Celebrating Life - Making it to 18 yrs Old and remembering what all God has done!

Dear faithful prayer warriors -
David Baker is 18 years old today! Two years ago, as many of you know, he was in a
2nd brain surgery to try and 'take down' a 7.5 cm aneurysm. Just 6 days before a 26 hour long brain surgery to do the same thing had failed. We had never been so desperate for God. And as many of you know, God not only saved David's life through the medical surgery gifts He has given Dr. Roc Chen, but He also answered a 16 yr old boy's prayer for snow. This day two years ago, turned out to be the best day of our lives. We are still praising God for giving us each day with David since then.
We'd like to share with you what we have learned from David and Dr. Chen:

―Courage is not the absence of fear, but understanding it (what you are facing) and choosing to go through it anyway‖, Del Tackett. Amazed at David’s courage when he awoke from coma and Dr. Chen explained the 26 hour surgery was not successful and explained the risks of shutting off the artery being possibly losing his voice and use of his limbs or worse. David had to choose to go through with the surgery even if it ultimately was the last thing he did.
Things Learned from Dr Chen and David Baker:
 ―I never said it would be easy‖ – Dr Chen
 ―One day, one step at a time‖ – Dr Chen
o O.D.A.A.T.—One Day At A Time
 ―isn’t it amazing how God makes us with less meaningful parts so we can use them to fix other problems‖ – Dr Chen prior to 26 hours of surgery, ultimately performing 3 successful bi-passes which David’s body rejected; he never left David’s side;
 ―there are still options‖, an exhausted Dr. Chen to us after at least a 30 hour day, 12/05/08
o "Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy." Winston Churchill, October 1941
 ―have to be patient—you have to, I have to‖ – Dr Chen
o ―Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own‖, Jesus. Matthew 6:34.
 ―If this is all there is, I have had a great life‖ – David Baker to Kathe, 12/09/08
 ―You cannot get frustrated, I cannot get frustrated‖ – Dr Chen
 ―It takes time‖ – Dr Chen
 ―I have finished the test and am sure his language is somewhere else! I am going to proceed with the procedure!‖ – Dr Chen, 12/10/08
 ―It was beautiful, it was a miracle‖ – Dr Chen ―I did what I could do, he did the rest‖, 12/10/08
 ―it is snowing, and it was not in the forecasts‖ – friends, 12/10/08, David’s 16th birthday
 ―It is my birthday!!!‖ David Baker, 12/10/08 holding up his RIGHT hand as they wheeled him from the OR through the waiting room.
o ―I prayed for a miracle, and that it will snow for my birthday‖, David, 12/09/08
o ―May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble‖, Psalm 20.1
o ―Blessed be the Lord, because He has heard the voice of my supplications; the Lord is my strength & my shield; my heart trusts in Him & I am helped. Therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him…carry them forever‖ Ps 28:6-9
o IS THIS NOT THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE?!?!, Ellie Bakk on David’s blog, 12/10/08
 ―I’m sorry‖ – David Baker to us when they had to put a feeding tube in him, 2/26/09, breaks my heart, what an amazing person
 ―How can you be so happy with all these things happening to you?‖ (kids at FBBA to David)---―I trust God, if I die, I had a great life‖ – David Baker
o ―Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me‖, Psalm 23:4
 ―I cannot imagine life without right hand…well if that’s what it takes, let’s do it‖ – David Baker to Dr Chen when he explained to him that he could lose his voice and the use of his limbs, especially his right side, no guarantees…
o ―Nevertheless I am continually with Thee. Thou hast taken hold of my right hand. With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth; my flesh and my heart may fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever…but as for me, the nearness of God is my good‖. Psalm 73:23
 ―you never said that it would be easy, but I never knew it would be so hard‖ – David Baker
 David has never once complained one bit about all this; he has lifted all of us up and had compassion on us—what an amazing kid!
o Lesson---lift up others when you face trials; it will glorify God and bless others
 ―Remember, the aneurysm that could not be fixed is fixed!‖ – Dr Chen 2/21/08
o With God all things are possible!
o Luke 3:17 ―and the power of the Lord was with him to perform healing‖
o ―Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting‖ Psalm 126:5. –we cried rivers of tears, along with many family and friends and folks throughout the world; I prayed this to happen during David’s surgeries—God brought it to pass, 12/04-12/10/08; 2/20-3/03/09;
 ―much insult to the brain, it takes time to heal‖ – Dr Chen
 ―brain is not happy, it takes time to heal‖ – Dr Chen
 ―brain needs some chill time‖ – Dr Chen
 ―Remember how it takes 6+ weeks to feel normal after having a baby? And they didn’t mess with your brain---brain is much harder to recover from, it takes time, lots of time‖ -- Dr Chen to Kathe, 2/27/09
 ―Good job Dr Chen!‖ (Matt to Dr Chen, 12/10/08; 2/21/09); ―No, not until he is 100% (Dr Chen response)
o Lesson : a job is not over til its over—see it through 100%
o ―Anyone can start strong, only the strong finish strong‖, coach Hershel Walker
o ―‖but as for me, I trust in Thee O Lord, I say, ―Thou art my God‖, my times are in Thy hand, the Lord preserves the faithful. Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord‖. Psalm 31: 14-15,24
 ―It takes time, time, time, lots of time…be patient…chill…do not get frustrated…it takes time to recover…do not expect changes every minute, chill, be patient…Dr. Chen-isms
 Junior at FBBA to David---―I wish I had a dramatic testimony like you David‖…(David’s response) ―No you don’t, its been hard…be happy, you have a great testimony—it is Christ in you‖
 ―don’t hate, Congratulate‖, David Baker-ism
o ―and there must be no filthiness and silly talk or coarse jesting, which is not fitting; but rather giving of thanks‖ Ephesians 5:4
o ―Speaking to one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father‖. Ephesians 5: 19-20.
o ―‖whatever is true, whatever if honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these tings…practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.‖ Philippians 4: 8-9.
 ―choose to live each day with happiness and thanksgiving, life is short‖ – David Baker
o ―offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High; and call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor me‖…‖he who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; and to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God (shall see Jesus)‖ Ps 50: 15, 23.
 ―Now I have to treat both of you.‖ Dr. Chen to Kathe and Matt, Nov./Dec.09
 ―He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ―My refuge and my fortress, My God in whom I trust!‖ For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper, and from the deadly pestilence…for He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways…because He has loved me, therefore I will deliver him. I will set him securely on high, because he has known my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him, and honor him. With a long life I will satisfy him, and let him behold My Salvation. (He shall see Jesus)‖. Psalm 91: 14-16
 ―what we are dealing with is seizure related—it is not an anatomical change; need proper control of them and the future looks bright for him‖ Dr. Chen and Dr. Kalamangalam, 12/09/09
o ―But we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us‖. Romans 5:3-5.
o ―In Thy book they were all written, the days that have been ordained for me‖. Psalm 139:16
 12/10/01—Carbon Monoxide
 12/10/08---Aneurysm & snow miracle
 2/20/09---aneurysm clipping successful surgery
 12/09/09---future looks bright for him
 ―I love you mommy. I love you daddy. I love God…
 I love you Dr. Chen‖ David Baker 12/09/09

To Dr Chen, words are not enough to express our appreciation and love for you. Thank you! We love you Dr. Chen! We thank God for you!

To the Lord and to the saints (family & friends & unknown prayer warriors for David):
―Thou art my Lord; I have no good besides Thee. As for the saints who are in the earth, they (YOU) are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.‖ Psalm 16:2-3.

Happy 18th Birthday David Baker - you amaze me.

ONE YEAR.

Lots to celebrate today...December 10th...one year ago...surgery...miracle...David's birthday!...praising and thanking God for giving life...Who doesn't remember this?!

The Bakers have declared today a day of Thanksgiving and Praise and are spending the day doing things that seem to fit perfectly into those two categories.

First, a special chapel service this morning at David's awesome school set to proclaim the Name that saves, Jesus - to celebrate Immanuel, God with us! And been with us, this year, He sure has!

Second, a special lunch with Dr. Chen and all his staff to thank them for the time and love and expertise they each have given to David. How great they have been over these past 12 months as well! Couldn't have asked for a better surgeon...or staff!

Hope your day is filled with praises as you look back on the past year of your life! Reflect and see how Immanuel has been...with YOU.

Matthew 1:22-23

"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."

P.S. We hope (cross fingers since we REALLY believe in that sort of thing ;) ) to post some video of the chapel service here on the blog in the very near future...

Cat Scan Tomorrow

David will see Dr. Chen tomorrow (didn't see him today) and have a Cat Scan done...please ask God to calm the irritability in David's brain and that the Bakers would all know real peace in this uncertain, concerning situation.

Will let you know what we find out tomorrow...

Good News!

David is being sent home with the good news that there doesn't seem to be any seizure activity in his brain! There is a little frontal lobe activity happening, though, so he will see Dr. Chen again on Tuesday.

Good news??

GREAT NEWS!!

David Needs Your Prayer Tonight!

Hello long lost blog world...

Want to get the word out ASAP for all of you to be praying for David this evening. Please spread the word!

Over the past 24 hours David has experienced 3 different occurrences of "zoning out" - with symptoms similar to a seizure.

When the Bakers got word from Dr. Chen, he asked for David to go to the ER and get an EEG. So Matt, Kathe and David are on their way to Memorial Hermann to see what is going on.

Please pray as this is obviously upsetting and a huge unknown right now as well. Please pray for clear results and a clear path from here forward. This could require something as simple as an adjustment to David's seizure medication - which we are all praying for! Knowing the flip side of that possible simple solution, though, having been there before, makes tonight an easy night for anxiousness to creep into hearts fast and furious.

Just a quick catch up - in the past month, David has been weaned off of his seizure medication, had an adverse reaction and experienced a seizure on what would have been the first day of his junior year, restarted the medication immediately, and has been attending classes and worship team meetings and tutoring on a daily basis every since! A lot going on for David, but he has been adjusting amazingly well!

These "zoning out" episodes are clearly not what anyone was hoping for...nobody was hoping to end up back at Memorial Hermann even for a quick visit, (everybody loves Dr. Chen but not THAT much, come on!), so please pray for the Bakers tonight as they wait for the results of the EEG and any other tests that may be ordered.

I'll update as soon as we know anything! Thank you for remembering David, even months after his first surgery, in your prayers! The Bakers are truly, truly eternally grateful.

Sighs of Relief!

It seems that David's headaches are most likely from the therapy he's been doing these last couple of weeks...his brain is working overtime trying to connect all the dots that have been a little jumbled since his surgery.

So we all collectively sigh and thank God for the no news!!

Sigh.
Thank You.

Please continue to pray for David, Matt & Kathe as they day by day walk this road in faith...trusting God and living the life He has given, to the fullest! Unaltered by fear or worry!

Since the surgery, David's short term memory has been greatly affected...there are days where little improvements can be seen, and then there are days when it seems the pendulum swings back the other way.

It is quite a road.

A huge praise is that David is, and this won't come as a surprise, happy and hopeful...his personality shines more and more as the days go by, and we keep praying that his short term memory will come back more and more each day as well!

Join us.