"It's been a long December but there's reason to believe that maybe this year will be better than the last."

Dear friends,

The doctors took some scans today and found out that he has a small touch of pneumonia.  He's already been getting the treatment for what they would give him for pneumonia anyway, so there's not anything different as far as treatment goes.  In a way, it's nice to know that this could quite possibly be the reason he's on day seven of his fever.  His white blood cells went up from 0.03 to .1, so that's great.  We are waiting for his neutrophil cells to go up.  Please continue to pray for Coltrane as he's still in pain, has pneumonia, mouth sores, and still has that fever.  Pray for us to trust God and give our children completely to Him.  Here is Isaiah 40:31.  It's helping us very much.  

"but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;

    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint."

My bible says in the footnotes: wait for the Lord- Savoring God's promise by faith until the time of fulfillment.  This has a lot to do with patience.  The time of fulfillment is always under God's timing.  And this verse really helps us in trials.  And as we know from Romans12:12, we are to be patient while enduring them.  And "Savoring by faith" is just a great way to put it.  It really helps us realize what faith is.  It is a tool.  A very delicate tool that bends, grows, solidifies, and can uplift us all during tribulations of any kind.  It's hard to just wait. But if I put my faith in Him, His word promises to renew my strength (Renew- Find endless supplies of strength).  Right now in this weary time in our lives, it is easy to be frustrated, stressed, and not put our focus on God.  But everyday, my thoughts go to Him more and more.  I am having to rely on Him more than ever, and it's a really good thing.  My heart aches for my dear boy who is suffering, my family being attacked on so many levels.  But He is here, teaching us.  The Great Teacher.  I've learned something this year about Satan.  He is just mean.  He is the destroyer.  I could dismiss the things that seem to go wrong and blame it on Murphy's stupid law.  I won't.  I will call it like it is, and for what it is.  Satan's attack.  He attacks us at weak moments as he is a coward and knows that we are fragile beings.  It's easy for him to whisper in our ears "God isn't listening to you."  Or worse, "God is listening to you, but isn't doing anything."  Those thoughts are hard to deal with.  We have to stay strong in the Word, and remember who God is and how much He loves us.  And put our focus on trusting and being faithful to Him.  Thank you for praying for us.  We are so grateful to you.  

Love,

Justin,

Sonja,

Jack,

and Coltrane