August 14, 2000

Dear Family,

We just returned home from a weekend visit with Skylar, Chris,
and Suzanne. Skylar is very sick indeed. He is very, very thin.
He alternately lies on the rug or on the couch, usually in a
fetal position. He is groggy and has a hard time staying awake
or concentrating. In his most active moments he plays some
Nintendo 64 games, but tires even at that very quickly. He was
hardly up at all today; I napped with him on the rug for a while,
laying as close as I could without disturbing him in the hope that
my physical presence would give him some comfort. His breathing
is quick and sharp and labored.

I have been sending these petitions up to the Lord this weekend,
in the order of my preference:

1) Lord Jesus, please come back and rescue us all!!! Please
comfort Your people with Your personal, physical presence!

2) If not, then Lord, please make Skylar completely well.

3) If not, please, Lord, make it possible for me to help Skylar!

4) If not, Lord, please release Skylar from his pain and
suffering! Please welcome him into your presence so he will
not hurt or fear any more!

Will the Lord reject forever? And will He never be favorable again? 
Has His lovingkindness ceased forever? Has His promise come to an
end forever? Has God forgotten to be gracious, Or has He in anger
withdrawn His compassion? Selah. Then I said, ""It is my grief, That
the right hand of the Most High has changed.'' I shall remember
the deeds of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
- Psalm 77:7-11

One day when Chris called me "Grandpa", Skylar said to Chris -
"Don't call him Grandpa, call him Papa! He's Papa, and Papa is
different!" Oh, would to God that this Papa were only different
enough to help his grandson! Lord, please look on Skylar with
compassion and pity! Please may he be precious in Your eyes!

On Wednesday morning at 8:30 I will speak with Dr. Macias on
the telephone in the hope of his approving my nutrition plan for
Skylar. Please ask that the Lord might allow this so that I can
provide Skylar with a little comfort and help in his distress.

O my God, I cry by day, but Thou dost not answer; And by night,
but I have no rest. Yet Thou art holy, O Thou who art enthroned
upon the praises of Israel. In Thee our fathers trusted; They
trusted, and Thou didst deliver them. To Thee they cried out, and
were delivered; In Thee they trusted, and were not disappointed.
- Psalm 22:2-5

O Lord, our trust is in You. Thank You that you have promised
never to leave or forsake us; please do not leave or forsake our
dear child in his suffering.

Thank you, our family, for bearing our burden with us.

Love,

-Dann (for Pam and Chris as well)