Master of the house...

Day 8

So there is this alarm that goes off every now and then, which you can usually hear somwhere in the ICU at any given moment, that sounds like the beginning of the tune "Master of the House". When it goes off, my Mom usually starts to hum the rest of it. Adds a little sunshine to our day.

Today proved to be alright. We had a roughISH (emphasis on ish) morning, but Papa Baer seemed to sit well for the rest of the day. They had talked about maybe taking his breathing tube out, but Heavenly Father heard our repeated prayers of ,"...please no..." and it wasn't removed! So they switched the settings a bit so Papa had to do some work on his own, which he did the WHOLE day, until finally at ten they switched it back and let him rest. We left him sleeping soundly.

As I sit here, one week into this whole experience, I am thinking, "How in the world did we just do a week of this?" The ups and the downs have been extreme, it seems like almost every hour brings a new adventure, and yet, we made it through. 

We discussed this as a family last night, and honestly, it isn't that hard to figure out how we did it. Now sheer awesomeness is great and all, but I don't think that ANY of us had the capabilities to prepare us for what has happened, there is only one answer. The Atonement of Jesus Christ. (if you aren't too sure what that is, please click on those words and it will take you to a site that defines it for ya) There are two powers that come from the Atonement, the redeeming power, which saves us from sin, and the enabling power, which is does just that, ENABLES US. 

I have felt that power throughout my life, and I KNOW that it is real. There are times when the future looks bleak, or impossible, but, somehow, I am able to go forward, shaky step by shaky step and complete the task. That is how it was this week for all of us. The enabling power of the Atonement propelled us forward, not just day by day, but hour by hour, minute by minute, and sometimes second by second. It has been a constant force for good in our lives. It makes the harder times a little more bearable, it makes the sweeter times a little brighter, and it enhances our ability to feel and share love. 

I am grateful, SO grateful, for a family where our home has always been centered on Jesus Christ, so that when challenging times come I can come to know a little better what the Savior is for. He does save. 

Well, we are all off to bed tonight. I hope you all had a wonderful day, and wherever you are, say a little prayer thanking God for His many blessings that He has given you!

-The Baers

PS, it's always a party with the Baers