Faithful and True

Feet that couldn't walk

Arms that didn't move

Mouth that didn't talk 

And a jaw that couldn't chew

She prays and she fasts

Trusting that it would happen at last

Movement would come

Talking would start

God would be felt

Deep in her heart

Little by little change did appear

Proving her God had once again drawn near

The sorrow is strong

Tears have fallen down 

She holds on so long

For her God has promised a crown

Trusting one day the storm will be past

His hope holds her steadfast

Yet for now the storm rages on

Traveling here and traveling there

As foreward we go

 Castings and surgeries are done everywhere

Hard it may be yet it is not just her story

The end of it all is to show the world His Glory

 

God will shine bright

Then there will be no night!

He is Faithful and True

And as always will follow through

He has promised rest

As we stand strong through the test

2 Weeks Post Op

Addie is two weeks post-op. She is doing amazing!!! Her pain is under control and she is pretty happy overall.  The doctor in St. Louis said if the doctor at home was comfortable taking over some of her care we would not have to travel back to him until this summer. So we went Monday for her 2 week post-op X-ray with our doctor down here. He was more than willing to take off her cast for us so that was set for May 7th! He is happy to work with the doctor in St. Louis to make sure Addie gets the best care she possibly can without us making unnecessary trips back and forth to St. Louis. We have truly been blessed with great doctors and nurses that are willing to care for Addie and make things as simple as possible for us! Even in the middle of the crazy year we have had full of surgeries and casting God has blessed us with people who are doing their best for Addie!

Don't Lose Heart

I think the thing I have learned most during our life lately is perseverance. Perseverance according to dictionary.com is "a steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement." I've learned I can't do it alone and by my strength but only by God's. I've learned that whether life feels up, down, or sideways I can rely on Him. I sometimes think 'why God don't you just fix this or fix that' but He has been showing me the beauty that comes through perseverance. This past year has been one of the hardest of my life. We moved 1000+ miles away from our home, and family, and friends. Mike has worked crazy hours at his new job trying to get thing sorted there. We had no church, no friends, no activities, no doctors, no therapists. It was intense just getting settled and sorted but I saw God's hand of blessing through it all. Then, we had two surgeries both up north which resulted in a 5 week journey of traveling and house bouncing for me and the kids and Addie being in cast upper body then lower body for about 13 weeks total. Things finally had settled down and it was the holidays. We made it through that to be hit with an unplanned trip up north to follow up on her feet and hips. That lead to another surgery. We found out that Addie will need an intensive hip reconstruction followed by 5-6 weeks in a spica cast. Which will be followed by 2-3 weeks of foot casting again to stretch the feet back out. We are also in the process of relocating yet again. We are not sure what exactly our future will hold but we know Who hold our future. 
This is where the perseverance really kicks in. We must stay steady, I can't give up hope, I have to keep pressing on and trusting that in the midst of this God has a plan. That some how He is working it out for good. It may hurt now but He has a plan. I must keep this as my focus in spite of the difficulties, obstacles and discouragements we are facing. I can't lose heart. God brought me to a couple of verses this week as I digested and prepared for the next step of Addie's journey.  One verse was John 16:33 "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Sometimes when we are facing so many difficult things it is easy to feel like we must have done something wrong. This can't be what God wants for us. It should be easy and comfortable when we are doing the right thing, but this verse reminds us that is not always the case. Just because life is difficult doesn't mean we aren't exactly where we should be! We WILL have trouble not if, not maybe, but we WILL. This is normal, this is okay. God is still good, He knew this was coming and He has a plan. I have to persevere and hold on to that truth and not get pushed around by the ups and downs of life.
The other verses He lead me to are Hebrews 10:36 "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God you will receive what he has promised." & Hebrews 10:23 "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." We have to persevere and hold onto the hope that He gives us because He is faithful through it all! Continue to pray for us as we travel back and forth and go through this surgery and recovery time. We will be doing our best to hold unswervingly to Him, but as you all know in the midst of the trials it is easy to be swept away in the emotions and exhaustion of the day to day. We know God is faithful and He will carry us through each step as He always has. We must not lose heart!  

My Baby is 4!!

How does time go so fast? How have we so quickly gone from this...

to this...

We had a rough couple weeks after getting out of her casts but slowly but surely she is back up dancing and singing her way through life!! The doctor was pleased with how well her feet look and we are doing extra therapy and lots of stretches to try and keep it that way!

The arm doctor was amazed she had gained so much external rotation or ability to move her hand out. He is hoping the abduction or upward movement will continue to come in the next 4-6 months. While we were in Cincinnati getting her check up they were filming their annual holiday video and so we got to be a part of it which was fun for the kids. If you want to watch that here is the link...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHcJ8s1wqhA&feature=youtu.be

We got home from our quick trip to Cincinnati and St. Louis and it was Addie's birthday! We had a fun day at the Science Center, out to dinner, walking around seeing lights and of course cake and presents!! I can't believe she is 4! But I also can't believe how far she has come. Sometimes it is discouraging because there are things that set you back or the progress is slow but looking back this past couple weeks on old pictures and videos reminds me just how far she has come! I am so thankful for all God has done in her life!