Swimming, at last!

On Friday, Grace woke me up asking me if her incision was healed enough to be able to go swimming.  This has been the ongoing question for weeks now and something that I had been saying "NO" to over and over again.  But, on Friday.....the answer was "YES"....there were NO MORE stitches sticking out of her back!!!  I think that one little word, "YES" is what she has been holding onto hope for, for so many weeks now.

So, what does a little girl want to do that has just been cleared to swim?  She drags her parents to her brother's VBS family night at Hawaiian Falls on Friday night, knowing that there isn't much there that she will be able to physically do but in her words she tells us, "All I want to do is go to that big area that dumps water on you, Momma, and just sit there, please." "Oh yea, can I please, go down the lazy river, too?"  So, for 72 minutes, one little girl who has been counting the days until she could swim again, had the time of her life!  Then, it began to lightning and we came home.  I think most people were sad to have to leave, but not our car, I think we were the happiest family leaving the parking lot. 

Saturday evening, we took the kids to see The Wizard of OZ at the Dallas Summer Musicals.  Another fun outing for the family! Even the wicked witch didn't seem to scare Grace.  I guess when you have been through what Grace has been through, not much can scare you! 

Sunday, Grace got to go back to church for the first time since her surgery and was excited to    see her teachers and her friends, but also seemed a little nervous.  Her OYM teachers and friends were so sweet to her and made her transition back to church very easy.  Lauren was there and even though Grace seemed a little apprehensive when she walked in, as soon as she saw sweet Lauren's face, she was able to just kind of peal off of me and onto Lauren.  I am so thankful for the way she and the other OYM leaders serve and love Grace!  

The question of the day after church on Sunday was, " Could we please go swimming at Royal Oaks?"  Grace was thrilled to get to go swimming at her favorite watering hole and looked like a fish in the water.  She definitely is such a natural in the water and I am so thankful that she has a place that she feels so comfortable being.  And, so thankful that she can swim again!  

I am so thankful for the blessing of swimming for Grace!  She was so happy this weekend!  Please continue to pray for her as her body continues to heal.  She is very worn out today and is needing to rest.  I pray that her strength and endurance will come back, but that in the meantime that we will be able to balance fun and rest.  I pray for her body temperature that doesn't regulate properly....I ask that we would be able to keep it under control as the Dallas temperatures are increasing.  I also pray for her bladder pain and other issues going on in her body.  I pray for complete healing of her body.  I pray for her studies as she is being tutored each morning throughout the summer; that she won't grow weary but that she will grow in knowledge and understanding.  I also pray for Grace as she begins to adjust to having to be more independent, after months of relying on me for everything this is hard for her.  She deals with so much, but right now I am going to bask in the memory of this weekend and the pure joy that I saw on her face, and not be burdened by the many hardships that she faces!

Thank you for continuing to pray for our family,

Carrie

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass thorugh the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
when you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.
Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you 

Isaiah 43:1-4