Ladies and Gentlemen, prayer warriors, well wishers, friends and family:

The State of Julia is strong.

We’re in the home stretch here at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Today during morning rounds, I heard two of the most beautiful words: “Discharge Studies”. Basically, they’re taking one more look under the hood to make sure all is well before they send Julia home. We have no firm discharge date yet, but most of the team grins when they talk about tomorrow. Makes me grin too!

They did an echocardiogram and an electro-cardiogram to be sure that the valve and septal reconstruction are holding. There is also an X-ray scheduled for tomorrow morning to be sure that there are no fluids accumulating in her chest. There are also the consults on home care, symptoms to look for that would merit a call to the Cardiovascular Staff and the “oh crap” signs that mean get her to the Emergency Room fast.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank the literally hundreds of people and faith communities who have been following Julia’s story and approaching God through a broad spectrum of traditions and personal disciplines and humbly asking for help for our little girl. A few of you have sent pictures:

Prayers from the Church of the Holy Redeemer in Rochester Hills, Michigan…

Congregational prayer from Faircreek Church in Fairborn, Ohio, where Jocelyn grew up…

Children of the Grace Children’s Home, run by my friend Jaya in Andhra Pradesh, India…

And a candle lit at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Evangelist in Brecon, Wales on the day of Julia’s surgery. This short list doesn’t include faith communities in the Netherlands, Greece, a Roman Catholic Church (praying in Spanish) in Corpus Christi, Texas and dozens of families and individuals on three continents that are too numerous to mention here.

It is our deepest conviction (including that of our medical team) that the prayers and good thoughts of so many have sustained Julia through the first few months of her life when her heart had no business doing what we were asking it to do and through the surgery and recovery time of the past week. You have prayed for the sanity of her parents, for the skill and clarity of the medical team and for the indomitable fighting spirit of our little girl. This could not have happened without your prayers and encouragement and we humbly thank you.

You’ll be hearing more very soon!