November 26, 2007
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Dear Faithful Prayer Warriors,
Our family was able to celebrate Alison’s one-year anniversary at home this Thanksgiving. She came home from Woman’s Hospital on November 21, 2006, at 1:30 PM. To see Alison today makes it truly hard to believe she spent her first four months of life in the NICU with several life-threatening challenges. She is a beautiful and vibrant little girl. Alison’s life is a testament to how magnificent, merciful, and powerful our Lord is! Praise be to the One who is the Author of Life, and life more abundant! Thank you, Heavenly Father, for our dear Alison.
Alison continues to blossom on a daily basis. She has a full head of brown hair. She weighs over 20 lbs, and is 30 3/4" tall. Alison has a beautiful smile and a hearty laugh. She walks with reckless abandon (she even dances). She is becoming increasingly vocal (with a growing vocabulary). Alison is a quick student; as she mimics Stephanie and me in so many ways. We are learning to be careful with what we do, say, and view when she is around. And yes, she can sometimes get into trouble. J Thank you, Lord.
Alison is beginning to climb everything she can. She opens cabinet doors and drawers whenever we are not looking. She brings us books to read to her (even though she will not sit still long enough for us to finish reading). Alison and her puppy, Bayley, are good friends (she is fascinated with dogs). She has a hearty appetite. She loves her bath time. Alison is a wonderful snuggler. She has such a sweet disposition. She is a curious, stubborn, and emotional little girl. Alison is an answered prayer in so many ways! Thank you, Lord.
We know parents are biased and always proud of their children, but we are truly amazed at Alison’s progress and continue to reflect upon our Lord’s merciful promise that Alison would be made “whole” by His divine intervention. We come to you testifying to the Great Physician’s faithfulness as He continues to mercifully answer the many prayers you offer up on Alison’s behalf. Thank you, merciful Lord.
Dear friends, your prayers have forever changed our lives; yes, our family has much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season. Our family, especially Stephanie and me, would like to thank you from the depths of our hearts. Thank you, dear Heavenly Father, for hearing our collective prayers upon high, for loving your creation with an unending love, and for choosing to work miracles in the midst of your children! Glory and honor be to You alone, Holy God!
Alison’s physicians continue to be amazed with her ongoing progress. They openly call her life a miracle and share her story with other patients showing how anything is possible through fervent prayer. Thank you, dear Lord.
Alison has had several checkups and her remaining specialists are beginning to plan her exit strategy from their care. Thank you, Lord. She is on few medicines now. Thank you, Lord. Alison’s pediatrician, neurologist, pulmonologist, gastroenterologist, and endocrinologist are seeing her every three to six months now to monitor her progress, but remain pleased.
We are still required to isolate Alison from other children (to help protect her from winter viruses while her immune system and lungs gain additional strength); but if everything goes well, she should finally be able to join other children in the Spring. Thank you, Lord.
Alison recently overcame a winter virus. Unfortunately, she received multiple shots and immunizations at the tail end of the virus and she has been fighting a varying fever the past few days. The pediatrician believes the fever is related to her body reacting to the immunizations, as was predicted. Yet, we continue to keep a close eye on Alison just in case. Please pray that the Lord will grant His protection to Alison’s body from all viruses during this winter season. Please pray that the Lord will grant His healing to Alison’s bouts with fever.
Alison is under the care of an allergist because it has been determined that she has a severe milk allergy. We have to carry EPI shots as a precaution. A score of five in the allergy test that was administered to her is considered severe; Alison’s score was nine.
We have learned through careful study that milk and/or milk proteins are in almost every food made today. We have been told the upside to a milk allergy is that it is the easiest allergy to overcome and grow out of; plus, we remain steadfast in our Lord’s merciful promise that Alison will be made “whole” in His chosen time. How could we not?
As parents, we continue to try to protect our daughter the best we can and trust the Lord to protect Alison where we are unable. Please pray that the Lord will grant His healing to Alison’s body and His protection from her milk allergy. Please pray that the Lord will continue to grant His wisdom and His knowledge of Alison’s body to her physicians.
We have been taught so much by our Lord through our journey with Alison. Without our storm, we would have been unable to experience the beauty, love, healing power, and might of our Lord. It is through the valleys that we are able to witness just how much our Heavenly Father loves and cares for us. We would not trade our journey for anything of this world; we have been immensely blessed. Your fervent prayers have greatly impacted our amazing journey. Thank you, dear friends.
The Lord continues to bless our family, particularly Alison. With the season of Thanksgiving upon us, thank you for your constant prayers for our daughter and our family. We will never be able to adequately thank you for your time, sacrifice, and concern. Our prayer is that the Lord will richly reward you for your sacrifice on our behalf. And in all this, may our Lord continue to be glorified, for He is indeed worthy!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! And as you prepare for the Christmas season that celebrates the birth of our Savior, Christ Jesus, take comfort in knowing that our Lord remains sovereign! We love you.
Blessings to you,
Langston, Stephanie and Alison
