It is a new day!
Joshua 1:9Â (New Living Translation)
9This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
UPDATE FROM TODAY
Aria had another trip to the OR.  They found another hole in her bowel and washed her out again and took cultures from inside her and put in another AND removed her central lines!  The original one Aria has had since April went and the line they put in at transplant.  They are being really aggressive with trying to remove possible sources of infection.  We weren’t that excited about it but whatever.  We aren’t so worried about line sites now she has been transplanted.  Her white count is down a little bit to 81 which is still really high but better.
Aria lies next to me sleeping soundly. Â Really happy with the level of sedation, she is sleeping but we can still wake her and know everything is working good. Â She was supposed to go to the OR at 7.30am but it is 9.30 now and it is looking more like 10am.
Things has been rough since Friday, no one expected so many trips to the OR. Â But yet that is what is required to keep those nasty bacteria in Aria’s little body under control. Â The idea of opening her up once is hard let alone 7 times! Â And each time means another day on the vent to recover and another day with that nasty breathing tube down her throat.
You might of noticed the tone of the posts of the past couple of days have changed a bit or maybe they haven’t. Â I feel like I have lost my way a bit to be honest. Â My mind a mess of confusion and a heart of pain.
There a many things I don’t get about this new country I find myself in.  I don’t get the whole ‘Freedom and Liberty’ thing that Americans hold so dear.  I don’t get the food and things like ‘Cool Whip’  I don’t get that Christianity seems to equal a particular political party.  I don’t get the health care reform debate.  I don’t get many things there.  Which is hard because in NZ I got most things and I want to understand this new country I find myself in.
Don’t get me wrong- I am not criticizing.  And I don’t wish to start a debate on these things, I intend to ask others in private to help educate myself.
And more importantly I don’t get this new position I find myself in with Aria. Â This is all a completely new journey, brand new. Â We used to know everything (well within reason) and do everything. Â And a new team of people.
God has this brilliant way of speaking to me when my ears are closed.  A great piece of advice arrived in my inbox from a member of our medical whanau challenging me to view Omaha as an extension of them.  A little ecobulb turned on in my head.  Yes!  I need to change my thinking.
And now we are right by the nurses station we are more in the hub on PICU and are meeting more people. Â I don’t have permission to link their blog but we met a family who God has given a big and amazing journey too. Â I read their blog with tears as I read their courage and faith. Â I totally realised I need to get over the Poor Me’s and cancel my Pity Party.
Can you see the verse at the top of the of the post- how awesome is that? Â Today is a new day- holding tightly to to His promises and refreshed with new courage 🙂 Â God has done AMAZING things for our girl, never ceases to amaze me but sometimes it is easy to get lost in the noise of life.
Sorry to all those who are reading this blog thinking ‘Hello isn’t this ARIA’s blog’. Â Yeah sorry I hijacked it. Â Will be back to regular scheduled programming shortly.
31 Responses to “It is a new day!”
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# 16 Feb at 11:29 am
Don’t feel like you hijacked Aria’s blog. I love to share your feelings. This helps my directions for prayer and it is for all of you and not just Aria.This is an awesome journey you are on and in many ways it is harder on you than Aria. She has sedation to help but remember you have God and he is right there with all of you. Trust in him and feel his presence and may he give you peace.
Praying for the procedure to go well today.
# 16 Feb at 11:29 am
Oh Anita that made me cry!! What could be more central to Aria’s journey than the heart of the woman who carried her? I can totally empathise with the culture shock you are feeling, I remember it well. I think one of the things that is hard is that because Americans speak English, you don’t expect things to be all that different to NZ. Also, people tend to expect that the transition will be really easy. But really, it is as different as Japan or Peru. If I can help, let me know. If not, know that I am thinking of you constantly. Love you guys heaps.
Ali xoxo
# 16 Feb at 11:37 am
We appreciate your being open with us as it really helps us to pray specifically and unceasingly. My class is praying for Aria everyday.
# 16 Feb at 11:39 am
Praise God for all He’s done and for how far you all have come on so many levels sweetheart. Your emotions will be all over the place and that’s to be expected of course. Just don’t forget that you’re not alone by any means. We’re all here to go through this with you guys and we’re praying hard that Aria is even stronger than before when she gets to leave. Keep your head up honey… ((hugs)) We’re here if you need us.. Always. 🙂
# 16 Feb at 12:00 pm
Kia kaha – you journey alongside Aria, and are working hard too. Stay strong in faith, and remember sometimes we can travel a day at a time and sometimes we can only focus on the minute to minute. I admire your strength – for you choose to keep going even as it gets hard, day after day.
# 16 Feb at 12:17 pm
Living in another culture is a huge challenge – enough on it’s own, but you have so much more than that. It’s so lovely to hear your heart – and it’s integral in Aria’s journey, Hamish, Asher and your extended whanau. We pray for you today amidst the hard confusing times you find yourselves in. Much love you dear woman!
# 16 Feb at 12:40 pm
Anita and Hamish you are allowed to feel down, sad, sorry for yourself, life has changed so dramtically for you all.
Keep strong. Kia kaha.
We are all behind you in prayer and in thoughts.
Big hugs to the Macdonald family.
I think you guys are amazing.
Donna from PORSE
# 16 Feb at 1:12 pm
Anita…it’s great the way you share as it does help in prayer requests before the throne of Grace. Each one is human and you are travelling a journey that has been given to you but those who uplift you can walk through in prayer. God tells us that we don’t know what a day will hold (we’ve even just experienced that ourselves) but God does and that’s who we need to hold onto (which you are doing and God’s there for you). A mother’s heart is God given and that is priceless…you are being what Aria can’t be at the moment and that is important to. Continuing to uplift you all and we also praise God for the way HE”s providing for all your needs along the way…even if some days it doesn’t seem like it.
With love and prayers
McLays
# 16 Feb at 1:33 pm
If it makes you feel any better, I’ve lived my whole life in the US and I also don’t understand Cool Whip, the association of Christianity with a particular political party or the health care debate. 🙂 What I hope you do understand is that this American is very glad that your family is here, getting the help that Aria needs. Even though we will likely never meet in person, we think of you every day. This is an extraordinary journey for you, both literally and figuratively, but you are not alone on it.
Wishing you all the best,
Erin, Ben and Blaise
# 16 Feb at 1:35 pm
It is wonderful the way you share your thoughts and feelings, and even though the majority of us have no idea what you are going through, we really appreciate your honesty. Love the verse! xx
# 16 Feb at 2:25 pm
praying and praying for you. Lifting you up as you go through so many new and different things! New and different aren’t necessarily good–i know that you know that God is in control and he holds you all in the palm of his hands. He loves you so much more than “we” do. But I’ve found that when you give people specific things to pray for it helps! Not just you, but us, too. So dear Anita, hold fast to the thought that you have LOTS of people praying for you and your dear family! May you begin to see a light at the end of the tunnel!
Love you
# 16 Feb at 3:22 pm
Thank you for sharing your heart & struggles – it enables us to pray more specifically. Lifting you all up before the Lord – much love Bon xx
# 16 Feb at 3:27 pm
AMEN to Joshua 1:9! Thanks again for being honest Anita. As other people have said, it really does help us to pray more specifically for you guys and to have a glimpse into how you are truly feeling through all this. So don’t feel bad about it. It’s not just Aria’s journey, it’s your whole family’s journey and your thoughts and feelings are just as valid as Aria’s! So thanks for allowing us to cry, pray, praise God and be joyful with you throughout this whole journey. xx
# 16 Feb at 3:38 pm
” This is the day the Lord has Made.. I will rejoice and be glad in it”…
Just from your blog anita there’s lots of things i don’t understand about the US either, i’ve lived in australia now for nearly six years and there’s still lots of things i don’t get here either…
As for miss Aria, nice to here she resting comfortably.. the thing with sedatioin really does mean she can rest, and sounds like she’s been working hard for a while pre transplant… so a bit of rest is great… as for that annoying tube i been thinking there has to be something good i can say about it and this is all i could come up with, i still think it’s better than putting it down/taking it out with each or trip, and after each trip needing the day or so ventilator to recover…
I know you guys are greatful… but maybe in tough time hold on to something positive, even so small… i dont know Aria’s tummy is flat, her billirubin is trending down, her colour looks better, her heart rate is down (well unless the infection has pushed it up again), Everyone is working for the same goal, to get Aria well.
One day at a time, looking forward to the great posts that are too come where you get to see your little girls personality and hearing Aria’s opinion on her world currently i’m sure she’ll come up with something to say about her flat tummy
our love and prayers always
# 16 Feb at 3:45 pm
Hi Anita. It is great that you share your feelings and frustrations. It means you are human. It is better to get it out there than bottle it up. It’s hard when God doesn’t work as fast as we would wish, but then we have the amazing knowledge that He is right there with us and where we feel pain he also feels it. Hang on in there girl. You are all going to make it through this time. Keep eating Gods word and believe it.
I really appreciate being able to read these blogs and getting updates on the whole MacDonald family. Thank you and God bless you all abundantly. Robyn (Manukau New Life).
# 16 Feb at 4:58 pm
Hi, Anita,
Reading your post reminds me of a passage I read once on the Internet called, “Welcome To Holland”. It’s by a parent of a special needs child, so it’s a bit different from your situation – but some of the emotions expressed might speak a little to what it sounds like you’re going through.
The culture shock must be a pain I’m sure, and I can only sympathise, having never been through it. All I can really say to that issue is to remember; different country, same God.
# 16 Feb at 5:22 pm
Joshua 1.9 gave me courage today – not that my journey is as hard as yours is but sometimes i get scared and worry about Cody s health especially if he appears unwell as he has lately – the tyranny of love – and i read the phrase and felt comfort – your honesty and openness is a gift – and arias pain is your pain – part of the trials of parentdom is to feel our kids pain and feel blimmon helpless – ay big hugs girl
# 16 Feb at 5:39 pm
my prayer for you is that you (each of you) will FEEL Jesus sitting beside you- with His hand in yours- and you will know that He feels your pain with you- and He loves you all to bits.
# 16 Feb at 6:12 pm
amen to all of the above. WE love you and keep praying each step.Even through the waters and the fires God is carrying you.
# 16 Feb at 9:04 pm
Gosh you have such wise people commenting on your blog! I don’t have anything more to offer, but virtual support and prayers for you all.
And gosh, no wonder they call Ali Nerdygirl eh – how insightful is her comment “What could be more central to Aria’s journey than the heart of the woman who carried her?”.
# 16 Feb at 10:03 pm
Reading Aria’s blog is such an important part of our day! We are “with you” every step of the way, every rush down to OR, every fast heartbeat, every reaction to a ‘different’ culture.
Hey think about this: there’s lots of us “with you” but really we are far away. Jesus is REALLY AND TRULY WITH YOU! What a blessing!
# 16 Feb at 11:27 pm
For a stranger in a strange land it is good that you have a way of expressing your feelings, you came from the other side of the world for your daughter nobody can even imagine watt it is like to be in your shoes.
Just to let you know about health care reforms hear in America.
We do not have a NHS national health service, so if you do not have insurance form your work, or from your job, than you have to see if you qualify for government health insurance. If you earn too much money, and you do not get health insurance form work/job than you need to pay out of pocket, that is where health care reform come in.
We do not want NHS as we can see from other countries with NHS it does not help in certain situations hope that gives you a little incite to life hear in America.
PS : see if you qualify for make a wish foundation
# 16 Feb at 11:41 pm
that was so beautiful Anita and so are you, thinking and praying for you all .. take care big hugs
# 17 Feb at 12:15 am
My heart really does go out to you Anita, and like everyone else I appreciate your honest account of your journey. I’m pretty sure everyone here feels as sorry for you as you do yourself! It’s because we care and we wish we could help somehow, but I know it’s a journey that you, as Aria’s mum and dad are travelling, alone (but with company alongside from other families who have had some of this journey).
Whatever you may be feeling, you are fantastic parents doing an outstanding job in the most unique and challenging and heartbreaking circumstances. No one could sit by and watch their precious child with tubes hanging off her with a smile on their face and think it is a happy day, but, it is a miracle, Aria is a miracle and she is doing so well, she is alive, she has a renewed chance at life, she has her wonderful spirit alive and bubbling under the surface and she will do so well once she has had the time to rest and recuperate.
Good luck learning the ‘ropes’ in your new (temporary) homeland, I really look forward to more anecdotes on America and your experiences with day to day life there!
# 17 Feb at 1:42 am
What a lot of Prayer support you all have!! Know that God will never forsake you. Praying that the light keeps getting bigger as you come closer to the end of your tunnel of bumps. Keep pouring out your heart to us and I hope you feel better after getting it out of your system. God bless you all.
Judy.
# 17 Feb at 2:15 am
Double amen to what everyone else has expressed. It’s wonderful how honest and open you are and we appreciate it so much. Man that is one of my fav verses of all time – Mum would put it in my lunch box when I started a new school. Though I walk through the valley of shadow and death I will not fear – the Lord my God is with me.
Love you guys xxx
# 17 Feb at 4:32 am
From a Mum to a Mum!
It is good to be able to read your heart struggles too, Aria is part of a family and we pray for you all.
I fully sympathise in your frustrations and cultural struggles in living in a different country as I’m trying to do it at the moment myself. I pray that God would hold you close as you experience all the heart ache and confusion you expressed and that you would know His presence with you each day.
Sam Seccombe
# 17 Feb at 7:02 am
I understand completely…. do talk about it, you need to let it all out. Nearly 8 years later after immigrating from NZ I’m still overwhelmed by America. I can’t make the transition to drive on complete opposite sides of the car & road, & the speed & volume of traffic terrifies me to say nothing of the thoughtless speed hungry absolutely crazy drivers here in Florida. I’ve been driving in OZ & NZ for over 30 years! I found out it’s a polarity thing too, being in opposite hemisphere’s. Makes you feel out of whack.
All I know for sure is that this is the next step in God’s plan for me, & each day I bravely step out in faith. I could have stayed home in my ‘comfort zone’ but I knew I had to honour my inner knowing…. God in me…. my Divine destiny….We are all created human AND Divine, reach for the Divine.
Courage is fear that has said it’s prayers! Watch for miracles!
Wrapping you all in the light, love & protection of God.
# 18 Feb at 1:07 pm
Hi Anita. Sorry I haven’t been on here. I did read the blog entries from the past couple weeks. You went on quite a rollercoaster! I’m continually praying for Aria! I haven’t been on because a hacker hacked my email & Facebook. I think it’s better now. I pray that the infection will go away, & that the doctors will help Aria to be on the mend! Keep the faith! God will reward you for your faith! God Bless!
# 22 May at 3:20 pm
I watched this morning’s documentary about your family with tears running down my face. I admire your strentgh, faith, trust in God and your fierce love for Aria, Asher and each other and how you support and strengthen each otherr. Now whenever I start feeling sorry for myself, I will rememeber you all and how much you’ve gone through and are still going through. I pray that you will continue to gain strength through Him who knew you since before you were formed in your mother’s womb. You guys are awesome! Prayers are also going up for your surgical team and carerrs. Big, warm hugs.
# 22 May at 8:02 pm
Watched the doco this morning,thanks to “Attitude” for screening it WOW you guys are amazing my thoughts and prayers go out to you all
Kia Kaha
Love and BIG hugs to all