Prayer requests

Anne’s summer

I think this has been Anne’s best summer yet. Anne makes good progress when she’s consistently challenged, and we’ve worked hard to make sure she has lots of challenges…

TheraSuit therapy + Church camp in June. Serial casting + reading tutoring in July. And when you add in trips to the pool and Six Flags – well, we’ve been busy.

I confess, I don’t typically have the energy for this type of schedule… I’m a read-a-book-at-home kinda gal. But I think God has given me an extra boost. That said, I’m thankful we only have three weeks left before Anne starts school :)

But she’s doing well. And so are the rest of us.

Oh! And Eric’s company generously decided to cover Anne’s TheraSuit therapy – but they said this would be the last year, so we’ll have to pray about what to do next year… But for this year, she’s covered!!! Thanks for your prayers and encouragement… they are sustaining us!

 

Pray for Anne…

July 2013’s prayer requests:

Please pray for Anne…

  1. For Anne to improve in reading during the remainder of her summer break,
  2. For our insurance to approve additional therapy visits to cover TheraSuit Therapy,
  3. For Canon and Kate to surrender to the sacrifice necessary to help me care for Anne.
  4. Praise God that Anne’s seizures seem to be controlled with her current medication with no harsh side effects!

Thank you!

TheraSuit: Year 2, Day 1

Anne begins her 2nd round of TheraSuit Therapy today. So far, so good :)
2013-06-10 10.14.15

Update and Prayer needs:
We finally have her seizures under control. She is on a different medication which seems to have very few side effects. At her current dosage, we rarely see seizures – and even when we do, they are extremely mild.

The only side effects from her seizure medication seem to be occasional intolerance for movement and increased emotional outbursts… NOT a good mix for TheraSuit therapy!

Please pray that somehow, these side effects are minimal and she would be able to grit her teeth through the discomfort and actually enjoy the process. Right now she’s screaming, but she’s working through it. We covet your prayers :)

Pray for Anne…

June 2013’s prayer requests:

Please pray for Anne…

  1. For stamina for me to care for Anne over the summer, and stamina for Anne to work hard during therapy this summer,
  2. For our insurance to approve additional therapy visits to cover TheraSuit Therapy,
  3. For Canon and Kate to surrender to the sacrifice necessary to help me care for Anne, and
  4. For the eradication of seizures, the balance and strength to walk, and the focus necessary to read!!!!

Thank you!

Pray for Anne…

May 2013’s prayer requests:

Please pray for Anne…

  1. As we look forward to summer, that we would be able to schedule activities and therapies that would prevent Anne from regressing both physically and cognitively,
  2. For our family to be an encouragement to Anne while we are at home together this summer. Anne has been sad more lately.
  3. For the eradication of seizures, the balance and strength to walk, and the focus necessary to read!!!!

Thank you!

Pray for Anne…

April 2013’s prayer requests:

Please pray for Anne…

  1. For the ability to control her emotions and inhibit her impulses,
  2. For her to depend on the Holy Spirit to help her make good choices and to give her self control,
  3. For the eradication of seizures, the balance and strength to walk, and the focus necessary to read.

Thank you!

Pray for Anne…

March 2013’s prayer requests:

Please pray for Anne…

  1. We still do not have her seizures under control. Please pray for continued adjustments in her medication to eradicate her seizures.
  2. For Anne to work hard in school and to persevere when school is difficult,
  3. For self control and a Spirit-empowered hunger and thirst to do what is best and right, and
  4. Finally, pray for God to show us his great, great love and goodness to Anne.

Thank you!

Brief Update

I’ve been a bit discouraged lately. I get so frustrated with myself when I’m discouraged – because it means that I’m relying more on my circumstances than on the word of God.

I think the main issue that has been discouraging me is Anne’s behavior. She’s just been rascally lately. Very contrary and sometimes… mean. There are a few reasons for this…

  1. Anne has frontal lobe damage. The frontal lobe controls executive function of the brain. This is the area that helps you use good judgment, promotes impulse control and helps you organize and plan. A healthy frontal lobe is crucial for independence. Anne does not have a healthy frontal lobe. It’s just extra hard for her to have self-control and make good decisions.
  2. Also, Anne’s self-awareness has improved. This is good. It is just more evidence that her brain is continuing to heal – but it also makes Anne sad and frustrated.

So, we keep plugging along day by day. When I get discouraged and overwhelmed, I have to force my eyes heavenward and focus on the present instead of worrying about the future.

Worry… I worry that I’m not doing enough to help her heal. I worry that I’m wasting precious opportunities to work with her because I’m tired. I worry. I worry.

What does Jesus say about worry? Oh yeah, it doesn’t help ;) And it’s also not of God. So, when I worry, I pray. That’s all I know to do right now!

Pray for Anne…

February 2013’s prayer requests:

Please pray for Anne…

  1. Her seizures have come back in full force. Please pray for adjustments in her medication to eradicate her seizures.
  2. Anne recently had a procedure to decrease the spasticity (tightness) in her left leg and arm. Please pray that this procedure would pay great dividends and allow Anne to gain more movement and strength in her left limbs.
  3. For self control and a Spirit-empowered hunger and thirst to do what is best and right, and
  4. Finally, pray for God to show us his great, great love and goodness to Anne.

Thank you!

Bedtime Prayers

Eric puts Anne to bed every night, and each night he prays the same prayer…

God, please give Anne self control, please be in her heart and please help her to be helpful.

And each night Anne prays too. Her prayers are typically silly, off-topic comments mixed with serious, profound requests. But tonight, she prayed…

God, please give me self control, please be in my heart and please help me to be helpful.

So sweet. And so essential. We know Anne needs God’s spirit to give her self control. We know Anne needs God’s spirit to live in her. We know that Anne needs God’s spirit to help her do the right thing. It’s just another example of how Anne is not so different than you and me :-)