November 23, 2007

Be Still

Exodus 14:14The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
Psalm 37:7Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
Psalm 46:10"Be still, and know that I am God;
Zechariah 2:13Be still before the LORD, all mankind
Mark 4:39He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

Many, many emails have expressed the deep level of reverence, awe, and beauty that many felt present at the Holy Hour, a week ago, Thursday. This was spoken from both non-Catholics and Catholics alike. For many, this was their first time to attend a Holy Hour. Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him …” reminds us that there are beauty and blessings amidst the trials, if our eyes are open to see them.

Another blessing was the experience I had last Saturday at the confirmation retreat when I stood in as proxy for Shannon who is Brittany’s confirmation sponsor. “The Giving Tree” was the theme of one of the sessions and this is one of Shannon’s favorite books. I had just read this to her the day before as she was beginning to regain some of her cognitive abilities and awareness as she recovered from the encephalopathy.

Days earlier the encephalopathy shut down the section of Shannon’s brain that communicated all her cognitive and physical abilities. Although she lost the ability to communicate or move for 2 days, at the time of the Holy Hour she improved and a decision to move her back to Oncology was made.

The encephalopathy itself was like a stillness that overcame Shannon. The outside world was shut out. In response we found that we also had to be still, and shut out the world in order to remain at peace and handle the situation. God seemed to be saying, “Be Still”:

In the stillness we were without distraction and most able to not allow the wave of fear engulf us. So, like the song “Be Not Afraid” that was sung at the Holy Hour, let us pray that we will not afraid, and have the courage to enter into the stillness. (The photo above was the view from Shannon’s hospital window on Thanksgiving as the sun was setting.)

On Thanksgiving Day we enjoyed a beautiful, buffet, Thanksgiving meal at Johns Hopkins. Shannon’s ability to eat has not yet returned, but you can see by the picture that she gave it a good try. It may take a month or two for her to fully recover from the encephalopathy. We are so thankful for everything that the youth group, the schools, the parish community, Shannon’s friends, and every individual who spoke in prayer for Shannon’s strength and recovery and the doctor’s wisdom. It is this that has made us be not afraid.

God Bless,
Bonnie and Greg

November 17, 2007

Dear Family and Friends,

Thursday evening, 3/4 of the way into the Holy Hour, the ICU began to arrange for Shannon to be moved back to the Oncology floor!

She's back on that floor now (8th floor) and is improving in her neurological functioning.

Although Infectious Disease, Neurology, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Pharmacology, and the BMT dept could find no answer to her rapid decline in neurological functioning, the morning after the Holy Hour, a stab-in-dark change was implemented.

Shannon is still making rapid improvements, and as we all know there are no coincidences! God uses ordinary means to perform miracles. He works through us.

God Bless,
Bonnie

November 14, 2007

Dear friends and family,

Shannon is currently suffering a lot of severe complications from her treatment.

Please, if you can, join us in a prayer service in the Catholic tradition that includes Eucharistic adoration. All are welcome. This type of service was always special for Shannon in her youth ministry work.

God Bless,

Bonnie

Please join our youth community as we pray for Shannon
Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed
Sacrament
This Thursday, November 15th,
2007
7:30-8:30 PM
St John the Evangelist Church
689 Ritchie Highway
Severna Park MD 21146

Please send this to anyone interested in praying
for Shannon’s complete recovery, and peace for
her and her family.

Questions, Please call Kathy at (410)384-9168

November 12, 2007

Dear Friends and Family,

Shannon's fever has continued and a cat-scan was ordered today. This evening she began to experience memory loss. As I'm writing this email they're taking her down for a brain cat-scan and then an mri.
We are quite concerned, but are trying to remain at peace and to keep the household as normal as possible. Greg is with Shannon today through Tuesday night, then we'll trade places.
There are times when it's difficult to see the blessings amidst the storm. Please pray that Shannon is returned to health - mind, body, and soul, and our faith remain even if it's little. Mt 8:26 "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

God Bless,
Bonnie

November 8, 2007

Dear Family and Friends,

Shannon was admitted to Hopkins Tuesday morning due to a fever. She had been feeling a little under the weather for several days prior, but had had no fever. This morning, Thursday, there is still no drop in temp (102.4) and the doctors do not no the cause. She's starting a third intravenous antibiotic and they took x-rays yesterday.

This is the life of a post BMT patient for at least 6 months. Times like this, when an answer is unknown, can be a real spiritual battle. One that tests our faith and tries to undermine our hope. I have to admit that I have felt drained of optimism and then realized that was because I was turning my glance inward rather than at the face of God.

At this time we need extra prayers for the doctors to have insight to the problem, for Shannon's recovery, that we can remain in the peace of Christ in the midst of the storm, and not loose our trust and faith when the storm feels more violent.

God Bless,
Bonnie