Bikes & Bruises

Ugh - it has again been so long . . . but, hey, at least I'm here now! Gosh - we've been on vacation; school has started for Ellen (3rd grade) and Erin (1st grade); Emily has started ballet at Angel Feet Dance here in town. Ellen & Erin are both playing soccer--I'm Erin's coach, sweet thing. I'm teaching Sunday School for the year now as well - first, Erin's class, then Natalie's; then Ellens!

Emily is not going to preschool yet; maybe in January. I tell you what - my life is crazy! I definitely feel like the mom & the dad in our lives right now. No, I don't mow the lawn (I could), but I really feel like I do everything else. Oh, yes, the older 2 girls started piano lessons and they are learning so well! I am so excited for them.

BCO has its 50th celebration this weekend. Of course, Ryan's been busy with work, but then again, he's always busy with work. I'm ready for him to have a change so we can have a life again.

I'm doing another Beth Moore bible study - the Psalms of Ascents and it is so good! I love God's word and need to be in it so badly!

I was at a Library Board meeting on Monday and, of course, Ryan wasn't home yet; so the girls rode bike and I walked up there. My meeting started at 7:00 and Ryan came to get the girls. Ellen & Erin wanted to ride home, so on the way back there is a pretty steep hill that they were traveling down at a pretty decent speed (note, I was not there and ryan was in his pu). Well, Erin's handlebars were going back & forth and she hit the bridge posts with her bike and flew onto the concrete bridge. She got up and was bleeding from her mouth down and blood was coming out of her left ear.

Ellen came to get me from the library and we went to the ER at the hospital. Dr. Ratzlaff finally came (of course it seemed like forever) and assessed her. All the while she was moaning, crying out in pain--bleeding, just terribly uncomfortable and hurting so badly. Ellen & Emily were in the hallway just watching/witnessing everything. Ellen was awesome! She took care of Emily; prayed with her; just was an awesome big sister! Praise God for her.

Erin was such a trooper! Granted she was so miserable, but she didn't freak out and maintained relatively calm there. Dr Ratzlaff put 4 stitches in her chin - she had a deep cut there (it looked like someone took a serrated knife and cut on her chin). then we went to the dentist (Dr. Dillnar and he took x-rays). Her ear bled all that night and that night was miserable! Erin complained of her tummy hurting the worst. We just didn't know what to do for her . . . I'll tell you, though, God is good and He so protected her! I fully believe that will my whole being. She did not land on gravel (where they would have had to pick that out of her cuts). Her eyes were not harmed; she did not fall over the bridge or hit the bridge railing with her head or neck (her flipflop was in the water). She was missing her 2 front teeth, except for 1 that was just coming in; consequently, the roots were still open and it doesn't look like she will lose them. Oh, PRAISE YOU GOD FOR YOUR PROTECTION OVER YOUR SAINTS!!! YOU ARE GOOD! THANK YOU SO MUCH LORD JESUS!!!

Thank you mostly for the promise of Your word; Your love; Your steadfastness in the midst of our harlotry. Praise You God, Praise You for Your mercy and lovingkindess to us . . . Praise You! (Psalm 124)

Note: I prayed the last portion of Psalm 91 over my sweet broken, hurting baby . . . Because Erin has set her love upon me, I will deliver her. I will set her on high because she as known My name. She shall call upon Me, and I will answer her. I will be with her in trouble; I will honor her and deliver her; with long life I will satisfy her and show her my salvation. Love, the Lord God Almighty!