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Spencer’s Story - continued from page 4 AMAZING GRACE... 11/30/03 It fascinates me to see two individuals faced by identical situations handle them in totally opposing ways! Jack and Brenda Lewis, having been thrown in the area of medical challenges and the attending hardships remind me of the story of two frogs that jumped into a jar of cream. One frog gave up and drowned, but the other frog was found sitting on top of a mound of butter in the morning, having paddled all night to stay afloat. The Lewis's are graceful survivors with not a complaint uttered or bitterness about 'why me?'. They are wise enough to say, 'why not me?' and are just dealing with what is needed one day at a time. As well as all the challenges they are facing with Spencer's medical needs, they are also experiencing other trials. A deer hit their car and the insurance company refuses to honor the claim, but instead of being angry with the insurance company, he is just grateful the children were not hurt - the deer jumped out of some bushes and slammed right into the passenger side of the car where Nanny was sitting. It dented the side of the car and left hair caught in the door handle, but everyone was only shaken and the car was still driveable. A few days later a car drove head on into their lane in the freeway and Jack managed to swerve so the car just missed them. He had all the children in the car and Brenda told me that just seconds before it happened, Jack felt a prompting from the Holy Ghost warning him to look out for the oncoming traffic. It was this prompting that saved all of their lives. God is aware of their needs and watching over them - please keep your prayers coming, they are working - Spencer is surviving and the Lewis family is surrounded by our love and God's. After a lengthy phone call with Brenda last night, I can tell you that it ISN'T easy for Spencer and his family, but that their attitude of "with God nothing is impossible" and willingness to put their faith to the test - there is nothing that can happen to them that they can't survive. I just hope that our efforts can ease the stress and make unbearable things bearable. A SWEET GESTURE OF THOUGHTFUL KINDNESS..... One of our wonderful ladies, Dawn K, wanted to do something special for Brenda so she is making her a mother’s necklace with the family members birthstones. Brenda was so touched that a stranger would care for her enough to make her such a wonderful thoughtful gift. It is such a neat idea! I am posting the birth months here so if there are others who would like to go the extra mile and send an e-card or note for birthdays, they can. Daniel’s 13th birthday is coming up in just a few days. It doesn’t cost a cent to take a minute and send a Happy Birthday e-card from www.bluemountain.com www.lds.org or www.hallmark.com or one of the other websites that offer this free service. Jack - August WEDNESDAY FOR SPENCER... Spencer is coming along really well, his color is a lot better and he is stabilizing quite nicely. He will not be able to have the surgery to repair his cleft palate for 9 months to a year. Brenda wasn’t sure why so long, but was going to ask why the delay. The challenge right now is to see if Spencer can be weaning off the respirator. Unfortunately, when the respirator has been adjusted so that Spencer’s body has a greater responsibility to breathe on it’s own, he becomes agitated and his color is not good. This Wednesday they will try again - please pray for Spencer, that his body will be able to sustain the demand for oxygen that is put on it. If Spencer can breathe on his own, he can go home much sooner. If he is unable to breathe totally without assistance, he can go home, but it will take a much longer time to prepare for his departure from the hospital and arrangements for an in home nurse will have to be made. Apparently the process for getting in home care can take weeks. This is a huge expense and concern - even though Brenda and Jack are working the situation. With Spencer’s medical challenges, he is eligible for disability medical coverage from the government and that is the direction that is being taken at this time. At this point, Spencer can’t be left alone ever and someone must be awake with him at all times so when he gets to go home, and it’s time for Jack and Brenda to retire, a nurse must be there for the night shift. Even with close watchful care, situations can occur, such as the fright we had a couple of days ago when Spencer’s trach tube got clogged and he nearly died. No alarms went off, it’s a good thing Brenda was right there! SPENCER NEEDS A ROCKING CHAIR TO BE CUDDLED IN... 12/18/03 - Spencer is still in the hospital in Columbia, the medics are having difficulty getting the right size and fit for his tracheotomy tube. Many people have rallied around Spencer and his family and the presents for Christmas, clothing and extras are a wonderful sign of the good that is in people and the desire we all have within us to help those who need our love. We love Spencer and are so glad that he is still with us, and apart from the breathing challenges, stabilized. The doctors are still working on solutions to the challenge of his disease that affects his growth. Please keep your prayers coming. We need your donations to help buy a double rocking chair for when Spencer comes home. The store owner has agreed to sell it to us at cost and we are so grateful for the help. Please visit our YOU CAN HELP page to become part of THE SPENCER PROJECT team and help us get the rocking chair before Spencer comes home so it’s ready for him. SPENCER EMBODIES THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT FOR MANY OF US.... 12/20/03 -Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh! I wish every one of you could have been here today!! The Lewis family came to pick up the Christmas presents we had for them from Marla Caneer, Kim Waters (her two boxes arrived by courier just minutes before I had to leave to deliver the packages - talk about timing!!) and the reborn vinyl baby Spencer from Liz and the reborn porcelain baby Spencer from Joan. Jack and Brenda Lewis were so much in awe of the love and caring that has been shown for their family. I met them at the Newborns in Need National Offices and we went through the baby clothing that we had to find tiny preemie clothing and other items for baby Spencer. They are wonderful good friends and it was so good to see them. They expressed their love and appreciation for each and every one of you. I had to leave at that time and sent them over to my other office to pick up the donations and babies (there was no help for it, I haven't found out a way to be in two places at once) but felt confident with doing that because I had briefed my staff at US Cybertek about the donations and babies and had a ball showing off our Spencer's. My office manager is also good friends with Jack and Brenda and even babysat their children when Spencer was being born and for a time afterward as well. By the time I arrived back late tonight, Jack and Brenda had already phoned twice :-) VERY BIG SMILE!!!! They were so much in awe of the reborn Spencer babies. They could not believe how real they were. Brenda and Jack have carefully shown the porcelain Spencer that Joan created to the children and have him in their room where he helps them deal with the separation of Spencer not being at home yet. Joan's Spencer is EXACTLY like Ezra - Spencer's older brother as well as being like Spencer. It is uncanny how closely he looks like his namesake. He is so precious - I had a hard time giving him to the Lewis's as I wanted to keep this darling little boy :-) Liz's Spencer took the children's fancy immediately, since they couldn't play with Joan's Spencer. They adore him. He has now been changed a bazillion times and lovingly hugged and carried around. Brenda found the pockets in the body and put the beating heart in the pocket. I am mailing her the warmers, along with the mother necklace that was made for her and some other donation items. I was in such a hurry, that I missed putting them in the box. Today is my birthday (Saturday, Dec 20th - I am 46) and my daughter just arrived at the St. Louis airport (yes, it is 1 AM and she is still 3 hours away from home) and I have been trying to get Newborns in Need business taken care of, my house put in order (failed miserably there *grin*) and make sure that the Lewis's will get their gifts before Christmas. Brenda was disappointed that I forgot her mother's necklace, but understood that I am doing the best I can on the few brain cells I have left *grin* She was very sweet about it and can barely wait to see it. It is truly gorgeous, a wonderful work of art. I am sending it priority first thing in the morning and she will get it Monday or Tuesday so it's still before Christmas! Brenda and Jack love the reborn babies. They are so amazed that the babies look so real - they have never seen anything like it. Our SPENCER PROJECT is a huge success and I am so grateful for everyone who is helping and donating. I have to tell you something WONDERFUL and FUN!! Before I delivered the dolls, Brenda was looking at the pictures on our Spencer website at the Ronald McDonals house where there is a computer for families to use for communication - she happened to be on Lisa's page that Lisa wrote for her Spencer she is working on. She couldn't believe how real he looked and decided to play a trick on one of the ladies that was here. She called her over and said "Who do you think this looks like?" The lady responded that she thought that Brenda was a marvelous photographer and adorable her baby was. Brenda laughed and said "So you think that's Spencer, eh?" She then showed the lady the other reborn Spencers and explained that they were reborn babies. The lady simply couldn't believe her eyes! How's that for a bit of fun?! Well done, ladies, you are the best and just proved it! When I came home there were three more donations for Spencer's special needs rocking chair. The chair is $550 and donations are $202.72 so we only have $246.28 left before it's all paid for. This rocking chair will allow Brenda and Jack to be able to care for Spencer better. Pray that Spencer will continue to thrive and will be home soon. Check the website on Sunday for updates. Very happy Christmas hugs,
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