Angels Watch Over the Children

A little over a month ago, a 50 cal. bullet tore through Andrew's body. Among other things, it knicked the vena cava vein, the largest vein in the body. Andrew has been on a ventilator since then and even ECMO (lung machine). Today they took him off of the ventilator. Then they took out one of the tubes placed in the plural space to drain fluid. The first thing that Andrew said was "I'm cold". He hasn't stopped talking since. Alex called from Fort Lewis to talk to Andrew. He also talked to Aaron and Amanda on the phone. Andrew really likes his blanket. It is the first thing that he has been able to control since this happened. I went to adjust it and he got mad at me. He is still having trouble with pulling important tubes out. Randall and I will be watching over him a lot for the next several days. He has been on so many different medications that he will have to go through a withdrawal. Today they also sat Andrew up over the side of his bed two times. Andrew has an amazing amount of strength left. We are exhausted but are able to carry on because we feel so grateful. You can imagine how I felt when he said "I love you mommy". The Kaysville 11th ward held a fast for the sick in our ward, Andrew being among them. They went without food for a day. Then at the end of the fast they had a special prayer. We are so humbled by the faith that has been placed in God on his behalf. When we serve someone else we are, in fact, serving our Heavenly Father. There are so many sick children up at this hospital. It is said that angels walk the halls here. I really believe that to be true. Just think how Jesus loves the children. Yesterday, another boy returned to Heavenly Father. We spoke with the family. It is a very tender, difficult thing. I am sure that there are angels watching over the children.