Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Spa Treatment

The beautiful and charming Susan sent me this photo of Ali getting worked over in physical therapy with "Spa Treatment" in the email's subject line. I don't know what you think, but if you ask me, there is a serious look of contentment on that little baby's face. That expression says, "Don't stop. I'm doing my job, now you just keep doing yours."

So this will be what Ali does over the next few days. She'll get massaged by pretty nurses and have her muscles worked on. Something you can all can pray about is Ali's muscles and joints responding to this therapy. At the end of last week, we were concerned that Ali might have to wear splints on her arms for awhile because her she kept them tense and close to her side; she wasn't bending her arms at the elbows. Over the weekend, she loosened her arms up considerably and is moving them and relaxing them, but the concern, now, is her little thumbs. While Ali was in a coma, her hands were balled into little fists the whole time. She is stretching out her fingers, now, but she isn't wiggling her thumbs. So that's an area where Ali's joints need to start working.


Ali kicks her left leg quite a bit. She turns her head some. Her brain sustained pretty serious damage and as it heals, she'll gain back more and more mobility. Our Creator has designed little Ali delicately and wonderfully. Pray for Ali with us as the nervous system He crafted repairs.

As I said in yesterday's post, I've been consoled by reading through the Psalms. I'm reading through the Psalms of Affliction (Psalms 6; 13; 22; 69; 88; & 102). A theme I've noticed that is consistent throughout these chapters and verses is a sense of being forsaken; abandonment. As I read through Psalm 22 this morning, I praised God because I have not known the abandonment described in the chapter's opening verses. There is a sense of aloneness because my family has been wrenched from a familiar routine. But abandonment I've not known.

I am constantly aware of God's presence through His Spirit and through the encouragement and love that flows from the Body of Christ. Your phone calls, emails, and comments on this blog lift my spirits daily through out each day as each one comes in. I'll never be able to adequately express how grateful I am for that. But I know the Lord will remember and reward each one of you for the kindness shown to my family. You are laying up riches for yourselves that will never see corruption or decay.

7 comments:

Mike West said...

Verse 22: "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you."
This verse from Psalm 22 stood out and I thought of you when I read it. I can't imagine the anguish your family has endured the past several weeks. Many flee their faith in difficulties. Thank you for your example. It is an important example for us to remember when life gets tough. Keep Looking Up!
Love,
Mike & Mary West

Anonymous said...

Bryon,
We love reading the updates on the blog, something our family looks forward to because it shows God's mighty ability to do all things! Each night when the boys say their prayers, Pace so perfectly prays that Ali will feel better. It brings such reality to Trent and I as we listen to him talk to God. We know God is listening to our child and healing yours! When Pace sees the photos online, he says "Ali looks like she feels better, we should say thank you to God"... we are with you in prayer daily.
Love,
Trent, Emily and the Edwards Clan

Anonymous said...

Thank you for such very specific things to pray for! My kids always want to know what we're praying for next...and wait excitedly for the day when we read on the blog that God has healed in that area!!
Praying ~
The Scott Family

Anonymous said...

Hey Bryon,
I constantly check your blog to see how Ali and your whole family is doing. And I wanted to share passage with you that has really been helping me the past couple of weeks:

"In all this you grealy rejoice, though now for a little while you have have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is reaveal." 1 Peter 1:6-7

God is and will be glorified through all of these trials and hardships and your pain and grief will not go in vain.

I continally pray for Ali, you, Susan, Charity, and the rest of the family.

Brigitte

Anonymous said...

Bryon, this morning after Sergio and I prayed for Ali and your family I stop to ask him why God puts his people through this trials and Sergio has always this simple way to say things and he said "Because God puts His faithfull children through trials to strengthen their faith and bring them closer to Him" and you have been a perfect example for us all thank you again for sharing....we can't wait to see Ali's improvement daily and we keep on praying and loving that child through your blog more each day....God Bless, Sergio and Marny Sartor

Anonymous said...

Bryon,

God loves you and your family, and especially Ali. I know you know this, it is just nice to be reminded. He is our Abba Father.

Anonymous said...

We have never met but through hearing about Ali from friends I have the privilege to pray for her healing daily. Doubts are not even possible as I firmly believe that God will totally heal this angel of yours. She will be a strong witness of God's love and power especially His mercy.
The most difficult thing I know is to pray for the man who caused this harm to an innocent baby. I do pray that this humbles him to give his life to Jesus. God loves even him too, I know. What we do in sin can open our eyes when it is evil enough.
God bless you all. I am anxious to read your blogs. Thanks for the updates.
Helen