Sunday Morning Update Dear all, Well, that valley of death has been traversed, and we hope that there isn't another one around the bend. Karl has stabilized now, has not vomited anymore, helped by the fact that he has received no food in his stomach, and rather only IVs. His very significant problem now is a persistent form of pneumonia, one that has not let loose, despite antibiotics. This is a normal complication on the Intensive Care Unit, but that doesn't help the little boy's lungs any. He is breathing well, entirely on his own, with the breathing tube in only as a back-up, should he be able to breathe only fewer than 12 breaths per minutes. This is good news. His tight muscles have let up since yesterday, and I am on the edge of my seat waiting for his bright eyes to open. The highlight, however, was that yesterday, a nurse came up to me with a smile, and asked if I would like to hold Karl in my arms. I had no idea such a thing were possible, but they pulled over my bed, had me lay down, and lifted Karl ("Eins, zwei, drei, Hochheben!"), and placed him on my belly. I held him like a swaddled baby, tubes and all, for three glorious hours. We slept, I told him a few stories, and massaged his belly. It was tangible grace. Then later, they asked me what Karl liked to taste, so that he could have some new flavor in his mouth beside tube and mucous. I said, "Mama's milk!" And so sure enough, they allowed me to give him just a bit of my milk in his mouth and on his tongue, and he was so very content. I continue to beg for your prayers, and am so grateful for your concern and love. In Christ, Anna