Once again, we find ourselves on the eve of canula removal. As we understand it, the 2 surgeons will remove all 3 canulas (tubes), add 2 catheters, and repair a torn vein. Clotting will be a potential side affect, and a potentially serious one.
BJ's abdomen began to bleed this afternoon, after Heprin was restarted. It has diminished, but they do not know why he is bleeding. We have not heard results of the HIT test, but they still believe he does not have it. His numbers are stable this evening, and his blood gases (PO2) reached 72 after spending most of the day in the 50's. Praise Jesus! Sat's still in the low 90's!! Glory to God!!!
I thought it might be appropriate on the eve of such a critical event to share a prayer from BJ's journal:
"Father God, help me to truly be humble, and give up myself and care of reputation or seeking of glory, and just seek to glorify You. Help me to show love towards ALL of my brothers and sisters. Help me to let go of unnecessary, distracting emotions. You know my heart and my desires, but You love me and know what is best for me. Father help me to just be seeking you so much that everything falls away. Be with me, help me and strengthen me."
I am so grateful to our Lord that He has heard, and honored this prayer.
Have a blessed and restful night in the Lord!
Beej's dad
Thank you for continuing to put your name, city, state, or country...
posted by Pray for BJ @ 8:23 PM
50 comments
50 Comments:
Praying for all you tonight. STAY STRONG.
IN HIM
Jonathan Haag
Brent & Deanna,
I am amazed at the depth of BJ's spiritual growth. By sharing his journal he helps me desire to be more the person Christ would have me to be.
I'll be praying through the night for everything to go smoothly tomorrow. I pray that both of you will find rest and peace.
Susie
Evansville, IN
Continuing to keep you in our prayers and anxiously awaiting news on BJ's condition.
Love,
The Hughey's
Carmel, IN
Praise our awesome Father!
Still praying for you. Praying for rest and strength for all of you.
Karen in NC
Psalm 40..... as I was reading this I was led by the Lord to share with you. Let the words minister a sweet fragrence to you as you approach another night. Let your bodies and spirits rest as you have a big day ahead of you. Rest in the assurance that all of us who love you will be lifting you and BJ up to the Throne of Grace. Remember this that we have sung so many times....."He IS Able more than Able to Accomplish what concerns you today".....
Feel His arms embrace you tonight please rest and renew your strength.....
We Love you..Phil & Paula
I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is the man
who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods. [a]
5 Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.
6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but my ears you have pierced [b] , [c] ;
burnt offerings and sin offerings
you did not require.
7 Then I said, "Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll. [d]
8 I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart."
9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips,
as you know, O LORD.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly.
11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD;
may your love and your truth always protect me.
12 For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.
13 Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.
14 May all who seek to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.
15 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
be appalled at their own shame.
16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
"The LORD be exalted!"
17 Yet I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O my God, do not delay
Thanks for sharing BJ's prayer with us. Will be praying that everything goes well tonight and tomorrow. Keep looking up!
Ashley Dawn (peru 04)
Bixby, Oklahoma
Brent,Deanna,Lauren and Whitney,
I think of each of you throughout the day. I know that these days have been very long. God has the future already planned and everyday is a part of that plan. I pray that BJ and all of you have a restful night. You guys are an awesome family. Be strong for each other. I will continue to pray.
Love,Tammy Sheridan,IN
Brent, Deanna & girls, how our hearts and prayers are with you this night. We will continue to stand in the gap through prayer for Beej as well as all of you. I wore my t-shirt today and was able to share with 3 people - am anxious to tell you about one in particular who said she would log on and leave a message. I leave you with this passage I read today:
I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us---yes, the many good things he has done according to his compassion and many kindnesses. In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them . . .Is. 63:6,9
May the One who knows the depth of your heartache and shares your distress be quick to show you His presence and mercy tonight and may He carry you through the next 24 hours. With all our hearts we pray - carol
AMEN! What a prayer...Thank you Father God for loving us SOOOOOOOOO MUCH.Praying for peace and healing. Sleep in His arms.
Hey B.J. and family!
I hope that everything will go okay,
we will pray the side affects won't be too strong on his body,and they will find out why B.J. is bleeding!
B.J., GOD IS THERE
Love your sister in Chirst,
Emmy
I've been praying for BJ since he first went in, I'm Sarah D from DeFuniak Springs, FL. I'm also talking on im with a young man from the church in Piura, Peru, who wants you to know that he and his family are also praying for you all.
Brent, Deanna,
We pray this evening that you all and B.J. have another restful night. We pray for "Beej's" healing.
The girls were wearing their t-shirt again today, and were asked multiple times at school about the meaning, and then this evening we were eating a gourmet' meal at a wonderful restaurant, you may have heard of before....McDonalds. A girl that works there, whom actually is from North Dakota, going to Indiana Bible College asked the girls about their shirts...The standard question, "Who is BJ?"
I began to tell her about your amazing young man, she immediately said she would be checking out the Blog site, and would spread the word a school tomorrow. Many more believers to be praying!
Praying Strong and Long!
We all love you all!
Matt L.
Mooresville, Indiana
"All things are possible through Prayer!"
I echo the sentiments of many others at how beneficial your sharing of BJ's journal has been. They have challenged me to a deeper relationship with our Lord.
I continue to pass along a request for prayer for BJ with anyone I can. I will continue praying for all of you. I'm praying that you & BJ have peace throughout the night.
"Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will contiue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."
2 Corinthians 1:9-11
Angela
I had the privilege of speaking to a MOPS group and sharing BJ's story. Please know that we are challenged by the incredible faith you have displayed, and by the example you have been during such a hard time. May you find rest and peace tonight, and may God keep His mighty hand upon BJ through the night and the procedures tomorrow. Our prayers are with you.
Much Love,
Lori Burkert
Zionsville,In.
Most Holy Father, I come before you throne of grace and ask this family be surrounded by Your Holy Spirit as they go through this trial. I pray BJ into your will to heal him Father. Let them all remeber that even in the hardest of times you are still in control and are to be trusted through it all. I lift them allupto you Lord and ask in Jesus name,
amen
Once again, I am blessed by BJ and his devoted heart..
Lord bring rest to this mighty family tonight,draw them closer to you in these hours of waiting..We pray for the doctors and nurses keeping watch over BJ, guide them and protect them, give them wisdom..Lord we ask for protection over BJ while the surgery is performed..we pray for the blood not to clot,for lungs to remain open and clear,for kidneys to function,we pray for you dear lord to restore BJ's body.
In your precious name we pray,
Lora J
Indpls
Thank you for sharing more of BJ through his journal writings and your continuous updates on his progress.
We are still praying with you and again I give thanks for God's healing hand and I pray for God's guidance coordinating Docs succesful procedures they have planned for tomorrow.
I pray tonight is calm and restful for all tonight and I send love and big hug to all of you with our prayers
of healing and Beej's continuous strength .
Lisa Gresh/Meils
Indpls., IN
We are praying for bj to stay strong and that all of his vital signs remain stable. Thank you for the updates on his condition.
God bless your family
Your neighbors,
Dowden Famliy
Monrovia, Indiana
wow...i am praying for Bj and your entire family. i encourage you to keep you amazing strength through this hard time. its amazing to see how strong that you are being. i will continually be praying for you all!
Lauren from ft. worth Tx
I shouldn't be, but I continue to be amazed at how God works to restore BJ...over and over again! I'm ashamed to admit that I get so emotionally involved in the details that I don't simply rest in the knowledge of how God works to defy the expectations of mortals!
What a blessing BJs life and testimony are to people from all over the world! Your family's spirit and testimony are having the same effect. I think His witness and yours are having the effect of causing everyone connected to pause and examine their own spiritual maturity or lack thereof.
Thank you for keeping us all informed so often.
Please, please have a restful night...all of you!
Jamie
Indianapolis, IN
USA
Wow, what an awesome journal entry that you shared. It is so encouraging to continue hearing how God continues to answer your specific prayers day by day. I was reading today and came across a great devotional written in My Utmost for his Highest and it was talking about how we sometimes go through confusion as christians not quite understanding why God has allowed certain things in our lives and it takes us to Luke 11:9-13 which says ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened for you, for everyone who asks receives, everyone who seeks finds, .... so even in times we don't completely understand, we have to believe that our Father in heaven has our best in mind and will give us understanding of what he has allowed in our life but we must wait for his timing. It is through these times we actually find what he wants for our lives. So continue to stand firm, and know that God loves each of you so much and many people are lifting you up throughout the day, everyday especially here in Oklahoma!!!
In His Love,
The Rice Family
Okc, Oklahoma
Goodnight Higgins family,
Praying you get a good nights sleep, uninterrupted. Praying BJ has a restful night, with his levels holding steady. We will certainly be praying for the surgeons tomorrow as they undertake the delicate procedure of removing the canulas and vein repair. We continue to pray for BJ's renal function, pulmonary status and clotting factors. Our bodies are a masterful design with a very intricate balance that only the Creator knows exactly how everything works. God has been in control and continues to be in control of BJ. We are praying that He will continue to heal and restore BJ and that all of you will be strengthened by the outpouring of love you have been experiencing. Again, good night.
Love, Nancy
My thoughts and prayers are again with you all tonight. God seems to be awakening me frequently durning the night lately and when I am awake the first thing I think of is to pray for BJ. I am so grateful to God to be a part of this incredible faith journey and look forward to the final glorious outcome. Love and peace to each of you.
Toodie Schaper
St. Charles, MO
Still praying....
Marion, IN
you know i am with you even though i am so far away. however, my prayers are in no way hindered by this physcal distance, because our spirtual distance is non-exsistance!!!
i love you bj with all my heart and i know you are strong and you have pushed me to become stronger! i konw our Lord and Savior has control of this and you and we will fight this to the finish, for all of His ultimate glory.
may His overwelming peace be with you tonight and tommrow, to Him be all the glory, honor, and praise, forever and ever.
amen
michelle
HLG, MO
Brent, Deanna , Whitney,Lauren too,
As a child rests in his mothers arms so may you rest in HIS... Praying you through the night...
we love you.... Bill and Marlene
PTL!!! I am still praying for BJ!!
Kim
Hannibal, Mo
HLG
Once again our hearts are heavy for you tonight. We pray that BJ has a restful night without any crisis and that you will be able to find a sweet rest in Jesus close by your side.
My computer was down for 2 days and I had to call Jes to find out what was going on. I can't count the number of times I tried to log on and couldn't. I'm so grateful my computer is up and running again so I can get the updates and know how to specifically pray for all of you! Have a blessed night and love on that son of yours for all of us! Keep the faith.
Our love,
Glen and Jean Peters in Santa Claus, Indiana
LORD,
I ask you to keep BJ safe through the night. Guide the doctors. Please give the Higgins family a peace that surpasses all understanding. May your holy and precious name be praised. Thank you Jesus.
God your grace IS sufficient, your love is evident, may your peace overwhelm BJ and his family!
Justin Hall
Catoosa, OK
We prayed for BJ at the prayer meeting 2nite at PVBC and will continue to do so.
Dear Father,
I pray that the Higgins family can have a restful night of totally uninterrupted sleep. Let them rest in Your peace! You know what tomorrow holds, we put our trust in You. You have been doing one amazing thing after another through BJ's illness, and we know that You are going to be glorified through tomorrow's procedures.
Still trusting!
Just found out today about BJ and his fight from a coworker who had met BJ right after he returned from Peru, and who was extremely impressed by him. We have a prayer circle at work and he's now included in that. I'll be putting him on the prayer list at Christ United Methodist Church in Indianapolis tomorrow at prayer meeting. And, of course, he's now on my private prayer list as well as all of you family members. I hope he continues to improve and will one day be the wonderful human being he's started out to be. God bless all of you.
Donna White - Greenwood, IN
What an AWESOME teenager!!!!! The Lord dwells deeply within his heart, soul and mind....
BJ you are such an inspiration to me and I am a 39yr. old woman...
Thank you so much for keeping us informed on BeeJ's progress. Through this you have strengthened my prayer life which is drawing me closer to the Lord, which I have really been needing for some time now. Praise God for such strong and faithful servants which you very much are... I will continue to lift Beej and all of you up in prayer to our Heavenly Father. Amen, Mary
I just wanted to let you know that our family, as well as our church members out here in Greensburg, IN are continually praying for your son BJ, as well as your entire family, for strength. It is so wonderful to get to hear about his spiritual walk with God-what a wonderful young man!! No matter what God has in store for BJ, rest assured that he has already touched so many lives! Also remember that God is with you as you go this trial-he will NEVER leave you-that is his promise!!
The Jayden Hurst Family (Greensburg,IN; Greenwood, IN; and Rockville, IN)
We are continuing praying for BJ our blessed brother in Christ. We hope you have a peaceful evening.
In Christ,
Laura
I don't know BJ but a friend told me about his troubles and put a link up to this site. We are praying. May God hold you all in His loving hands.
Janelle, Norm, Hannah(5), Andrew (3)
Portland Oregon
I don't know you persolly, but am so moved by the emails I have received. I sa prayers now as I am writing this email and forever you will be in my prayers. God Bless.
Tami Dyer....
I was soo moved by the journal writing BJ's Dad shared with us...THANK YOU. I am in prayer for BJ as so are various members of our church, and I wish to send a band of angels around your entire family, physicians, and of course BJ. I am soo greatly moved by such a young mans convictions that I am ashamed to admit I myself am not where BJ is spiritually. I pray that Satan releases his grip on BJ's health, and God allows such a healing that BJ continues to reach up and out to all the peoples of the world. God Speed.
Tami Dyer (and Family)
Catoosa, Oklahoma
Rolling Hills Baptist Church
Thank you, Father, God, that in our weakness your strength is made manifest. Thank you for intercession and healing. Thank you for allowing us to partner with Bj, his immediate family and his extended family in you, Jesus. We are so thankful for the healing taking place within the body of Christ and specifically within the mortal body of our brother. Thank you for your promises, for your Word. Jer. 29:11. We are looking forward to the Good News, in Christ, Jimmy (Las Vegas, NV)
We will be praying this morning.
Youngstown, Ohio
"This is the day the Lord has made, We will rejoice amd be glad in it!"
Praying that all numbers stay within good limits, that the bleeding stops, and the cvvh tube stops clotting. And praying that the canulas can be successfully removed today if this is the best timing for BJ's body. I also pray for each of you as you wait, that you will have a restful day in the midst of all the emotions. Our amazing God is doing amazing things through your family.
Blessings on each of you Brent, Deanna, Lauren, Whitney and B.J. You are loved!!
Cheryl
Hilliard, OH
Good Morning to you all! Wanted you to know that I am praying for you this morning. I pray for healing this morning and a sense of peace for you today. Will continue to check on progress throughout the day!
Much love,
Rebecca
Watched the Billy Graham Crusuade on tv last night. He had Nicole C. Mullens on there. She sang one of my all time favorite songs..."When I Call on Jesus". I couldn't help but be encouraged by this song on your behalf. This is the chorus:
"But when I call on Jesus
All things are possible.
I can mount on wings like eagles and soar
When I call on Jesus.
Mountains are gonna fall
'Cause He'll move heaven and earth to come rescue me when I call."
We are all calling on Jesus to come rescue BJ!
Mooresville
As I reread BJ's prayer this morning the words of the chorus of "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" came to mind. This truly is what BJ's has done.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.
I am praying that we will all, as the Body of Christ, turn our eyes upon Jesus today and trust Him fully as BJ undergoes all of the procedures planned for today.
Grace and peace to you.
Love,
Toodie St. Charles, MO
As I walked and prayed this morning, I felt tired and weaker than I usually do. As I asked God to renew my strength, I saw a picture of BJ and his family in your extreme weakness and asked God to make you strong. Father, strengthen them in every way today, especially through this time of surgery for BJ. Help them to know Your power and Your might in every circumstance. Thank you that when we are weak, then YOU are strong!
in His grace and for His glory,
Pieper family
Charleston, SC
Good Morning!!
We will be praying all day today & adding to the legion that is praying...we are off to women's study & the children's art classes - where many more will hear about BJ.
You are constantly in our thoughts...BJ is mentioned at least 6 times an hour in our home!
In His loving hands you & we are held,
The McMahans
Hudson OH
still praying and i know god will pull this through.
My dear nephew was on ECMO after open-heart surgery, as well as many others we know in the heart community. This is a procedure I'm all to familiar with, but hope never to become comfortable with.
"His grace is sufficient for me, for His power is made perfect in my weakness. Therefore, I will boast gladly in my weaknesses, for when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor. 12:9) There will never be a trial, a procedure, and surgery, ANYTHING that is bigger than God's grace. What a comfort!
Praying that you're comforted by this truth, and that you feel God's loving arms around you all. May you experience His peace which surpasses all understanding.
Anxiously awaiting the next update with prayer, ...Lattany
Fairfax, VA, USA
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