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Tuesday, July 26, 2011

A Very Tardy Update !

Greetings! Just wanted to give you all a quick update this morning. We've been quite busy these past weeks with the usual trips to physical therapy, doctor's offices, and the like. The above picture was taken of the little ones in the van. Music c.d.'s and Bible story tapes are fast becoming familiar friends as we still spend lots of time on the road.
Libby is taking advantage of an opportunity to read to Judson while standing in the front yard of our lovely temporary home.
Baby boy learned to ride a borrowed bike since moving here. The sweet family who own the home left a few in the barn, and Hannah Joy taught Judson to ride. We forgot the small but important detail of teaching him about brakes until someone realized he was coming to a stop by running into a tree:( No injuries:)
Jeremiah found his father's hat and wears it all the time. He also discovered his old navy uniform in a bag returned to us by some of the dear friends and even sweet strangers who collected clothing and other items found amongst the rubble. He treasures these items, and we're very grateful to have these memento's.
Oldest son spends much of his time at work these days and tries to catch up on auto repairs, work in the valley, and other things on his days off. Much to do and so little time.
In the vehicle again...I lovingly refer to it as my "rolling office". Much work is accomplished here and many phone calls are made and returned while parked and waiting. A large bag of folders and work projects are kept at hand.
I'm hearing sweet music again, and we're trying to get back to some semblance of a schedule.

Miss Emily is standing on her own now! She first used a wheelchair, then a walker, a cane, and recently she passed the cane to Tiffiny!
We've had quite a bit of rain lately, and we've been out in a vehicle during stormy weather on at least three occasions since the tornadoes. On one occasion, trees fell on side roads and limbs hit our vehicle and fell around us. Power was out in all the stores. One of the younger children requested that we listen to James Spann, a local weatherman. The National Weatherman came on and suggested people in the area take cover because of potentially high winds and lightning. Everyone became very quiet. I had to concentrate on prayer and maneuvering around fallen tree limbs and traffic. Audible prayers went up. Emily opened her bible and read scripture, another started singing a hymn, and all eventually went well. We finally made it off the tree-lined streets and arrived home safely. We're definitely more aware of impending bad weather, and I believe there is a dread of having something fall from above our heads. But God is our ever-present help in time of need, and we are thankful for the comfort that brings.
We've shared lovely meals with sweet friends. Our Bible Study recently resumed in the home of our teacher and his lovely family. They made the beautiful salad above and have been so gracious to open their home and delay their own work projects for the sake of helping with the work going on in the valley. Actually, many families have delayed their own projects. Thank you, thank you!!!

Miss Tiffiny still applies ice to her leg frequently and continues to experience swelling. She especially swells after traveling in a vehicle, but she has improved greatly, and we are thankful:) She will be on the blood thinner until Christmas, but she no longer has to go to the hospital lab for a weekly blood test. She now goes every six weeks:) She and Emily still go to physical therapy twice a week. What a blessing:)
As you can see, she now stands on her own and is walking with a cane. She can walk without it and prefers doing so, but her wonderful therapist has other ideas, and she must obey!
More beautiful salads prepared by Mr. and Mrs. T and family:) Yum!
Josh, Jacob, and Johnathon spend most of their days out in the valley working on the railroad house. Jacob is seen here putting away some tools. He saw the neurologist recently and received a very good report. The only noticeable thing left to clear up is one eye blinking more rapidly than the other:) Tiffiny and Emily also received a good report. Tiffiny will go back in December.
Our temporary home has a great driveway for riding bikes. It makes a circle all around the house.

There's a very nice playground for the children, and they made a ramp for the girls to get into the house more easily.
Judson caught as he awakens from a nap in the van.
Some of the family talking to a sweet friend about "Old Blue". We have a 51 Ford truck which was bought new by Tom's father. The children hope to someday repair it, and Mr. W is just the person to know about such things.

Abi planted some flowers. She's longed to work in the garden or in the flower beds. Since those are gone, she decided to plant some flowers and a few fruit bushes in large pots.

Please know how very much we appreciate your prayers and acts of kindness. We're busy writing thank you notes, but we have a long way to go. Many addresses we do not have. Please accept our sincerest thanks for all you've done and for every prayer and sweet note and lovely gift sent. God bless you all!

Blessings,

Sherry

16 comments:

  1. What sweet pictures! We continue to pray for you!

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  2. Great, great update! Praising the Lord with you. How poignant it is to hear of the children wanting to fix your husbands old truck and wearing his hat. His legacy lives on in the lives of your children!

    God Bless You All or as you might say "y'all!"

    Deanna

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  3. Thank you for the sweet update...continuing to pray for your family.

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  4. Remembering you... y'all :)
    Blessings, Anne x

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  5. So happy to hear that you all are doing well physically.....continued prayers for you and the kidos!

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  6. So glad to hear your update. Your testimony has blessed so many people! My daughter and son-in-law lost their home here in MS that same day. WE are so grateful that they were away on a birthday trip. The children's bedrooms were totally destroyed and most of the home was demolished. They are now living in a FEMA trailer on the property but were helped by so very many. In fact, she left some money for me to send to you, but I didn't know where to send it. Could you please email me with your address so I can put this in the mail? jeffandanita@wildblue.net

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  7. great post!! We sure do miss yall and hope to see yall again soon, your such a blessing and an encouragement to us!! let me know now if i can send a little re coondog your way ;)

    Blessings,
    The Bolton's

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  8. We appreciate the update, Mrs. Lee! Praise the Lord for His continuing to heal Tiff, Emmy and Jacob. We've really been praying for y'all (and missing y'all!!!)

    Hope to see y'all sometime soon.
    God bless you!
    Laney

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  9. Continued prayers for you, your family and neighbors! Thank you for sharing your life with us.

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  10. Hi Sherry. You are never tardy...just what we all needed...a word of how y'all are doing. It is so sweet to see the children's faces and to know life does go on.

    I read Robin's sweet tribute to your visit. I know visiting and chatting are great healers. Sometimes the stories will be told over and over.For some reason our heads need to do that..to remind us it really happened..and that we did survive.

    Praise God for His healing hand on your children!! I will still keep praying tho!! I bet that storm on the road was scary.Friends of ours who have survived flash floods..say everytime it rains..her children cringe and it's been 8 years. God does heal in time!

    I was wondering..I know the house and grounds were destroyed..did your animals survive? Are you rebuilding there? Is there anything you need right now?

    I know..I am nosey..I call it caring...lol

    Hugs Cindy from Rick-Rack and Gingham

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  11. Thank you for updating us, I would hope, so hope I would desire to do the same!

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  12. thank you so much for the update, Sherry! So good seeing your family recently. wonderful seeing pictures of your sweet family doing every day sorts of things. praying for you all and love you dearly! Can't wait to see you soon! Jen Key

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  13. Continuing to pray for you & your family!

    Sue~

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  14. Praying for you as you carry on without your husband.So good to hear the good reports on the people of God stepping in and becoming your "house" spiritually, emotionally and physically.

    May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and give you peace.

    Jill Farris
    washington state
    www.generationalwomanhood.wordpress.com

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  15. Hi Sherry
    It is lovely to read your update - please know that I continue to pray for you often. So glad to hear your daughters are well on the road to recovery.
    Have a wonderful week
    Blessings
    Renata:)

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