Isn’t it interesting how situations in life take
different dips and turns?
Yesterday was such a wonderful day in so many ways
{and yes, we really needed an extra-wonderful day!}
I talked to Kathi at Chinese Children {our home study agency}. Let me tell ya’ – we LOVE that agency! And Kathi is amazing!
She has worked non-stop and finally{!} all our paperwork will officially be at immigration in Missouri today!
Yippee Jesus!
{Ruby Grace and Sarah Jane –
hang on, we’re hurrying as fast as we can!}
I made a giant dinner to take up with all of us to the hospital to share with Bob and Vicki and Autumn. We are so blessed to have Bob and Vicki’s friendship.
Thought some of you would enjoy hearing how we all met….three years ago {on Friday} Dw and I were in Pagosa Springs celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. We had gone to dinner at one of the local restaurants and told the hostess that we were celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary in hopes of having a special seating {romantic and tucked away}.
They seated us in the cutest little cubby ever. It was all tucked in and perfect. Well our waitress popped her head into our little cubby and kind of backed up and said, “Oh! I thought they said the people sitting here were celebrating their 30th anniversary!”
{I was still coloring my hair then- haha!}
I said, “We are! August 12th, 1978, Tonawanda, New York”
Her eyes almost popped out of her head as she burst out,
“NO WAY! I grew up in Tonawanda!”
Sure enough Vicki and I grew up not far from each other, although we went to different high schools. We actually played alot in the same neighborhood.
Thus began a friendship that would eventually bring me also one of my dearest friends {Lisa – Vicki’s sister}. In fact I wrote a post last year about Aunt Lisa {Karl’s aunt}. You can read about what a wonderful woman she is here.
The day of the accident, after church and spending the afternoon together as a family, we were all supposed to head to Pagosa to a little family get-together as Lisa, Mark and their two treasures were preparing to leave the following Thursday to serve the Kenyan orphans for a year.
After the accident, Mark and Lisa were able to change their reservations and finally left for Kenya last week. Difficult days for them, to be so far away when Karl still has such needs. BUT God in His graciousness allowed Karl to wake up just before they left. Faithful God.
Anyway,
One day I was over at Lisa’s hanging out with the kids and Lisa said, “Hey we should set up Karl and Autumn!”
We giggled and giggled and then plotted.
It was just too stinkin’ fun.
Karl had never met Autumn, but came over almost immediately to his Aunt Lisa’s house after we texted him a picture of Autumn.
{He told us later that he thought she was at Lisa’s home – but she wasn’t.} We gave him her number and waited. Shy guy that he is, he took his time. A few days passed.
Autumn didn’t think he would call. In fact after a few days passed, she bet me a cup of coffee that he would not call. I happily bet her. Lisa and I both had seen the look on his face as he looked at the picture of her that I had texted to him.
*grin*
I knew that he would call.
He did call.
I got a free cup of coffee and she began to smile like I hadn’t probably really ever seen her smile.
And yes, they had a blind date and the rest is history!!
Both lovin’ any time they can be together and trying their best to get together every.single.day {pre-accident}…and that’s from an hour away from each other!
Funny, since that blind date, Autumn had texted me or said to me many, many times….
“I owe you coffee for the rest of your life Mom! I can’t believe how wonderful he is.”
She is clearly smitten and, well, so is he.
Anyway, yesterday when we were heading up to the hospital with our meal in tow, we could not get there fast enough!
We love being with Karl.
He was out in the Healing Garden with Bob, Vicki and Autumn. They said he had had a rather quiet day.
Few responses here and there.
The highlight was that he lifted Autumn’s hand FOUR times and kissed it. That was U.N.B.E.L.I.E.V.A.B.L.E.!!
 |
| Just a glimpse of the precious time together with Karl. I wish I had taken one earlier when the kids were crowded around him. But anyway, this is to document the journey for all of us who love Karl. |
But when we all got there, he absolutely lit up!
The kids crowded around telling him all kinds of things.
He grinned from ear to ear!
At one point, Dw commented on how beautiful Autumn was looking. Karl turned to Autumn and stared at her. With his trach in, he is unable to talk. No doubt, from the look in his eyes,
he was thinkin’ it too.
Dw, turning to Karl said, “I bet you would like to tell Autumn how beautiful she looks, so I will tell her for you, okay Karl?”
Karl just looked over at Autumn again.
{Maybe this would be considered an ‘awkward dad moment’. haha}
{Maybe this would be considered an ‘awkward dad moment’. haha}
Emma instantly piped up, “Dad! Karl would not say, ‘Oh Autumn, you look so beautiful, would you Karl? You would say, ‘Oh Autumn – you look sooo hot!“
Karl’s smiled from ear to ear and let me tell you –
it was priceless!
Yes, indeed – he no doubt was thinkin’ that that girl of his was mighty ‘hot’. Emma hit it the nail on the head!
We laughed and laughed!
It was a great time as we sat around for a couple of hours and just talked together and Karl responded to much of the conversation.
 |
| The kids playing after while as we adults continued to talk… and make no mistake they are learning young how to minister to someone who is healing. {Something so missing with most generations we old folks see!} How blessed we are!! |
And then there was even more great news:
The plans have been set in motion and Karl is moving to a Rehabilitation Hospital.
The plan is to move him tomorrow.
It is far away from here and he will be flying on a private plane and then taken by non-emergency ambulance
to the rehab hospital.
Lots of changes.
All good.
We will be far away and that will be hard,
so we are making some plans to go as much as we can.
Anyway,
Shannon asked the other day if we could have another day of prayer and fasting for Karl! I love the idea Shannon!
I was looking at the Prayer Vigil today. It has blessed us so much to know that so many of you are standing {or I guess it would be kneeling} together with us for Karl’s complete healing.
It’s not too late to sign up on it…
Just click on Autumn and Karl’s picture
at the top of the sidebar.
I know many of you have needs as well.
I will do a post, just after midnight for each of you,
my sweet bloggy friends,
to list your prayer requests as well.
Praying {and fasting} together moves mountains and
reminds us all
of the faithfulness of God as we see
Him perform miracle upon miracle!
You guys are the best – and I mean it – truly!!
continuing to pray!! My schedule is still crazy so I don't want to sign up for a solid hour… I pray every chance i get 🙂
Prayers continue – we have all been touched by Gods hand in this miracle.
Brooke
http://www.TheAnnessaFamily.blogspot.com
Continuing to pray….Sadly, I won't be able to fast with you this time. I'm driving to Mexico tomorrow with my grandson so we can work at the orphanage. We'll be back Monday nite.
Love you guys! thanks for the update!!
The mercies of the Lord never ceases…and they never cease to amaze me…oh how awesome is the news! The Faithfulness of the Lord and His mighty prayer warriors… praying unceasingly….to hear Karl tell Autumn himself that she looks hot will be a most cherished and looked forward to moment…just can't wait for that update to post! He is moving mighty mountains and growing faith, perseverance and never ending love in the process! Thank you for updating…means so much to hear the good news!!! <3
I just love your updates and look forward to them every single day. May God in His precious, infinite mercy continue to bring healing to Karl.
As always, I read your post through my tears. Such a beautiful story. God's love abounds. I am so happy to hear Karl is strong enough to be going to the rehabilitation facility. How I wish it could be closer. I will be fasting tomorrow….and as always – praying. Standing together for Karl. xoxoxo
Rejoicing with you in all that God is doing and will definitely keep praying.
praying daily, first time commenting!
Loved reading about how Karl and Autumn got together and how they enjoyed being together. 🙂
Hope everything will go well with him being at Rehab.
Since the trach makes it not possible for him to speak, we were wondering if he is able to write?
What a wonderful post, Linny! Thank you for letting us know the details of Karl's healing as well as God provision and miraculous healing in it all. Hopefully, you got my package and note. I'm not able to sign up for a specific hour to pray for Karl, but I do pray for him every time our little Nate nurses, which has been a lot lately. With this current hectic life I lead, it's a great way for me to both remember and to have the quite time to pray.
Still praying! What a blessing to be allowed to peak into your visits through pictures. Thanks for sharing.
What a wonderful update! GOd is so Good! Love the pic of your little ones too.They are so cute.Praying for Karl and the rest of you as he makes this move and praying for continued healing. I am in for the fasting tomorrow too.
Leveta
Your "littles" looks so big and grown up. It's so amazing to see God's love through a momma and a daddy change our children. I'm a lovin' on our little girl from Ch*na and it's so wonderful to watch her blossom.
I'm thrilled Karl is moving to rehab. Continuing to pray for him and you all.
I am so happy to hear good news!
We are in the midst of funerals right now- but they are a celebration of a sweet 8 yr old boy. God is so evident in all that is happening and we are so thankful!
My dear friend was blessed with a sign that her sweet son is indeed with Jesus! Such a blessing! He never forgets us!
Back to you post- I love it and love all of Karl's responses!! Yay God!!
The other new news is – we met Gretl- who took Luke to Israel- she is WONDERFUL!
AND
Hubby feels like he knows where God is leading us- wonderful again!
AND daughter Katie has met someone very special!
Lots happening here!
Love you dear friend!
Oh hooray!!!!! I got on here tonight and decided I would fast even if it was not a 'declared' day. I love how the Lord is healing on so many levels…it is breathtaking!
Thrilled to fast & pray for Karl and Autumn tomorrow!
Shannon
I am so over-the-moon THRILLED that Karl is doing so well! I hope you don't mind, but I posted about Karl on my blog. I have not signed up on the prayer vigil in several days because my schedule has been CRAZY and I didn't want to promise to pray at a certain time and then not be able to keep such a precious and sacred promise! BUT I want you to know that does NOT at all mean I am not still praying for him, or that I have "forgotten" him!!!!!!!! Or all of you.
Standing (kneeling) with you for Karl AND for all of you and his family and doctors, etc. Lots of love and prayers to you all!
MommyBrec
praying and fasting, keeping up on all Karl's miracles and looking for more! What an awesome God we serve! much love to autumn and the entire family. God Bless you all in this. keeping the 1am prayer hour daily for Karl though i didnt get back on the list….
Tears in my eyes as I read this lovely account. God is good and the story is definitely not over yet! still praying!
Praying Ruby Grace and Sarah Jane home fast! Love the picture of your precious treasures! Janet