Jan. 6, 2011 - Goodbye Levi. We Love You.

It’s been quite a while now since we’ve made an update to Garrett’s Journey, but it sure hasn’t been because there’s no news. We just wanted to wait until we had good news to share. Although clouded some by heartache, we grateful for our blessings.

Since the last update, we were able to all gather as a family and celebrate the birth of our Lord. Levi, although very sick, shared in this blessed event. Garrett and Jessi were so happy to be able to be with him. Garrett and Levi have fought together for so long and their bond is unbreakable. They’ve continued to fight with and for each other, praying daily for each others’ healing.

On Monday this week, Garrett underwent several blood tests to see if the PRA rejection numbers have come down at all. We were to hear something late today. As a quick flashback, in June shortly after his first rounds of chemo and plasmapheresis, the PRA numbers were around 90. We need to see them around 20. By September, although the cellular mediated rejection was perfect, the PRA remained at 89. This disturbed and confused us, but we’ve tried to stay positive and full of hope. With more hospitalizations looming after the New Year, we prayed for healing; for Garrett and Levi.

We were with Levi this morning as he was getting weaker. I brought him a kiss from Garrett, and a message; “tell Levi I love him, and ‘Cowboy Up’”. At mid day, God called Levi Home. He was in the arms of those who love him when he smiled and went away. An hour later, earlier than expected, we received a call from the hospital. Garrett’s PRA numbers are down 25 points to 64! We are finally seeing the positive movement we’ve been hoping to see. I’ll let you decide if Levi had something to do with that. I just know there is no such thing as coincidence. In the previous six months, they’d moved only 2 points.

While our hearts are broken to lose Levi from this world, we’re so grateful to have shared in his tremendous journey and being able to love him. We're better because of him. Now, he no longer has to fight and hurt in this world. He is in Paradise and in the arms of our Lord Jesus and Noah, who left us last June. I won’t presume to know God’s design, but must believe in His will and perfect plan. We don't know why we had to lose Levi and Noah in just 6 months. More questions than answers.

But today God called one home and gave another more strength to continue His mission. As we prayed tonight, missing our Levi, we thanked God for the beautiful day, for giving Levi peace and much needed rest and asked Him to help us honor Levi’s warrior spirit by putting on His armor every day.

Incredibly, in the midst of their own heartache and grief, Levi’s parents rejoiced with us and praised God for Garrett’s marked improvement. They are two remarkable, loving and humble servants.

The message I hear today was loud and clear. "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" As death tried to take the moment, we were given reason to praise our Lord for Garrett's sake. Levi is no longer in pain, and Garrett is clearly getting better.

May His peace find you all. May His love comfort those who morn. And may Hope always overcome.

God bless,

JD