Unsurpassed Joy

Hello all! I wanted to extend my thanks for all the prayers that everyone has lifted up on behalf of my daughter. I feel this year has been a great year of growth for all of us. In the last 6 months or so Georgia has blossomed. She wants desperately to talk and understands she has to talk to get things she wants or needs. She doesn't cry half as much as she used to. Her eyes are so bright and full of life. She plays with us, her brother, watches her peers, brings toys to us. It's amazing to see all the progress that Georgia has made.

This time of year is normally so hard for me, but not this year. God has heard my cry and He has answered. For the last 5 years I would be extremely emotional and going Christmas shopping for Georgia was the most treacherous thing for me. "She won't enjoy anything I get her anyway, there will be no excitement" are my thoughts. But this year we have turned a page. She is starting to explore all her toys, she is so excited to see and try new things. She seeks out things that are new and isn't stuck playing with the same toy for weeks on end. "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven" "A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance" Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4

I stand in amazement at all that God has done in her, around her, and through her. We have our bright-eyed, curious, excited, sassy, smart girl back! and I am so happy this year. My heart is full and I'm excited to see what the future has in store for us.

These 10 photos show Georgia's life this past year, one thing is seen through all the pictures, a smile and joy that only God could give. "Joy that surpasses all understanding"

Mining for Diamonds

"We can sit in the dark or we can start mining the diamonds in our difficulties" 

Holly Gerth

Been quite a while since my last post and while I wish to post everyday, it just doesn't happen. Life gets in the way. Georgia is doing remarkable things, she is in ABA therapy 5 days a week for 3 hour sessions. I knew this therapy was going to be the turn-around that we had been praying for. Sure enough, I have not been disappointed. We have seen so much improvement it is hard to believe sometimes. 

Georgia is actually bouncing with minimal assistance. 

We are currently trying to get her to learn how to jump. She has made tremendous progress towards this goal. When she gets excited she bounces on her legs.

It's incredible to see all the progress that Georgia has made in just a short period of time. She requests things, makes typical eye contact, interacts with us, plays games (taking her shoes off and hands them to you to put back on, over and over again, smiling and laughing all the while), requests to hear more songs. I cannot believe that just a little over two years ago, a doctor told us to never place any expectations on her because she was never going to meet them. Boy, was he ever wrong????!!!!

I never thought we could be in a place where we have two children doing similar things, never in my wildest dreams did I think that I could safely dream of things for my daughter and expect that one day she would actually do them. My cup runs over with joy and peace. God is so true to His word, He will give abundantly over and beyond what you could ever pray for.

God sees in Georgia what that doctor could never see in Georgia, POTENTIAL! Her therapists also see what she can do and then expects that in time Georgia will do it. She is learning colors, listens and responds to commands, tells us what she wants, listens to books, loves to sing, is imitating. Everyday I stand amazed at how far Georgia has come. If I were not living it, I would not believe it!

I am reading the book, "God Sized Dream" by Holly Gerth, it is filled with amazing nuggets and I would encourage you to read it as well. "Don't settle. Don't give into fear. Don't stand on the edge of all God has for you and be sent back to the desert. You are allowed to be happy. You are allowed to be blessed. You are allowed to have a full life. Even more than allowed-this is what God ultimately wants for you." [Pain and heartache] It's only a gateway that He will used to bring you into a deeper joy in the end."

Thank you for continued prayers. We are where we are because of all God has done in our lives through Georgia and because of Georgia. 

A Dream

   I would love to say thank you so much for all the prayers, I know the Lord is faithful to finish this work He has started and I'm so glad we are surrounded by others who support and pray for Georgia. I have to list everything Georgia is doing because she is just blossoming.

1. Constant eye contact and responding to her name
2. Making the following vocal sounds, ee, mm, bb, lala, dd, and this sing-song type sound
3. Her physical abilities are increasing almost daily, she walks still with a limp but not nearly as noticeable, I have seen tremendous improvement in her ability to ride a bike, she bounces on the bed
4. Holds her foot up when it's time for shoes
5. Opening doors to go in/out
6. Will stand by the door when we tell her it's time to go
7. Pulls up pants around waist
8. Allows me to read books to her
9. Will put objects in/out of a container
10. Gives the sweetest kisses without being solicited
11. Looks at you for your reaction to things
12. Increased interaction with her brother/cousins/peers
13. Enjoys bouncing on the trampoline as well as sliding down the slide
14. More assertion of independence in a fun way (smiling and laughing when she doesn't want to do what I want her to do)
15. Her receptive language has picked up greatly
16. Will try and put on shirt with little assistance.  

I'm sure there are things I'm missing but it's so great to see all this progress.

"Ask and it be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you." Luke 11:9
A few weeks ago I was praying, talking really, to God and I asked Him, are things always going to be this way? Will Georgia always require extra assistance? Will I ever get to talk to her and have her talk back to me? Let me just tell you that if you have questions for the Father, ask Him, He will always answer. Well, that night I had a dream that my neighbor gave me a letter and that letter read: God wants you to know this is the last night Georgia will be this way. That was the end of the dream but it was significant for a number of reasons, my neighbor always has said that she sees Georgia well and whole as you and I. Also, I asked Him and He answered me, not in an audible, vocal way but through a dream. He has restored my hope and belief, at my weakest moments God always comes to the rescue and restores me when I am in doubt. "Always pray and do not lose heart." Luke 18:1 "And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind."

Also, I have been praying for the wrong thing!! Let me explain, while listening to Tim Tebow's book on CD, Tim writes about realizing at a young age that he did not want to be average, he wanted to be unique and use the talents that God has given Him to further the Kingdom. That really stuck out to me because I cannot tell you how many times I have prayed that Georgia would be "normal" but now I pray that God will use her to fulfill His unique purpose for her life. She was made differently for a reason and I pray that her testimony will reach others and that God will mold her and make her into the person she was meant to be, not the cookie cutter little girl I have prayed for, for too long. "God never dismisses a parent's prayer. Keep praying and give your child to God, and in the right time and the right way God will give your child back to you." Fearless by Max Lucado.

Thanks again for the continued prayers, we love you all.

ABA Therapy

Hello Friends,

Getting Georgia the best help has and will always be my goal; we had a consultation with an ABA therapist this past week. We think that this is the best therapy that Georgia can get with her history of developmental delay and addressing those behaviors in which she cries and screams to get away from the learning environment. This is a therapy that I believe will bring her to a place of wanting to learn and there has been tremendous success with other patients.

However, it is not likely that our insurance will cover the cost of this therapy and it can be quite pricey. As many of you know or if you do not know, I became an Independent Jewelry Lady working for Premier Designs Jewelry, in August of last year. This is a way I thought that I could get out of the house a few nights a month and bring in a little extra income. However, this has become a way in which I believe that I can pay for Georgia to have this therapy.

Normally, I would not ask for help, but in this instance, I am asking for help because I cannot do it by myself. If there is anyone of you who would like to help Georgia and get a lot of free jewelry, I implore you to message me. As an added incentive, I will let you pick out a ring from the catalog and purchase it for $15.

Thank you for all your prayers and support as always.