Update 10/27/2012 By Dave

Carla Update… Saturday, October 27, 2012 – Today’s picture is of the Swedish Medical Center here in Englewood, CO. Carla has been here in the ICU since Wednesday the 17th, ten full days. She arrived at Craig, which is connected to the Swedish Medical Center, on Tuesday the 16th, and had a setback that moved her to the ICU at Swedish. Her body temperature has been normal for over 24 hours so the doctors are optimistic that they can perform the neck stabilization surgery early next week. No rehabilitation can be started until the surgery is completed. Be patient in afflictions, for thou shall have many, but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days. When suffering upon the cross at Calvary, Jesus felt the loneliness of agency when He pled to His Father in Heaven, “Why hast thou forsaken me?” His Father left his Son, the Savior of the world, alone to experience of His own free will and choice, an act of agency. This act allowed Him to complete His mission of the Atonement. As a result of the Savior’s Atonement, if we are obedient to the commandments, and endure to the end, we shall be saved at the last day. Betty today provides Carla’s status update. It’s been a reasonably good day for Carla. She had gigantic smiles for us when we arrived late morning. Dave and I had some good laughs with her. I brushed her hair, trimmed it for her and put it back in a real loose braid. She has such beautiful, healthy curly hair. I gave her another manicure and some good arm massages. We had our prayer time together and then I read scriptures to her. We’re reading in III Nephi, which is some of my favorite scriptures. I love the account of what happened worldwide at the time of Christ’ crucifixion which had been foretold for centuries. And I especially love His visit to the Nephites in the Americas after His resurrection where he shares His ministry. We’ll get to read more tomorrow. Dave and I will be here with Carla each day from late morning till 9 P.M. Richard will stay all night and most of the morning. He likes to be here when the doctors make their morning rounds. Matt flew home early this morning. We anticipate that Michelle will arrive next Thursday morning. She’s driving Carla’s car from her home near Houston that will take at least 18 hours. Our beautiful autumn weather ended this week with snow and cold temps, but will start warming up again tomorrow. I developed a bad head cold and could not be at the hospital for two days. All is well now. We love all of our prayer friends. You’re the best!