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2. You need The Church.

In trying to decide how to put this point together, we have decided to say “Thank you!” Thank you to all the many people who prayed for Lizzie and for us and for our entire family. Thank you for continuing to pray. Thank you for your support and your overwhelming generosity. This is also the point that is the hardest to share without tears.

While still in Guymon, awaiting the transfer to Amarillo, our church members called continuously, and those who could, came to see us. Stacy’s parents moved into our house to take care of our girls. Even though we hated being away from them, the girls were able to live in their own house, go to school, and see their friends. This was a huge blessing. Once we arrived in Amarillo, a young mom from our church whose own daughter was in the NICU met us at the elevator to comfort us. Christian brothers and sisters began to call and send e-mails. Some came to treat us to a meal. Others came to pray for Lizzie in person. This continued daily. Every day we received encouragement from The Church – the Body of Christ.

After one week, we found out we were going to be transferred to OKC. We had no idea what to do in the City. The Ronald McDonald House was full. We had no place to stay. We assumed we would probably get a motel close by to spend our nights. At the RMH in Amarillo we found access to internet and sent an e-mail letting everyone know what was going on and asking them to pray about a place for us to stay. After sending the e-mail we went to see Lizbeth one last time before the transfer on Tuesday morning.

Thirty minutes later when our visit was over we were driving through the Taco Bell drive-thru and Dr. Tim Eaton called, asked about Lizbeth and then offered us the use of the missionary apartment on the Hillsdale Campus. We could go get the key the next day, and have it for as long as we needed it. I’m not sure if we can express the enormous burden that was lifted after that phone call.