Blessings and more Blessings!!

   Yesterday, I received a beautiful letter from a high school girl that I used to coach in volleyball.  Her letter was in reference to Alana's passing.  The letter was written with such maturity and grace, that it's hard to believe she is still in high school.  In the letter she shared with us five different verses from the book of Psalms.  I would like to share them with you.

   Psalms 18:2 "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my Savior, my God is my rock, in whom I find protection...and my place of safety."
   Psalms 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble."
   Psalms 147:3 "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."
   Psalms 27:14 "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait on the Lord."
   Psalms 29:11 "The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace."

   I was very touched by her letter, which she hand wrote.  She also wrote out each verse.  What a blessing this young lady was to me and my family.  This girl did get a chance to meet Alana as did most of the girls I coached on the volleyball team.  They all enjoyed Alana's happy spirit when she came with me to games and practices.

   A few days ago one of my aunts called to share a blessing with me.  Boy, what a blessing it was.  She wanted to tell me how much Alana meant to her.  She had only met Alana one time and that was all that was needed.  She remembers how happy and free-spirited Alana was.  My aunt got a kick out of how Alana scooted about on the floor.  But, it was this past December that Alana's life touched my aunt the most.  Because of the struggles Alana was going through and our family and how I was sharing the pain of it on my Caringbrigde, it was helping my aunt through a rough time that she was having.  What a blessing that was to here.  It was a dark time that was a light for somebody else.  When she shared that with me, my heart was so glad.  I find it amazing how God works these trials out, He turns them into blessings.  He does say in His Word, "All things work together for good." 

   Another blessing that has come out of all this is the hospital that Alana was at in NY, Mt Sinai wants to do a memorial service in her honor.  Many of the doctors and nurses were quite close to Alana, she was very special to them.  Most of them had to work and could not come to her funeral.  They would like to opportunity to remember her and she was a blessing she was.  I was very honored at that request.  It will probably be some time next month.  It will be nice to see all the doctors and nurses again.  They all put up such a good fight on Alana's behalf.

    We are still trying to upload the video of Alana's life onto the computer.  The friend who did the video is working on that.  We are hoping to have a link from this website to the video.  Many people who were not able to come to the funeral would like to see the video.  I am looking forward for people to see the video and get to know our little girl.  She was more than just a sick girl in the hospital.  She had a wonderful and happy life.  It is a joy to watch it.

   I will once again be in and out of the doctors office and the hospital for a couple of my children.  That has been a little difficult.  At this time I do not like going into the hospitals.  My oldest son shattered his little finger playing basketball.  He is having surgery on his finger this coming Wednesday.  Thankfully it is a day surgery.  He has to have a couple of pins put in it.  My four year old daughter has a couple appointments at CCMC because see is having some bladder issues.  Hopefully, all will be resolved in the next few weeks.

   My seven year old, the one who needs his gall bladder out has been doing great.  We are going to wait awhile on that surgery.  It is just to soon to have another one of my children laid up in a hospital.  He is being watched carefully.  There have been no signs of any problems.

   Our family has been doing fine.  We all have our good days and our not so good days, but God has been gracious.  We get our comfort from Him and each other.  Our four year old is always telling people that, "Alana is not here, she is up there in heaven and she can talk now."  It is sweet to here her speak of her little sister.  It makes me smile.

   Thank you to all those who continue to pray for us.  All your prayers continue to be a blessing to us.

   God is good.