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

Dylan had a great first night at home.  It is just amazing how well he is doing.  Praise God.  He got up and walked around the house today.  Here are a few pictures of him in his new turtle shell.  (I doubt he’ll be in it too long)  About 50 hours for a tragic accident to walking.  Our miracle boy. 

i made the pictures smaller size than i usually do so more can click on them.

They have said we will be going home tonight!!!

Wait to you see Dylan’s new Turtle Shell brace.  

I’ll put a picture on here as soon as we can.  

My guess it will be late tonight but we should be home.

Yes sir we have lift off.  Dylan is out of the bed and sitting in a chair and eating pizza.  It was not easy but he is doing great.

MRI were all clear as well as all X-Rays.  MRI did show some swelling but that’s about it.

The swelling is way down.  He is like our normal Dylan today.  Much more laughing and smiling.  

We will practice walking some first thing in the morning and then we will be going home!!

We have to really push Dylan because after all the ordering off a menu, eating fun food, watching tons of tv and movies, Dylan is not really ready to come home yet.  This hospital is like a hotel for kids.  I don’t know why any kid would want to leave.   

He really is a miracle kid, our little man of steel.

Thank you again for so many people’s kind words and prayers.

We attempted the MRI but Dylan was in too much pain and a little too freaked out to lay still.  He is now sedated and they are trying it again.  He should be done with this in about an hour or so.

About a month ago Dylan became very interested in Superman.  He’s read this big book on him.  Now while in the hospital he received some balloons that said, “to Dylan “Man of Steel” Coffman.  He loved it and after this week that is now his nickname.  btw, he is right now watching the original Superman movie.  

I’ve been so impressed with him.  His attitute and his strength.  

I love that boy.

Dylan is doing ok.  He has never lost consciousness and is totally his normal self when he is laying on his back on a stretcher.  When he moves in anyway that’s where the problems start.  He has 2 fractured bones that come off his spine.  These bones should heal on their own and not cause long term problems.  He also has massive bruises on his right hip, shoulder and leg.  Where we stand now is just that we don’t stand.  He hasn’t been able to put any weight on his right leg.  Doctors have ruled out any broken bones in leg or ankle.  So now we go for an MRI at 7 in the morning.  Not sure if all this pain is due to nerve damage, overall pain from fracture bones or something else.  Due to this development, particularly since he can’t get out of bed, it looks like we will be here at Egelston Children’s Hospital in Atlanta for at least a few more days.  

Dylan is his normal self.  He is eating well and sleeping as best you can while in a hospital and having IV’s stuck in your arm.  I am also “sleeping” here at the hospital.   He is loving all the balloons and gifts people are bringing him.  Thank you all so much for your kind words and prayers.  

If this is all new news to you and you don’t know what happened please call one of our many friends.  They will fill you in.   It’s still a little too difficult for me to type.   

Please continue to pray.  He is a “miracle boy” (as many have said) but we are not totally out of the woods yet.  God is good.

Ok this is the first time I have ever blogged about Amerian Idol.  (not counting when I blogged about my own AI tryout)

I did watch it last night and yes it was an upset.  What an awesome platform God has placed him on.  I came across this video of him leading 20,000 people in worship while singing “God of this city” in his home town.  No song affects me more EVERYTIME I hear it than this song.  What a cool song for him to be singing.  Anyway I love this video.

What a fun busy weekend I had.  Let me fill you in:

• Van was officially totaled
• Found a new (new to us) van that is nearly perfect
• Had a big party at my house for Dawn’s high school friends.  As in friends she went to high school with. 
• I haven’t talked to anyone I went to high school with in  years
• Great service on Sunday
• Many people told me how Jason’s message was so right on where they are right now.
• Does your performance define you?  Does what others say about you or your past define you?  Or does God?
• A few people visited us from Sharpsburg this week.  They were very helpful and loved the experience.
• Double Kelley’s on video.  Now that is too much of a “good” thing.  J
• Our second Starting Point class started this week.
• I really enjoy getting to know new people in Starting Point
• Neither, rain, sleet or snow will stop our picnics. (pictures below)
• I loved sliding around playing kickball.  It was crazy. 
• I was on the ground nearly as much as I was standing
• We have finished programming our next series.  It’s called One Prayer and I can’t wait for you to hear these messages.   It’s the entire month of June.
• Last week of school for my kids.  They are so excited.
• Ariana graduates from Kindergarten on Thursday.

girls leaving the field

kid table

Food

mmmmmm

I’m hugging 3rd after falling again

Becca (the lone girl) just rocks!!

Taff kicks it far

Bryce makes a play

Dylan is ready

Philip kicks it

Here is my van.  Dawn, Will and Samuel were in the van at the time.  No one was hurt.  Praise God.  Matter of fact Samuel never woke up.  We are driving a rental van for a while until this can get fixed.  It always interesting how things like this put everything into perspective.