Ayla

Hi everyone! Sorry i haven't sent out an update in a while.
Ayla is doing very well with her cast off. I'm about to have a heart attack on a daily basis b/c she's moving and groving like crazy.
I keep praying for the Lord to heal her and make her stronger every day and for Him to keep her safe, while she's being a maniac AND WALKING HOLDING MY HANDS ALREADY AND PULLING HERSELF UP! She's also cruising holding onto things, but i stay right with her with my hands behind her just in case. It's hard b/c i am will not tell her that she can't walk. She knows that she can and she wants to and i'm not taking that away so it's my job to make sure she's safe while doing it. She's loving being able to swim. Our neighbors are kind enough to let us come over nearly every day:) I think that's helping so much with strength and flexiblity.
The orthopedic surgeons office called and rescheduled her next xray/follow up for the 30th instead of the 24th. It's sort of frustrating but we are hoping he'll be able to see whether her bones are stronger now than they were when the break happened since she's on less medication.
Also, September 3rd is when her dental surgery is scheduled for. Between now and then we have to go to the hospital 4 times and the dentists office once. I wish they could schedule all the hospital visit for the same day...but that's impossible. Some are for her leg and others are for her teeth. We also have to do bloodwork in the next few days (which is always terrible). We have to take her every 6 weeks and it's always pre-empted by lots of prayer that they get blood in one poke:)
Last weekend was nice, we got some extra time with Ryan b/c of the long weekend. Which we all needed:)
There is something i've been meaning to share and keep forgetting. A couple weeks ago at one of Ezra's t-ball practices, there was a young woman there walking her dog watching the kids play. She came over and asked me what happened to Ayla (this was with her cast still on). I told her. And she said, "God is good and whatever is happening it's for His good and his Glory. Nothing is in vain. Would it be alright if i prayed for her?" I said, "yes of course, thank you so much." Thinking she would go home and say a prayer for Ayla. Right then she put her hand on Ayla and prayed. This to me is always amazing and inspires me to do the same for people. I don't if you remember, but a similar thing happened with 'Gabby the Elf' at Christimas time, where she prayed right then for our family. God is so good and puts people right in front of you for so many unknown reasons.
This week i had the chance to talk to some friends, when Ayla wasn't there or near enough to hear, about how people are inspired or touch or intregued by what is is that we have that keeps us from falling into a million pieces. These are people of faith and some who have absolutely no faith at all and some who are looking for find something but they aren't sure what. Ryan and i talked and that makes all this worth it. If people can see that God is still good and even more good when you are suffering and that makes them draw nearer to him, it's all worth it. None of it was for nothing if only one person comes to know the Lord through this or draws closer because of what they have seen or heard.
The only way we are still carrying on and looking forward and not back (although some days are harder than others) is because of God. We could have fallen to bitterness and resentment and misery long ago...but why? God is good. Look at His blessings, look at the people He's surrounded us with, look at the miracles He's done, it's so obvious He is here if you open your eyes to see and your ears to hear.

Anyways, Jesus is the one who suffered for us. So we don't have to suffer but can find joy and hope in all things. As crazy as some people may think that is, IT IS THE WAY!

God Bless you all! And thanks so much once again!

Lacy