On Friday morning we still had no official word if we were going or not so August and I spent the morning running errands expecting to go. We went to Walmart, Target, Ross, TJ Max and Rack Room Shoes all on the search for some snow/rain boots for the impending snow in SC and our trip to Ohio. In the south when they call for snow, we run out and buy milk and bread and apparently rain/snow gear last minute....hence having to go to multiple shops. Ha! Because August was such a trooper going to all these places, I did end up letting him take a quick trip into Petco to see some animals while we waiting for Rack Room to open. Then we went to UPS, Jo-anns and Best Buy for a few more errands. When we got home for lunch, we had an email from the nurse at Cleveland Clinic saying that she got the confirmation late Thursday afternoon that everything was good to proceed. We breathed a sigh of relief and the chaos began.
I packed my clothes and the kids' clothes as well. I began making lists of what snacks to pack for the 9.5 hour drive, what items are necessary to bring, and what items I should bring to teach students in China via computer on the road (one of my many jobs). On Saturday we got about an inch of snow so the kids were eager to play in it. We made snow angels and had a snowball fight and then enjoyed tv while we drank hot chocolate. Actually the kids and daddy enjoyed tv and hot chocolate while I took to my computer to print off forms for Maddy's long absence for school, scanned files, updated Maddy's page, etc. I made sure everything was good to go with all bills paid and finances, took down our Christmas decorations, headed to the church to finish up stuff for church next week since service was canceled this week for snow, and came home for dinner. I taught some classes and headed to bed.
On Sunday morning, we all got up and had a family worship time since church was canceled. I was encouraged by the Lord using Nathan to teach us about 1 Corinthians 4 and that we are wear and fragile vessels that carry a glorious treasure. He used my decorative vase in our living room to illustrate this to the kids and it was a good word for me to be reminded that the vessel isn't the important thing but the contents are what draw peoples' attention. Though our bodies feel the weight of this upcoming week, we can rest in the fact that when we are broken, the treasure inside is what is the utmost importance. Even Emma got it! She answered here Daddy's questions of what this treasure may be by yelling "Jesus"! From the mouths of babes I was reminded that He is the treasure and as long as we make much of Him, He will hold my vessel together.
On Sunday afternoon my parents arrived and my mom helped me finish up those last minute details that need to be done before you can sanely leave your home. She's SO good at that! Some friends from church made us dinner and brought it by and another family came by to give us hugs and encouragement as a send off (Thank you Trones and Dunns!). I got out my Cleveland Clinic (CC) map to graph out where we will be going on Tuesday - since the hospital is so large it has its own zip code - and we spent time watching a movie after the kids went to bed. Then we tried to sleep.
Monday morning Nathan and I picked up our rental van (thanks to a great deal from another Summit family!) and headed back to load up. Driving a 2016 Chrysler when I'm used to a Dodge Caravan felt like riding in a limo. This van is super nice and I am SO in love with the newness of a van newer than my 2006. I now know that when Nate talks about getting a newer van in the future, I would be wise to agree. Ha! :-P Nathan's dad was there when we got back home so we loaded the vehicles with people and stuff and headed out. We left Simpsonville at 9 am.
We stopped for gas and switched drivers and Round 3 had all kids in our van and my parents in the other car. We arrived in Ohio and stopped at Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner. We had 1 hour left on the road and I was so impressed by them being in a car for 8 hours and not having complete melt downs at the restaurant. That topic actually started a convo between me and our waitress and I found out that her daughter had a tumor in her eye and had to have surgery awhile back. I was so grateful at the Lord crossing our paths on that exact day and at that exact time. To have a fellow mother, who watched her daughter go through something life changing, look at me and say, "I know exactly how you feel and I will pray for you" was such an encouragement.
We arrived at a friend's folks' house last night (Thanks, McCabes) around 8:30 pm (11.5 hours on the road, 9.5 driving and the other two for bathroom/gas/food stops). We got the kids settled and let them play for a bit and then they went to sleep pretty quickly. We watched a bit of the Clemson vs. Alabama game and went to bed.
Tomorrow morning we head in for pre-op. Her first appt. is at 11 am. Then we have bloodwork at 11:45, admitting interview at 12 and meet with the surgeon at 1:30. Here's how you can pray:
1. That we will arrive at all appointments on time. For a girl who is used to GHS, being in a hospital this large feels overwhelming. Pray we can find the places we are supposed to get to on time.
2. Maddy has very high anxiety when it comes to shots/bloodwork/etc. Please pray for peace for her little heart. We decided to bring everyone to the hospital and then play it by ear for people leaving for naps and other distractions. Emma has such a momma's heart and takes such good care of Maddy so we thought her presence may be a good thing. Pray that they will be a comfort to each other in a way that Nathan and I cannot and pray for Emma to have strength to support her sister through this journey in a way that doesn't make her feel crushed by the responsibility. Help us to train her to see the difference between concern and responsibility!
3. Clarity of mind as we meet with the neurosurgeon for the first time. May we ask the right questions and get the information we need to feel "in the loop" as we approach tomorrow. Also give us the grace to receive the details and still be brave for Madeline.
4. We are staying at the Ronald McDonald house but there may not be room for all of us. We do have another option for our parents but it would be nice if another room opened at the RMH so they could stay there too. If not, pray for peace as we fit all the moving parts together.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support. Thank you for the 16+ personal texts today just to me....for the calls and texts to me and my family...for the 1100+ people that are seeing our posts on Maddy's page and sharing or liking to let me know that you are praying...as I sit here on Tuesday morning before anyone else has gotten up and write this before I forget it all, I am literally brought to tears at the outpouring of love that we have received. It is something amazing to know that every step we will take this week has been lifted up to our heavenly father by friends and friends of friends and friends of friends of friends. Thank you for supporting us through this journey and for asking the Father to guide us to make much of Him as we walk this road.
How are we doing? I told a friend yesterday that we are at peace with a weight in our stomach. We don't look forward to the next few days but we do know that God has made it clear that this is our path and we will walk in it. Words can never express our gratitude but I pray that you will be blessed by God's peace and direction as you walk your lives because you have been faithful to care for others. Hugs from snowy Ohio!
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