Wednesday, January 9, 2013

CHRISTIAN AND GOLIATH



Keeping air in his lungs and food in his tummy
Dear Christian
My sweet little boy, my fighter, one week ago somebody told me that you only had days left to go, days left to hold and love on you. But here you are my little man; you are rocking this world with your tenacity and perseverance. You refuse to give up. Some people might say that you have fought so long and hard, why not just let you go and be at peace. But you know what? God has given you this fighting spirit and has given you this will to live. Our heaven father has given you the ability to fight like Samson and David. He has given you the heart of a lion and the courage of a mighty warrior.
Within the past week you definitely reached a point where your dad and I wondered when you would be taken home. But each day your show us bits of hope. You show us that God is listening to our prayers. Yesterday when I was in the shower I dropped to my knees and told God how weary and tired we were. How I didn’t have the energy to fight anymore. I asked for God to move so that we could know He is in fact Lord over all of our circumstances. And true to God’s glory you had a promising day yesterday. You had some poo (which means your bowel obstruction is moving), you had some food, lots of drink and you wanted to move. In fact I came back from having some supper to find you desperately scraping your arms trying to get out of bed. You were convinced you were getting out of bed. So you sat on the edge of your bed and let me rub your back. Sweet, sweet Christian we have a ways to go but your fight encourages me to keep trusting God. We asked you yesterday who was going to fix your tummy, and you told us, “Jesus”. Then all on your own you told us He told you that, “three times”.

You never know where your inspiration is going to come from and you never know when God is going to whisper in your ear.  Yesterday on your Facebook page somebody posted about the song from Tenth Avenue North, “By your Side”. As I write this blog I listen to the words and am intensely encouraged by the words
“Why are you crying these days?
Why are you trying to earn grace?
Why are you crying? Let me lift up your face, just don’t turn away
Why are you looking for love?
Why are you still searching as if I am not enough?
To where will you go? Tell me where will you run? To where will you run?
Cause I’ll be by your side where every you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call and please don’t fight these hands that are holding you, my hands are holding you
Cause I, I love you, I want you to know that I, I love you I’ll never let you go”

Your mommy and daddy have been ‘working’ so hard to ‘earn’ your healing, crying in desperation, wondering about our future. God is reminding us that none of these things are required. God is telling us that He is enough for us, just hang on to Him and onto His word. Regardless of what is going on He is holding us; He is cradling all of us in his big hands. He is holding us up and carrying us on his soft, gigantic shoulders. There is no need to run around frantically looking for answers. God will provide everything that we need because He loves us so desperately and “He will never let you go”. Christian please remember how much God loves you, whatever happens to us, God’s plans are so much grander that all we can imagine.
Ephesians 3: 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
YUMMY!
My prayer requests today are that the copious amounts of fluid in his body would be reabsorbed and alleviate the pressure on his lungs, heart and vital organs. That his bowel adhesions would continue to release and he would be able to eat food without ensuing pain. Please pray that God would continue to minister to Chris, myself and our family in our dark hours. Please lift up the Phaneuf family and continue to pray fervently for Jayden. That God would move in their home and in Jayden’s body. Please pray for healing for these amazing boys – that they would be raised up and that would be able to personally glorify God in the land of the living.

Today I am thankful for:
1.Living Springs church
2.Unexpected poo
3.Sheepskin rugs for Christian’s bony bumJ


47 comments:

  1. I am amazed to hear that he had the energy to want to get out of bed and is taking some food; after hearing he had been sleeping most of the time. He definitely is a "Fighter". Can't wait to get to Calgary, Sarah and I will be there early Friday morning :)<3

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  2. Christian, you are my HERO! Keep on fighting the good fight. Thank you Crowell family for endless hope and the selflessness to pray for others as well.

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  3. Oh Megan! Thank you so much for the update- what an inspiration this is! Your family is now a constant in my heart and every prayer that is released from my lips includes Christan and Family. I hope you all get some rest so you can continue to persevere through this battle. ~Crystal

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  4. Oh Meagan, I' d like you tell you that praying for Christian has become a daily occurrence in our home. This isn't the case, instead I am stopped dead in my tracks numerous times throughout the day to fall to my knees and pray or lift up my hands and worship. You are constantly on our minds, and even the smallest of poo brings tears to my eyes. Be rest assured that God is working wonders!

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  5. Thank you for the update. Every morning I drive past the Childrens hospital and pass up a prayer for Christian and all the other sick children and their familes, then same on the way home. You hadn't updated since last week and I had feared the worst after your last post. I am so grateful Christian is doing better. I pray for you and your family during this impossible time.

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  6. Megan, thank you so much for this update. With all that is on your plate, for you to take the time to do this is just so humbling. I am so thrilled to see the Hand of God working. I have never stopped believing. I won't quit. I won't stop and now we have the Word of the Lord delivered to Christian himself of God as his Healer. This only intensifies my intercession. We are not giving up until this miracle is manifest and you have restored to your family all that has been robbed. May your heart find strength this day as an army of saints gather around the throne of God to pray for your family and for Christian's healing. Heaven is hearing us. Keep Looking to Jesus. Bless you.

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  7. Thank you for taking timeout for the rest of us guys. You are in our thoughts every hour of the day. This report lifted our spirits and all I can say is "Praise be to God". Stay strong, my dears. Love, Marilyn and Bob

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  8. Megan-everyday your faith and perseverance is an inspiration to me and countless others who read this blog and who rub shoulders with you everyday. If your family is going through this trial only for this purpose,then it is being accomplished. But I believe that trusting the Lord with all your heart and not leaning on your own understanding in this situation,acknowledging HIM in all your ways will bring the promise that follows-He will make your paths straight! He will make those many promises in His word a reality for you and your family. Every promise in the Word has our part and God's part-if we faithfully do our part,He will do His part. He will not go back on His Word because He is Faithful to His Word. That is the essensence of who He is! I have never met you or your family but I am praying for Christian's healing believing that He who made us and knows everything about us will be true to His promise to deliver us! God grant you the strength to continue to persevere!
    Susan C.

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  9. What absolute joy to hear of Christian's turnaround. When I pray for him, and simply keep declaring what Jesus has done, my spirit leaps every time. The fight of faith that all of us are engaged in is manifesting Christian's healing. Glory to God, Crowells!

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    1. Yes Paul, it is so wonderful to read that Jesus told Christian three times that he is going to be healed. Yesterday I feel that I had a breakthrough in the way that I pray. I was reading "The Prayer of Silence" by Bruce Fraser MacDonald Ph. D. who had an extensive near death experience back in 1966. I found that the way that I was able to pray for Christian, after reading about forty pages of Dr. MacDonald's book, was in a new way that I had never prayed before! I personally believe that before he was born Christian knew that what he was going through was going to force hundreds and thousands of us to try our absolute best to come up....(or would that be down)......to a whole other level of relationship with Jesus!

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  10. To know that Christian KNOWS that Jesus will heal him is one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. I am inspired and BELIEVE in HIM and will continue to pray for Christian and all of you, love and prayers to all of you!

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  11. Yay for poo! I have had you all on my mind for so long. Sweet Christian is on my heart all day and you too Megan as I hope you get times to be still and rest. Thank you for taking the time to keep us all up to date when I am sure it is the last thing you want to do. Big loves xxx

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  12. No words can express the feelings I had reading your blog. I am sitting here reading with uncontrollable tears......feeling sorrow for you and your family's pain, feeling grief for poor Christian, wondering why an innocent child needs to endure this horrific disease, then unbelievable joy for the progress that Christian has made in these last couple of days, and then immense gratitude for you Megan, for your updates of your beautiful son Christian. We will continue praying for Christian every second of everyday until he is completely healed and living the life of a happy well adjusted child of his age.
    My son asked me the other day why I was crying and I showed him Christian's picture on your blog and told him that this is the little boy we pray for everyday and he replied "When Christian is healed when will I play with my new friend?" Just the same as Christian knowing Jesus will heal him, I think Jordan knows it as well!!! All the glory to god.
    Joey

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  13. Megan I am elated to read this blog!!! All hope is not lost. Miracles do happen. This is another example of God lighting the way. I frear the worst but I am still praying for the best and I believe it will happen. As a mother my heart aches for what you and Chris are dealing with. I cannot imagine how heavy your heart is. No parent should go through what you two are going through and no child should ever suffer the way Christian has. God brought Christian into this world for a special purpose. He has brought so many of us together through your story. He has changed lives and softened the hardest of hearts. No one will ever compare to your little boy. I pray multiple times a day and think of you all constantly. Thank you all for changing my life. From my family to yours, even though we have never met, we love you so much!

    God bless,
    -Sharon

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  14. Christian and Jayden are special little boys.Praying for you all.

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  15. Great News! Alot of my day consists of thinking what a miracle this little boy is! What strength. Keep on little boy wonder! I hope one day to see your smiles at the store upstairs. Your one little guy that is easy to love! Kisses and Hugs little man.

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  16. I've read your new update over and over with tears spilling over, my heart hurts soo much for you and your family, yet I'm so joyful for the progress and so in awe of the wonderful god we serve!! Praying for you all always!!

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  17. This little superman/boy continues to soar, thank you for sharing with us your most precious moments with this amazing child, healing prayers for both Christian and Jayden, gentle hugs xo

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  18. my prayers are with yu during this most pecius time, i will be saying a prayer for yur child tonight. Iam continually following this blog, it makes me want to sit down and cry, god bless yu and yur family. i learned about this blog from a lady who used to live in airdrie.

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  19. Thank you for posting Megan. I have been checking this blog every hour that I'm awake.

    You hang in there, and you FIGHT Christian!!! You are such a brave, strong and AMAZING little boy. Truly amazing.

    Bless you all. Praying. Never stopping.

    Lise W.

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  20. Love, love, love the poop! What a sign! As a co- worker told me today...a body is hungry when it needs food to live...LIVE!!! My heart was filled with joy when I read your blog. Thanks for sharing, Megan. Hugs to all! Tracey

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  21. Thank you so much Megan for your update on Christian and thank you God for continuing to serve this family. We are constantly checking for updates and checking with Sandy and Denise for updates on Christian. I was crying tears of joy reading your blog and thankful today for poo for Christian!!!! God is here to do wondrous work and it shows in Christian's progress. So we will continue to pray and trust in God. Thank you for the Good News today!
    Love Neil, Trina, Dallas and Joshua Merkel

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  22. Amen Glory to God!!! We prayed for you tonight Christian:) We at Olde Tyme Baptist Church are praying and we know God is working in your life and in your Parents life.... You can do all things through Christ who Strengtheneth you!!!!

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  23. I have so many thoughts but yet I am speechless -so thrilled to know that things are moving again for Christian. We continue with prayers for Christian, Jayden and both of your families -for healing, strength and patience. Gentle hugs to you all.

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  24. Crowell Family,

    Again we are sending lots of love and prayers for your family all the way from Sweden. Christian is an amazing little soul and so lucky to have you for his mommy. Many hugs and thinking of you guys always

    Love the Moran family
    (Sarah, Brad, Mason and Levi)

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  25. tears of happiness! thank you Christian for fighting! thank you God for listening. lots of prayers for Christian and the Crowell family. xoxox

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  26. Such an inspiration and uplifting knowing that God whom we trust is indeed in control. Makes our faith even more stronger.Thank you and you! You and your family are all heroes in the faith.

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  27. Hi Megan and family I will join you in prayer for your precious gift Christian who has been in the middle of a grave battle for his life. It's been a journey of many emotions and because you have laid them at the feet of Jesus He won't leave you or forsake you and will carry you. Lord I curse the very life of this cancer and speak restoration to Christians intestines and their function and that every cell would come into obedience to the God designed function in his body in Jesus Christ's Precious name. Lord I ask that you would remove these adheshion and blockages.
    Thank you for using this family for others in need give them strength and continue to encourage them and provide for their every need in Jesus Christ's name amen.
    Love and prayers,
    Linda

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  28. You guys are inspirational. I pray for you regularly. May God's love be poured out among you each and every day. We love you.

    The Squires Family

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  29. I have searched for the "right" words to write to you Megan and your family. I pray each and every day that God will heal precious Christian. Christian is an amazing little boy. He holds so many hearts in his hands. He has touched so many people and continues to do so. We continue to pray for so many things for your family.

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  30. Still praying dear Crowell family,

    Very gentle hugs to you all and to all that support you.

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  31. You are in our family's prayers everyday. Thank you for the updates - Christian, as well as your family, are always in our thoughts. The Gallants xo

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  32. As a mother of young children myself, my heart breaks for you! To see/hear of a child go through so much suffering for so long is heart wrenching!! We can only take comfort in God and His word, trusting in His good and perfect will. Psalm 23:4 (NLT) - "Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for YOU are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me."
    Though I do not know you, I've been praying often for you.

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  33. Loving you Crowells and Phaneufs! All in God! ~Crystal

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  34. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Christain was and always will be an amazing little man. He fought a hard battle and is now in the hands of God. May you find peace.

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  35. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this incredibly sad time! You don't know me, but I was introduced to your blog by a friend. Since that time Christian has been continually on my mind, his beautiful smile melts my heart. It broke my heart to read today that Christian is no longer here with us, he put up such a brave fight. Please take care during this difficult time, and take comfort in knowing that Christian touched many lives...even those who never had the privilege to meet him personally.

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  36. Thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Christian has touched the hearts of many people those who knew and and those who have not had the pleasure to meet him. Your courage to share Christian's story is amazing and inspirational. Christian is now at peace and shining down on all of you. Bless you all.

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  37. God bless the Crowel's at this time. Christian may have passed but his light will live on.
    My thoughts have been with you throughout this journey and I will continue to pray that God carries you through such a difficult time. Peace be with you all.

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  38. He is watching over all of you now. Hold each other tight and draw strength from one another.

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  39. Megan & family..... I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet baby boy. I have never met you, but I have followed your blog and prayed for you for many months. I cannot imagine the depth of your sorrow, but I pray that you will take comfort in knowing that Christian is wrapped in the loving arms of his Heavenly Father and is free from pain. May you find solace in the company of one another and strength in the love of God during this difficult season of your life.
    Lisa R. Calgary, AB

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  40. God bless you and your family at this time! I have read every post you have written about your wonderful and inspirational son! He was an amazing child and the time your family had with him was filed with so much love and happiness. The joy and smiles that he brought to your face was truly powerful. Thank you for writing this blog. Sending hugs and prayers to help you through this most difficult time.

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  41. I am so sorry to learn of Christian's passing. Christain's life was a blessing - to those who knew and love him and to those of us who will never meet him. I appreciate you sharing your family's story of love, faith, optimism, courage and strength with us. Even though Christian is with God now, he will continue to inspire those who hear or read about his story.

    You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

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  42. Gentle hugs and prayers dear Crowells. Christian, and yourselves -all of you -has made a most positive and indelible imprint on our lives. His bright light, like that wise twinkle in his eyes, will indeed forever shine from above, in our mind's eyes and in our hearts. Hold one another close and rest knowing that Christian is now at peace and will always be right with you.

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  43. Today I am thankful for the Crowell family. For them opening their hearts, and lives to complete strangers. For sharing your vulnerable moments with all of us. I am especially thankful for having known such a beautiful and amazing little boy if only through internet he has forever touched my heart in a way that nobody else ever could. Love, peace and prayers to you all.

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  44. Dear Megan, Chris, Evelyn and Ryan.. we are still praying. We pray that you have peace in your heart, we pray that God can offer you a sense of calm, we pray that you can feel the love with the hurt. We all love you and your oh so special son, forever in my heart you ALL will always be. Thank you God for giving us Christian, and thank you for giving him to the best family he could have possbly had. Thank you Crowells for opening up your life and sharing Christian will all of us.
    Love forever~Crystal

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  45. Dear Megan,

    I had the pleasure of sitting beside you and Christian on a flight to P.E.I. two summers ago. Or maybe it might have just been as far as NB, before I switched planes. I can't quite remember.

    However, I do remember that Christian was wearing his superhero pajamas, maybe they were spiderman? And I remember his sweet little voice telling me that sometimes other kids think he is 'Caillou' because he had no hair, but he doesn't mind. :) He was like an old soul, so sweet and kind and funnier than he realized.

    You let me hold baby Ryan while he slept and we chatted the whole way. Megan, what you shared with me completely challenged and encouraged my perspective and ideas of becoming a new parent (I was 8 weeks pregnant!). You were the epitome of a super-mom to me. You were so strong, so strong! And yet, vulnerable enough to share openly with me about your struggles and pain. Our conversation has resonated with me since, and I have often thought about and prayed for your family.

    I am so grateful for that chance meeting that allowed a glimpse into your powerful and incredible lives and for stumbling across your blog today. My heart is so heavy for you all tonight, and I am so, so sorry for your loss.

    I pray that God will bless you, in incredible and unimaginable ways during this season of your lives.

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  46. How could I have been so wrong? After reading through all of your blog posts, I see now that they were obviously Superman pajamas.

    su·per·man (spr-mn)
    n.
    1. A man with more than human powers.

    Christian would have given Superman a run for his money any day. What an extraordinary boy.

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