Joyanna did great at TCC while we were gone. She lost her first two teeth. Nobody pulled them, and she swallowed them. At least we could never find them. She actually lost the first one before we left and the other while we were gone. That girl! No keepsake of those first two baby teeth. Oh, well! We should be able to pull the rest as they come out. Otherwise, it seems she stayed busy. She was even part of a musical performance for the other patients where she played the bells with a few other children. I mentioned that before. During the performance, they played, “Ode to Joy.” How cute! We received pictures of a happy girl throughout and did FaceTime a couple of times so we could talk to her. She has some new braces, one to help her sit up straighter (called a TLSO) and one to help her hold her head up in her chair. She doesn’t seem to like the latter other than to get her chin down in it and chew on it. She has responded well to therapies but it’s still hard to see specific measurable gain. She seems to be holding her head up a little better at times. She definitely said Hi today when prompted.
Philip did pretty well. He did reach another point where a medicine change was necessary while we were gone but we were able to have a conference call with the doctor and make the changes. He seemed to do fine after that. He still has a large seizure about once a week. He had another one last Friday. Here’s a picture of Philip. We thought it might be helpful for those who haven’t been able to see him to visualize where he is and what he looks like now. Because he is constantly on oxygen and breathes through his mouth, he use the partial mask you see below. He’s still a handsome boy. We just don’t get to see those smiles any more. We will again one day in heaven, I know. The Lord continues to carry Philip and use the special people at TCC to care for him. I’m so thankful.
Since we have returned, Philip has still been calm and we did get smiles from Joyanna when we arrived back in town and went to see them. Joyanna will return home on August 6. Then, get back into school. Her school district actually begins on August 1 but she will return as we feel it best.
My younger brother, Andrew, gets married on August 3. We will go to Eufaula, OK for the wedding and after that weekend, Joy comes home. Then, our daily routine morphs back or begins anew depending on the changes made. We’ll get back to life as we know it. This year, I will be working with Ethan at home on some preschool stuff so that change will affect our daily routine too. If we just keep in mind: “Day by day, and with each passing moment…He whose heart is kind beyond all measure gives unto each day what He deems best.”
Ben and I had the chance to share our testimony several times while we travelled. I love to recount all the things the Lord has done for us. It seems each time is a good reminder as we look back that allows us to look forward with assurance in the Lord’s constant care. He is in control!
Here’s the chorus to an old song, “Under Control”:
Under control (the winds obey His Will)
Under control (when he speaks, the storms must be still)
Oh don't be afraid
Though the billows may roll
God's almighty hand
is still in command
So rejoice in your soul
for it's under control!