Our Journey....

The word "journey" means to pass or progress from one stage to another.

God promises us He NEVER leaves us or forsakes us. God had a wonderful plan for our family in the journey we've been on for a little over 5 years and He has NEVER left us; rather been walking one step ahead of us the whole way. We are now grateful to share this journey with you. To experience the incredible way God wants to use Barrett and our family will overwhelm me in the weeks to come. Maybe there will be a nurse along the way that has lost all hope, or perhaps someone who needs to see a God SO real only HE could perform such a miracle! We are blessed God chose us to be a light and we desire to give Him ALL the glory through this circumstance we find ourselves facing. Please join us on this journey in the days and weeks to come.

For a moment I want to let you take a peek into the beginning of our
journey....

God had a plan that was unlike anything we could have imagined or dreamed. After waiting 7 years and going through fertility treatments Barrett London Burgess was born in December 2003. It was apparent immediately that something wasn't right and he was whisked away for tests and to be monitored. 12 hours later Alfred and I were pulled into a small conference room and told he had a congenital heart defect. The next several days were a blur. Barrett was flown to Charleston, South Carolina where shortly after arriving developed an arrhythmia and was given a beta-blocker through his head. At 9 days old he had open-heart surgery.

That time will be forever frozen in our memory. God was surrounding us with His presence in such a real and almost physical way. The doctors did not give Bear the greatest of odds and his type of CHD is extremely rare.

Bear's Diagnosis...

Truncus Arteriosis accounts for less than 1% of all congenital heart defects. 1 out of every 100,000 CHD births will be Truncus Arteriosis. The hours after the surgery we sat and watched our tiny baby fight for his life. During those moments we didn't know Bear would grow into such a strong-willed and fiercely competitive little boy. He loves to hear stories read over and over and above all he LOVES Jesus and wonders what's wrong with anyone who doesn't. It has been a little over 5 years since that first surgery. We have patiently waited and prayed since that time. We have known since day one that there would be multiple surgeries over the span of his childhood. He has had 3 heart catheterizations and lots of time to learn and grow. Bear loves that his heart sounds like a "washing machine" and he loves to show his "zipper" off. He is safe in his 5 year old knowledge that God WILL take care of him and his "special heart." Bear gives me strength without even knowing it!

Next steps in our Journey....

On Monday, May 4th, we meet with our Houston Cardiologist (we also have one in Austin), the Cardiothoracic Surgeon for testing as well as touring the hospital. We will head back to Houston on Monday, May 25th. Bear will check in to the hospital on Tuesday, May 26th, for pre-op testing and to have the day getting comfortable with his surroundings. The actual day of his open-heart surgery is Wednesday, May 27th. We will update you with more information and the exact time soon.

"God makes His people STRONG and gives His people PEACE."
Psalm 29:11 (The Message)

Alfred and I pray this scripture for our journey and will continue to do so. We request that you join us as well. Prayers of HIS people is what keeps us at HIS throne when we need it the MOST!