Hi everyone ! Neela will be turning two years old this Monday the 27th...Can't believe we've had the privilege of having her as our sweet daughter. She has taught Bart and I patience, strength, and gave us the meaning of what unconditional love really was...............
So we wanted to kind of update you on how Neela is doing the past few month....She actually has been doing quite well, beside the fact that reacting hugely to mosquitoes the past month. She had one by her left eye a week ago and her whole left side of her eye area was massive making her eye swell shut. Thank heavens it was the one that we always patch....so she really didn't need to wear a patch those few days. I got to thinking about that mosquito bite as of lately...(For those of you who don't know or don't remember, Neela is supposed to be patched each and everyday for about 8 hours, which is mostly ALL of her waking hours, since she sleeps A LOT) The past three months, up until this week she has been refusing to keep her eye patch on that left eye. Bart and I have battled and battled trying to repatch just as quickly she rips on off. It has been so hard on both of us seeing her not agreeing with her doctor's plan for the development of her vision in her weak eye (rt one). I think for a while there we were going through about 60 patches a week...Keep in mind that you get a box (20 ct) that is about 6 bucks ! :( Not fun, and very expensive....esp when you find them everywhere. I even went on a bike ride the other day and there was one laying on the side of some random street in Elmore. :) She is sneaky...but sooooo smart about it. I have now resorted to buying extra large bandaids and cutting them in the shape of an eye patch for her. You can get a box of 15 and they are only a $1.00, WAY cheaper!! Like I said before this week has been particularly great for Neela in wearing that patch...I think the Lord worked on her a bit with that bug bite making that good eye swell shut, so that her weak eye actually had to work A LOT!! I think we've been getting about 6 to 7 hours these past few days, and I haven't even had to put mittens or socks on her hands!! Praise...Praise...Praise !! I just hope that maybe Neela is turning a corner with her weak eye...Our doctor told us that once her vision becomes better in her right eye she won't fight us sooo much 'cause she will be suffice with that patch on, 'cause she can see pretty well out of it :) YaYYYY!!! So this is great news that we want to share with you all. Bart had told me the other day that he prays each and everyday on his way to work for her neck (LM) and her right eye weakness. He is such a marvelous dad and husband to be driving to work at 3 am praying diligently for his sweet little princess.
As far as her LM issues, she has been stable and remaining healthy overall except for some triggered swelling on her neck, from her body working from them bug bites. Its weird that LMs can increase from even from a small mosquito. She still looks marvelous in our eyes, but we are feeling like she could benefit from another Ok-432 injection. We had found out, after seeing the not-so-good, horrible bed-side-manner ENT doc we saw at Mayo a month ago....that there is a doc who is working under the supervision of Dr. Richard Smith of UOI, which was Neela's doctor at UOI Hospitals. The doctor is out of the children's hospital in Minneapolis, MN. His name is Dr. Timothy Landers. We are going to be setting up a consult with him in the next few weeks. Hope to be able to help her with her increased swelling before the end of summer, esp before the cold/flu season.
Ran across this prayer and letter from a friend of mine on facebook...and she got it from a friend of a friend....so its been passed from one LM family to many others. I think it is a great letter I will forever keep for Neela.....
Dear Neela,
The day is soon coming when you will realize that you are different. This is a very important day, because at that moment you will take the first step toward either loving or hating the God who made you that way. If you choose the path of humility and joy, your fruit will be perseverance, character, and hope; and hope does not disappoint. But if you turn away and walk the path of bitterness, you will reap loneliness and tears.
Before you make your choice, consider Who made you. God knit you together in my womb; you are fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are His works. Your heavenly Father created you in just the way that would bring Him the most glory. Your weakness is His strength. Consider that you are in the company of one of the greatest of God’s servants: the apostle Paul. He, too, had a thorn in his flesh – used by the Lord to humble him, so that a path could be cleared for Him to show His mighty power and grace. Neela, I continually pray that you would have the attitude of Paul, when he wrote, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Know too, my daughter, that this life is short; trust in the Lord, and before you know it, you will have a brand new body, free from sin, pain, and suffering. As you rejoice before your Maker for all eternity, you will understand that this life is a vapor. Spend it giving, living, and loving. Turn away from self-pity and cultivate a heart of compassion. Do not let anyone look down on you, but set an example in speech, life, love, faith, and purity.
When others stare, jeer, ask hard questions, put down, ignore, leave you out, and tempt you to doubt God’s goodness, turn it into an opportunity to declare His marvellous works. Proclaim how He intervened to save your earthly life in April 2008. Tell others how he has sustained you and given you each breath. Be bold, as Paul was bold. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with a blessing. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will become like him. Have the same attitude of Christ, who, in His deepest moment of agony, prayed Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. Remember, like Joseph, that what the Enemy meant for evil, God intended for good.
Never for one moment doubt that you are any less loved, valued, or wanted because you are different. For some reason, God chose your father and I to have the awesome and overwhelming task of shepherding you toward Him. Be patient with us, as we too are weak, flawed, selfish sinners, fully dependent on our Savior for each moment. Live by our example of helplessness before Him, as He is a very present help in time of trouble.
Your dad and I will always and forever be here for you regarding anything...from having to help you with that stubborn flip-flop that is not fitting between your toes just so:)....Kissing boo-boos from bike falls.....to supporting you during procedures and doctor appointments. Your sisters, brothers, grandparents, aunts and uncles are here for you as well....
Neela, this is my prayer for you. We LOVE YOU .... Happy Birthday sweet...sweet girl.
(tears were literally soaking my cheeks as I read and wrote this)
Love to everyone who has prayed diligently for our daughter Neela...HE is marvelous and has done wonders because of your faithfulness. Thank you.
