Still healing... Thursday, August 13th

I spoke with Jenny and Isabella last night! Jenny is spending every other day at the hospital with Isabella, so they were both there when I called. It was a joy to be able to hear both of their voices on the other end of the line. I don't know that I will ever take that for granted again...
Jenny said that Isabella is continuing to make progress. Her conversation is becoming more spontaneous. Apparently, the rehab center set goals for Isabella upon her arrival. They revisit these goals each week and benchmark her progress. This week, in locomotion (movement and balance), she has surpassed where she needs to be upon release. She also scored very high on bowel/bladder control. In the others ( including things like speech, social communication, self-care) she is very near where she needs to be. Jenny said that for the first time, she has a peace that Isabella will recover completely. She stressed that she still has a long way to go in some areas, but that she was confident that she will be fine.
Jenny said that Isabella played Sorry and UNO with her therapist yesterday. She had to explain at the outset the rules of the game. Jenny said she was able to do that and was happy with her sequencing/order skills.
The scar on her forehead is looking better and better. It is still really pink, but the swelling is almost completely gone. It seems like she has just a few days left to be in Columbus and then she will be able to be home with her family. School starts on the 21st. There are still many questions in the air about that issue. Nevertheless, it will be good when she comes home for all to have life return to some resemblance of normal again...
My sisters Stephanie and Jessica took Aleacia shopping yesterday for some school clothes. I am so happy that they were able to do something special like this with her. She is so distracted from the life an 8 year old should have right now. She has really needed some special attention. I can just see her eating it up and I certainly know they were able to find some very cute things for her to have! My heart really goes out to her during all of this. I can't imagine having a twin with me all the time, emotionally and physically, and then suddenly having that ripped apart. Even upon return, Jenny stressed to me that it will be difficult because they will both be at different levels of maturity. Please pray specifically for this issue.
My dad took Sophia to do something special yesterday as well. They were going to go play putt-putt. I can see Sophia's smile and I know she enjoyed every minute!
Jenny is making good progress as well. She had an ortho appointment this week. All the x-rays looked good, everything is healing well, and they were pleased she had been doing her therapy/strength training on her own at home. She can now almost fully extend her left arm and turn her hand up. They told her only that she needed to be bending her knee, that she would have to push through the pain and just do it. Also they told her that she will soon be able to put weight on her right leg, as tolerated. That means for her that she will soon be able to try getting around with a walker. She has yet to do that, and there will be no weight bearing on her left leg, but still it seems like a step in the right direction!
She does not have a CAT scan date for her mouth yet. Her cheek is still numb, but she is gaining more feeling around her eye. You will be happy to know that she can now flare her left nostril! She was so thrilled about this development and wanted me to share with you :) Her upper lip on the left side still has no feeling.
Once again, I express thanks for your faithfulness to intercede on behalf of my sister and her family. God's mercies are new each morning. Without, we would be lost. We are each so in need of His love, His forgiveness, His grace, His saving and His healing power.

"Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid; For the Lord is my strength and my song. He has also become my salvation." Isaiah 12:2

"You, Lord, will keep me in perfect peace when my mind is stayed on You because I trust in You!" Isaiah 26:3