Update 11/22/09

Dear friends,

You could read Psalm 18 for a hundred years and never plumb the depths of it:

¹⁶ He reached down from on high and took hold of me; 
       he drew me out of deep waters.

 ¹⁷ He rescued me from my powerful enemy, 
       from my foes, who were too strong for me.

 ¹⁸ They confronted me in the day of my disaster, 
       but the LORD was my support.

 ¹⁹ He brought me out into a spacious place; 
       he rescued me because he delighted in me.

I stand in awe of the greatness of God.  Two weeks ago tonite I might have buried my beloved husband and daughter.  No exaggeration, no hype.  Check out the photos of the crash.  (I'd attach a link if I knew how!)

Instead, today I watched my daughter chitter chatter like a beautiful, toothless teenager with her girlfriends and drink her vanilla bean frappuccino (she wants one every day), and talk to her daddy via computer.  My DFG friends know the song "Grace Like Rain".  Well, it's pouring.  I'd say I'm speechless but you would all know that's impossible.

Stephen is continuing to do so well!  He misses his family, and my time with him is limited.  If I could I would spend every minute with that flesh of my flesh.  I have never loved him more, and never been more separated from him.  He, of course, wants me to be with baby girl.  It's a tearing, but it's not forever.  At the rate she's going she'll be home in no time.  By the way, she's looking for visitors now - and misses her classmates like crazy.  She loved all the cards from the kids at Columbia and her wonderful Gen Church friends. Keep praying for her - remember, double for her trouble.  She's still always thinking of others and is just so precious and sweet.  Hannah is most definitely IN THE BUILDING. Will somebody just give God some praise!

No surgery for Stephen tomorrow.  Apparently my addled brain mixed things up.  However, a big prayer request for Monday : Dr. Bagchi, (aka Bob the Builder), will remove the dressing from Steve's left tibia and see if the skin graft took.  If it did, we're off to the OR on Tuesday.  If not, time to regroup.  So time to take this next hill, my awesome friends, and ask for a nice clean skin graft when those bandages come off.  I in no way want to be cocky, in fact I'm humbled to the floor by all Jesus has done for us thus far.  But I know He says to "ask and keep on asking".  Let's do that, again.

Please remember to love my boys.  They have been so beautifully cared for by Jackie and Steve and Mike and Lisa, and other fine folk who have come to our aid.  Still, there's no place like home and they need their momma.  If you're reading this dearest Joseph and David, it won't be long my darlings!  I love you with every fiber of my being.  We shall overcome!

As for all of you, how can I ever express my gratitude?  It has no limits.  Each one of you will receive your reward for all the invisible acts of love, kindness and tenacious effort for my family.  You are here for "such a time as this".  I can never repay you, and if I could, the world wouldn't be enough.  

As an aside, please pray for my dear friends Mike and Lisa Carey.  I love them more than words can say.  Mine were saved, but their son went home to be with Jesus several years ago.  They are heroes of the faith.  They still walk with God through the pain of loss.  What a wonder He is to carry us through.

Your friend on the pilgrim road,

Loriann