Ammon is beginning to get restless. Hooray! He has been in the hospital in Chile for three and a half weeks now and the hospital walls are closing in a little bit. He is eager to put his missionary shoes on and go on a little walk with the physical therapist a few times each day. He looks back and waves his hand and I am overjoyed to see him in the hallway outside of his hospital room!
Last night, before we put him to bed, he said, “Can’t we go on a family outing, like walking in the park?” He still asks why he is here, in the hospital. It takes a long time for the brain to heal. I read Huck Finn to him instead of the walk in the park, and we enjoyed that.
Ammon has made enormous progress! The more time pases, the bigger this miracle grows. Every detail happened just right for Ammon’s survival, and we still marvel! The survival rate for Sudden Death Syndrome is 1 in 100. Thank you Lord!
My husband and I are getting used to Chileno culture. We walked to the bakery near the hospital and bought empanadas to pack in our lunch today. I’ve learned enough Spanish to get by… barely. We’ve fallen in love with the people, and their kindness and eagerness to help and smile and laugh and talk. We’ve become accustomed to being kissed by everyone, from the doctor and nurse to the 20 year old physical therapist intern student. We hung our family picture in the room and every hospital worker that enters stands and looks at it and comments on our precious (and enormous) family. In Chile, they love their families so very much. Even the taxi driver has his rear view mirror plastered with little photos of his children.
And the cleanliness of this city is amazing! They wash out their fountains, they scrub the public garbage cans, they sweep their sidewalks, they wash their porches–and here in the hospital, they mop the hospital room floor 3 x day, they scrub out the soap dispenser and the crevices in a bucket lid and the windows and everything else washable. They are so cleanly that I am wondering if they are scrubbing the paint off things. The street curbs are patchy paint and crumbling concrete, but they are clean!
The doctor in the USA and the doctor in Chile are collaborating over the phone. Unfortunately, the phone call dropped after 20 seconds, so hopefully they will connect today. They are discussing possible transport to the USA soon, so we might be coming home! Just the thought is enough to live on happily for a few more days.
My son is recovering!
Life is good!
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I'd sure love to hear your comment!
Diane,
You are all in our prayers. Our hearts go out to you and we want you to know how much you have blessed our lives!
Heidi
Oh, thank you for this thought! I'm going to hang on to the idea that God is going to use this for His glory! Yay! I love that thought, and of course, that is what is true. He always does.
Thank you!
Love,
Diane
I am so glad to hear he is doing better! There have been many prayers offered in behalf of him and your family! We hope that things will go smoothly with the traveling. Thank you for sharing this and strengthening my testimony that God does watch over his missionaries!
We are praying for Ammon and the family. We know much work is to be done, but know thy even apart your kids back in the states are well taken care of as you and your husband take care of Ammon. We also know that whatever evil was planned for Ammon God is going to use for His glory. So, we're looking forward to hearing how God will use everyone's story from this experience into a victory. I even suspect that some new homeschooling curriculum suggestions will come from this.
Dear Diane,
I was so sorry to hear about Ammon's experience. But we know the Lord turns all these things for our good if we are loving and serving him. I too have lived through almost losing a child and I am a nurse that works with brain injured children. I have a few things to share with you via email if you would like. Email me anytime you have a moment. God bless and keep you till then.
Brooke Raynor RN
Those prayers help so much! They help Ammon, and especially me! I feel so loved and supported. Thank you so much, my friend.
Continuing to cover you all in prayer.
I am so glad to hear he is doing better. We are praying for you and your family. Let us know what we can do for your family in the US
It's so wonderful to see faith in action.
The Savior says that if we have faith the size of a mustard seed we could moutains. Those moutains are any problem or situation that needs moving. In the case of your son it was bringing him to life. "Mountains" sure are good at testing one's faith and putting into action. God bless you and your family.
Such wonderful news! I am so happy for you and your beautiful family, Diane. You have inspired me to keep going so many times with homeschooling! All our thoughts and prayers are with you and Ammon. May the Lord continually bless you all!
We are thrilled to hear about Ammon's progress–and his picture is truly worth a thousand words. What a beautiful smile. Thank you so much for keeping us updated. Diane, you have been such an inspiration to me over the years–encouraging me when I think I can't homeschool my 7! You give me courage to keep going, and to ENJOY my children! Our hearts are with you and your family, as well as our prayers.
Wonderful news! I've been wondering and praying for your amazing family! It's a joy to hear of your Ammon's recovery.
I am happy to learn he is continuing to improve.
I am so happy that Ammon is recovering. I will be saying a prayer that you'll will be able to come home soon. Thank you for keeping us updated.
Diane, you are the reason I had the courage to pull my first grader out of public school and bring him to homeschool, where he now thrives. Your emails, blog, and website have encouraged me so much and helped to shape our daily home life. Now, during your time of trial you are still an inspiration of faith and hope! I am so happy God is watching over your son and helping him heal, what a miracle! He is in my prayers daily!
So glad is is doing so well!
So glad that Ammon is recovering!
Our family will continue to pray for him and your family.
Thanks for your example of faith and cheerfulness in the face of an extremely challenging situation.
Carbon monoxide poisoning (even in small amounts) can cause Sudden Death Syndrome. Since Ammon was in a new dwelling for only 8 days before his collapse, it makes me wonder if he had CO poisoning.
We are happy to hear that Ammon is recovering. Ammon will continue to be in our prayers as well as the rest of the family. Keep all of your friends up to date on Ammon's progress.
Love and Prayers
Collins Family
Dear Diane, we have appreciated your service, encouragement, and positive attitude as we have home schooled our children over the years.
I have learned much from your comments and articles.
We have a daughter on a mission in San Bernardino, California and 2 friends' sons are in Central America.
Your experience with your son draws close to our hearts.
Even in this trying time, you are still a wonderful example of living the Lord's gospel principles.
We pray for you and your family that you will continue to feel the Lord's love and his guidance.
Love,
Susan