Eden's Diagnostic Results

First I have to tell you that I'm completely amazed at God and His perfect will for our lives!

We went to the Opthomologist yesterday for what I thought was a routine visit and to our surprise we had a report on Eden's MRI that we weren't expecting. Supposedly there are hyperintensities (spots of some sort) on her deep white matter tracts of her frontal lobe in her brain (some kind of damage to the brain). This could be due to a post-virus problem in her brain, or other dymelinating disorders (you can google that to find what they possibly could be)

We do not have an official diagnosis yet just some probabilities.

What is White matter? is one of the three main solid components of the central nervous system. The white matter is the tissue through which messages pass between different areas of grey matter within the nervous system. Using a computer network as an analogy, the grey matter can be thought of as the actual computers themselves, whereas the white matter represents the network cables connecting the computers together. The white matter is white because of the fatty substance (myelin) that surrounds the nerve fibers (axons). This myelin is found in almost all long nerve fibers, and acts as an electrical insulation. This is important because it allows the messages to pass quickly from place to place.

We don't really know what this will all look like. The neurologist is the next step and hopefully we'll get her examined and cared for so we can begin to understand more and get a diagnosis and some kind of plan for future care.

This could possibly explain a lot of the difficulties we have had with her through the years.

We are really looking forward to walking with the Lord through this and being amazed at His glory and power!

I am attatching her MRI report for anyone who wants to see it. Just click to make it bigger.
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Mary's Memorial Service

Today was Mary's memorial and burial. Everyone was so tender and graceful. Mary is so loved! Her life glorifies God in so many ways. Our loss is Heavens gain!

The following link is Mary's Manifesto for ministry that she wrote. I encourage you to read this...

http://web.mac.com/ncoffey67/Mary_Barrett/Welcome_files/MY_MANIFESTO.pdf

She led so many to the Lord and was an arrow pointing to His presence. We'll miss her but will see her soon. "Soon and very soon we are going to see the King!"

Yay! New Hair!

I only go to the salon a few times a year cuz it's lots of money and time, and I'm always afraid to cut to much off or try anything different. Well, lets say I was feeling a little adventurous, so I went without hesitation.
After interviewing the manager at Regis, I decided that she was the one to cut my hair. Girl knows her stuff and she can texturize and layer my whole head and still keep the length. This is exactly what I needed and wanted!

It is not easy to layer long hair all the from the crown down consistantly and keep it long. My hair has to be cut twice. Once before the blowdry and flat iron and once after to get all the texture in. This gal knew how to slither the hair with scissors like a master. I thought the color was really fun! It's a little more of a drastic contrast than I wanted but i know it will tone down in a week or so.

Needless to say, I have a new hairdresser and I'm stoked. I hope she doesn't move! I'll enjoy her as a stylist while I have her and when I can afford her.

Rejoice for Mary!

A very dear sweet sister went home to be with our Savior Monday November 10th around 11 pm.


Marry Barrett loves God and is finished with her fight with cancer. She has won through Christ and has total healing in Heaven with the Lord!

God has used Mary to effect many people and to lead them to Himself. I am one of those people. As a young christian, God used Mary's music to "keep me". I was married with her music and I listened to it a lot through the years.

As Pastor Malcom said on the radio last night...."Mary is an example that we can live the Christian life" She was a great example for me! I'm sure that her walk with God will be talked about for years to come and that people everywhere will be saved and/or changed through Mary's testimony and music.

We are looking forword to her last album that she recorded literally weeks before she died. I'm sure it will draw us close to the heart of God! She got to record in Tenn. with the people she loves doing what she loves....worshiping God.

God, be glorified through the life of Mary Barrett! Thank you for the time we got to enjoy her!

Diagnostic Adventure

Have you ever known a 4 year old to have an MRI? Well if you have had one yourself than you know that you have to be completely still, and it's a very noisy machine!

Eden had one today for her eye problem and had to be sedated. The first time didn't work and the MRI machine freaked her out.

So here's our days adventure.....

We left around 10am and didn't get back till 5pm. Eden had a bad reaction to the sedation and violently thew her body around for a long (more than 30 minutes) time which delayed the MRI and progress of anesthesia. So it was a 5 hour ordeal!

She is still very high and has to be watched closely. She is acting like she is very drunk. So we have to watch her walking and keep her resting.

The next step is for the opthomologist to review the MRI to decide for either more surgery or if there are any other problems. Or if we'll just keep patching and wait for her to get a bit older.(seeing we already had 2 surgeries )

We should go back to Dr Teather in a few weeks and see what he says. We've seen God move in power in our lives while with this doctor so we are okay with him(the dr) for now. Unless God moves us.

Through this day God really taught me a lot of compassion and patience.

God's presence is strong with us and we are very grateful!

Best Day of the Week!

We had such a great time getting together with the church today.Corporate worship is so special cuz it's the body of Christ glorifying our great God! I am amazed at His presence with us!

The sermon was great too! We are wrapping up our many months in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. I'm really glad to be reminded of how much I need God! And to learn how I need Him more than I even thought I did. He is so kind to show us, in His word, the way to Him....

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Jesus said this himself!!
I am so glad that God has made a way to Himself! Their is no way we could bridge the chasm between us and God...but Jesus did!

We had a picnic with the church afterwards. It was a beautiful day for it. Probably around 74 o
and very pleasant. The kids played in the soccer field and on the playground. Which, by the way, is a really cool playground with this neat spinning seat thingy. It was on astroturf that looked like nice grass!

We grilled out some burgers and dogs and enjoyed each other! FUN!

Care Group Kids

We have 1/5 of the churches children just in our caregroup (not to mention I have 3 in childcare myself)! I counted 19 kids last night and there were a few not there! We have a great care group. The Dunlop's are our leaders/facilitators; and they have 3 beautiful children in our childcare.

Last night it was our turn to watch the kids. Katelyn and I were heading it up. We had a really blessed time. The children were very obedient and happy! Each one of the children are so unique. You can see their personality traits and some of their gifts. I feel honored to have the opportunity to spend time with them. Thanks to all the great families! (love ya'll)

It really isn't hard to watch all those kids considering there are at least 5 older kids to help. My girl Mikayla always makes herself available to help. The room could be trashed and they clean it in under 5 minutes! Tyler is a huge help. He really honors God in his attitude!

After my observation of this night and with prayerful consideration I think it is very possible to watch the kids as a 1 adult/1 teen team (male or female). It would also spread childcare serving out more. (Don't forget that there are 5 older kid helpers!) I think the teen boys would also benefit/grow by serving in childcare. They are probably gonna be fathers one day and it would be great for them to get some training in now. I know I was personally blessed with Tyler, who is 12, serving the younger kids.

If you have any suggestions or comments on this post em or email me. Thanks so much!

God is so kind to us and He really gave us grace last night. Thank you Lord....be glorified!