Sweet Baby Spencer

We had something sad happen in our family this past week. Sweet baby Spencer climbed on top of the counter in the bathroom and turned on the hot water and then climbed into the sink and pulled up the stopper. He stayed in there until the water got really hot and then started screaming. I was downstairs and he was upstairs and when I got up there I found him sitting on top of the bathroom counter screaming. His leg was red and the skin was starting to peel. I wasn't sure what to do and couldn't get a hold of aaron. I tried calling the pediatrician but couldn't get a hold of anyone there either. I tried giving him some pain meds and putting aloe on but he just didn't stop crying. The blisters began to form and at that point I took him to the children's ER by our house. It was a traumatic experience. I was crying, he was crying, Brooke was along for the ride. Aaron came as soon as he heard from me and Jeana came and got little Brookey. At first we thought he was going to have to go to the burn unit in San Antonio but then they ended up transferring him to Dell Children's in downtown. It was heart breaking to watch my boy be in so much pain. 

After the cleaning and they got his leg wrapped up he passed out while I was talking to the doctor. 

He had to ride an ambulance to Dell Children's. He was so good. Laughing and talking, everyone loved him. 

He was still climbing all over at the hospital and being crazy. 

They ended up needing to put him under to do a good scrub and clean. I lost it when they were doing the IV but got to hold him until he woke up. My little angel boy. 

We spent a night in the hospital, a long, long night and then the next day they said we could take him home. He was so good at the hospital and loved his stuffed animal from Grandma Judy. He looked so cute in his gown. 

I ended up having to check him back into the hospital to be put under again for another cleaning and then we were officially moved on to outpatient care.  

I have been taking him there a few times a week for the past month and he continues to progress and get better each time. Priesthood power is real, prayers are real and we feel so blessed that he has healed so quickly. It will be a long road ahead of us and require care and attention for over a year but he has been so tough. 

We also saw many blessings and tender mercies along the way. Aaron's Mom wrote a great letter about it.  We would never have survived without their help. 

Miracles

Best news-our sweet baby Spencer Richard is healing well from his very extensive leg burn.   His very tough parents are weathering it so well. We are grateful for the hand of the Lord in their lives.   Their example allowed the other children to handle the situation calmly.  

From our perspective, Many lessons were reinforced from this experience.  

Our story.  After our time in the temple, our plan was to take several weeks exploring the northeast part of the country.  That didn't happen.  It just didn't feel right  

Instead, when Aaron & Haley asked if we could watch their children the weekend of Oct. 20-21, so they could run in the Ragnar adventure race, we were all in.  

Since we were not familiar with southeast Texas, we planned a few extra days getting there, with a day or so in the San Antonio temple.  Last Tuesday, October 17, We toured historic Arkansas/east Texas sites but on Wednesday, for some reason, we pushed through Houston toward San Antonio,  forgoing our planned bird-watching on the coast.  

While traveling on I-10, we received Aaron's call from the ER.  At first it seemed Spencer's burns would not require hospitalization.  Everyone was -hopeful that he could come home that afternoon..  Aaron encouraged us to continue to San Antonio but, of course, our hearts were with their family.  

We had assumed that the spirit telling us to head toward San Antonio meant that we should spend more time in the temple.  When Aaron called, we were just a few miles  from the Austin turnoff and were able to get there in about 90 minutes.   By that time, they had learned that little Spencer would be admitted to the children's hospital in downtown Austin.  Things were much more complicated and we were needed.  

Another miracle.  In our sightseeing more than 24 hours earlier, Dad's corvette high centered over a tree root. Dad was concerned but it seemed to drive fine so on we went.  Soon after our arrival in Austin, Dad pulled out of the driveway to take Haley to the hospital & discovered that the transmission wasn't working. No gears.  So embarrassing to helplessly back into Aaron's neighbors garbage can but the neighbors were so nice about it. 

The problem?  A ring linking the transmission to the linkage was gone, probably knocked off when we ran over the tree root, more than a day earlier.   How did the car continue working over those many miles?  We were so grateful to be near a dealer where it could be repaired and help at home with Carson, Camilla and Brooke.  

Our small contribution was added to so many who continue to bless this family. 

My point.  The Lord didn't cause little Spencer to get hurt but I know that he was aware of what this wonderful family would need when it happened & everything was in place to give support.  I know that the Lord is aware of our needs & Angels will always be there. 

I love this from Elder Holland.  

"I ask everyone within the sound of my voice to take heart, be filled with faith, and remember the Lord has said He “would fight [our] battles, [our] children’s battles, and [the battles of our] children’s children.”10 And what do we do to merit such a defense? We are to “search diligently, pray always, and be believing[. Then] all things shall work together for [our] good, if [we] walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith [we] have covenanted.”11 The latter days are not a time to fear and tremble. They are a time to be believing and remember our covenants."

Our Texas time was wonderful as we saw  the Lord's hand in this challenging experience for sweet little Spencer..  Even with his pain, he was the same happy, ever-inquisitive little boy.   Aaron and Haley remain calm and full of faith.  Thanks for all of your prayers for Spencer's continued healing.  

In both the Austin Pierson's and Dallas Pierson's homes, we felt the same sweet spirit we feel in all of your homes.   Watching the Primary program in Austin, we felt again our deep gratitude that all of our primary age grandchildren are learning these same truths and feeling the same spirit. I love the happiness in your families.  

I continue to pray for Spencer daily that he will heal and feel better. We sure do love our sweet, crazy boy.