength. Thank you for such a great summary so we understand things more clearly.
We thought we would check in one more time after our family's "Friday Night Party Night". We just finished watching one "Lassie" episode and a "Little House on the Prairie". Our Friday night excitement. The kids wanted to check in on BJ before we all prayed together.
Oh, for you to hear the excitement for all the news and the great way your update allowed us to re-cap how God has answered prayers and continues to make each of you "be able to make it through".
When I finished reading, the kids wanted to "talk" to BJ via e-mail (they don't know about this "blog stuff"). So I told them I would just type as they talked.
Our prayer is that soon, very soon BJ will be able to read through his blog and will enjoy knowing that God has worked through him to show 5 more little children (who are learning more about God each day)more of how great God is and that He shows Himself in many wonderful ways. To them, they have prayed & seen God answer in the very next update from BJ's dad. We believe this is truly God's work. He can work all things together for those who love Him!
Anyway, I am "talking" too much, so...here are their notes, unedited (please forgive or understand their little "rabbit trails" as they feel like BJ is a friend that they know well because they know so much about him and he has been such a part of their lives since we "met" him):
Dear BJ,
We love you and have been praying for you. I play the guitar like you do. What are some of your favorite songs to play?
Love,
Zach
Dear BJ,
I love you and hope you feel better soon. I want to give you this verse, it is a very good one. Joshua 1:9, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified. Do not be discouraged. For the Lord, your God will be with you where ever you may go". Love Hunter, age 7
Dear BJ,
I love you. I have been praying for you alot. I do not know your regular name. I hope you feel better some time soon. Love, Ashley. Oh, I am 5 years old and I forgot something, I want to tell you something, "I am in Sparks", now please write, "Love, Ashley."
Dear BJ,
I hope you are feeling better. May God be with you in all your surgeries. Alex (10)
So that we don't leave out our little Abigail...she went to bed already, but she prayed this afternoon before her nap that "BJ's tummy would feel better".
We are still praying!
We love you & Rest peacefully tonight,
The McMahans
Hudson, OH
Thank you, Brent, DeAnna, Lauren, Whitney, and BJ. Your faith has blessed my heart and drawn me closer to the Lord. Praise God for his power and intimate, loving care.
Love you all,
Carla S.
I am still praying for BJ. Help him have a restful night and continue to work on his kidneys. In your name I pray. Amen.
Love for the Higgins family!!!
Love in Christ,
Kim
Hannibal, Mo
HLG
C'mon kidneys!
Be encouraged knowing that God wakes some of us up in the night to pray for you.
Trudy Icenogle
PVLE mom
zionsville,in
Praise God for His mercy and love. His mightiness is evident every minute of the day.
I am in awe of how all of you continue to share with all of us this journey and you do it in a poetic way. For me it is a testimony of your faith.
You are loved.
Praying for BJ daily.
California
Amen to the Lord's work in all of us. As one body we have come before our Lord and I pray that we can continue to move his heart by our simple faith in him.
The LORD our Father works for the good of those who love him and I pray we can continue to feel his peace and presence.
Sleep tight, BJ.
Your Sister,
Charissa
Riverside, CA
Peru 2004
Still praying and continually thinking. Checking the blog at least 15 times a day!
C'mon BJ, keep pullin' and we will too!
God Bless,
Chris
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Bless Your holy name Lord, thank You that BJ's dad could find that quiet, secret place and spend time with You Lord.
Thank you for sharing more of BJ's journal, what a blessing it is to us, the body of Christ.
Lord we once again lift BJ into Your hands and we ask You Lord that YOU would release Your divine healing power to BJ's body, his kidneys, his temp. Lord that You would reduce his swelling, heal his bed sores Lord. Restore him to the young man of God that You designed him to be.
Lord I ask for Your wisdom and guidance for the staff taking care of him. Let them feel Your presence as they enter his room.
We thank You and Praise You for all the miracles You have done in BJ's body Lord. We stand in agreement with BJ's family Lord and give YOU all the glory honor and praise. Thank You Father that You have sustained the family, that You have poured peace upon them, filled them with Your spirit and Your presence. Lord we ask that, this, You would continue to do for them, give them rest Lord both physical and spiritual. Lord we ask that You would continue to bless BJ and the Higgin's family with positive daily results.
We thank You and Praise You Lord for the mighty work that You are doing in the body of Christ, continuing to change every heart, drawing us into a closer relationship with You, Lord. And we thank You precious Jesus that through BJ's suffering You are being glorified and lives are turning to You. Heaven is singing with joy as the lost are found.
In His Love
Linda Ronne
Shawnee, OK
Just wanted to let you know that BJ, and your entire family, are always on my mind and in my prayers. I cannot even begin to imagine how difficult it has been for all of you to walk down this road. I praise the Lord for He is faithful....and He is walking beside you.
Love in Christ
Cathy
Gainesville, Fl
Thank you for the update and more words from BJ. I will be praying for those kidneys to "rain."
Perry, IL
Hey Lauren and Higgins Family,
What a journey the Lord is leading you, your family, as well as the body of Christ, through. I check every day on the progress and, sometimes setbacks to see how God is working. Ephesians 3:20 comes to mind, "Now to Him who is able to IMMEASURABLY MORE than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us..." He is working vast miracles to that room. To God be the Glory, He is able. I'm praying for you all, especially for thoes kidneys to kick in.
Your favorite camp nurse from Alaska :)
Denise Pritt
Findlay, Ohio
The love that has poured out over BJ has truly amazed me!! I have never seen anything like this. I am finding myself reading updates every day and praying! Sometimes, I don't know what to say so I re-pray peoples prayers they post on here! If anything, God will Heal BJ just to shut us all up. hahaha
I am so happy to be a part of this and I have forwarded this site to everyone in my E-mail address book so they can pay too!!!!
~Debbie
We continue to pray for you. I'm so thankful you had a quiet evening. I remember many quiet nights at the hospital with our son. There were so many people coming in and out & Phone calls to make, etc. that a quiet evening was so wonderful. Our son was resting, no new setbacks and we could just be still. We didn't have cellphones 10 years ago and I never heard of a "blogger" until my sister told me about your family. I called her and asked "what's a blogger??" She laughed. Anyhow, I am so thankful that you have this method of communication available to you. That's one less stress you have to worry about with keeping family and friends up to date. You can do one posting and everyone knows. Through the process you gained a whole new group of friends that you have never even met and we pray diligently for your precious son and family. It is truely a priveledge to lift one another up to His throne.
May your day be quiet and may BJ continue to be stable. May those kidneys really start doing their job!
Have a blessed day.
Youngstown, OH
praying for the Higgins family daily. my heart goes out to you. and my prayers are always there for bj and family.
I am blessed to be a part of this unity of spirit that has taken place in seemingly desperate cicumstances. How God has brought His family together in this precious time as we celebrate life in the midst of the storms. He is changing my perspective in so many ways, like a pebble in a pond ,the ripples continue to go forth. I am grateful, humbled and blessed to find new family and old friends partnering together in such a great and worthy cause. Thank you, Father, God, for weaving us together in such a beautiful and awesome tapestry of Your Glory and Love. Thank you for signs, wonders and miracles, we know You live and care for us. Thank you for Your healing hand on Beej today, tomorrow and forever. Amen. ( I am truly inspired and blessed, and look forward to Beej having the best birthday ever this year!) Jimmy Cameron Las Vegas, NV
Good Morning Higgens Famiy....
I pray that today will be another peaceful and restful day for you...
Thank you once again for your postings through this difficult time.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I come to you today and want to thank you for the Higgens Family.
Father, I ask that you please watch over BJ today and provide a healing for his kidneys.
I ask that you will provide great wisdom for the Doctors so they can provide the treatments that are necessary for BJ's road to RECOVERY.
Father, we know that there is much work for our young BJ to continue here on this earth for your Glory.
Thank you for all that you do, I pray this in Jesus precious name, Amen.
Blessings, Mary
Praise God for His unfailing goodness! I'm still praying. I will be gone for the week but will be praying and anxious to see what God has done for you this week. Praying many hugs and blessings from God this week.
Karen from W-S NC
October 1, is BJ sixteenth birthday. Why don’t we “bloggers” set a goal on that day BJ receives 1,000 birthday cards. The address we need to send it to is:
BJ Higgins
C/o PICU
St Vincent’s Hospital
2001 W86th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46260
Get your youth groups, families, senior adults group join us in
Project “HAPPY BIRTHDAY BJ.”
I wouldn't say that we have blessed you with our prayers but that we all have been blessed, us with your sharing, with BJ's words, and by the prayers of the many touched by this site. Together, as a body of Christ, Christ has touched each of us uniquely...what an AWESOME gift it is. It does truly put everything else that seems stressful into perspective. The minutes must drag by some days for all of you. Please know that there are so many out there praying for your strength physical, emotional and continued spiritual during these days. May's God peace be with you and may it be another surprise free day (unless of course it is a GOOD surprise!) Blessings, Tina
Cedarburg, WI
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