Update 2/19/10 Day 103

Dear friends,

Just back from a few hours with some girlfriends, good food and a game of Taboo. A little recreation is so good for the soul. "He blesses us richly with all things to enjoy..." Of all the things the Great One gives us to enjoy, people top the list. It always comes back to the relationship thing. God loves it with us and for us. No earthly gift would have meaning without people to share it.

Hannah is at a Generation Church tonite, at an overnite "Lock In". She and a whole bunch of other teenagers will be rollicking and staying awake til morning. Rock climbing, laser tag, all manner of games, food and music will be on tap, and when Miss Rejoice gets home in the morning she will hopefully sleep right away. When she wakes up, will grumpiness ensue? Let's hope not. By the way, insurance has approved covering laser treatments for Hannah's scarring from the accident. She is particularly concerned about her legs with summer coming up. Please pray for her about this. We are allowing her to make the decision since the initial treatment will cause the scars to be more noticeable. Over time they will fade much more quickly with the lasers, but she is the one who has to choose. It's a difficult position for a 14 year old to be in.

Stephen is making me so proud as he presses for the prize in physical therapy. This is not a fast road, but as I've said before, "progress is victory in increments". He works very hard for every inch of range of motion. His skin graft was bleeding today after he worked on the exercise machines (just a little where the scabs are). His legs are rather swollen this evening, and he is sore, but that's kind of the way it is, especially at night. Feet up on pillows is the prescription for him. We have more pillows in this house than I can keep track of. It's a must, orthopedic wise. (If you've ever seen the Billy Wilder movie "The Apartment", that line will have some meaning to you). He's a strong fellow, my Hercules. One of the scriptures I got hold of in the hospital for him was "They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will rise up on wings, like an eagle. They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint." How about a big YES for that one. Praise the Great One for His mercy. The man can walk. Haltingly, with a limp, and with some gawdawful ugly feet, but walking it is. My gratitude is busting at the seams.

My dear blog friends, don't let the repetition of my thankfulness for you become old hat. Please know I speak it true. It's not routine for me. Walking happens on the outside and the inside. Smitty walks on the outside, and both of us walk on the inside because your love and the love of the Father continues to give us encouragement to put one foot in front of the other. This road is way too long and way too difficult to go it alone. I would have perished a while ago, if not physically, then emotionally. I pray you will see the truth manifested in your lives: "a man reaps what he sows..." You have sown kindness, generosity, understanding and love. The principal is you always reap way more than you sow. May it be that way for all of you.

Your friend on the pilgrim road,

Loriann