Saturday, December 25, 2004

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

We would like to wish all of you wonderful people out there following our story a very Merry Christmas. We hope that you had a wonderful day with family and friends. I wish that I had more time in my day to keep you up to date on all that is happening with Luke and the family. First of all thank you for your prayers concerning the healthy delivery of Lily Joy. I always say that delivering a baby is not an easy experience, but this time it was very quick and uncomplicated. God is so good to bless us once again with a healthy baby!

Luke had a wonderful time Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. When he heard Isaiah and Ezekiel talking about opening presents he would get an excited face. He really seemed to tear the paper on the presents. I would hold his hand and put it under the paper and he would release his muscles in his arm and I would help him pull it. The little boys got a small drum set, a desire of Isaiah's for a couple of years now, and I took Lukes hand and had him help play the drums he seemed so excited about that. Someone recently asked if Luke's hand are more relaxed and the answer is, yes. His arms and hands are really a lot more relaxed and when he is sleeping quite often they are down by his side, it never used to be this way. He is also able to hold up his head so much better and when we tell him to put his head back after falling forward he is able to do it. Little by little he gets better everyday, as I say often if you would of seen Luke in the Hospital and you see him now you would be amazed at his recovery, but if you'd never seen him before you would probably feel sorry for Luke and our family, some days his recovery seems to take to so long and other days we rejoice at what we are seeing. We are seeing more emotion and even some smiles quite often, when he held Lily on my lap for the first time I know that we saw a smile on his face.

People often say I don't know how you do all that you do Sue and I have to reply it's only by the grace of God that I'm able to go on some days. I praise the Lord that I'm feeling so well after the delivery of Lily and that I actually am feeling better now that I have her out. Though nights like last night where I'm only able to get a few hours of sleep are very hard I do feel more energetic each day. We are hoping to get our yearly family picture done tomorrow in front of the tree in the living room and hope to get out a Happy New Year Letter and Card out next week. We will post a copy of it on the Blog for all of you faithful followers.

Things to be praying about:
Luke's legs are still very hard to bend and we don't want to work with them to hard because there is always a chance of breaking a bone if we are not careful.
Luke's feedings are still going very slow, most times it takes us up to 45 minutes to get a tablespoon or two of food into his stomach, he continues to stay on the feeding machine in his J-tube to get the bulk of his food, someone asked how his gastronologist appt went and I'm glad to say it went well he had lost one pound which was good considering that we are only able to get in a few tablespoons of food 3 times a day before he start to spit it out.
Once again I continue to ask that he will start to swallow more then he does, it's a mystery why somedays he swallows so much better than others.
Last but not least continue to pray that he will sleep all night, some nights go so well and others are still very difficult.

We continue to thank you in advance for your prayers it's only because of your prayers that we are able to continue on this slow marathon that we continue each day. May God richly bless you and your family.

Love in Christ,
Luke's Mommy Sue

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas too, I'm glad you had a good one.
When I was first reading this post, I thought that Gordy was the one that was writing it, and it said "I praise the Lord that I'm feeling so well after the delivery of Lily and that I actually am feeling better now that I have her out." And I was thinking - yea, I'm sure Sue's glad the baby's out too...and then I was thinking, oh wait I bet Sue is the one who wrote this! :-) Just thought I'd share that, I thought it was pretty funny.
Anyways, as I said, I'm glad you had a good Christmas!
I will, as always, continue to pray for Luke (and the rest of the family.)

Jasmyn

Anonymous said...

A Testimony!!

I just wanted to take a moment and share what it's like to enter into the world of the Searles family. Really, this is a picture of what it has always been like:

We stopped by on Christmas Eve to sing a song and wish them a Merry Christmas and the door was answered with a warm greeting and smile and then an invitation to come in. A warm hug was given from their dear friend Yoli. There have always been what seems like lots and lots of people there everytime I have stopped by (this feeling of lots of people can be accomplished by their family alone, Ha Ha). Always a feeling of incredible love for one another and for me and my family too. Christmas Eve was no exception to the rule. Lots of hugs and "so glad to see you's". I was, of course, looking for the new arrival, Lily Joy, and she quickly emerged, all bundled up and being toted by one of her faithful siblings. What a beautiful and peaceful baby she is!! We should always see our Awesome Creator when we glance into the precious face of a sweet baby!! I held her and quickly asked my husband for another one of God's precious gifts! From the time we walked in the door, there was Sue, such an incredible Woman of God, so amazingly strong and full of love. She was holding Lil' Luke (I'm getting use to seeing her this way). I got up close and looked into his eyes and my heart sang at what I saw!! There was truly a smile upon his face and joy that I can't even express here. I pondered this silently, wanting to say something, but not saying anything. Then, Sue glancing down at his face resting upon her shoulder acknowledged that he was smiling for me!! Not just for me, I know, but because he has joy in his heart - being filled with so much love - love for his family and the joy of being in their presence.

This friends is truly what the peace that passes all understanding is all about! Phillipians 4:4-7 says "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

This is an answer to our prayers. This is what God gives us when we seek Him first!! Hallelujah!!!! Praise You Lord Jesus!

24/7 MOMS said...

What wonderful news a New Baby girl and so adorable and the wonderful reports on Luke's progress...I sit in awe at the wonderful GOD we serve and how each step of the way we see his miracles.

We continue to pray for your family as well as Thank him for what great things he is doing.

Trisha Novotny

Anonymous said...

Dear Gordy,Sue, Luke & all the Searles Children,
We are so thankful for the update. I am so happy your Christmas was wonderful. I love you telling about Luke and keeping us all up to date. Also about Lily Joy and how she is doing. I am looking forward to the Christmas picture! I loved the post from a visitor that stopped by. How nice for them to share.... We are still praying and so very thankful of the goodness of God. To be a witness as HE brings Luke back.... I am so thankful we have been a part of this journey and you have made a great impact on our life. As I look back on 2004... Luke comes to mind and how I have prayed and prayed for him and seen our Heavenly Father bring him back and touch him.....
we love all of you,
Your Georgia Friends,
Billy, Teena, Michael, Mandi, Dakota, Alyssa, Wyatt & Wesley

Leon said...

Gordy and family - I hope you are having a nice holiday. This one is so special with Luke healing and a new baby! I had a nice visit with my family and it made mne think about your close knit family. Love is a bond that helps us grow and heal.

Hi Luke - I thought of you a few times on my holiday. You made it to another Christmas and although it has been hard sometimes I think you will do fine. Take care little one.

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad Luke and your family had such a blessed Christmas. I also so enjoyed the glimpse of your family that the anonymous poster shared. Such a beautiful picture of your family. I'll be praying for Luke's feedings by mouth to improve and for his legs to not be so stiff. And also for rest for Sue, I know with a new baby in the house you must be busy. May God continue to bless you abundantly in 2005.
Allie

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year, Luke! We love you! We know that our Heavenly Father is doing a mighty work in your life! We are praying for all of you and for strength for your family and your mama and daddy and for YOU! Keep up the good work. We have not forgotten you and your family. As I sat in church today and the Christmas decorations were still up with lots and lots of lights... I thought of you and prayed for you. I know you are enjoying Lily Joy and I wish I could give both of you a big big hug!!
Our Sweet Buddy Luke!
your Georgia Friends,
Billy, Teena, Michael, Mandi, Dakota, Alyssa, Wyatt & Wesley

Anonymous said...

Will this site be updated anymore?
Thank you.