A horse named Lucky

Amelia was just ordered to go home! We are grateful for the short stay and thankful that Amelia has done so well. Her name means something like "hard worker" and "one who is steadfast." Indeed, she has shown us tremendous resiliency.

Mostly, we are thankful for how close Christ is to us- that whatever happened, we knew He was present with us. Which brings me to a short story as they say. Yesterday, in the pre-op room, we were having a debate with Amelia on the proper name for her new stuffed horse. We landed on the name, "Lucky." There is much irony in the name "Lucky"- because on the one hand, many would say that because Amelia has endured much in her short life and is still strong- is just a strike of fate. Regarding the surgery, the surgeon "happened" to find a pocket in her vertebrae to thread the catheter into spine and connect it to the pump. He had expected to move a "bunch" of vertebrae but he happened to find the "one" vertebrae to open. He'd say it was a strike of luck, but we know that countless friends and family have been praying for two years about this surgery. Moreover, many were interceding to Jesus on Amelia's behalf all day yesterday. That this surgery went smoothly was directly influenced by God, who made the heavens and the earth . . . who is not only able to move mountains, but is so gracious to move even the smallest bit of creation . . . even a vertebrae.

God never promised a successful surgery- indeed, many kids face intense suffering with little relief. Jen, Amelia and I were all anxious about the surgery. We often don't have an unwaivering faith. All we were promised is that Jesus, who became intensely personal when He came to earth, would be intensely present with us no matter what cards we've been dealt. He became present in the people who showed up at our house to mow the lawn, watch the kids, fill the fridge, sit with us and to listen to us.

Thanks for the prayers and kind words,

Steve for the Allens