Kyara Dzenis

Kyara Dzenis

Friday, May 1, 2009

Where Is My Camera??

I have it when I don't need it, and when I need it, I don't have it. So what is it? MY CAMERA! We are not allowed to take pictures or video during therapy sessions, so I have not been good about bringing my camera to the hospital. I need to get some pictures of Kyara up, though, so this weekend, I will be sure to bring it and use it!
I know it has been a few days since I last post, but that is because we have been busy. Busy is good. When we would just sit around, I had more time to post, but now, Kyara is in therapy or we are going for walks (well, she rides) outside. I also do stretching exercises with her in the bed in the morning and at night. She is one BUSY girl! Lately she has been holding her head up better and better. She is also focusing on objects and sounds better. Yesterday I took her outside for a walk and she held her head up in the wheelchair for almost 45 minutes. Her wheelchair has a tilt feature so I can lean her back so her head will rest on the headrest. Yesterday I had it sitting straight up! That was the first time I have been able to do that without her head resting on her chest! Yea for progress!
Last night we were sitting in her bed and she was calm. I was holding her in a cradle hold (like a baby) and I THINK she said "Mom". She was not making any noises and this just came out of nowhere. Of course I tried to get her to say it again, but to no avail. I pray I really heard what I think I heard. I know that I can get desperate for a sign of progress and that I may have heard a moan and thought it was "Mom." I am very aware of this possibility, but I still think I heard it. I pray God was giving me a new sign of progress.
Kyara is still working on rolling and using switches to turn music on and off on the computer. She has gotten a reputation of playing possom at times in therapy,too. Isn't that like Kyara? It is amazing how much more awake she is after 5:00pm when therapy is over. Or even when I put her back in her chair and we leave a therapy room. Suddenly eyes are open and she is looking around. Silly girl! Now is NOT the time for that Kyara!!
Thank you all for your continued prayers. I also want to say thank you for donating to Kyara's fund. I don't know how to send personal thank you notes to everyone, so please know that your kindness and generosity has been greatly appreciated

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

What wonderful news!! God is definitely at work here and will continue to provide healing and pogress for Kyara. I can only imagine the joy you receive with each baby step. I am sure she said Mom just as you think you heard! I am sure she wants to say thank you for unending dedication and your amazing love!! One day, she will be able to say that to you and Gunars. In the meantime, hold on to the baby steps and the signs of God's mighty hands at work!!

Anonymous said...

God is so Good! He has a plan for Kyara for sure! Below is a devotion that I got today that I thought you might find helpful:
The Lopers

God's Provision

Lysa TerKeurst



"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:19 (NIV)



Devotion:

God and I have had to have some serious conversations. It is hard when you know God could provide but doesn't seem to. That's why I have made the choice - and it is a choice - to park my mind with the truth no matter what.

Easy? Nope. Necessary? Absolutely.

Look at the same passage we looked at yesterday in The Message translation:

1 Timothy 6:17-19, "Tell those rich in this world's wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage--to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life."

So many times in my life, I've discovered God's provision in packages way different than I think I need, want or expect.

Let me give you a recent example of this.

Many of you know the story of our adopted son, Mark. If I were choosing Mark's provision, it would come in a package complete with good grades, a college degree, and a professional job insuring he could provide for his one day family. These things speak of success in my limited scope.

However, it's not Mark's reality. No matter how much I have prayed and begged God to work a miracle with Mark's learning disabilities, at this point, college is not going to be in his future.

Recently I was sitting at my kitchen table pouring over an application Mark is filling out hoping to get a summer camp job. To be honest I was beyond discouraged at his misspelled words and misunderstanding of some of the essay questions. The application was a disaster.

Suddenly the phone rang. The lady on the other end was a mom from another student at Mark's high school. Apparently, her son was jumped by a boy in the school parking lot yesterday. Many students stood around and watched her son get pummeled by this angry student. Out of nowhere Mark ran and pulled the boy off her son and settled the situation down.

With a catch in her throat, she was calling to thank me and assure me of what a fine young man Mark is.

I wouldn't trade the depth of character in my son that phone called revealed for all the A's and perfect SAT scores in the world.

Is God providing for Mark?

Yes.

I just have to change my definition of success to match what I know to be true about God.

And then in God's timing - according to His plan - with His truth firmly planted in my mind - I can see this verse coming to life...

"Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage--to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life."

Dear Lord, help me to park my mind on the truth no matter what. Even though I don't always understand Your provision Lord, I will trust You and walk in Your ways. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

If you'd like to read more about Lysa's adoption story and see pictures of her family, visit her blog.



The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst



Live out I Timothy 6:18 by sponsoring a child in need through Compassion International



Application Steps:

List out some verses of Scripture about God's provision (see Lysa's blog for some great suggestions).



Commit to memory some of these promises that most apply to your situation..



Verbalize your trust in the Lord every day this week.



Reflections:

Do I trust that the Lord has my best interest in mind?



How might I learn to trust God even more deeply in times of trial?



What are some things right in front of me today that prove God's provision for me?



Power Verses:

Matthew 5:5 "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." (NIV)



Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." (NIV)



Proverbs 11:25 "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." (NIV)





© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.



Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

Anonymous said...

I love hearing about Kyara's baby steps.

Laura said...

Great post! Kyara seems to be doing so well. I have never met you or her but I just love her and think of her often throughout the day. God IS good! Praying for her continued progress.