The following is a letter that I sent to our church early this morning. It repeats much of what many of you already know, but perhaps ties many pieces of the picture together. Laurel and I are members of Pilgrim Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Bangor, Maine.
Dear Pilgrim Friends,
For a man known to have something to say most of the time, I’m at a loss to adequately express my gratitude for your prayers, your tangible expressions of love, and for your support for Laurel, the boys, and me over the last ten days! God has been so gracious to us. He has reached out to us through you, and through countless other family, friends, and members of the body of Christ to demonstrate His love to us. We thank God for you.
Laurel remains in intensive care. She is still critically ill. She is on complete life support, and will remain so for another week or so. The complications of flu pneumonia that her doctors have described for me are more than I’m going to list here (both because I cannot remember them all and for privacy’s sake), but I will frankly tell you until this past Monday, they did not hold hope, humanly speaking, that she would survive this. “But God, who is rich in mercy…” But you were praying! As of Monday night, the attending physician called to say that he was hopeful that she would eventually recover, though she may be hospitalized for a month or more.
The boys and I have recovered from influenza. Christian has a touch of pneumonia, but he’s on antibiotics and has been cleared by his pediatrician to be in school and to be out in public. Michael and I both have slight flare-ups of asthma, so we’re taking measures to deal with that.
Laurel’s sister was up to see her last Sunday. Thanks to her, we’ve made plans for the boys to spend February vacation in Massachusetts with their cousins. We’re expecting to see Laurel’s brother tomorrow; he’s coming from Massachusetts to see her, spend the night, and then take the boys back with him for vacation week. This will give them a fun week with cousins, while relieving me of finding care for them while I return to work on Tuesday. Furthermore, I’ll be able to go from work to the hospital without worrying about the boys needing me.
As you continue to pray, here are some specifics:
1. For the acidosis in Laurel’s lungs to be reduced.
2. For Laurel’s kidneys to begin functioning again.
3. For Laurel’s father’s health to return to him so that he can come and visit her. He suddenly became ill last weekend just when he was making plans to drive up from Massachusetts.
4. For Christian and Michael to be sustained in heart and body as they are separated from their Momma, and for them to enjoy their week with cousins next week.
5. For me to take care of myself while I manage everything else.
6. For God to be glorified in us, through us, and by us.
Thank you, dear friends. As most of you know, most of my updates are posted on Facebook, but I realized this morning that some of you don’t do Facebook, so I wanted you to know what’s going on.
I’m hoping to be in church on Sunday, but I won’t be able to have the same conversation over and over; I’m sure you understand. I love you all dearly!
In Christ,
Bill, for Laurel & the boys
Bill MacDonald
C made it clear to me this evening that he wants to go see his mother before he goes to Massachusetts. I’m planning to take him in on Saturday morning. M made it equally clear that he doesn’t want to go. That works out well, as C is old enough, but M isn’t, even though they appear opposite in age.
Doctor said today that good case scenario is several months hospital and rehabilitation center, before she goes home. Very long, very tough road ahead. Not out of the woods yet.. keep praying. Keep believing! I’m trusting God.
Bill M.
Dear Friends, this morning I am overwhelmed by the reality of our situation. Laurel faces an extremely long and difficult road to recovery from this devastating hospitalization. My heart aches for her. It aches for the boys. And yes, it aches for me. I miss her. But the God of all creation is her God and ours, and He Loves Us.
Bill MacDonald
Two nights ago, I was in my room and I heard C humming this one. I went to his room and sang along with him. At the end of it he said, “I like to sing this. It helps me go to sleep.” ❤ this boy. ❤ this hymn. I sing this to Laurel when I visit her.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well with my soul;
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And has shed his own blood for my soul.
My sin—O the bliss of this glorious thought!—
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend;
“Even so”—it is well with my soul.93Mary Macdonald-Murray, Laurel Dorman Trundy and 91 others
C’s visit with Laurel was good. He told Momma he loved her, and he stayed while I sang hymns to her and prayed with her. and he was glad that he went. He remembered going to see a friend of mine in ICU a few months ago, and that prepared him for what he’d see today; it helped.
Furthermore, he’s eager to visit her again when he’s back from Massachusetts at the end of next week. “I want to see her more and more,” he said at supper tonight. ❤ this kid.
It was so refreshing to be in the Lord’s house among his people for church today. To sing his praises, to pray, and to hear his Word preached were so enriching, healing, challenging, and fulfilling. The fellowship of the saints and the love of God were so evident. My heart is full.
Laurel is having a good day. She’s breathing a little bit over the respirator–one or two breaths every now and then. That’s progress (the kind we’ve been praying for). I got to see her face today for the first time in more than a week; how precious my sweet wife is. ❤️ Tiny increments of progress; praise and prayers for more. Thanksgiving to God for YOU. Our love to you, dear friends.
Mack Ames Books and Maine Moose Patrol 