Our birthday
girl Anna was carefully placed in her stander. She was adorned in a fancy
dress, with a flower headband, and a tiara on top. Her favorite things were on
the tables and in the decorations. We dedicated a little space for our guests
to write a benediction for Anna if they wanted to. The place was humming in
conversation as some gospel songs set the mood. There was an abundance of food
and conversation. Thank you Lord.
At one point
we gathered all the party-goers together in a circle for prayer. I focused on
Anna who was across from me; I could tell she was gladly going along with the
afternoon’s festivities. My nerves and manic thinking kicked in as the emotion of
this significant event intersected with my public speaking. By God’s grace I
made sense and kept things reeled in.
As Anna’s
father, it was memorable how God brought together Anna’s servants, prayer warriors,
friends, and family to celebrate how far she has come. We felt supported by
grace and love. I looked around at the
people present and felt I could never thank them enough. Isn’t that how it feels
in front of God, we can never thank Him enough?
We know that
God didn’t make a mistake in Anna’s afflictions, or in giving her to us. Therefore,
we trust that in His time He will heal and continue to meet our needs as we
present them to Him. It’s this asking and waiting that has grown our faith
life. Our journey with Anna has frequently put us in a place of need, which can
be embarrassing or burdensome. We are left asking God through the intercessory prayer
with e-mails, we ask God to meet our needs through His Body, for His glory. We
ask God because we mess things up, it’s often too much. We ask God and we see His
Church rise to the occasion as responders.
Locally we
have people that listen and guide us, we receive many free meals throughout the
year, free childcare, weekly helpers that help clean, and we have also received
much for our material needs, all in the name of Jesus.
The Church
abroad encourages us. Though we haven’t fellowshipped in years there are many
praying and sending kind words to encourage us on the way. Prayers are frequently being presented to the
Lord pleading for Anna. I’m convinced that this is all otherworldly; it’s a Christ-in-them
love that makes them still care for Anna and walk with us.
I know that
in my flesh I would not have the attention span it takes to read these prayer
e-mails unless inwardly compelled. That is why Jesus is the resurrection He
came to indwell just as the New Covenant promised. Yes He died be the ransom
for sinners, yes He died to restore our relationship with our Heavenly Father,
and yes Jesus arose to indwell us with restorative, resurrection power that
cares for the least of these.
Please Pray:
-Praise God
for Anna receiving the CES waiver for Medicaid. This has been a year in the
making, last summer we were denied without much clarity as to why. Lindsey
resubmitted six weeks ago and were accepted! This means much in terms of more
therapy, alternative therapy, respite (for date nights!!), mobility equipment
for the house/car.
-Praise God
for Fletcher Miller school. Our visit was good, they have so many accommodations
there we hope to start at the beginning of April.
-Praise God
for a handle bar extension in Anna’s new wheel chair, it helps out a lot.
-Pray that
the school nurse would call us to set up the “health plan”, she said she would
last week but didn’t. I don’t know why she hasn’t yet.
-Pray for
progress in therapy, Her OT is working on tongue movement. PT is focusing on
tone managing, kneeling and walking at times.
-Pray for
the walker we ordered that it would be approved and would arrive sooner than
expected.
-Pray for
God’s wisdom and direction regarding Anna’s reflux. We have compiled a chart,
daily she refluxes 13-38 times. We are considering an intestinal liquid deposit
tube so he stomach would be less filled. This is hard as a parent to watch and
clean up. We are desperate for a touch from the Lord regarding this suffering.
Thanks,
Nic, Lindsey, Anna, and Simon
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