I usually write on this blog great things that happened in our church.  This week has been a little different but many of the stories of the past week are about how wonderful our church, friends and family are.  Let me share much of what happened since the accident and I’ll let you decide how incredible our church is.  I honestly don’t know how people make it without God and a church family.

• Sunday 2:15pm Accident happened
• While I’m in the ER 3 church friends arrive.  1 (whom I never saw) held our 7 week old baby so Dawn could be with Dylan and I in the ER.  The other 2 brought me a sandwich and water and took my truck and trailer back to my house.  
• Soon 2 more friends show up just to see Dylan and be a huge support to me.
• Newnan ER team was great.   They put 2 staples in his head, X-Rayed most of his body, got him stable, then decided to transfer him.
• News begins to spread quickly and many people begin to pray for us.
• About 5pm we left Newnan and after the slowest ambulance ride in history Dylan and I arrived at Egelston Children’s Hospital.  (I have a few picture on my phone of Dylan getting in, riding and getting out of the ambulance because he asked me to take them) 
• I was getting many texts on my phone while in the Egelston ER.  News was spreading faster and faster and the amount of people praying and concerned just amazed me.  
• I remember my mom called and asked if we had anyone to help us.  I nearly laughed since I was already overwhelmed by the love from so many and the news had barely spread at this time.
• Around 10pm Sunday night we were moved up to a room
• At this point Dylan was still in substantial pain but doctors were begining to rule out all internal injuries.  
• Monday morning many more doctors came to see Dylan. 
• A doctor at Egelston confirmed what a doc in Newnan said to me.  That if Dylan had been about 3 yrs older our 2-3 yrs younger this would have been much worse.  They both said that at this age range kids bones are very elastic.  As you get older they solidify and they would not have bended but broke.  
• Finally on Monday after giving so many updates about Dylan I made a difficult decision and began to write updates on this blog. 
• On Monday afternoon Physical Therapy came and tried to get Dylan out of bed.  It was so difficult they agreed we should get new x-rays on his leg.  
• I begin to hear that people that I haven’t talked to in many many years are praying for us.  
• My former church, where I worked, sent a mass email to their entire congregation to pray.
• Decision was made Monday night to get an MRI Tuesday AM since there was concern on nerve damage
• A number of good friends drove all the way up to ATL to visit with us.
• Dylan is the oldest of our 5 children so childcare while Dawn and I were in the hospital was a real concern but our friends relieved most of that concern from us and made sure our kids were taken care of and were having lots of fun while we were gone.  
• Monday night we had our entire family up in Dylan’s room.  He was so tired and on medicine that he fell asleep in all the noise.  It had only been 2 days since I had seen the other kids but it had seemed like weeks.
• Tuesday MRI was interesting.  When they put him to sleep and told me to leave for an hour, I didn’t know what to do.  It was the longest I had been away from him in days.  So I emailed and called more of my friends.
• More friends made the big drive up to Egelston Tuesday afternoon.
• One of Dylan’s good friends came up and he helped Dylan make a cool lego toy.  This meant so much to Dylan.
• The PT people came back Tuesday afternoon and got Dylan to sit in a chair.  
• I’m still in a bit of shock and nearly beginning to cry as I picture 100’s of times in my head what happened and now I’m looking at him standing up.  In our physical brain this does not compute.  A 2000 lb trailer roles over a boy’s chest and he is walking nearly 48 hrs later?  So glad God is greater than what we can imagine.
• When were were discharged last night (a day before we expected) we realized again our other 3 kids were at 2 different houses where friends were keeping  them, feeding them and loving on them.  
• On the way home we picked up Ariana.  Dylan woke up to see one of his best friends who gave him the perfect gift.  
• Then we got home to find Dylan’s new bed all ready and made up for him with a very sweet note.  Dawn and I both nearly broke down right then and cried.  
• While putting all our kids to bed another friend stopped by to bring us Dylan prescription that she had picked up for us, in addition to a present for him.  
• I wish everyone could see the sweet cards Dylan’s friends have made him.   
• Another friend brought Sarah and Will back to us in addition to about 3 meals worth of food.
• We have no idea how many people have been praying and were concerned for us but if you told me 5000 I would not have been surprised. 
• The love we have received has totally overwhelmed us.  Honestly.
• I’m so glad I decided, after much hesitation, to write these updates.  Because nearly 700 people have read them.  
• Today we farmed out all our kids to more families so Dylan and I could rest.   
• Many people have brought us food so Dawn doesn’t have to worry about meals for a few days
• Dylan is now napping and I should too.

Why did these 54 hours change me.  Well the obvious first.  We nearly lost Dylan in a very tragic accident and experiencing that always puts the love you have for your family into perspective.  Dawn and I are so blessed that God has given us these wonderful 5 children.  Also,  I have been changed in seeing what community in Christ really is like.  Every church I know wants an Acts 2 church (2:42-47) but we rarely get to experience it.  These last few days I have been able to experience it but not just from my church but from believers all over the world who have been praying for us.  Lastly, I got to spend 54 hours of intense time with my son.  Where I had to do everything for him.  This tragic time, as difficult as it was, has changed our relationship and I’m so glad to have spend that time with him.  

Well, we are home.  Dylan is good and our prayers have been answered.  I know we will never be able to thank everyone in person but please know how grateful we are to you.  Thank you.  

We love you,

the Coffmans