Abby update - December 31

Happy New Year! As we look back on 2006, it's not a year that we would ever want to repeat, but it's been a year that has taught us much and made us appreciate our blessings so very much. Lots of years ago a couple of college friends and I coined the phrase "WRM" ("What Really Matters"). At the time I think it was a response to some church politics, but, over the years, I've returned to WRM a few times when my life seemed to want to get burdened down with things that weren't important. The events of 2006 made us focus on WRM. What really matters? My answer today is the grace of God and the love we show to each other, whether near or far, stranger or friend.

It's amazing the grace that God gives. This evening I spoke to a friend we made in ICU whose 5-month old son had undergone three heart surgeries. On December 2 he lost his life-long battle, but his mother and family are expressing a sense of peace with the knowledge that he is in a better place. Please keep Khai's family in your prayers. Also, please keep our dear friend Jessie in your prayers. Tomorrow Jessie leaves for Denver, where she will be teaching in a literacy program and hoping to attend graduate school in the fall. As we mentioned before, Jessie has been such a blessing to our family (and that's even before she joined the all-night home remodeling crew!). Now she's stepping out again in faith that God will use her and guide her. We know she will find a way to serve--we ask your prayers that her travels will go well and that she will find fellowship and inspiration in her new home, job, and school. We know Jessie wants to live a life that really matters.

We did have a good day today--attending church with Abby and Frank (our congregation broke into applause as Abby walked forward in the church to sit among her teen group friends), along with a church pot-luck (boy, did we miss those when we were in the hospital!). This afternoon the physical therapist visited. We were impressed with her dedication to make sure she squeezed in one more treatment for Abby this week, but we were even further impressed at the urgency with which she wants to maximize the number of therapy opportunities for Abby. She believes in Abby's potential for much recovery, and she indicated a desire to explore many options for maximizing the types and quantities of therapies. Please pray as we work out those tactics. This evening we enjoyed a quiet visit with friends at home, friends who helped us and Frank walk through a lot of long days over the last few months (and did some time in the home-repair project as well!). By the way, Abby demonstrated tonight that she still plays a mean game of foosball!

Again, Happy New Year--may 2007 bring you hope and peace and eyes that see WRM...
Love,
Lee Ann, Gordon, Abby, and Frank