Happy New Year!!

Well...2007 has been a difficult year for the Gauman Family. I must say I am glad to see it some to an end and have a new start with 2008. On March 6th, we experienced a tragedy unlike any other we’ve faced before (and hope to never face again.) This was the day a large RV gate fell on our son, Luke. After my dad having to do CPR on Luke, a sheriff escort to the hospital not knowing when we arrived if our son would still be alive, a talk about thinking about possible organ donation if he did not pull through, an up and down night (and week after) in the PICU where Luke was given drugs to keep his heart and lungs working, as well as being on a ventilator for two weeks. For reasons unknown to us, God chose not to take Luke home, and we began a journey unlike any other. It’s been a long nine months, full of ups and downs. One thing that I can say is that God has never left our side and has carried us down this difficult road. He has been our comfort and our strength during the darkest time in our lives. It is with a smile on my face that I tell of the many miracles God has worked in Luke’s life. Luke’s initial prognosis was very poor; they initially thought he had severe hypoxia. Later CT scans showed this was not the case (in case you are wondering hypoxia does not just disappear overnight-this was just one of many miracles.) God breathed new life into Luke that day and is gradually restoring our precious son to health. Luke has already overcome many of the obstacles that were before him – many that medical professionals doubted he would ever overcome. He recognizes everything that is going on around him. This week we went to see, "Alvin and the Chipmunks." How amazing is it that he can hold his eye open to watch the movie. He stayed awake the entire movie and loved it! He eats all meals by mouth and has no difficulty breathing or swallowing. His precious personality is still intact as he returns to us more and more each day. He is able to follow commands and loves to "play" with some of his toys with us. He is off of all medications except for Merilax until he gets to moving more. We are so blessed to have the precious miracle of Luke in our lives. I share this story with you so that you will know of God’s mighty power and of His miracles. So many people ask me what my goals are for Luke, you know what I say to them, with God ANYTHING is possible, and I want Luke to be the kid he was before that gate fell on him, why should we put limitations on him, he has more than proven himself able to blow through any limits! When Luke was first hurt my song was, "Tunnel," because I BELIEVE and KNOW there is a light at the end of this tunnel. Lately, I have another song, "There is a Reason," by Caedmon's Call. I know there is a reason we are going thru this, but as the lyrics to the song say, "There is a reason, He makes all things good." Sometimes I just wished this would happen on my time not His. So, I say good bye to 2007, thanks be to God for carrying us through. There is a light at the end of this tunnel because he makes all things good if you Believe, and I BELIEVE that 2008 is going to be GREAT! Thanks for continuing to be here with us throughout this journey, please keep praying for continued restoration for Luke, May God Bless you all in the new year!

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