Today is Wednesday....time for an update.
We are so encourage by everyone's interest and prayers. We are also encouraged by this week's wonderful weather. I spend Tuesdays through Saturday morning with Rachel, usually with one or two of Rachel's sisters or brothers with me. Last week Julia (21) and Emily (13) were here. This week Micah (9) is with me. He brought his roller blades and school books. Being from the country, he enjoys the sidewalks.
We are so encourage by everyone's interest and prayers. We are also encouraged by this week's wonderful weather. I spend Tuesdays through Saturday morning with Rachel, usually with one or two of Rachel's sisters or brothers with me. Last week Julia (21) and Emily (13) were here. This week Micah (9) is with me. He brought his roller blades and school books. Being from the country, he enjoys the sidewalks.
After 3 days being away, I continue to see Rachel's strength improve which means her posture, eating, breathing, speaking and moving from bed to wheelchair and back is getting easier, but still with two assisting. Being 5'11", she pretty well towers over most nurses or therapists.
From my point of view, she is making good progress daily. The therapists all remark at how full her schedule is. She is busy. This makes these days go fast. Her day starts at 7:30 with her first therapy at 8:00. Two breaks. Her day then ends at 3:30. Supper is at 6:30.
From Rachel's point of view she continues to wonder 'how long' will she be here OR be like this? My answers vary. Today I said to her that she would be here until........then I stopped and asked her to fill in the blank. She looked at me and started to cry.
Actually, she has cried off and on all day. Then she types to me on this voiced mini keyboard (a wonderful tool) that she hates crying like this. She feels she is a crying time bomb. Rachel said she has never cried like this before. Having read stories of people in physically challenged situations who wished they were dead.........I did muster up the courage to ask her if she had ever wished that. She quickly and assuredly shook her head 'NO!'
I do wonder what all she thinks about. Her overall attitude is very cheerful -laughing a lot. But as each day melts into the next, she indicates she is just wondering how long. She is especially sensitive when people mention the day's date or the time of year.
Today she blew her nose by herself for the first time! And in Physical Therapy, she walked 50 steps, that is with 2 people at her side. Rachel's right foot has a difficult time moving forward, so someone helps that leg along. She can bare her weight on each leg as the other one moves forward.
Today she blew her nose by herself for the first time! And in Physical Therapy, she walked 50 steps, that is with 2 people at her side. Rachel's right foot has a difficult time moving forward, so someone helps that leg along. She can bare her weight on each leg as the other one moves forward.
The verse for this week for me is I Corinthians 2:9: "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has the mind imagined what God has in store for those who love Him."
Thanks for your prayers, thoughts, & generosity!
Crystal
11 comments:
i love reading your posts, it is a huge incouragement to read her progress, we continue to pray for her daily, we love her very much.
she is a great woman of God.
love in Christ
beth pancake in ohio
Thank you for that update and I am praying that the recovery goes fast for all of you but aseptically for you Rachel I am encouraged to hear about your strength through this and I know that God has a great plan in store for you. Just wanting you to know that we are thinking about you. Loral Epp
Dearest Rachel,
I never what you to think that I have forgotten. You are in my thoughts and prayers continually! I'm so happy that you are making such wonderful progress but yet I know that the duration of complete healing may seem so long at times. I pray that the Lord will continually encourage your heart, give you peace and joy, and that the time of "waiting" will seem to fly by! Keep up the good work - may you have courage from day to day!
Blessings to you!
I love to hear you mention that Rachel can now blow her own nose! Being a sufferer of hayfever [it is spring in Australia right now ] I've been doing a lot of that myself. Now I'll use it as a reminder to lift up Rachel, Ryan & Family in prayer!
I have extra-big God-bumps (goosebumps) today after reading Crystal's update. I am sure Rachel does not like crying or feeling like she is on the verge of tears, but when I read this post, I saw Jesus kneeling in front of Rachel, collecting all her tears in a jar.
Psalm 56:8 You've kept track of my every toss and turn
through the sleepless nights,
Each tear entered in your ledger,
each ache written in your book.
Rachel - there are thousands, if not tens of thousands, of people around this world praying for you. We are in awe of God's work in you already.
Cheering you on and drenching you in prayer from Kansas City, MO,
Rebecca & Brooklyn Pendarvis
Allyn Weddle's cousin
Friend Rachel!
Thinking about you this morning! Keep up the good work. You are an amazing woman! I admire you so much! I love you!
Rebekah
Hi Rachel, We are Allyn's family and have been bringing you to God's throne in prayer. We continue to lift you up, Rachel, to our great God, Who loves you with an everlasting love. He understands like none other, AND is able to make ALL grace abound to you in All things.
People down here ask frequently how you are doing. Your loving God is keeping you on their minds and hearts.
We are thankful for the updates on your progress -- may you be strengthened to persevere and overcome by His power.
We look forward to meeting you soon!
Peggy (for the Weddles)
Still praying, Rachel!
Isaiah 64:1-4
Your Friend in Nebraska, Emily Hipps
Thank you once again for your posts keeping us up to date with Rachel's progress. We rejoice with you in each step forward she is making. We continue to pray that God's peace, that passes understanding, surrounds her heart and mind and keeps her strong in Him.
With our love
The Noll Family
Dear Rachel and family ... I still get asked by many (even folks at work), "how's your friend doing". I wonder how many prayers on your behalf are going into the incense bowl before God's thrown.
Keep digging deep Rachel, focus on the small victories and progress, and keep reaching beyond them. Our God is an awesome God. He is powerful enough to heal you completely. He's gentle enough to gather all your tears. He is wise enough to direct each step you take (literally and figuratively).
I'm praying you see the provision He's given you in Ryan, in the excellent care, in your family, in friends ... so much. I'm praying you see Him more clearly in the midst of this.
Remember Jim's lecture on Joseph? You are in the middle of your story. Though it looked like the end, God extended your time. You are still in the middle of your story.
I love you and hope to see you again soon.
Hi Rachel. Its Kim (Hadfield) Kittle. This is the kinda stuff that books are written about. I wish I were a publisher--I'd sign you right now. You better be thinking New York Times Best Seller:) I LOVE LOVE LOVE romance and your relationship with Ryan sounds like the most beautiful relationship ever, but not as beautiful as my own marriage (kidding:) But anywho... Just wanted to let you know that Im thinking of you and praying for you. I can't wait to read your book:)
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