1st miracle to record on this blog

  The first miracle I would like to record on this blog is by no means a solitary or unique event in my life, specifically since Tapa's and my daughter Ena has been born.  This miracle is a clear answer God gave me to a sincere prayer I spoke to Him this morning.

  There are many details that I will need to fill some readers in on in a future post, however, today I will simple provide the context of the problem I needed help with today.  

  Today is Monday and on Thursday of this week our children will start a new school year.  Just prior to last school year's ending, Ena's elementary school counselor pulled me aside to discuss some concerns she had for Ena.  I was immediately defensive with her suggestions to help our little first-grader.  She stated that Ena had been falling more frequently at school, which is a regular occurrence for our brave 7-year-old.  She further said that Ena had experienced a few more serious falls just recently to this conversation.  I knew exactly what the counselor was referring to.  Ena had been growing quite quickly and getting taller.  Not only had this height change increased the severity of her falls, but Ena had also started experiencing more severe myoclonic jerks (she and I sometimes call them "brain hiccups").  These more serious falls were being caused by a stronger pulse than usual, thus, being more unexpected for Ena and causing her to be less able to prepare for the fall.

  In short, the counselor recommended that we get Ena on an anti-seizure medicine.

  As I said, I was first very defensive as a mother receiving medical advice for my daughter.  But, deep down I knew she was right.  I had been thinking about this need for a while.

  So I started the ever-so-anxiety-causing process (at least it is for me!) of getting Ena in to see her primary care doctor to obtain the referrals needed to see her specialist in Texas.  The referral process with her new pediatrician was nearly seamless.  However, the specialist (pediatric neurologist) in Texas couldn't see her until September 30th at the soonest.  The doctor's staff did put Ena on a waitlist.  After a few hiccups with the waitlist, Ena's appointment was moved forward.  To mid-September. 

                                  . . . Fast forward 3 months . . .

  School starts in 3 days.  Ena has been in an intensive physical therapy program this summer that has been wonderful for her.  But, the more severe falls are still happening.  She is getting injured a bit more seriously from time to time due to these kinds of falls.  Ena is used to unexpected jerks and falling all day, every day.  But, these more serious falls are scarier.  We are still waiting on the mid-September appointment to hopefully address her need for treating the jerks better.

  I can't even explain the anxiety I have for phone calls.  I was even stressing about talking to Tapa about trying to move up Ena's Texas appointment before school starts.  Finally, I brought it up with him.  He said schedule it any time and we will make it work.

  So, this morning I knew I needed to make the call.   Our 12-year-old Joseph needed to make a different phone call this morning about his physical exam for for football.  At his age, folks on the other end of the line don't always take kids seriously so he asked me to listen in with him on the call, just in case.

  I helped him.  I listened.  He had to call twice and I listened in both times.  He got the help he needed and the person on the other end treated him respectfully.  After the call he was very relieved.  I realized that I needed to make this specific call to Texas once again.  I asked Joseph to listen in on my call for moral support.  We went back to the bedroom where he'd called from, so it would be quiet enough away from the other children and the TV.  I thought to pray first.

  So, we knelt by the bed and I said a short and simple prayer, pleading for God's help on my behalf and on Ena's behalf.  I expressed to Him how much I felt that I needed His help and to please help in the way He thought best.

  After the prayer Joseph asked if he could go, and I responded yes.  Then I sat and made the call.  The first person I spoke to said, "How about 9:45 tomorrow morning?"

  Now, I know this probably sounds like an average sort of ever-day exchange with a doctor's office.  But, not for me.  Not after the years and months and weeks and days and hours and minutes that have been spent thinking and calling and planning, etc. about how to best help my Ena.

  That is my miracle from heaven today.  Thank you for reading.