Many, Many Thanks to God's People!

Just before Christmas we received an unimaginable surprise for Rachel. We haven't had an opportunity to share God's amazing grace with you until now. Rachel and our entire family are overwhelmed and in awe of how God uses special people in our lives to help us when we can't help ourselves. We received a blessing from Maple Root Baptist Church and I want to thank them so much for all of their support. Their contribution will definitely go a long way in helping us obtain a ramp and van so that Rachel can take her power chair everywhere. Currently it stays at school because it is very difficult to take it home the way we have to do it now. We are so excited to be one step closer to taking her chair everywhere we go. This independence miraculously transforms our sweet Rachel's face each time she's able to driver her chair on her own. We thank God for all of His blessings! And we thank every person involved for helping us get one step closer!
We want to find a temporary ramp to go with our current van until we are able got get an adaptable one. Please join us in prayer so we can find one that fits and isn't too heavy for the nurse to set up. Also, please keep Rachel in prayers as she's got some upcoming major orthopedic surgery and some gastrointestinal issues at the moment. Thanks so

much and God bless each one of you!!
"The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it." 1Thes. 5:24    Praise You, Jesus!

Power chair bound!

Rachel has a new power wheelchair! She drives it with her head and she loves every moment of the freedom it gives her. She's one determined little girl! At 6 years old, she drives that chair better than her mamma.
We are working on getting a temporary ramp so Rachel can take her chair places. One day soon we will begin the adventure of getting an adapted van to hold Rachel's power wheelchair so she can go back and forth to school, doctor visits, and family outings. We're so thankful for all God has blessed us with!

Sweetarts

Sometimes life presents Sweetarts. Sweet and sour all rolled into one package. We had one of those Sweetart moments with Rachel today. She was @ a new pediatric neurologist today to try and get a handle on her seizures. The new doctor ordered bloodwork and a one hour video EEG (a test that uses electrodes placed on the head to measure electrical activity of the brain). Go figure that Rachel would have not one but two all out seizures while they were doing the EEG. That's like gold right there! Hopefully now they have more to go on about how to control her seizures. Gotta love Sweetarts. If you have to take the sour, atleast it melts into sugary sweetness in the end! Praise God for that!

Update on the life of Rachel

As a mom, I have been so slack lately about updating Rachel's blog. So sorry! The last several months have been a roller coaster for Rachel. She has gone a couple of months having seizures several times a week. She did have one two week period with no seizure activity and that was such a breath of fresh air for us all. She is doing well otherwise and growing leaps and bounds. Prayers that she will be seizure free are coveted much! They take such a toll on her little body and leave her worn out for a couple of days, often just long enough to have another one. We know God can heal her and pray that He does.
Rachel had a good Christmas and enjoyed unwrapping her gifts. Praise to Jesus for her cognition! I am so blessed to be able to have a sweet daughter that knows who I am, understands what I say, and can take joy from every situation. Thank you Jesus!

Rachel Needs to SLEEP!

Sweet Rachel is not being so sweet at two a.m. these days! Pray she gets her circadiac rythme back in order soon. She's been fairing well otherwise and we praise God for it! She finished her last day of 3k last week and is already enjoying the summer. She has had an awesome time at the beach and absolutely LOVES the ocean!

What's New with Rachel

Rachel has been doing well and we praise God for it. She has had a time with seizures but things seem to be settling down now. We learned that she will be able to attend Camp Rae this year! We are excited for her. It will a great opportunity.
Rachel is growing leaps and bounds. She is saying a few words, such as Momma, Mammaw, more, yes and she shakes her head no. She's developed such a great personality. It is so sweet to listen to her pray to Jesus at night, and don't even think about interrupting her before she is through!
Thanks to all who vigilantly pray for her!
Here is a photo of Rachel and her dad at her Mammaw's Valentine's dance.

Sweat Test

Rachel will be going for a sweat test tomorrow (whatever that is). She has had some issues with vomiting and has had a couple of seizures but overall, Rachel is doing well! Please keep her in your prayers!

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is kicking my baby's behind but she will eventually get better!  We have been at the hospital going on 4 days now.  Rachel is breathing better and hasn't had a seizure since Monday night but her fever won't stay gone.  If she can be fever free for 24 hours they will let her go home so pray that she is fever free!  We know God has plans for this adventure and pray that through it all He gets the glory for it.  Praise Him for the recovery she has already made!

Poor Baby!

Poor Rachel is sick.  She has had a cold or something for about a week that may have turned into a sinus infection.  We can't seem to get her fever to break (going on day two) so pray it breaks soon!  Many thanks for oyur prayers!

Walking!

Many at church see Rachel walking with her walker but some of you don't know how well she's doing! She amazes me that she never gives up. She is doing well. Her daddy and her nurse and physical therapist (all pictured) are working her hard!

She has been seizure free for 4 weeks now, praise God! She is trying so hard to learn how to talk. Pray God looses her tongue and lets her praise Him! Rachel is growing and developing such a personality. Her smile is infectious! I thank God for bringing her into my life!

Surgery Went Well

Rachel's surgery went well! She's back at home now and getting better every day. The surgeon redid her Nissen, repaired another hernia and pulled her stomach, liver and colon out of her chest cavity. I know she feels better now! Thanks for everything you all have done and we appreciate the prayers. Keep them coming!

Rachel's Upcoming Surgery

Rachel was to have surgery tomorrow (the 29th) but it has been rescheduled for Oct. 13. She will have a hernia repaired and a repeat Nissen. This is basically the same surgery she had on her 1st birthday but it will be at a new hospital and done by a new surgeon. Pray all goes well! God Bless!

Look at Me!

Rachel loves playing with her big sister! They play so well together!

Update on Rachel's Medical Equipment

Lots of people have been asking so I thought it would be a good idea to give an update on the medical equipment for Rachel. As of right now our insurance company has pre-authorized payment for 70% of part of Rachel's wheelchair. As expected, they denied payment for the hi-low chair. However, unexpectedly they also denied payment for a needed part of Rachel's wheelchair. The charges for the denied part of Rachel's equipment is a little over $9,400. I have requested an appeal in the hopes that our insurance will reconsider their decision. If they reconsider they will pay 70% of this as well. The remaining 30% is where the funds you gave will come in. Thanks so much for giving! Pray that all the "red tape" will be taken care of soon and the orders can be placed on the chairs! God bless you all!

Update on Surgery

Rachel came through with flying colors! Praise God for answered prayers! We got to see pictures from before surgery and it is amazing she was even able to breathe! The doctor was even impressed she could breathe. We had a great doctor taking care of her and he even knelt down and prayed for Rachel before they took her to surgery! WOW! I was not nervous at all and I had every confidence God had her in His hands. Thanks for all your prayers. We are all so thankful for them!