This is my Nephew, Hayden Matthew Dunson. He was two weeks old when they found out he had a hole in his colon. He had to get rushed to the hospital to get surgery about a week ago. Since then, he has been in the ICU at Arnold Palmer, which I need to add, is the most amazing hospital I have ever been to. They have the most friendly, knowledgeable staff I've ever encountered. Anyways, Hayden is making great progress! All praise be to God for that, it's definitely a miracle from Heaven that he is doing so well right now.

There are many things people can focus on in situations like this. At first, I was scared out of my mind. I had never seen my sister in so much pain (not physical, emotional) in her life. My heart was broken for her, and we were all scared for Hayden. Such a precious little gift that none of us even wanted to think about losing. But I realized quickly that you can't focus on that. I think we all shifted our focus from somewhat of a panic to God's sovereignty and His ability to perform miracles. We (the family and many other friends and coworkers) started praying for little Hayden, and having faith that God would heal his body. He is still in the ICU today, but the doctors say he is right on schedule with his progress, which is just the kind of miracle we had all prayed for.

For the past two nights, I have stayed up at the hospital to be with Hayden through the night, just to give Amber and my mom a break so they can sleep. I have had to come to work tired, not having much sleep from the night before, and get up and do it again the next day, and again I was faced with what my focus was. I realized that even though I have had long days, I have had the privilege of spending so much time with Hayden. I have seen him more in the past 3 or 4 days than I ever have, and most of the time I've been up there, it's been just me, him and one other person in the room for hours. So I've had some quality bonding time, and I've missed having little babies around. I remember when Bethany and Emily were that young, but it's been a long time. So that in itself makes it totally worth being tired and sluggish.

In Steve Douglass' radio spots that I record, he says that love is not an emotion; it's an action and an attitude. I feel like this is one of the first times since I've been an adult that I've been able to show that kind of love to Amber, and I'm so grateful for that. I know that she really appreciates it, and that's another element that makes it worth it.

I've been giving life my best shot, and life has been shooting back. It's a constant struggle to remain selfless, but I know that's where fulfillment comes from. If we all helped each other and met our family and friends needs, then our family and friends would meet our needs in return, and we would live life how God intended it, as a community, bearing each other’s burdens, and being a servant to our neighbors. We need each other. That's what I've learned through this circumstance. We can't go through life alone.

I love you Hayden-Bear, and I'm so thankful that you're getting better!

-PEACE-