An angel in bib overalls

Three weeks today... It has been three weeks. I can't believe how far God has brought my sister. I really can not get over how he protected her in the first place. My aunt Mary (one of my dad's sisters) just posted a comment on my last entry. You can go back and read it if you like. She mentioned that there must have been an angel at the scene of the accident, "an angel in bib overalls." She is referring to my grandfather, my dad's dad, who passed away in 1997 of Parkinson's Disease. He was a builder and wore, almost always, bib overalls. I have fond memories, all of them, of him in his chair and of course the overalls. I included a picture of him above. You can see for yourselves...

It is powerful to think of the heritage we have. In addition to that, it is moving to realize how God has worked all things out in a way that is so beyond our comprehension... We will never know on this side of eternity just why God brought a horrific accident in the path of my sister and her girls that day. We will never know on this side of eternity how He chose to spare their lives. As I have said before, we can, most certainly, know that there was a reason. I am grateful for the time granted them, especially Jenny and Isabella who sustained multiple severe injuries, and vow from this moment forward to live my life always letting them know how much I love them...

I am moved this morning as I remember fondly my grandfather. I am reminded that God promises us complete healing one day. He has done that for my grandfather. One day He will do it for me. He has worked physical healing in the lives of my family in the last weeks, but promises them that one day there will be no more pain, no more tears. The God who authored our faith will one day perfect it. How can you not cling to that promise? The verse below contains the words consider Him. I wrote a few weeks ago about remembering to stop and give God praise for all things. Today, stop and consider Him who considered you worthy of His life. There is no more important choice you could make...

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross. despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3

Tuesday, July 28th

Not really much new to report today, but I thought I would post anyway. Jenny followed up today with her family physician. He was so very glad to see her walk through the door and was very personable and tender with her. I am still so amazed at how Cedarville (a town in which I grew up) has really lived up to the small-town-steps-up-and-acts-like-family stereotype. Thank you all for being so wonderful to my family. It has helped me so much being here to know that there are so many there who are willing to do just about anything to help my family.
Her doctor changed her pain medication, giving her something more. Hopefully she will sleep better because of it.
Isabella had a couple of golf pros visit the hospital today. She got to "putt" with them. Matthew said that it will air on the Golf Channel. He does not know on what show or when, but I will be sure to sleuth that out for all of us!

A joyous reunion

My sister called me this evening. It was very strange to see her name come across my caller i.d. as I haven't seen that in weeks. It made me once again so thankful for her spared life.... She was calling to let me know that she was able to spend a good amount of time today with Isabella for the first time since the accident. She hugged her, held her, and really just loved on her. I am sure it was good for both of them to see each other. They can begin to heal in a different fashion now... As far as progress, here is an update on Isabella. She is walking (or rather shuffling awkwardly). That happened just a few days ago. She has "upgraded" to a mechanically soft diet (no more pureed food!), including mac'ncheese and fries. Aleacia and Sophia were able to join Jenny and Isabella today. All three girls watched a movie together in the hospital bed (rails up of course!). Isabella recognized my parents today and called them grandma and grandpa.
She also was able to fill in the key words to the very first lines of Grandma's famous "Squeaky" stories. Squeaky is a mouse. My mother tells the best stories to her grandbabies. It is a nightly tradition should a grandchild be there for bedtime. Her story always begins with the children adding the same two words of the first sentences. It goes like this:
"Once upon a time there was mouse named Squeaky. He was so ornery and so cute." They happened to be discussing Squeaky today and Isabella was able to fill in cute and then ornery. I know that moment must have been very special to hear her recall those words...
Jenny said that Isabella is still very juvenile in her actions. She doesn't know how to respond a lot of times so she laughs. Jenny can see that Isabella is working out the difference between right and wrong. My sister said that part was very hard to see. She said that Isabella is doing great, but still has a really long way to go.
I know my sister is struggling with being able to have her life return to being normal again. She sounds very broken on the phone. I pray it happens for their family very soon. Join me in supporting them again in prayer as you have already been so faithful to do. Our family has been overwhelmed with support, love, and encouragement. God has used you in a tangible way. Thank you for letting Him!

Visitors for Jenny

Thank you for those of you who have spent time visiting Jenny. She would like to thank you for that immensely but also tactfully add that you please be respectful of her time. She let me know that she is just not feeling great still and long visits are very taxing. I know that you will respect her wishes and be able to discover the fine line between a refreshing visit and a taxing one. Thank you again for being so supportive in this time. Jenny is anxious for the normalcy of life to return and rest is imperative for that to happen. Thank you in advance for understanding.

Two peas in a pod...

Melissa was able to visit Jenny in the hospital. You can see that there are really no hard feelings between them. I posted a picture of them in their wheelchairs and also a picture of Melissa's cast that Jenny was able to sign. I believe it says 'Whoops. My bad. Love Jenny.' If nothing else, this picture alone is an amazing testimony of Jehovah Rapha, the Lord our healer. I am so thankful to see them both smiling. I haven't seen my sister since she was flat on her back in a hospital bed and very not with it. It sure is good to see her smile. I can't help but weep. God is so good.

Update from the weekend

Big news! Big news! My sister Jenny got to come home from the hospital yesterday. They kicked her out of rehab because there is nothing else they can do for her until she can put weight on her legs (8-12) weeks. They took the staples out of her leg that day. She is home at my parents' house with her two girls. She is hurting in new places and trying to get stronger. She is anxious to lose the wires in her mouth but has a few weeks. She says that she would love visitors now, but would ask that you let her know when you are coming (remember she is at my parents' house). She got to speak to Isabella on the phone yesterday. Isabella said "Hi Mommy" and "I love you, Mommy." It felt good to talk to her, but Jenny longs to see her. The doctors are checking to see if it would be alright for Isabella to have her come.
In addition to Jenny's good news, Isabella has some of her own. She got her feeding tube out. After biting it in half once this past week (it took four people to get a new one back in her) and again yesterday, they finally just left it out. She is seeming to do fine without it. Matthew says that the doctors are amazed at what she is doing, that they are saying they have never seen a recovery like this, so quick. Here are a few of her recent accomplishments: putting on her socks, writing her ABC's, reading a book, drawing a picture, writing her whole name with help, and even completing an addition problem! Pray that Isabella will continue to progress in huge measures like this and that within a few weeks she will be able to come home to be with her family....

Update for today

My sister saw the oral surgeon today. They think now that what is poking through into her mouth is actually a piece of bone. To do something about it would require her wires being undone. She will deal with it for a few more weeks until she gets her wires off. If at that time it is still bothering her, they can shave it down or remove it.
Isabella was able to eat some pudding and drink a bit of apple juice today. I am not sure if she had her swallowing test today. My sister did not know. Also, they were prompting her to write her name. Matthew helped her with part of it and she pushed his hand away and finished the end herself. Please continue to pray for Isabella and her progress. She has a really long way to go, but each day seems to bring something new.