LETTER FROM HEATHER

This letter from Heather is the latest update on Sandy. Dear Friends and Family - Thank you so much for your encouragment, notes, prayers, offers of care, etc. My sisters and I have been thrust into a new reality that is taking our breath away, but also causing on us to hold tightly to one another, appreciate each moment of life and health that we have and turn our faith into a tangible waiting on God - trusting that He will guide our mother and us through each turn and step. Without going into too many details, physically and mentally she is at about 10% of what she was prior to the accident. Mentally, she goes from a completely aware conversation to sound asleep, to rambling about completely zany topics, not making sense at all. Physically, she is recovering simply being moved from the bed to a chair and not any real mobility on her own. She has stabilized to the point of the hospital looking to release her early next week and thankfully we have a facility near my sister Stacy's home in Philly which will take her in to start a rehab program. Today was the first encouraging day - with her feeding herself and even trying a few assisted steps. And so, we ask specifically for your prayers: 1) that she would climb steadily up the recovery incline, gaining strength and clarity to the point of complete rehabilitation 2) that her timeline would coincide with her insured timeline, so that she is not forced to turn over her assets, sell her home, etc. in order to stay under the short term care she needs, not even knowing what longterm will look like 3) that she would find joy in the journey set before her- and on clear moments that is her prayer, "God help me to find joy in my suffering" 4) for my sister Stacy's peace and joy in her new role on top of her other hats (wife, mother of 5 homeschooled children and women's ministry position) 5) for wisdom for us in deciding whether or not to pursue legal counsel which everyone is suggesting but feels unsettling and overwhelming on top of every other overwhelming detail Thank you for caring for her and us. Even in the midst of our tragedy, we celebrate: 1) Being by her side, Caressing and kissing her, telling her everything on our hearts and loving her in such a tangible way, singing with her, praying with her, laughing and crying together 2) Cherishing her and the strong woman she has always been 3) Being in a city where we were able to reconnect with an aunt, cousin and second cousin and having their company and support 4) Basically free lodging for over two weeks for the three of us, provided by a non-profit group at the hospital and right next to the hospital so we were able to get there early and stay late each day 5) Husbands and family and friends watching over our own families while we've been away 6) Beautiful, loving and tender care for her by the hospital staff 7) Loving friends and family offering their hearts and carrying the burden with us 8) A faith passed on to us by our mother, enabling us to lift our heads each day, confident that a loving God is right with her and us and that there is a picture much bigger than the one our little fragile eyes can see...... Thank you and bless you and may your home be filled with joy and worship this holiday season (and for the first year, I now have an excuse as to why I don't have my Christmas cards in the mail........I had to send out my mom's!) Love, Heather