Prayers For Liam

I got back from two weeks in D.C. late last night. This is sweet baby Liam. He is our close friends Jared and Linzie's little boy who was born December 30th. This little miracle has quite a few problems but is a fighter.


He has Coacal Extrophy where his abdomen was basically cut in half and laid open. The front of his pelvis did not form. His intestines and liver were on the outside of his body, there is something wrong with his spine and a bunch of other things. They aren't sure if he'll be able to walk. They knew before he was born he had some of the problems, but not all. The poor thing has had 3 surgeries already.

When I talked to Linzie she said she didn't get to go see him everyday. It broke my heart. I couldn't just sit here and do nothing so I flew us out to D.C. to help take her other kids so she could go to the hospital and see Liam.

I went with Linz to the NICU at the Children's Hospital in D.C. one day. There were tons of babies lining the walls in incubators, each with their own nurses taking care of their every need. Liam was in his own little room within the NICU. I knew it was serious, but it really hit me how severe it was that out of all the babies there he was the one with his own room.

He was intubated, had tons of tubes and wires everywhere, his feet and legs were cracked and scabby from having them in traction. He was totally out of it due to the paralizing medicine and other drugs they had him from the surgery the previous day. His incisions reached from the top of his abdomen all the way down between his legs until you couldn't see them anymore. I've never seen anything like it. They were big incisions as well. Big bands were holding them together.



But, inspite of everything I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and respect for this little boy. His perfect, beautiful face was full of life and hope. I just know that he is special and has a big job to do here on earth. He's already teaching me.

Gracie has been sick and throwing up every night for the past week. I didn't get much sleep, but every time I got up with her and cleaned up mess after mess I was filled with gratitude that all I had to do as a mother to comfort my baby was hold her and love her.

Looking at Liam I couldn't help but cry. I cried for Jared and Linzie and the trial they are facing. I cried for Avery and Lincoln (their other kids) and the confusion and worry they must be feeling. I cried that Linzie feels guilty when she is with Liam because she's not with the other kids, and feels guilty when she is with them because she is not with Liam. I cried for Liam that he had been in so much pain the day before they had to totally drug him up... amoung other things.

Then I felt the Comforter flood my heart with gratitude. Not gratitude for what was happening in this sweet family, but for the Savior and all that he has suffered and endured for us. I was grateful for his sacrifice and for my knowledge of it. I was grateful that my testimony helps me make sense of the trials we face here in mortality. I may not understand everything, but I know it is for a purpose and I feel like Liam is here to teach us and do great things with his life. He has already taught me so much in his short 5 weeks.

I am grateful Linzie shared that with me. I really hope I helped and was not in the way too much. I miss their little family so much already. I hugged Linz and the kids as she dropped me off at the airport and it was so hard to let go. I wish there was more I could do.

But there is something I can do... I can ask you, my close friends to pray for Liam and his family with me. He has an infection and his incisions are starting to come apart. Linzie did finally get to hold him on Wednesday for the first time and they also removed his breathing tube, but he still has a long road ahead. They are like family to us and we pray for their continued faith and Liam's speedy recovery.