blessings

Last night, my little brother, Nathan, had chest surgery. He had this condition (Pectus Excavatum) where his ribs curl in instead of forming the cage they're supposed to. The Haller Index (measuring the indentation of the chest) is set at 3.5 to consider surgery and Nathan's was at 6.45 and his MRI scan showed a deformity in his right atrium and ventricle from the depression. The procedure was to remove the cartilage from his sternum and ribs and insert metal plates to hold the ribs further out.

To say the least, surgery freaks me out.. I was stressed and worried. But luckily, all went just as planned and Nathan has started the recovery process. I feel so blessed and grateful how great things have gone thus far.

UPDATE:

He is currently watching Madagascar and is happy as a clam.

A few minutes ago, I was in the lunch room of Primary Children's Hospital and met a remarkable woman. Her fourteen year old daughter recently became paralyzed. She was laying on a hammock, with three friends, at a pool party, when the brick column holding up the deck the hammock was supported by collapsed on her and broke her neck. For weeks they didn't know if their daughter would ever be able to speak again. She has made significant progress and now her biggest concern is the scar left on her forehead (like most teenage girls would =])This mother was so positive about a situation I can barely even imagine. She will probably never know it but she inspired me so much.

There will always be trials given to us. Some bigger than others. But we will never be given more than we can handle. It is just important to find the blessings and lessons that accompany hardships and remember that the Lord knows our capabilities better than we do.