Thursday, August 25, 2005

Precious Family-

The doctors have taken BJ off of the nitric oxide! His ventilator pressure is still at 50%, and his oxygen level remains steady around 90%!! Though we are encouraged by this, the doctors have estimated that he will be on ecmo (The blood oxygenation procedure that bypasses his lungs... the highest level of life support they can give.) for at least several more weeks. As long as this is the case, he is in critical condition.

Once the ecmo is over, BJ will still be in the hospital for many weeks. A special note to all of BJ's friends: I know that many of you cannot WAIT to come see him. But know this- the recovery period for all that BJ is now enduring is very long... we're talking 1-2 years of physical therapy and healing. This will be the time when he needs you the most. I know it is hard for you not to be able to see him, but right now, especially while he is unconscious, the ULTIMATE that you can do for him is to pray. We have seen already the power of prayer in this whole situation- Don't underestimate it! And another thing- Many of you know that BJ is quite the intellectual... he loves to learn and actually values studying. (!) So, (and yes, this is a message from my mother), be sure you aren't neglecting your school stuff by worrying about him. We know he is in Almighty Hands!!

And a BIG thank you to BJ's friends who have posted stories about and for him, you are a great source of encouragement and laughter in this time! We read these comments to BJ nightly, and we feel it helps others to see more of who he is. :)

For those of you planning to donate blood at Northside next week, go to the link below and follow the instructions to register.

1) http://appointment.bcentral.com/storefront/indianabloodcenter
2) Select Northside Baptist.
3) Select calendar day of August 31, 2005
4) To the right, select the time of your commitment
5) Select Enter Appointment
6) Under Appointment Information complete form
7) Under Appointment Options: make selection that is convenient for you
8) Select Submit

We are working on figuring out the process for the out-of-state people who also would like to donate in BJ's name. :)

All of you have been such an amazing blessing. You may never know how much your prayers and encouragement have touched my family.

This is all for God's GLORY!!!
Lauren

One more note: There is a little boy on BJ's floor named Jayden who is also in critical condition. His family have become friends of ours as we share similar experiences and the waiting room. :) As you have all so wonderfully ministered to us, please also lift up Jayden and his family in your prayers.

17 Comments:

At 10:51 PM, Blogger Jacktopher Meils said...

For all the people who don't know BJ personally, I just thought I would share some more about him so you get to know who he is.

Last year (almost to the date, August 27) My aunt and my uncle volunteered to pick BJ up in Monrovia because it was the only way he could come lead worship with me the next day. When we had got there, the car started overheating, so we sat there for a few minutes. We finally went back on the road again, then on the highway around 19th street exit, the car died. I used my phone and had my mom come pick us up. So there BJ, my aunt, and I were, sitting in the heart of the "american ghetto" scared out of our lives because people kept honking. While we were all afraid, BJ brought up the "when two or more are gathered in his name, He will be there also." It was very comforting, and he knew his God was there with us. BJ and I later finally got to lead worship, it was quite the experience.

So praise goes to our God! What a blessing it was being able to lead worship and sing to the King with BJ

 
At 11:08 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank You for the updates! We truly serve an awesome God! He knows the plans He has for us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future! I hope to one day meet B.J. He has been an inspiration to me in so many ways. I will be lifting up Jayden in my prayers as well! All glory to the Sustainer of Life!
In Christ,
Katie
-Ft. Sam Houston, TX

 
At 11:29 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Praise God for BJ's improvements! Isn't it precious to read and feel the love from so many brothers and sisters in Christ from so very many places focused on lifting up one very special young servant of Christ!?!

Lauren, thank you for being so faithful and focused to be able to continue to update everyone! You are such a loving sister and daughter of Christ! We are praying for you at school as well.

God is blessing you, the Higgins family, for being faithful in all things. All the missions you have served, all the lives you have touched, are lifting you before the throne of our almighty and merciful God!

May you be blessed in many seemingly insignificant but touching ways every day of your ordeal!

You are greatly and sufficiently loved!

 
At 11:44 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Greetings in the name of Jesus!
Having lived in the tropics, as a missionary myself, I just want to mention that maybe B.J.'s illness should be looked into by a "tropical medicine" specialist. You probably have already done so, but I felt led to mention it anyway.
We will be praying for B.J. and the family.

 
At 12:23 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bj glory be to God that you'r doing better.I know that God is in Control and Your in his hands and you will be more than alright.My family and I will be praying for you. Just remember no matter what the need is God is allways bigger.You have been a great friend and Brother in Christ.

 
At 12:44 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Roman's 16:20
Psalm's ch.116,117,118

 
At 8:05 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good Morning, I want you to know that we are praying here in Owosso, Michigan also. God Bless you all as you stand by and praise God for what he is going to do in BJ's life.
What a privilege to know different members of the extended Higgins family. What a testimony you all are to each of us.
Brent your dad would be so proud of you and of your family, you have a great legacy and it is obvious that you are passing it on to your family. It is easy to see why so many people who know BJ have such glowing testimonies of his faith.
We here in Michigan will continue to lift you up daily thru prayer and praise as often as you come to our mind throughout the day.
God Bless
PamShattuck

 
At 8:34 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

BJ...HOLY COW
Praise God!!! I am so glad to hear how good you are doing!!! I have been praying for you, your parents, and your doctors continually. I can't wait for you to be able to see this site! Do you realize that Christians from 6 continents have posted on this website that they are praying for you? You have been an inspiration to thousands of people that don't even know you, not to mention the people that do know you!!! Our youth group misses you and we love you. We are all very excited for you to return and we are praying that it will be really soon! By the way- You're ugly and your mother dresses you funny!

For the rest of the family, I have also been praying for you guys a lot! Thank you for keeping us updated with this site! It is amazing to see how many people have heard of this and have been praying. We miss you guys at Church!

Love in Christ,
Kelsey Barnett

 
At 9:52 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just wanted to let you know that Northview Christain Life church is praying for B.J. and his family. We serve an awesome God and I am excited to see how God is going to use B.J. through all of this. Thanks Lauren for keeping us posted! In Christ, Becky Mccord
(friend of the Hilfikers)

 
At 10:19 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

BJ, Friends, and Family.
I have never met you, i live in Kansas City. Tracy Leaf has pleaded with our church to pray for you- so we have. Know that the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in KC MO is praying for you. God bless!
Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11
Love and Prayers
Brittni Coursey

 
At 10:31 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

BJ,

NJ is on your side. You're in our thoughts and prayers.

In His name we can do anything! You get better and just believe, we'll do the rest!

 
At 12:36 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear BJ and Family,
I stumbled across prayer requests for BJ on the Mercy Me website. Having stood by a loved one's bedside as they struggled with illness, my heart went out to you and to Jayden and his family. I wanted to pass on some words of encouragement, and let you know I am praying. The Lord our God knows every hair on BJ's head, He knows his every need. He also sees every single tear you shed. He is the great physician. He is the all-powerful creator of the universe. Take comfort in knowing He is in control. Lean on him for strength. God is faithful, He will see you through. And remember, with God nothing is impossible! We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us. (ROM 8:31-39). I will continue to lift you all up to God in prayer. Stay strong!
With love in Christ,
Davina White
Phoenix, AZ

 
At 1:12 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

BJ...

What a great example you are... i love the note from Joshua...he adores you...
it was so fun last summer for our reunion....i was so moved by how you treated all the "little cousins". you were the only teenager...in the midst of little adoring fans. and you were so patient...and involved with them.. making them feel really loved.
you really touched landee's life. she often talkes about how much fun she had when you and your mom took her on the hike and to the lake.
we are looking forward to another reunion and more hiking and exploring together!!!

we love you all...and are keeping you in our prayers...
we are just praying all day... cladee just busts out prayers as we are out walking... and i hope we don't get sick...cause our food hasn't been blessed in days...our mealtime prayers have become praises to the Lord for your life and requests for further healing!!!
(so far no tummy aches...hehe)

Lauren ... you are doing such a great job with the updates... what a gift you have for writing and passing along information...that is wrapped up with inspiring words directing us to Jesus!!!

Whitney...we are praying for you as you embark on your new adventure at College... I'm confident that God is gonna use you to touch those around you!

Brent & Deanna... wow...can you even believe all the lives that God has touched thru BJ. it's mind boggeling...God is soooo HUGE!!!

We love you all...
Marla...chris...landee..cladee & tadee too!

 
At 1:41 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just wanted to drop you all a quick note. We love you and are praying for your family.
Micah and Misti

 
At 2:38 PM, Blogger phil4yahshua said...

1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"

12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

17 How precious to [b] me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.

19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.

21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
and abhor those who rise up against you?

22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

So realize, dear family, the Lord God of the universe, Himself, has BJ by the hand and Nothing will take place without His Hand Upon BJ ! There are NO better hands in the universe......We Love you!!!

 
At 2:41 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Greetings from St. Augustine, FL

I just received an e-mail about BJ.
Just know that he will be in our family's prayers.

God Bless you,
Former Member of Northside

 
At 2:41 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Higgins family,

You haven't heard from me in some time, but I stumbled across this page and was shocked to find out about this misfortune. I will keep you all in my thoughts in hopes of his recovery. There are a lot of people on your side to help you. Be strong. Be positive. :):)

-Kipp

 

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