Yesterday, I spent the day going through all of the gifts and notes of love that you have sent us here at the hospital.  The children back at the home opened up the presents from the generous people who donated them, thank you so much for that, I wasn't sure what we would do on that end!  Reading your encouraging and loving notes from all over the country was a great Christmas gift and just what I needed at that time.  Below are some pictures of some of the gifts: Christmas tree with blessed ornaments, cookies, candies, toys books, and letters with gifts and religious goods that have set up a good looking shrine in my room!

Thank you Bone family for the tree!

 The hospital gave me this crib as well as Dominic's footprints

 blessed ornaments melted from church candles

 all of the mail

 I love every single religious gift I have been given and each one has significant meaning.

I will admit yesterday was difficult.  I did not want to keep on fighting this fight, but I do want you to know that even though our prayers may not seem like they are answered in the way we want, they are being answered.  I am certain that there is no coincidence with what happened yesterday as I was feeling like I was meeting my end with all of this.  While I was watching Dominic scream in pain waiting for the next dose of morphine to take effect, I wasn't sure what to do with my pain.  It was right then that the nurse came in and asked, "there is a pastor at the front desk here to see you, do you want me to send him in?"  YES!!!!  It ended up being one of the priests from the shrine Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  This had happened the night before Dominic had his first peaceful night about a week ago.  Dominic had been screaming for so many days and the "hot dog" priest ended up coming by that night and praying over him.  He left telling me that he would offer his Mass completely for him the next morning and wouldn't you kwow it, it was precisely at that time that I took those pictures of Dominic with the blue ball!  It was the first time that he was peaceful in so long, really everyone was baffled as to what could have happened.  So this priest met with me and prayed over Dominic.  Before he left he told me he woke up that morning and felt so strongly that he needed to come visit me that day.  So yes, God does provide!  See what your prayers can do?!    Father left me with an image of our Lady of Perpetual Help and explained the meaning to me.  Now I had heard the explanation a number of times but he said one extra part that I had not ever heard but was very helpful. 

In the image there are two angels holding the tools of the crucifixion which the Christ child sees.  Upon seeing them he runs and jumps into the arms of his mother.  He runs so quickly that his sandal is falling off. " The part that was different was the priest pointed to his sandal and said, "Do you see how the sandal is falling off?  Well, our Lady helped him put his sandals back on".  In other words, I will get the help to continue on with this, I will continue to put one foot in front of the other with God's grace and help. That help I am convinced, comes from all of your prayers.  Thank you again for helping us.

So tonight Dominic is resting after his feeding tube procedure and I am happy to say we made it through another 12 hour NPO.  His meningitis is under control they believe, however, we will not know if any damage has happened until four weeks out.  I am praying for absolutely no damage!!  As far as his being in pain, well the meningitis explains it as it can cause severe headaches, nausea and vomitting and other unpleasant things.  So for patience and strength I pray.