Update - Day 8

First of all, let us say "Thank You" to all the generous outpouring of love and support that we've received through this difficult time in our lives. All of your prayers, emails, cards, flowers, phone calls and visits have been so encouraging to all of us. It's wonderful to see all the caring people that God has put into our lives. Jacob celebrated his 1 week birthday today. Seeing as how he's beating the odds with just that little accomplishment we decided to throw him a birthday party. I'm sure Joshua and Jonathan will eventually question why he gets one every week and they have to wait a whole year for theirs! The best part was that we got to have the party at home! The hospital released us today, and after about an hour ride home through one of Buffalo's great snow storms in rush hour traffic, Jacob was able to see his home and be reunited with his brothers again! They were so excited! Each of them ran and got their favorite stuffed animals and put them in with Jacob in his crib… it was so precious! Joshua woke up this morning and sat by Jacob's cradle and loved on him and enjoyed him for over an hour.....it is beautiful and of great encouragement that we have made the right decision to bring him home where he can be a part of a family who wants him to feel loved and cherished. We have all sorts of appointments set up for visiting nurses, pediatricians, cardiologists, and other support organizations over the next couple days/weeks…. But we're just glad to have him home! Please pray for wisdom and guidance as we select care options for Jacob and our family. Earlier this week I was discussing Jacob with a very close friend who also happens to be a pastor and he confessed to me that in contemplating our situation this past week and in praying for Jacob and our family he came to the realization that even he doesn't long for a time where there will be no more sin and death the way he should. When things are going well in life we become the typical American Christian and often times put God and His Kingdom on the backburner. Here's a man who has his Masters of Divinity, who has studied the Bible for years, who seeks God, who I look up to and respect, and God is refining him through the life of our 7 day old, 3 pound 9 ounce little Jacob! Awesome. Oftentimes we'll never know the reason for situations like Jacob - and this side of heaven I don't think we'll ever REALLY know and understand the full impact that this little guy has had on so many lives. However, when I think of my conversation with my friend, I can't help but think that God is using Jacob in some of your lives as well – and thus we are privileged to have played a part in that experience even if it ends up in sorrow or suffering in our own. Our prayer is that Jacob's life is not in vain and that God draws you closer to Himself through this time. Each one of us can find areas where we fall short and God is reminding us through Jacob that this world is not perfect – it has been warped by man choosing his own desires over God's. Thankfully God sent us His Son, Jesus Christ, to offer us the free gift of eternal life if we would simply believe. Someday God will remove sin and death and all the ugliness that they create and until that day we should be about His business. "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'" (Revelation 21:3-4)