Baby Jonah Pics

WARNING: the family want to share photos of their baby Jonah fighting for his life right now, but also are sensitive to the fact that some people may not be up to viewing his medical process photos. Others will find these photos a wonderment as they see the extremes that medical personnel are employing on behalf of this tiny little boy. Therefore, I have placed the medical photos as a link [med photo]- if you want to see for yourself. You decide. In any case, I will at least post his pre-surg photo to spur on your prayers <3.

Here is what Jonah’s parents said about the photos:

If you would be willing, we’d like to share more of our burden with you. If you are willing and able, we’d like to e-mail a picture of Jonah to you, we believe that a picture is worth a thousand words. We do not wish to offend or disturb any one of you. We are merely seeking to share our heavy burden and believe if you were able to see our little baby, you might be able to even better pray for us. The picture may be disturbing, so if you are willing and able to see it, just click on the link [med photo]. Thank you again so very very much.

Two pictures are of Jonah before he went for his first surgery (Mon. 1/3).  The other two are of him [med photo] 1 day after his first surgery (Wed. 1/5) AND [med photo] The next day (Thurs. 1/6) he was taken into surgery again to open up his vein to open up a blockage that was preventing him from fully draining the fluids from his body.  Even more lines and tubes and meds were placed at that time. (no pics of that).

Please pray that he would continue drain the fluids so that the doctors will be able to close his chest.  The original plan was to close it on Monday, but he had an episode on (Fri 1/7) – he was moved in order to take a CAT scan because his eyes were dilated and they were concerned about possible swelling on the brain.  When they brought him back to his room, his blood pressure dropped and his heartbeat was erratic.  So they had to give him fluids and more meds to get him stable again.  So that put off the surgery for at least one more day.  He has begun a round of antibiotics, because the longer his chest is open the greater his risk of infection.  So again please pray that they would be able to get the fluids out and the swelling down enough that they would be able to close his chest.

Thanks again for all of your love and prayers, Marty & Val

Additionally, here is a photo of Jonah’s Big sister with him. Let’s keep her in our prayers as well. God is at work in a mighty way in this tiny little one. Remember, YOU can leave comments to encourage them.

Prayer for Baby Jonah’s Life

I am posting this email prayer request on my page so that everyone can get details. Please join me in praying for this family! Plus any comments that you leave would be a blessing to them. For I know that I have many praying friends.

Our missionaries in New York!
Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2011 7:00 PM
Subject: Baby Jonah Silverberg Fighting for His Life

Dear Praying family,

We are so thankful to the Lord because we have you, who love us so much and are praying for us. We are endeavoring to put together a prayer list, after a long time and many computer crashes. Some of you have already received some of this info. Here is a summary.

On Tuesday, Dec. 28th, Valerie went into labor. We were snowed in from Sunday’s storm. Not one plow had come down our bock yet, and we could not get her to the hospital. EMS couldn’t help. By God’s Grace we were able to get a cab. Val had to walk to the main Ave. and go by herself, as I stayed with the children. Val had a C-section delivery.

The surgical team was a assembled one week later on Tuesday, Jan.4th, and began early in the morning what turned out to be over 12 hours of open heart surgery.
They redesigned Jonah’s Aorta and Pulmonary Artery, so he could have a chance to live 6 more months, when hopefully he will undergo another open heart surgery.
That night, Jonah went into Cardiac arrest 2 times and was revived with the paddles both times. Jonah then began retaining fluid at a life threatening pace.

By Thursday night, it was determined he had a blockage and under went another open heart surgery. They found his Superior Vena cava to be narrowed and performed a surgery to widen it. Since then, Jonah has had several episodes of life threatening blood pressure drops, but he made it thru.
Please continue to pray for him. His condition is extremely critical. His chest remains open, as he is so bloated, the wound cannot be closed.
Another surgery is still a possibility as well. The chance of infection with his chest like this is very high. He must drain fluid, but slowly. He is still alive, and we are thankful to the Lord for this. Please pray for Val and I, as we are exhausted, and trying to keep up with all that needs to be done.

In Christ’s Love, with gratitude,
Marty for Val

Foreign Accent: Say What?!

Once again the Twitter monitoring is showing me that there is another surge in interest in Foreign Accent Syndrome. Today I read this article dated 12/20/2019 in The Examiner.com by Charlene Collins
Once again, many people doubt that such athuds could happen and say some cruel things in response or make jokes about how they wish they could suddenly have an accent of their choice. However, it does seem to me that the tide is turning. There seem to be a growing number of people who are genuinely interested, who actually show empathy by stating that they couldn’t imagine what it would be to live with such a disruption to their daily life.

I feel sorry for those who simply can’t accept it. I think that the people who respond with cruel remarks such as “she’s just doing it for attention”, “she sounds like a retard”, or “he’s obviously faking it” are really scared to admit that it could happen… So suddenly and unexpectedly…and no one knows why… and it could happen to anyone! This isn’t a regional, racial, sexual, or economic malady. It’s an equal opportunity shocker that affects not only the person afflicted, but everyone in their family and social circle!!
In order to help get the word out and misperceptions addressed a few of us FAS endurers are working together to gather facts about our individual cases, encourage scientific and medical study and research and then document and disseminate truthful, 1st-hand information. With that in mind, I wrote the following comment in response to the article I mentioned earlier:

I know that Foreign Accent Syndrome is real because I am living proof! This is really a pretty good introduction of what it is. However, I would disagree with the number of cases medically documented. You state 20 ever in the world and I know of 13 right now and I believe there are more. However it is commonly accepted that it is extremely rare and more like 60-100 cases ever since the original case was documented.
As a former pre-med student I am constantly amazed at the lack of understanding that we have of the human brain! Truly, we are fearfully and wonderfully made!
My own case started May 12,2009 after an exceptionally severe migraine and spreading facial numbness on one side. CT and MRI did not show a stroke yet something profound DID happen for although the facial numbness and headache were gone in days, I now speak like an eastern European, Swedish/French person speaking English depending on what words I am saying and interpretation of the listener.

Look around on my site (search fas) for lots of postings about living with this when not even many medical specialists have even
heard of it before.

MerryChristmas everyone! Http://ellen5e.com

A Hearts Prayer

Dear Friends reading this blog,

Please PLEASE join me in fervent prayer on behalf of Baby Jonah and his sweet family who are missionaries in New York right now. Here is a letter explaining:

 
  Special Prayer Request 11/24/2010
 
The following email was sent to us from Marty Silverburg. He and his wife Val are missionaries in New York City. They received difficult news regarding their unborn baby and are asking us to pray.

“We are asking for prayer from our mission family.
Here is an update on our situation, and it is not good news. Tuesdays echo cardiogram revealed a segmented aorta, which is a serious problem. With the right ventricle not formed, this is not unexpected. There also may be serious problems with 2 important veins which go to the heart. This is in addition to the transposed major arteries an unformed right ventricle, and leaking left ventricle. There is now also a buildup of fluid around the babies ( Jonah ) heart.

Val was told she will be monitored weekly and may have to have emergency C- section at any moment. Today she received a steroid shot to help the babies lungs, and will receive another tomorrow. Our lives are in total disruption right now. We have no one to help out w/ the children. We are also not prepared for what might occur, as we thought we had more time to make arrangements.

Thank you all very much for your prayers. We do trust that our Lord is in control.”
In Christ’s Love,
Marty

So please let us keep Marty, Val and tiny Jonah (as well as his siblings) in prayer. For little Jonah’s broken heart can be a source of brokenheartedness or a point of rallying together in Christian love. Let us send that love heavenward in prayer and horizontally among the people of God as we come to show the love and hope that only comes from our reliance on God.

As we assemble for Thanksgiving family gatherings to celebrate the innumerable blessings that God has bestowed upon each of us, our family will have an additional time of special prayer for this sweet family. For there are few greater blessings than our family.

If you would be kind enough to add your comments of encouragement to this blog post, I will make sure they get them.
 
 
 
 

Holy Justice

This post is in response to reading together RC Sproul’s book “The Holiness of God. This week we read chapter six: Holy Justice.

What I appreciated most about this chapter was the emphasis on the need for correct understanding of theses words: justice, mercy, sin, grace, righteousness and injustice.

I have noticed many times how indignant people become when they feel that there have been injustices done that are going unpunished or in which the punishment seems unfit to the infraction. “That’s not fair!”, is an exclamation that many of us have made from toddlerhood playrooms, sports stadium sidelines and upon hearing of judicial decisions. How often that exclamation is followed with the statement “well, if I were in charge … ”  and then some venting of our own judgment which would obviously be better. Ha!

I believe that the author also does a great job of pointing out that a major problem is our sense of entitlement that we have developed as a result of expecting God’s mercy rather than judgment for our own sins. Sproul points out that people view God in the Old Testament as one of condemnation and wrath. A “because I said so!” kind of Lord. These same people then apparently have a hard time reconciling the Old Testament Yahweh with the New Testament God of love who gave Jesus, His only begotten son, as sacrifice of sins and Savior of our souls.

Sproul starts the chapter by recounting the Old Testament stories of sudden death as God’s judgment for sin. First  told, was swift death that came to Nadab and Abihu  sons of Aaron. As priests they new every detail of what Holy God required, yet they violated his instructions by burning strange fire before the altar and were immediately killed. This seemed like a shockingly severe punishment to Priest Aaron who took his disagreement to Abraham. Abraham helped Aaron understand that these men were fully aware of their duties and desecrated the place of Holy God which demands justice. Abraham helped reestablish the severity of sin and Aaron stood silent.

Sproul then recounted the story of Uzziah who likewise was killed when he suddenly reached out and touched the Ark of the Covenant as King David was having it restored to it’s place among Gods people. What appears to the observer as a severe punishment for a selfless act of a priest trying to keep the Ark from falling off of an oxen cart, was really an act of sin judged by God instantly demanding Uzziahs life.
The author does a good job of explaining how very many violations had really transpired in the parading of the Ark in this fashion (you can read it for yourself).

What these stories have in common, is how swift and severe was the punishment, and that witnesses had judged that God’s judgment was not “just”.

Later in the chapter, we are reminded of the story of Lot. The total annihilation of Sodom & Gemorrah, and later God’s requirement that Isrealites totally destroy every living thing when going into a land.

The author points out how time and again we people, question the justice of the all-knowing Holy God whose very nature is righteousness. I think Sproul does an excellent job of pointing out that these very facts about God prove that we cry for “justice” when we really expect “mercy”. He reminds us that from way back in Genesis we are all guilty of sin, and God had previously stated that the punishment for sin is death. Since the rules of righteousness (doing the right thing) were clearly explained and understood, and we violate those rules (commit sin); then justice (the unbiased carrying out of punishment for infraction) requires death, right?! Um… Yes and no. The way I understand it, I as a mere created being have NO right to require anything of God. However, God’s holy nature requires a penalty for sin to be paid.

Enter–Amazing Grace!! Amazingly enough God showed so much mercy on Adam and Eve and all the generations that follow, that He provided another way, a more excellent way, to mete out his punishment for our sins. He sent Jesus Christ as not only an example of how we can live our God-given mission to live as an image of God among the world, but to first cleanse our sins so that we would be able to fulfill that purpose by bringing glory to God in our daily lives & through service to others.

This Grace and Mercy (giving undeserved favor) is a Gift, but more importantly in this case, it is a life-saving gift. Without God’s grace we would ALL be dead!! The Perfect justice of our Holy God demands death for sin. “But God” …. Oh, those are two of my very favorite words!!

It is important for us to realize that just because we do not see punishment served as we would deem fair; God is never unjust! Rather He may be bestowing grace by allowing time to pass before the payment is made. Either through saving grace or just read Revelation in the Bible; ALL will stand before the Holy God and be judged. Actually it is more accurate to say we will probably fall on our faces as dead men before the Sovereign.

Though not mentioned in this chapter, I thought of the New Testament story of the woman with the issue of blood. Like Uzziah, she had reached out to touch a Holy vessel of God’s Spirit, this One being in the person of Jesus Christ. Yet, she was not zapped dead for doing so. On the contrary, she was healed from a terrible physical malady. How can it be? Wasn’t it Jesus who said in Matthew, “Come to Me…”?

Sproul reminds us that God Himself states ” I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy.” In other words, God is the One who chooses to bestow mercy, and it’s best I don’t question the Sovereign. After all mercy and grace are “gifts”. How silly would I look if I asked you why you did or did not give someone a gift? It’s none of my business.

As I read this chapter, I had been sick in bed for two entire days. This isn’t the only time that chronic illness has forced a change in my plans. but this time I was more upset because I have deadlines & people are counting on me. However, as I read this chapter, I believe God helped me to reexamine my attitude. Why is it that I feel that I am entitled to be well? Why is it that I get so upset when these things happen when I have deadlines? Could it be that the sin of self-righteousness, and entitlement are starting a rebellion under the banner of “this is not how it’s supposed to be”? God forgive me, I am wrong.

As we are drawing toward the celebration of Thanksgiving in the United States I would invite you to take part in a different spiritual parade. One in which we march under a banner which says “All Thanks to our Holy God” as we realize that everything is by Him, for Him and accountable to Him. Only with a more accurate view of our sins affront to Holy God, can we really be thankful for everything! Good and bad (as we see it) alike are all used to fulfill God’s purposes. Faith in God’s true Word bears it out.

A favorite quote from the book this week is this one found on page 170:

“God does not always act with justice. Sometimes he acts with mercy. Mercy is not justice, but it also is not injustice. Injustice violates righteousness. Mercy manifests kindness and grace and does no violence to righteousness. Mercy manifests kindness and grace and does no violence righteousness. We may see non-justice in God, which is mercy, but we never see injustice in God”

This chapter is a great reminder that I must be aware of when I am not practicing my belief “God IS God … I am not!”

Next week: Chapter 7: War and Peace with a Holy God.

More insights on this reading can be found at Challies website by clicking here.

Two of My Foreign Accent Syndrome Sisters

This morning I received word on my Facebook wall that the NBC Today show

had a story about Foreign Accent Syndrome on it. This reminded this acquaintance of me and he told me about the broadcast as well as sent a “God Bless You”. I love that! He remembers that I have had it since May 12, 2009 after a major migraine makes my midwest farmer’s daughter accent turn into Dutch/Swedish/German “Eastern European” sounding speech. I just praise God I can still sing regularly.

I regularly monitor the topic Foreign Accent Syndrome on the internet and web trying to get latest scientific news. That’s how I found out about Sarah Colwill last Spring. I reached out to her on FaceBook and am happy to have another FAS friend.

So I went to NBC Today online and there I found this video article about my British friend Sarah Colwill and Kay Russell who both have Foreign Accent Syndrome. We have been Facebook talking since Sarah came down with it also as a result of migraine back in the spring of this year.

It turns out that Kay Russell lives only about an hour away from Sarah so they got to meet each other with all the excitement that I had in meeting Fisher Fran last year. To find someone else who suffers from the same rare malady helps a person feel less alone. Even if there isn’t a cure. There is just something blessed about being able to share in the depth of understanding that comes from such a thing.

I am grateful to the NBC Today show for doing the story to help bring more awareness to the fact that Foreign Accent Syndrome does exist and that it does so greatly impact peoples lives. Yet, even when science doesn’t have the answers to the “why” or “what do we do about it” questions, people can carry on with hope. That’s a message that everyone needs to hear!

Well, here is the embedded link to watch the story, enjoy. FAS Women Bond on Today Show

And if you would be kind enough to comment to NBC for doing the story or here, it would be an encouragement.