Filled with the Holy Spirit

We are only hours away from Paul's reconstructive surgery and he is truly filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul has not waivered in his trust that this surgery will be very beneficial. He asks almost every day, "Mom, isn't this surgery going to be what takes away my headaches?" I respond each time that that is what we are praying for. He most times will ask if we can say a prayer together for the doctors. We have been praying all week, ever since we got the notice of the surgery today. Paul spent this last week in very severe pain. I even called the doctor on Wednesday to see if we could bring him up to be checked out. I didn't want anything getting in the way of the surgery! He said that as long as there was no fever, Paul was okay. What triggered this was a really hard sneeze on Monday night. Paul cried out in pain right after it and then went to bed. He didn't work all week and said his headaches were at 8.8 (Tuesday) with Tylenol and on Wednesday had climbed to 9.4, which is the level he used to say before he had any surgeries for hydrocephalus. He was really suffering. By Thursday, they started to come back down in intensity. The doctor said that since there is a leak, air possibly could have gotten in to the brain and was causing the pain. He told us to watch for a fever, which would possibly mean meningitis. Nothing developed (except a prolonged headache for me..........oh well..........misery loves company!) He felt really good on Saturday so we helped Jerry and his mother prepare the hot meals that are delivered each week to a number of homeless men and women who live under a bridge in downtown Atlanta. A different group from the Outreach Program at St. Stephen's cooks, prepares and delivers the 35 hot meals (which also includes a lunch) to these very unfortunate people. Paul was very involved with it, helping to get the food into the styrofoam trays, and then putting those into coolers. We loaded up my van, and then Jerry, his parents, Paul and I went to the church to get the lunches that another couple had put together and also some supplies. We drove downtown and met Rick and Helen and we then handed out the food. I had forgotten that I had a lot of clothing I had planned on taking to the co-op for the needy and Paul helped hand out all the warm sweat suits, fleece tops and sweaters that I had in there. Rick and Jerry handed out hats and socks. Paul helped one man in particular get his sweat shirt on over another one he was wearing. This man was so happy to get an extra layer, as the temperatures have really dropped this past week. It did this mother's heart so much good to see Paul be able to help others. He was very soft spoken and told each person, "God bless you brother". He looked at each of them and was not rushed about it. He has changed so much and I know it is all about God's work that has to be done. One more converted heart in his son Paul. One more servant to help Him bring about the Glory that is God's. Praise be to our God, who loves us so much that He makes Himself knows to each of us in our own special way and in His time. Awesome, awesome, awesome stuff going on!! On Saturday, after Mass, Fr. Paddy called Paul and I up to the alter and asked everyone to keep Paul in their prayers today. Paul and I were so surprised when Fr. Paddy called us up there. He administerd the sacrament of the Annointing of the Sick for Paul. Paul came back to our pew and as Fr. Paddy asked all of us to pray the prayer to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Paul got a bit choked up and said he could not believe how kind Fr. Paddy was. He was so happy he had received this blessing. He chuckled about it later when he remembered that he would also get a blessing from Fr. Jack out at St. Monica's where Anne works. Earlier in the week, Paul had asked me when he could go see Anne and Fr. Jack again. I told him any Sunday he wanted. He called Anne and asked what time the Masses were and he made plans to meet her at the 10:45 AM Mass and while he was talking to her, Fr. Jack got on the phone and told Paul he would give him a blessing. Paul was so excited about it. He told Anne that we would also take them out to lunch. We made plans then to leave for Charlotte right after lunch, since we were 1/2 north of the city and well on the way to Charlotte. Once again, I have to say that we are so blessed to have these wonderfully caring priests in our lives. Fr. Paddy's support all these months has been so incredible. Paul really loves Fr. Paddy -so much so that Paul responds with an "aye" instead of yes when he talks to just about everyone! Paul has never forgotten our telling him that Fr. Paddy was at the hospital before us and that Fr. Jack was there within minutes of my arriving. The comfort of having them there was immense. The comfort of having them both bless Paul this past weekend has been immense. Paul is so trusting that with the blessings he has received and the prayers of so many, he will be healed. He is filled with the hope and promise that God will take care of his needs. We prayed for a long time last night before we went to sleep. This morning, we started out with the readings from today's Mass. Sirach 34:16 The eyes of the Lord are upon those who love Him; He is their mighty shield and strong support, A shelter from the heat, a shade from the noonday sun, a guard against stumbliing, a help against falling. Ps 18:3 My God is the rock where I take refuge; my shield, my mighty help, my stronghold. O God of glory, you are our shelter against the burning heat of the day and the storms of life. Help us when we stumble, catch us when we fall and guide our steps firmly in faith toward the promise of eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. As I told Paul - no matter what the outcome, we are one day closer to being with God in heaven. All we have to do is keep living our lives according to His will, accepting all that He delivers. Praise be His holy name, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. As Jon, Mike, Jon, Marie and Uncle Keith march for life in Washington, we march towards a more full life for Paul. All with the help of God and all your prayers. May God open the eyes of so many who live away from the Light of Christ. COME HOLY SPIRIT! (sorry about any typing errors.........Jon isn't available to proof read before I send this and I am racing to get out the door..........as usual.........smile.)

Love, Jon and Rebecca