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This is Part Four in a series.  For it to make any kind of sense, begin on Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
We now had four days until it was time to close on our current home.
Per the contract we signed some three months ago, the date could not be changed.  Almost felt laughable as we sat in an ICU pod 200 miles from home, needing to be present to sign papers in four short days.
Christian was still exhibiting the same symptoms of sickness.  Though his color was improving after all of the transfusions, he was still on a liquid diet and not moving a whole lot.  He was also still bleeding internally.  His platelet count was slowly coming up as were his hemoglobin levels.  As we received each positive new number from the lab, I would write it on the white board as physical proof and celebration of what God was doing.
The staff at Henry Ford!!  The nurses!  I don’t even know how to begin to describe them.  They became our cheerleaders, and friends, and advocates, and nurturers.  We have many to thank.  The care they gave was over and above what we were used to–simply exemplary.  Each one became a face and a friend we will never forget.
We got some test results showing a parasite.  This nasty guy had found its way into my husband and set up shop.  Not uncommon, this parasite had been found near our area recently.  Acting alone, this guy could cause some upset, but nothing like what we were seeing.  Still stymied, doctors kept searching.
Three days until closing.
I am sitting in the room with my husband.  I get a text from my favorite new doctor in our hometown–the one who sent us here.  The same one who offered to help my family in our absence.  He had gotten some lab results back and texted me to get the number for our ICU pod to talk to the doctors.  He gave me a name of a bacteria.  Google translated it for me.
This nasty bacteria had been found.  It is similar to E. coli.  This one caused low platelet count and bloody diarrhea.  Yup.
As the day progressed, our favorite Detroit doctor with whom we had great life conversations came in to tell us that it seemed that the parasite and the bacteria both present in Christian’s system had been having one heck of a party.
This was our answer.  Though unheard of, and baffling, the great news was the bacteria was treatable with a strong five-day antibiotic!  The doctors would continue to boost his system and make sure his numbers climbed, but when they did, we would be released.
I cannot tell you the relief we felt.  We rejoiced as a family.  We put all of our kids on speakerphone and praised God together.  We did happy dances.
And then, I left the room for a few minutes while my husband used the bathroom.  When I returned, my husband was furious and the beeps on his monitor were going crazy.  Some young resident doctors had come in during the few minutes I was gone and misread a report, scared Christian into thinking he was back in danger and tried to bully him into more invasive testing.
More proof of the spiritual attack against us.  The minute we had the victory in view, the enemy swooped in for one final attempted blow.
But it didn’t work.  We praised it away.  We spoke truth and life.  We rebuked fear.  The battle was over.
We all slept that night, he in his hospital bed, and I in my hospital apartment with my friend.  No more transfusions.  No more fear.  We were on our way outta there and we could feel it.  The spiritual tides had turned.
Two days until closing.
By the end of the day Saturday we were moved to a regular room. (!!!!!!)
One day until closing.
New doctors came in to be sure what we wanted was to be discharged.  “Shouldn’t we wait and get the numbers higher?” they would ask.  “Who will you follow up with to make sure he is okay if you’re moving?”
“Let us out!” we exclaimed.
“This case is incredible!” they said.  “You could sell your story,” they said.  “Residents will be doing case studies on you,” they said.
“This is our miracle!  Only God.” we said.
By Sunday at noon we were released.
exit
We drove straight to Five Guys Burgers and Fries for a burger.  Yup!  From jello and ginger ale to a cheeseburger and fries.
five guys
 
And my friend drove us home. taxi
We hugged our children like never before.
On Monday, with bruises looking like tattoo sleeves up and down his arms and needle holes too numerous to count, and ankles swollen like balloons, we showed up at the title office to sign off on the sale of our home.
We never even unpacked.
On Tuesday, we loaded into our 26 foot box truck so incredibly packed by just our son and daughter and left with Load Number One on our 500 mile drive to our new paradise–with me behind the wheel for the very first time and my husband in the passenger seat with his feet elevated.  Thirteen hours later, we were reunited with our beautiful daughter and granddaughter.
Wednesday, we showed up at the title office in our new town to purchase our dream home.  You should have seen their shocked faces when we actually walked in!
Thursday and Friday my kids and I unloaded the contents of our truck into our new garage.
Friday and Saturday we drove back.
Sunday–ONE WEEK after our release, our beautiful friends and family came over to help us pack up the mess we were so behind on so we could drive again on Monday for Load Number Two, this time with my husband behind the wheel!
Let’s talk about how big our God is.  You cannot deny this miracle.  You cannot read our story and refuse to see the hand of God in every step.  The timing!  It’s simply miraculous!!
As bad as things got, as scared as we were, is exactly how good it is, how amazing it is on this side.  Once He put a stop to the attacks, everything turned around.  If we needed to show anyone that we would always acknowledge His love, no matter what the circumstances, we did.  If God needed to walk us through the valley of the shadow of death to draw us even closer to His heart, so be it.  Though it may have looked like we were unprotected, we were quite the opposite.  God only let the enemy so close before He put him square in his place and took His kids to our promised land.
Here we are.  A brand new start.  Resting and basking completely in the love of our God–through the storm AND on the other side.
And by the time the new owners got our former home, the basement had dried up.
Not one detail was missed.
The amount of love shown by our friends and family has been overwhelming.  We missed every single going-away dinner and gathering leading up to our move, but we got to hug so many necks that last day.  Some friends followed us on our move to help us unload!  We have had beautiful houseguests help us settle in almost all of these first days.  They are truly an extension of the love of our God.
This is His story–used only for His glory.  If you take even one thing from our story, see His love.  His love is beyond measure.  No matter what circumstances look like with our little eyes, God is working things out for the best for those who love Him.  It doesn’t mean things always go our way.  That’s not being loved, that’s being spoiled.  It means that He would lovingly do what it takes to draw us close to His heart;  to pull us in to a place where we know Him more.  More than houses, or good health, or things looking great on the outside, the whole point is to know where we stand with the One Who longs for a real relationship with us.  That has value far beyond this life.
I leave off for now with photos from our new home.  Stay tuned for more adventures from the farm.  There are sure to be many.
It is, of course, always an adventure…
 
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  1. Sheryl Hogle says:

    All I can say is “WOW”. As much as I wanted to read your four parts as you posted them, I had to wait a few days to read your storm saga…so I sat down purposely tonight & read every word. I must confess, the tears rolled from part 1 all the way through part 4. I can’t imagine the onslaught of attacks all at once. You wrote….I felt it with your words! I saw Christian the day after he was released from Henry Ford…for just a few minutes. He shared a small portion of his time at the hospital & what had transpired there. I was in awe THEN that he was standing before me, but now I am in GREATER AWE of all that went on all about you & your precious family. I am so grateful for God’s protection & movement in your lives & working behind the scenes on your behalf. What a story!!! I appreciate you sharing the storm saga you faced & endured! It made a difference with me on how I view God’s provision & His protection on people that I care about and reaffirms with me of it in my own life when I get “panicked” in my heart as I deal with the “little things” that crop up. I shortchange God so many times with my lack of faith. What an amazing story, Allison. Much love to you & your family! Here is a long-distance (((HUG))) from me to you!

    • alisonsblogs says:

      Sheryl,
      I loved your comment. I felt your heart responding all the way through each word.
      We prayed and prayed over our story–that God would use it as He needed to in whomever it was that needed to hear it. With that said my favorite part of your comment began with, “It made a difference in me…”
      He is so trustworthy! Again, not that we should feel *above* pain or sad times, but that He has purpose IN IT and FOR us!! The circumstances were terrifying and horrible, but they were not the focus or the point. His faithfulness–no matter what–is the point.
      Thank you for your friendship over so many years and for taking the time to comment here. It means an awful lot.
      Hugs right back at ya! <3

  2. Linda S. Knapp says:

    Allison, you are truly so blessed. I ‘Praise God’ for your Christians recovery and restoration. You story is simply amazing, and you need to continue to use it as a witness. All I am able to say is wow, and God is so good. Truly, a ‘ya Jesus’ story!

    • alisonsblogs says:

      Linda,
      I love your comment. Me, too to all the things you said! Praise God! Wow! And Ya, Jesus!
      We offered Him our lives for a story for Him. We will continue to share, that is for sure. :o)
      Hugs…

  3. Anita Hyde says:

    As I read your story over the last few days, I felt myself being drawn in. Mostly because our family is going through a tough time w/ one of our kids. We have felt the enemy’s breath on our faces…that’s how close he was…and yet God made him retreat. I could relate to your experience…not because our stories are the same. They are not…not even close at all! I could relate because of the struggle, the weight of the situation, the discouragement and the desperation….and then the release, the joy, & little glimpses of victory….however, this is where ours is different than yours because it is dashed by doubts and fear that cause us to consider that maybe it wasn’t a glimpse of victory like we thought. The big difference in our stories is that we are still fighting the battle. Our son has made some VERY poor choices. Our hope and prayer for him is that he come out of this a better person & a stronger person for God. It’s tough though. Satan is extremely active in gaining victory over his soul. In closing, your story is great! The people’s lives you were able to touch & those that touched you are….well, phenomenal! I’m always encouraged by stories such as yours. Thanks for sharing such an intense time in your family’s life…and such a recent & fresh one. God has something super special for you all!

    • alisonsblogs says:

      Anita,
      I want to both shout this to you and whisper it over and over…your story, your son’s story IS NOT OVER!!! I hear your discouragement and how afraid you are. Those moments of victory ARE victories because it’s NOT over. Keep hoping. Don’t focus on the strength of the enemy and his lies. Speak the good things you believe for your son even though you don’t yet see how they can be possible. There is huge spiritual power there. I am excited to hear about your victory. The light always looks so much better after the dark. Love your son into the light.

      • Anita Hyde says:

        Alison,
        Thanks so much for the encouragement!!! I would like to share your story with our son. I just shared it w/ the rest of the family in our family time. I have to say it was VERY hard to keep the tears from flowing as I read the 4 parts…feeling your pain…and feeling my pain. I appreciate the reminder to focus on the good things and not be overwhelmed w/ the lies of the enemy…to focus on the victories, even if they feel small. I will keep you posted on our victory. Thanks again for the encouragement…you have no idea how much you have encouraged our family to keep standing firm in what we believe to be true…God is bigger!!!

  4. Mary Kirksey says:

    I am so happy that Christopher is doing well I have loved reading your real life story God is so great. And you have a beautiful family. And may your new home is full of beautiful blessing.

  5. Debby says:

    Wow..what an amazing story Glory be to GOD..So happy for you All…Your farm looks awesome..can’t wait to see what’s to come..I Pray in The name of JESUS…A Blessing beyond measure upon your Lives..Home and Ministry..love you…ENJOY!!

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