Conquering Heros

This is something I've wanted to journal about for over a year but I guess I can share more of the journey here.

 

This is Abby Ward- one of my darling Laurels.  A Sterling Scholar in Science, with scholarships galore, a wonderful pianist, an outstanding photographer, just an amazing girl!  She conquered cancer in her sophomore year. She's determined and a fighter. She completed her first year of college.  And did I mention her beautiful smile and fabulous attitude?

 

 

 

 

A little over a year ago, she got her mission call to Sweden...the same mission her brother just returned from!  She was so happy!!! 

 

  On July 5, 2016 she went hiking above our homes to Lisa Falls with her 14 year old brother.  At the top of the falls, Abby tried to cross a small stream- and slipped, falling 50 feet to the rocks and water below.  It took her brother 20 minutes to descend to where she was and to turn her face completely out of the water.  A helicopter arrived about 20 minutes later and airlifted her to the hospital. (You can't even see the top of the falls in this picture.)

Abby lay in a coma for over 6 weeks.  I remember not knowing what to pray for, fearing brain damage and the myriad of things that might never heal.

 

 

 
Our Ward and neighborhood and truly thousands of friends from all over the world (including her "would-be mission in Sweden) fasted and prayed for Abby's healing.  We wore wristbands reading
"Conquering Heros for Abby" to remind us to constantly keep her in our prayers.

 
 
Gradually Abby opened her eyes and the trach tube could be removed (I actually think the trach was removed while she was still comatose.)

Her parents posted Abby's progress or lack of it-
 every single hard day punctuated with even a sliver of hope. We would weep when we would read of the pain and frustration and fear their family felt and yet they were comforted by the Spirit in such profound ways and shared that as well.

Here are two posts from her mom:


As we continue on this journey with our Abby, we have experienced so many emotions. Fear, heartache, sadness, exhaustion, peace, hope, love (so much love). This has been impossibly hard for the whole family. Abby is a huge presence in our world. She really is the center of our home. It's so quiet without her laugh, her sassy attitude, her constant activity, her stuff everywhere. My two sweet girls share a big bedroom and now it's too big--a void fills half of it. Estee... doesn't want to be there without Abby. It's a lot for a nine-year-old to deal with, it's a lot for this adult to deal with too. Even as our hearts break and long for her we feel hopeful and peaceful. When I look at her laying here, she's so peaceful, as if she's telling me, "It's going to be okay mom." Everything will be okay. The type of injury to her brain is not one that typically heals fast or sometimes at all. We don't know what to expect. We know that Abby is not the typical girl. She will fight, she's so full of fight. I love her and can't wait for her to come back to us. Thank you for the continued prayers, love, and HOPE

 and another:

Day 12. My beautiful 18 year old daughter has been in a coma for 12 days. We wait. Waiting is so hard. It's so hard to be patient and to watch events that we were going to do slip by on the calendar. It is hard to "take it 3 days at a time" when each minute is excruciating. It is hard to look at events in the future and realize that they don't matter, because our entire world has changed. It is hard to be strong and faithful while I am so tired and frustrated.
We have been... encouraged during therapy sessions. They sit her up, she holds her head up a little better now, she opens her eyes a little, blinks, and sometimes obeys a few commands. She's in there. She's so determined. She has always been driven and has been able to achieve so much and overcome so many obstacles in her life.

This is no exception--at least I hope it's not. I know she's in there trying to make her body work. She is fighting hard and conquering this trial like she has so many before.
After making such progress, she's having a set back now. She has an infection somewhere and now she has a fever to prove it. I feel like this should be a small set back, but small set backs don't feel small. They feel like insurmountable mountains and our discouragement grows.
But then I look at her, I feel her presence, I see her peaceful face, and I somehow know it will be ok and I find that my hope is returned.
Please keep praying for a miracle, this will take a miracle to heal Abby. I'm placing my tender broken heart and my trust in my God "for with God nothing is impossible" Luke 1:37.

 

Abby has been in every kind of therapy imaginable.  Her walk is stilted but her determination is

truly awe-inspiring!

 

 
 Finally she got to come home.

 She has been able to fund-raise for Primary Children's Hospital

 
 And recently walked part of the Radnor Race with several of her Nueroworks teammates and raised $2500 for brain-injured patients.  She said the walk was a killer.

 

Abby's journey has been a miracle to all those who know her.  She's inspired hundreds with her invincible spirit.  This is one of her favorite quotes.

 

 

  This year, Abby celebrated her "Un-Death-Day" (that just goes to show her amazing humor!).  Hundreds celebrated with her.

 

Today, it's been exactly one year since I fell off one of the cliffs at Lisa Falls. That hike may be the stupidest thing I've done. Now, it's a feat if I walk around a gas station unassisted. But whatever, I'm getting better, and at least I can walk!
I have some photos from my hike that day. They would be awesome photos, if the hike had ended a little differently.

But really, I didn't know that God still did miracles like that. I learned first-hand that His power is the same today as it was when the Jews were trapped in Egypt, and Moses saved them. We can have that power fight our battles for us if we are doing as we know we should. @ Lisa Falls
                                                   -Abby-


Abby is our conquering hero.  I can't wait to see where life will take her.  Wherever it is, I know she will be amazing!

Catching Up Kiddo Stuff

I haven't blogged forever but there are several things I want to journal about. 

First of all, Elijah was advanced to a Teacher.  He's such an awesome kid and always makes us smile.  So proud of him!

 

Have spent several days this summer having Addi dates.  Sometimes they include a friend (in this picture, Bethany second down)- and if we are lucky, Hallee Babe.

 

 

 It's always Teriyaki Chicken and Orange Julius for lunch and a BIG Emoji game.

 

Also had Elijah and Noah when the rest of the family was at Trek.  I invited Peyton and Ryker over to join the fun.

 

 I love this horsie tire swing my parents bought for the grands many years ago.

 

 

 

On the 4th of July-lots of the family came to watch the Granite Parade (which we could just enjoy instead of being in charge of!!!)- with the carnival and food trucks afterwards for lunch.  We celebrate Heidi's firecracker birthday as well.  Swimming and more food!

 

 

 

 I thought it would be fun to do a patriotic puzzle during the 4th.  I ask Marci and Heidi how long they were going to stay, to see if we had time to put together this puzzle.  (I was thinking an hour or two.)  When I opened it up, we all laughed when we saw each puzzle piece was the size of a hand!  It took us 4 minutes and 20 seconds to put it together.  I think they had enough time.....

 

 
July 24th Tanner and Brooke and Annee invited us to the Days of 47 parade.  It was the first time in the new 10,000 seat arena and was perfect!  We had a great time with fireworks afterwards.

 

Doug and Halle Babe and Gracie and Bri and Connor got to go on Doug's family annual trip to Jackson Hole and go river rafting.  Addi had a soccer tournament  in Park City that we went to with Brandi.  The river trip looks soooo fun!

 

 

 Have to include this cute picture of Ryker- who fell asleep during family prayer.

 

 It's been a great summer.  Travis and Tenille and kiddos went to a 4 day baseball tournament in Colorado with Boston's team and they took the whole tournament- 16 straight games in 4 days- not a loss. 


Everyone is so busy and going here and there and sometimes I feel my head spinning but this about sums it up for me!

Bon Appetit- Go Figgy

I put myself out there and went ahead and did the Bon Appetit dinner with figs- worried that maybe I was shooting myself.  But it went okay.  Foods were yummy and with the exception of the Brussel sprouts which David doesn't like, he actually liked everything. I even liked the Brussel spouts.   The Cook's seemed to enjoy it too.

There are some fun recipes on the cooking blog. The risotto and the chicken were my favorites.  Valene's baked Key Lime pie was delish!   Have a look!

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