March 23, 2000

Dear Family,

We went through a distressing period today during which Pam was unable to reach 
Suzanne by telephone. There was no answer to phone calls to Skylar's room, which was frightening because there should be round-the-clock nursing care.

I was finally able to reach Suzanne after 6PM.  Skylar has been moved to another 
room, which was the primary reason we couldn't reach her.  She also had some 
discouraging news of a setback in Skylar's condition.  I asked her to wait a moment 
for Pam to call; then I called Pam and told her "He's OK"... and asked her to call 
Suzanne back for the details.

They had to increase the vent pressure to 12 and the oxygen to 65%... since then, 
they have been able to reduce pressure once more to 9 - but the oxygen is still at 65%.  X-rays show fluid in the lungs.

When Skylar's oncologist spoke to Suzanne, she was not very encouraging.  However, 
we are still hoping that God will have mercy and put Skylar back on the road to recovery.

While driving home from work this evening, I was praying and meditating on 
Scriptures - thinking back to when God was ready to wipe out Israel and start over 
with Moses.  I recall Moses arguing with God on the basis of God's reputation with the heathen; to paraphrase, Moses said: "Lord, if you destroy Israel then the nations
will say that you brought them out to the wilderness and weren't able to save them."

Lord, if you allow Skylar to perish now, won't the onlookers say the same thing? 
Lord, please don't let that happen!  Oh Father, you are the One who allowed Satan 
to afflict Job - you let him smite Job with serious illness - yet you set a boundary, 
an immutable line which Satan for all his malevolence and power absolutely could not 
cross - You said to Satan, "Spare Job's life"....

Father, I thank you for Skylar and for his life and for your lovingkindness, and I 
ask you, please, to issue the same word now with respect to Skylar.  I ask that you 
would command Skylar's life be spared. My only standing to ask You this is that you have invited me to ask what I wish for, and you have accepted me in Your beloved Son...
And knowing this, I entrust my beloved grandson into Your hand knowing that you will 
do what is right and best.

Thank you, my family, for continuing to stand with us in prayer.

Your brother,

-Dann