An unexpected twist

So...as you all know, Jackson has been having a hard time getting rid of his breathing tube. We have had several days in a row of no significant progress in any area. Waiting, waiting on that tube. These days without progress are some of the hardest days for our morale. It feels, on such days, that we will be in the midst of this trial for the rest of our lives. By last night our hearts were very heavy with feeling the weight of needing our lives to return to normal. We cried out to the Lord together that He might be pleased to bring this particular season to an end by allowing us all to go home. It remains to be seen exactly how God will be pleased to unfold our remaining days here in St. Louis, but it sure seemed He had begun to answer when I walked into Jackson's room this morning. The plan for today was to reassess Jackson's ability to breathe without his breathing tube (same plan, second verse). If all factors were positive, it would be removed sometime mid-morning. Well, God took matters into His own hands--or, rather, put them in Jackson's. Around 6 am this morning Jackson pulled out his breathing tube. Ha! I still can't believe it! He is now receiving oxygen through his nose, and tolerating it beautifully! In fact, they plan to wean his oxygen throughout the night from 8 liters to 4 liters. They do not anticipate he will have trouble with this. Because of the tube being gone, my little buddy was almost immediately placed back into my arms. Indescribable! Our hearts are humbled with thanksgiving. Would you pray with us that Jackson would continue to make speedy progress toward health and home?